Focus industries

With breakthrough technology companies and research organizations, the largest military concentration in the world and a strong tourism industry, the San Diego region has one of the most diverse, dynamic economies in the country.

What sets San Diego apart from all of the rest of the world is our incredible quality of life, our incredible natural resources

Clean tech

A pioneer in renewable energy, San Diego’s clean technology cluster is second to none. San Diego is one of the nation’s top locations for research and development in engineering, life sciences and biotechnology, which are critical to the success of the cleantech cluster. Another key strength lies in San Diego’s partnership with its neighbor to the east, Imperial County, which provides cost-effective facilities for companies that ready for production and commercialization.

This combination of intellectual and physical capital makes the region one of the most competitive landscapes in the country for cleantech companies.

Aerospace

San Diego’s aerospace industry has been an integral part of the region’s – and the world’s – innovation and defense economies. Home to some of the world’s largest aerospace, aircraft, and research and development companies, San Diego is a North American aerospace hub. San Diego is also part of a much larger aerospace ecosystem that includes robust operations throughout Southern California. Southern California’s aerospace industry employs more than 85,000 people, and in 2014, the industry’s output totaled $39.9 billion. Tacking on to the Southern California success, Baja California, Mexico is one of the world’s leading aerospace manufacturing hubs – home to Honeywell, Cobham and Eaton, to name a few.

Information and Communication technologies

The region’s technology cluster is now home to a number of innovative and evolving sectors, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, connected devices, data analytics, health IT, bioinformatics, gaming and software as a service (SaaS). Supporting this growth, San Diego’s major research universities are also on the forefront of technology innovation. UC San Diego generates more patents than any other University of California campus.

Innovation

Recognized as one of the leading high-tech hubs in the U.S., San Diego's innovation economy is anchored by established life science, communications, cleantech and software industries fueled by a collaborative culture and sophisticated support systems focused on commercializing research and growing entrepreneurial, knowledge-based companies.

Military

San Diego is home to the largest concentration of military in the world. It is homeport to more than 60 percent of the ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet and more than one-third of the combat power of the U.S. Marine Corps. The defense industry represents one out of every five jobs in the region and includes leaders in unmanned vehicles, robotics, cybersecurity and shipbuilding.

Tourism

San Diego is one of the top 10 visitor and meeting destinations in the U.S., with a growing sector focused on arts and culture. More than 30 million people visit San Diego each year. Many of San Diego's business leaders first visited the region as a tourist or convention delegate.

Healthcare

San Diego is home to one of the most sophisticated healthcare industries in the country. Academic medical centers and clinically-focused hospitals provide high-quality primary care and specialties that have achieved national stature. San Diego hospitals hold some of the highest ratings by national publications, such as U.S. News and World Report, for both overall care and unique specialties. The industry is one of the fastest growing and one of the largest employers in the region. San Diego is considered a leader in health innovation due in part to its 'Live Well, San Diego' initiative, a 10-year plan to build a healthy, safe and thriving community.

Intellect

San Diego's six universities and more than 80 research institutes conduct groundbreaking research, train the region's workforce, and provide a workforce and technology infrastructure that enables the region to compete for investment and jobs on a global level.