San Diego’s picture-perfect image of beaches and sunshine only tells part of the story. Behind the familiar postcard lies a city rich with oddities, surprises, and forgotten bits of the past. Here are five little-known facts about the San Diego region that might just surprise even the most seasoned locals.
1. Jessop’s Clock Has Traveled Through Time
Commissioned in 1905, Jessop’s Clock is a 22-foot-tall timepiece that has become a San Diego icon. Originally installed in front of the Jessop & Sons jewelry store on Fifth Avenue, it has since been relocated several times, including to Horton Plaza. As of 2025, efforts are underway to restore and permanently house the clock at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.
2. The Region Was Once Hollywood’s Backlot
Before Hollywood became the center of the film industry, the San Diego region played a significant role in early cinema. In the early 1900s, several studios operated in the area, producing numerous silent films. Flying A Studios, based in La Mesa, was one of the most notable, creating over 150 films during its run.
3. The U.S. Grant Hotel Is Said to Be Haunted
Opened in 1910, the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego is not only a luxurious landmark but also a site of ghostly legends. Guests and staff have reported eerie occurrences, including sightings of apparitions and unexplained noises. The most famous ghost is said to be Fannie Chaffee Grant, the wife of the hotel’s builder, who passed away shortly before its opening.
4. San Diego Was the Birthplace of U.S. Airmail
While many associate airmail with the East Coast, the first regularly scheduled U.S. airmail service actually began in San Diego. In 1918, the U.S. Army Air Service launched a test flight from San Diego to Los Angeles, marking the beginning of a new era in mail delivery. This pioneering flight laid the groundwork for the nationwide airmail network that would follow.
5. Naval Aviation Took Flight in San Diego
San Diego is often called the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation.” In 1911, Lt. Theodore Ellyson became the U.S. Navy’s first aviator, training at North Island, which was then a remote sandbar. By 1917, the Navy had established a formal air station there, cementing San Diego’s role in military aviation history.
Sources:
- San Diego Air & Space Museum, Airmail Exhibit Introduction
- San Diego History Center, Filming San Diego: Silent Film Studios
- FrightFind, U.S. Grant Hotel Haunted
- San Diego Air & Space Museum, Birthplace of Naval Aviation
- San Diego History Center, Jessop’s Clock Restoration
