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History

For 60 years, the Port of San Diego has protected and managed the waterfront land of San Diego and its five member cities. 

 

 

historic picture of the port

Established 1962

The Port of San Diego was created by the California State Legislature to manage San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land on December 18, 1962.

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 22 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of hundreds of tenant and subtenant businesses around San Diego Bay. These include 17 hotels, 74 restaurants, three specialty retail centers and numerous other attractions including museums and bay tours.

Historical Port of San Diego Highlights

1542
1542

Cabrillo sails into San Diego Bay

1919
1919

San Diego Harbor Commission and Harbor Department established

1950
1950

Filling of Shelter Island completed

1961
1961

Harbor Island shaped from dredged materials

1962
1962

San Diego Unified Port District created

1963
1963

Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal bulk loading facility completed

1968
1968

Cargo handling begins at National City Marine Terminal

1970
1970

First Port cruise ship call out of San Diego

1976
1976

North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks created

1982
1982

Chula Vista Bayside Park dedicated

1986
1986

B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal dedicated

1989
1989

San Diego Convention Center opens

1990
1990
  • Imperial Beach tidelands transferred to the Port
  • National City Marine Terminal receives first vehicle imports
1997
1997

Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace opens

1998
1998

Port expands San Diego Airport Terminal 2

2000
2000

National City Historic Railcar Plaza unveiled

2001
2001
  • San Diego Convention Center expansion celebrated
  • Pasha Automotive Services processes one millionth vehicle
2008
2008

Pier 32 Marina opens in National City

2012
2012
  • Port of San Diego marks 50-year anniversary
  • Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan approved
2013
2013
  • Port initiates comprehensive Port Master Plan Update process
  • The Headquarters opens in former San Diego Police Headquarters
2015
2015

North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1 opens

2016
2016
  • Port issues public solicitations for redevelopment of Central Embarcadero
  • SpringHill Suites & Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayfront opens on Lane Field site, the Port's 17th hotel
  • Vice President Joe Biden makes historic visit to Port, delivering speech to audience of 400 at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal
2017
2017
  • Work begins on Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Modernization
2018
2018
  • Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp renovation completed
  • InterContinental San Diego opens on Lane Field on the North Embarcadero
2019
2019
  • Port and San Diego Symphony celebrate start of construction for Bayside Performance Park, also known as The Shell, in Embarcadero Marina Park South
  • As part of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, Port and City of Chula Vista celebrate start of construction on the Sun Outdoors RV resort and Sweetwater Bicycle Path & Promenade
2020
2020
  • Port celebrates completion of Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Modernization
  • Port and The Brigantine, Inc. celebrate opening of Portside Pier on the North Embarcadero
2021
2021
  • Port and San Diego Symphony celebrate the grand opening of the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, a state-of-the-art concert venue and "park within a park" in the Port's Embarcadero Marina Park South.
2022
2022
  • Port, City of Chula Vista, RIDA Chula Vista, Inc., and Marriott Hotels celebrate start of construction for the $1.35 billion Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center on the Chula Vista Bayfront. The project is anticipated to be completed by summer 2022
  • Port purchases all-electric dual mobile harbor cranes, first in North America
  • Port and U.S. Navy sign first-of-its kind agreement at gives the U.S. Navy access to participate in California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) market; will generate millions for electrification projects around San Diego Bay
2023
2023
  • Port completes shore power expansion at cruise ship terminals, two cruise vessels plug in for first time