The Hidden Histories Behind San Diego’s Neighborhood Names
San Diego is a city shaped by many layers of history, from its Native American roots to its Spanish colonization and American expansion. While we often refer to neighborhoods by their current names, many of these places once had different identities rooted in Indigenous culture, early settlements, and immigrant communities. These earlier names offer insight into the people and events that helped shape the city’s landscape.
As neighborhoods evolved, developers, settlers, and local leaders often rebranded them to reflect new ambitions or shifting demographics. Rediscovering these original names can deepen our connection to San Diego's past. Let’s take a closer look at the real, verifiable stories behind the names.
Old Town: Originally Known as Kosa’aay and Cosoy
Before Spanish colonization, Old Town San Diego was the site of the Kumeyaay village called Kosa’aay, also known as Cosoy in Spanish records. This thriving Indigenous settlement was located near the San Diego River, where the community lived off natural resources and trade. In 1769, Spanish missionaries arrived and built the Presidio and the first mission nearby, displacing the native population.
The area then became known as San Diego’s original colonial settlement. Today, Old Town is recognized for its preserved adobe buildings and historical parks, but its Kumeyaay heritage is finally receiving acknowledgment: In 2021, the village name “Kosa’aay” was added to the signage at Old Town State Historic Park. This inclusion restores part of the area's Indigenous identity and honors its original inhabitants.
Gaslamp Quarter: Before the Neon Lights, It Was the Stingaree
Long before it became a hub for restaurants and nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter was known as the Stingaree, a rough-and-tumble red-light district. The name was inspired by the stingray, a reference to how people could get "stung" by the area's seedy reputation. From the 1880s to the early 1900s, it was home to saloons, gambling halls, and brothels. Efforts to clean up Downtown intensified in 1916, when many of the Stingaree’s buildings were demolished in a campaign to reform the city’s image. For decades, the area struggled to recover, until redevelopment projects in the 1980s introduced the Gaslamp identity.
The district was rebranded with gas-style lamps and Victorian-inspired architecture to project a more polished Downtown image. While its modern look draws tourists and locals alike, the Stingaree’s gritty past remains a key chapter in San Diego’s history.
Mission Valley: Home to Kumeyaay Villages Before Spanish Settlement
Mission Valley was once the site of several Kumeyaay villages, including Nipaquay, Haiir, and Cosoy, where families lived close to the river and cultivated the fertile valley. The Spanish later named the area La Cañada de San Diego, or San Diego Canyon, based on its natural topography. In 1774, Mission San Diego de Alcalá was relocated into the valley, marking a new era of Spanish religious and agricultural influence.
As colonization expanded, the valley transitioned into farmland and eventually became a corridor for roads and commerce. Today, Mission Valley is known for its shopping malls, hotels, and freeway access, but few realize its early history as Indigenous homeland and later as a colonial outpost. The valley’s transformation reflects centuries of cultural change, and its name continues to carry echoes of both natural beauty and layered history.
Point Loma: A Peninsula with Deep Cultural and Geographic Roots
The area now called Point Loma was once known by the Kumeyaay as Amat Kunyily, which some scholars translate as “black earth.” This description referred to the fertile, dark soil and the peninsula’s spiritual significance. When Spanish explorers arrived in 1542, they named the area La Punta de la Loma de San Diego, meaning “Hill Point of San Diego.”
The high bluffs offered a natural lookout, later used for military and navigational purposes. Today, Point Loma is home to Cabrillo National Monument, military bases, and thriving residential communities. While many visitors come for the ocean views and historic lighthouse, the land holds deeper meaning for the Kumeyaay people. Its early names tell a story of natural geography and Indigenous stewardship.
Ocean Beach: From Shellfish Shore to Bohemian Escape
Ocean Beach began with a more practical name, Mussel Beach, due to the large number of mussels found along its coast. In 1887, developers Billy Carlson and Albert Higgins renamed it Ocean Beach to attract tourists and real estate buyers. Their vision included a hotel and a rail line connecting the beach to downtown San Diego, though growth was initially slow.
The area eventually gained traction, especially in the 1960s when it became a magnet for surfers, artists, and activists. Known for its laid-back vibe and vintage storefronts, Ocean Beach continues to resist over-commercialization. Its earlier name may have faded, but the community spirit that grew from those early days remains strong. The evolution from a quiet mussel-covered shoreline to a vibrant beach town reflects over a century of cultural transformation.
Barrio Logan: A Neighborhood Rooted in Resistance and Identity
Originally part of Logan Heights, this neighborhood took its name from U.S. Congressman John A. Logan in the 1880s. As more Mexican-American families settled in the southern section during the early 1900s, the area became known as Barrio Logan, with “barrio” meaning neighborhood in Spanish. It developed into a bustling community supported by shipyards, canneries, and other waterfront industries. In the 1970s, local residents rallied to prevent further displacement and created Chicano Park, now famous for its colorful murals and national historic designation.
Barrio Logan has since become a hub for Chicano culture, art, and activism. In 2017, it was officially recognized as a California Cultural District. The shift from Logan Heights to Barrio Logan highlights the power of community in shaping place and preserving identity.
Shelltown: A Name Born from the Land Itself
Located in Southeast San Diego, Shelltown got its name from the shell fragments found in its sandy soil, remnants of the area’s prehistoric marine origins. In the early 20th century, the neighborhood attracted working-class residents, many of whom were connected to Naval Base San Diego.
Over time, Shelltown became one of San Diego’s most diverse communities, home to Mexican-American and Filipino-American families. Its proximity to the base made it especially appealing to Navy personnel looking for affordable housing. Despite its modest size, Shelltown has played a significant role in the city’s social and cultural development. The area retains its strong sense of community and heritage today. Its name serves as a reminder of both natural history and human resilience.
Conclusion
San Diego’s neighborhood names hold far more meaning than mere labels on a map. They reflect centuries of migration, adaptation, and reinvention. From the Indigenous roots of Kosa’aay and Amat Kunyily to the immigrant-built barrios and renamed beach towns, these places tell stories that deserve to be remembered. As the city continues to grow and change, acknowledging these earlier names connects us to a deeper history. They reveal how neighborhood identities were built over countless generations.
This rich history is part of what makes San Diego such a special place to call home. If you’re thinking about finding your place in one of the city’s storied neighborhoods, reach out to Melina Rissone for expert guidance and local insight.
Melina Rissone
Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going through divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.
Certified Senior Advisor by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Cartus Network Inventory Specialist and Cartus Network Marketing Specialist since 2015.
RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
Melina is bilingual in English and German.
Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.
Melina is a true professional! She is responsive and thorough. She offers important insights through the home buying and selling process. She has a network of connections so that specialists may be brought in when needed. Melina was our real estate broker when buying a home in 2017. And she is the person I have returned to as we consider selling. Melina is a top notch broker in San Diego!
-Catherine
