Why Is San Diego An Important Place To California?

Within the confines, territories, small towns and neighborhoods of san diego are:  A nuclear power plant (active), some of the best surf in the world,  some of the hottest nightspots in the "Gaslamp Quarter", Petco Park, the Padres Stadium, the Padres themselves, The Scripps Research Center, The Scripps Clinic (often called the Mayo Clinic of the west coast), Balboa Park, which housed the first World's Fair in the early 20th Century ( 1919 or 1920), The World Famous San Diego Zoo, and Wild Animal Park, The San Diego Chargers, beautiful beaches, Torrey Pines Golf Course where the U.S. Open is held every year, Camp Pendleton (Marines home base), close proximity to Catalina Island, Palm Springs, Mexico, Idyllwild, the San Jacinto Mountains, and Arizona.  Although right now, there are no jobs, the poverty level is increasing, the numbers of homeless on the streets are increasing, and housing costs are still ridiculous.  So YOU decide..why IS San Diego important to California?
Ladywitch