Home to beautiful beach resorts, San Diego Bay is also home to a thriving economy, a busy commercial port and a hub of US Naval operations. It is the home port of several Navy and Marine crafts, including Navy supercarriers the USS John C. Stennis, the USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan. In fact, several Navy vessels have been named USS San Diego in honor of this seventh largest city in the United States.

Known for its near-idyllic climate, San Diego is also known for its near-idyllic business climate. In fact, the area has consistently received high praise from national publications for its diversified economy:

• California CEO Magazine, February 2003: "San Diego is the Best City for Business in California"
• Forbes Magazine, May 27, 2002: "San Diego is the Best Place in America for Business and Careers"
• USA Today, July 9, 1999: "San Diego is coming into its own as an entrepreneurial mecca. The shipping and defense industries of the past have given way to telecommunication and other high-tech companies that are revitalizing the city."

While attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Mission Bay and Balboa Park draw visitors from all over the world, the friendly business climate attracts leading companies in industries such as electronics, oceanography, aerospace and missile technology, medical and scientific research, and agriculture. With its five most developed and significant technology clusters — life sciences, communications, computer and electronics manufacturing, defense and transportation manufacturing, and software and computer services — San Diego's business climate continues to thrive.

Hotel del Coronado Crown Room

According to California CEO Magazine, San Diego's diversity makes it an ideal business climate with state-designated Enterprise Zones, a federally designated Foreign Trade Zone, and a large array of business incentives offered to local businesses. Additionally, the region's six universities and nine community colleges offer local companies a talent pool of more than 200,000 students. Businesses currently taking advantage of what San Diego offers include:

• QUALCOMM
• Sempra Energy
• Sony Electronics
• Pfizer
• Science Applications International Corporation