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1950s Maps of San Diego, California

Explore 18 historic maps of San Diego 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'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's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.

San Diego, CA maps

(18)
  1. 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.
  4. 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
  7. 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
  10. 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
  13. 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
  16. 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
  19. 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
  22. 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.
  25. 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.
  28. 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
  31. 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.
  34. 1955 Map of San Vicente Reservoir, 1956 Print
    1955 Map of San Vicente Reservoir, 1956 Print
    1955 San Vicente Reservoir
    1956 Print · USGS
    San Diego's backcountry in the mid-1950s is defined by its deep canyons and the early footprints of major water infrastructure. Local historians can trace family landholdings like Goodan Ranch and Wildwood Ranch alongside the vast Camp Elliott Naval Reservation.
    4 unique versions available
  37. 1955 Map of Jamul Mountains, 1956 Print
    1955 Map of Jamul Mountains, 1956 Print
    1955 Jamul Mountains
    1956 Print · USGS
    San Diego County's inland valleys and peaks are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the rural character of the region before modern suburban growth. You can trace historic landholdings like Monte Vista Ranch or locate the old La Mesa Airport and The Oaks School.
    5 unique versions available
  40. 1955 Map of Otay Mesa, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Otay Mesa, 1957 Print
    1955 Otay Mesa
    1957 Print · USGS
    The California-Mexico borderlands come alive in the mid-fifties, showing the strategic mix of military aviation and ranching. Trace the footprint of Brown Field or locate historic rural sites like Alta School and Otay Ranch.
    4 unique versions available
  43. 1955 Map of Jamul, 1958 Print
    1955 Map of Jamul, 1958 Print
    1955 Jamul
    1958 Print · USGS
    The San Diego backcountry in the mid-fifties shows a landscape of expansive cattle ranches and growing military infrastructure. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Jamul and Dulzura or locate family-named sites like Daley Ranch and the Indian Church.
    3 unique versions available
  46. 1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Santa Ana
    1956 Print · USGS
    Southern California underwent massive mid-century transformation as suburban growth met major military and water projects. Trace the postwar expansion of Santa Ana and Riverside, the layout of Camp Pendleton, and the path of the Colorado River Aqueduct.
  49. 1958 Map of San Diego, 1961 Print
    1958 Map of San Diego, 1961 Print
    1958 San Diego
    1961 Print · USGS
    San Diego and its inland mountain ranges are captured here in the late fifties as coastal suburbs began to climb the mesas. Researchers can trace the mid-century footprint of Miramar Naval Air Station, the winding San Diego & Arizona Eastern Ry, and local landmarks like Cabrillo Nat Mon.
    4 unique versions available
  52. 1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Santa Ana
    1971 Print · USGS
    Southern California is captured in a decade of transformation, from the Orange County coast to the desert floor. Researchers can trace the mid-century footprints of Camp Pendleton, March Air Force Base, and the original Ortega Highway.
    3 unique versions available
End of results
Showing maps 1-18 of 18

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Frequently asked questions

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