Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach, California, was founded in 1887 by land speculators after the establishment of the railroad to San Diego, which resulted in the formation of many ocean-side communities. A land boom ensued, yet was short-lived due to the Great Depression of the 1890s. World War II brought a torrent of people to Pacific Beach—workers, sailors, and Marines, as well as their families—increasing its population five-fold. After the war, many residents remained, thus ensuring the growth of the comm...