8 Surprising Facts About San Diego

May 20, 2015 Written By Jaime Grimes

We're hiring for dozens of Epic full-time and contract roles in San Diego, but if all you know about this Southern California gem is that it has a zoo and it’s ever-so-slightly north of the Mexico border, maybe it’s time to revisit what comprises this city of 1.3 million residents.

Climate, culture and career collide in San Diego, the “birthplace of California.” Here are 8 surprising facts about this city that’s reemerging as a healthcare and biotech center – and with great weather, scenic hiking trails and craft beer, it’s set right in the middle of paradise. They don’t call it America’s Finest City for nothing.

1. San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of the World. With more than 100 breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, San Diego boasts top-notch breweries, such as Karl Strauss, Stone Brewing Co., AleSmith Brewing Company and Ballast Point Brewing Company, all of which consistently rank among the best in the country. Plus, San Diego is the birthplace of the Double IPA, or Imperial IPA, also known as San Diego pale ale.
2. San Diego has a huge cruise ship industry, in case you need a vacation. Disney, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess cruise lines all operate out of San Diego, and travel to the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean or even Tahiti.
3. It has an amazing climate. Named to the list of 10 Best Weather Cities from the Farmer’s Almanac and the Best Climate for Summer Weather by The Weather Channel, San Diego boasts 201 days of weather with highs above 70 degrees and low rainfall.
4. It has top-notch hiking trails. Pack your favorite trail mix and head out to explore the city’s natural beauty on foot. Spot dolphins or grey whales along the breezy Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, climb the hills for panoramic vistas on the Iron Mountain Trail and for the experienced hiker, witness the 75-foot cliffs at Cedar Creek Falls and Devil’s Punchbowl.
5. There's a whole bunch of farms. With more than 7,000 farms in the city, San Diego has the most farms of any one city in the United States, and has 347 organic produce growers in the area. In fact, 90% of the nation’s avocados come from San Diego County.
6. It's home to the most missions in the country. San Diego is a prime stop on the California Mission Trail, where you can see Mission San Diego de Alcala, Mission San Luis Rey, Mission San Antonio de Pala and Mission Santa Ysabel.
7. The city is a biotech and healthcare hub. Thanks to the University of California, San Diego and other research institutions, San Diego ranked as the second-largest life science cluster in the U.S. and is home to more than 400 biotech companies in the area. These work in tandem with the many large healthcare institutes and research organizations in the city.
8. Did we mention we're hiring? Our San Diego-based client is a major health system and one of America's Best Places to Work (according to Forbes). If you’re interested in living and working in a city that has it all, apply for our available San Diego roles, and you may be propping your feet up on a beach chair on the West Coast in just a few weeks.