San Diego’s history stretches back thousands of years, long before it became the bustling city known today. The region was inhabited by the Kumeyaay people, referred to by Spanish explorers as Diegueños, whose presence in the area dates back at least 9,000 years. Archaeologists have identified what is known as the San Dieguito complex, one of the earliest cultural settlements in the region. Some researchers suggest the Kumeyaay either evolved culturally from this early complex or migrated into the area around 1000 C.E.

The Kumeyaay established villages throughout the region, with one of the most significant being Kosa’aay, located in what is now Old Town San Diego. This village consisted of thirty to forty families living in pyramid-shaped structures and relied on a freshwater spring from nearby hills for sustenance. Kosa’aay became the foundation upon which European settlers would later build the first permanent settlement in California.

San Diego’s pre-colonial era highlights a rich cultural legacy and deep connection to the land, setting the stage for the city’s later historical milestones.