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1950s Maps of San Diego County, California

Explore 70 historic maps of San Diego County from the 1950s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1950s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how San Diego County's landscape evolved across the 1950s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1950s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring San Diego County's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.

San Diego County, CA maps

(70)
  1. 1950 Map of Pala
    1950 Map of Pala
    1950 Pala
    1950 Print · USGS
    The northern San Diego back country comes alive in this mid-century survey of the Pala Indian Reservation and its surrounding valleys. Genealogists and researchers can trace the historic Mission at Pala, find the Indian Cem, and locate the Katerina Mine tucked into the hills.
  4. 1950 Map of Boucher Hill
    1950 Map of Boucher Hill
    1950 Boucher Hill
    1950 Print · USGS
    Tribal lands and high mountain forests define this San Diego County landscape at the midpoint of the century. Researchers can trace the heritage of the Rincon Indian Reservation, locate the Mack Mine, or find the Happyland Sanitarium.
    2 unique versions available
  7. 1950 Map of Pechanga
    1950 Map of Pechanga
    1950 Pechanga
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Riverside and San Diego county line in the mid-century is defined by its deep tribal history and gem-mining industry. Genealogists and historians can trace local family landmarks like Pauba Ranch, the San Gabriel Church, and the Pala Chief Mine.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1950 Map of Margarita Peak
    1950 Map of Margarita Peak
    1950 Margarita Peak
    1950 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego County mountains appear here at mid-century, split between federal forest land and a major military installation. Researchers can trace the early road network including Basilone Road and find isolated springs like Cold Spring or Case Spring.
  13. 1950 Map of Palomar Observatory
    1950 Map of Palomar Observatory
    1950 Palomar Observatory
    1950 Print · USGS
    San Diego County's high country is captured here in the mid-century, centered on the prestigious Palomar Observatory and its surrounding wilderness. Genealogists and researchers can trace the roads to La Jolla Amago, locate remote mines like the Ware Mine, and explore the 1950s layout of Crestline Camp.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1950 Map of Temecula
    1950 Map of Temecula
    1950 Temecula
    1950 Print · USGS
    Southern California's inland ranching country is captured here at mid-century, spanning the border of Riverside and San Diego counties. Genealogists and local historians can trace legacy holdings like Royal Oak Ranch and find early community markers such as the Vallecitos School and Rainbow.
  19. 1950 Map of San Diego, 1954 Print
    1950 Map of San Diego, 1954 Print
    1950 San Diego
    1954 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego and the Baja California border region come alive in this mid-century survey. Trace the early layout of National City and Chula Vista, or locate historic landmarks like the San Diego and Arizona Eastern RR and Fort Rosecrans.
  22. 1952 Map of Warner Springs
    1952 Map of Warner Springs
    1952 Warner Springs
    1952 Print · USGS
    The high back-country of northern San Diego County is captured here in the early fifties, showing the mountain valleys before modern expansion. Researchers can trace remote settlements and desert outposts like San Ignacio, Combs Camp, and the legendary Warner Springs near the shores of Lake Henshaw.
  25. 1952 Map of Agua Dulce
    1952 Map of Agua Dulce
    1952 Agua Dulce
    1952 Print · USGS
    The Coachella Valley and Santa Rosa Mountains are depicted here in the early fifties as desert travel and local industry expanded. Researchers can trace historic routes like the Truckhaven Trail and locate early landmarks such as the Flemming Saw Mill or Oasis Sch.
  28. 1952 Map of Poway Valley, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Poway Valley, 1954 Print
    1952 Poway Valley
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Poway Valley of the early fifties is captured here as a rural landscape beginning its transition into a major suburban and military hub. Genealogists and local historians can trace early school sites like Pomerado Sch and Midland Sch alongside the expansive Miramar Naval Air Station Reservation.
    3 unique versions available
  31. 1953 Map of Del Mar, 1954 Print
    1953 Map of Del Mar, 1954 Print
    1953 Del Mar
    1954 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego County comes alive in the early fifties, showing the transition from agricultural ranch lands to a growing military and suburban corridor. Trace the historic SANTA FE line past Del Mar Race Track or locate the original Sorrento PO.
    3 unique versions available
  34. 1953 Map of Wildomar, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of Wildomar, 1955 Print
    1953 Wildomar
    1955 Print · USGS
    Wildomar and the Elsinore Mountains appear here in the early 1950s, showing a landscape of high-altitude ranching and forest management. Genealogists can trace family holdings at Morrell Ranch or locate the local Cemetery and the Tenaja Guard Sta.
    6 unique versions available
  37. 1953 Map of Vail Lake, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of Vail Lake, 1955 Print
    1953 Vail Lake
    1955 Print · USGS
    In the mid-1950s, this pocket of the California backcountry was a landscape of remote homesteads and rugged ridges. Researchers can trace early rural life through features like the Crosley Homestead, the Cottonwood Sch, and the old Cem at Radec.
    7 unique versions available
  40. 1953 Map of La Mesa, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of La Mesa, 1955 Print
    1953 La Mesa
    1955 Print · USGS
    The eastern edge of San Diego and La Mesa are captured during a period of mid-century suburban expansion. Genealogists and local historians can trace neighborhood growth through San Diego State College and local schools like Hoover High Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  43. 1953 Map of San Ysidro, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of San Ysidro, 1955 Print
    1953 San Ysidro
    1955 Print · USGS
    The South Bay region and Mexican border are captured here in the early fifties as coastal neighborhoods expanded around the massive Salt Evaporators. Genealogists and researchers can trace the development of Palm City, Imperial Beach, and San Ysidro near the Ream Field naval base.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1953 Map of National City, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of National City, 1955 Print
    1953 National City
    1955 Print · USGS
    The South Bay region of San Diego comes alive in the early fifties as coastal cities expand toward the inland canyons. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood growth through sites like Lincoln Acres, Glenn Abbey Cemetery, and the National City Airport.
    2 unique versions available
  49. 1953 Map of La Jolla, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of La Jolla, 1955 Print
    1953 La Jolla
    1955 Print · USGS
    San Diego's coastline and canyons are captured in the early fifties during a period of significant suburban and military development. Genealogists and local historians can locate early schools and landmarks like The Bishops School, Old Town, and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1953 Map of Point Loma, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of Point Loma, 1955 Print
    1953 Point Loma
    1955 Print · USGS
    Mid-century San Diego and Coronado reveal a landscape deeply integrated with military and aviation history, showing the region as it transitioned into a major naval hub. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of Ocean Beach, the layout of Lindbergh Field, and schools like Sacred Heart Academy.
  55. 1954 Map of Cuyamaca Peak
    1954 Map of Cuyamaca Peak
    1954 Cuyamaca Peak
    1954 Print · USGS
    The San Diego backcountry in the mid-fifties is a rugged network of cattle ranches and mountain preserves. Trace the development of Hulburd Grove and Alpine, or locate local landmarks like Anahuac Sch and the Oriflamme Mine tucked in the canyons.
  58. 1954 Map of San Diego
    1954 Map of San Diego
    1954 San Diego
    1954 Print · USGS
    San Diego and the northern reaches of Baja California are captured here during a decade of rapid post-war growth and military expansion. Researchers can trace the mid-century shoreline of Mission Beach, find established tribal lands like Capitan Grande Indian Reservation, and follow the border crossing into Tijuana.
  61. 1954 Map of Aguanga, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Aguanga, 1955 Print
    1954 Aguanga
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Aguanga area in the mid-1950s remained a landscape of historic cattle ranches and stage routes. Genealogists and historians can trace the legacy of early travel at the Oak Grove Stage Station Historical Marker or locate the ranching footprint of Dry Ranch and Oak Grove.
    9 unique versions available
  64. 1954 Map of Sitton Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Sitton Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Sitton Peak
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest are captured in the mid-fifties during a period of steady ranching and early recreational use. Researchers can locate established homesteads like Stewart Ranch, find backcountry sites like Fishermans Camp, and trace the path of the Ortega Highway.
    4 unique versions available
  67. 1954 Map of San Pasqual, 1957 Print
    1954 Map of San Pasqual, 1957 Print
    1954 San Pasqual
    1957 Print · USGS
    The valleys and peaks of San Diego County are captured here in the mid-1950s, showing a landscape of sprawling ranches and early aviation. Local historians can trace family-named sites like Fenton Ranch and find the Indian Cem near the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historical Monument.
    5 unique versions available
  70. 1954 Map of Margarita Peak, 1964 Print
    1954 Map of Margarita Peak, 1964 Print
    1954 Margarita Peak
    1964 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego and Riverside counties appear here in the early 1940s as military and ranching interests shaped the landscape. Genealogists and researchers can trace family-named sites like Johnson Ranch, De Luz School, and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe rail line.
  73. 1955 Map of San Diego
    1955 Map of San Diego
    1955 San Diego
    1955 Print · USGS
    Southern California underwent massive growth in the post-war years, as suburban development pushed into the canyons and foothills. Researchers can trace the mid-century infrastructure of Lindbergh Field, the Otay River, and numerous sites like Lemon Grove.
Showing maps 1-25 of 70

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Frequently asked questions

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