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Old Maps of San Diego, California for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 98 historic maps of San Diego. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of San Diego.

San Diego, CA maps

(98)
  1. 1893 Map of El Cajon
    1893 Map of El Cajon
    1893 El Cajon
    1893 Print · USGS
    Eastern San Diego County was a landscape of ambitious water engineering and early rail expansion in the 1890s. Genealogists can trace the rural roots of El Cajon, Lakeside, and Santee while following the path of the San Diego Flume.
    2 unique versions available
  4. 1893 Map of Escondido
    1893 Map of Escondido
    1893 Escondido
    1893 Print · USGS
    North County San Diego emerges in the early 1890s as a region of new railroad towns and foothill settlements. Genealogists and historians can trace early grids in Escondido and locate smaller outposts like Olivenhain, Bernardo, and Vista.
    2 unique versions available
  7. 1901 Map of Elcajon
    1901 Map of Elcajon
    1901 Elcajon
    1901 Print · USGS
    San Diego's eastern valleys are shown at the turn of the century as agriculture and water infrastructure began to reshape the landscape. Trace the path of the San Diego Flume and its tunnels or the rail line serving Foster, Lakeside, and Elcajon.
  10. 1901 Map of Escondido
    1901 Map of Escondido
    1901 Escondido
    1901 Print · USGS
    Inland San Diego County was a landscape of citrus groves and cattle ranges at the dawn of the twentieth century. Genealogists can trace family footprints in early settlements like Escondido and Bernardo, or follow the rail path of the Southern California R. R. Escondido Branch.
    6 unique versions available
  13. 1901 Map of San Luis Rey
    1901 Map of San Luis Rey
    1901 San Luis Rey
    1901 Print · USGS
    Northern San Diego County is shown at the turn of the century as a landscape of sprawling ranchos, early coastal railroads, and secluded mountain valleys. Researchers can trace the routes of the California Southern RR or locate early settlements like De Luz, Pala, and the Temecula Indian Res.
    8 unique versions available
  16. 1903 Map of Cuyamaca
    1903 Map of Cuyamaca
    1903 Cuyamaca
    1903 Print · USGS
    Inland San Diego County at the turn of the century reveals a landscape defined by new water infrastructure and rail lines. Genealogists and historians can trace early settlements like Lakeside, Dulzura, and the remote Honey Springs Ranch along the international border.
    6 unique versions available
  19. 1903 Map of La Jolla
    1903 Map of La Jolla
    1903 La Jolla
    1903 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego at the turn of the century shows a landscape of deep canyons and emerging rail towns before the rapid expansion of the modern city. Genealogists and historians can trace early settlements like Old Town, Pacific Beach, and the inland community of Poway along the Southern California R. R.
    9 unique versions available
  22. 1903 Map of Elcajon
    1903 Map of Elcajon
    1903 Elcajon
    1903 Print · USGS
    San Diego's interior transitions from rail-linked valleys to high reservations at the turn of the century. Trace the path of the San Diego Flume and find vanished railroad stops like Foster and Moreno alongside the growing Elcajon Valley.
    5 unique versions available
  25. 1903 Map of Ramona
    1903 Map of Ramona
    1903 Ramona
    1903 Print · USGS
    San Diego County's high country and interior valleys are captured here at the start of the twentieth century, during a time of mountain ranching and early gold mining. Researchers can trace the early footprints of Julian, Ramona, and Mesa Grande, alongside the boundaries of the San Jacinto Forest Reserve.
    6 unique versions available
  28. 1904 Map of San Diego
    1904 Map of San Diego
    1904 San Diego
    1904 Print · USGS
    San Diego and its harbor are captured here in the early twentieth century, showing a coastal landscape defined by ranchos and early rail lines. Researchers can trace the development of National City, locate the original grounds of Ft. Rosecrans, and see the early layout of Chulavista.
    9 unique versions available
  31. 1904 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 2
    1904 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 2
    1904 Southern California Sheet No. 2
    1904 Print · USGS
    Southern California during the early 1900s shows the transition from vast ranchos to coastal rail towns. Genealogists and researchers can trace the Southern California R.R. through Oceanside, explore old land grants like Mission Viejo, and locate early settlements from Fallbrook to Julian.
    5 unique versions available
  34. 1930 Map of La Jolla, 1955 Print
    1930 Map of La Jolla, 1955 Print
    1930 La Jolla
    1955 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego was undergoing a rapid transformation in the early 1930s as military footprints and rail lines reshaped the landscape. Researchers can trace the early development of La Jolla and Pacific Beach or locate old sites like Camp Kearney and Merton.
    2 unique versions available
  37. 1930 Map of San Diego, 1960 Print
    1930 Map of San Diego, 1960 Print
    1930 San Diego
    1960 Print · USGS
    San Diego and its southern coastal towns appear here at the dawn of the aviation era, showing a landscape defined by naval expansion and ranchos. Trace the early layout of Lindbergh Airport, the military works at Point Loma, and the rails connecting Chula Vista to the United States Mexico border.
  40. 1939 Map of El Cajon, 1955 Print
    1939 Map of El Cajon, 1955 Print
    1939 El Cajon
    1955 Print · USGS
    El Cajon and the San Diego River valleys appear in the late thirties as a network of citrus groves, cattle ranches, and tribal lands. Genealogists and researchers can trace the early footprints of Santee, the Edgemoor County Farm, and the Daly Mine.
    2 unique versions available
  43. 1942 Map of Poway Valley
    1942 Map of Poway Valley
    1942 Poway Valley
    1942 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego's interior valleys and ranch lands are shown in the early 1940s as rural communities began to coalesce. Genealogists and researchers can trace the early layout of Poway, the site of Pomerado Sch, and the Emergency Landing Field at Scripps Ranch.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1942 Map of La Mesa
    1942 Map of La Mesa
    1942 La Mesa
    1942 Print · USGS
    San Diego and La Mesa appear here in the early 1940s, showing a landscape of growing residential neighborhoods and rugged canyon terrain. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous early schools like Hoover High Sch, the grounds of State College, and the historic Mission San Diego.
  49. 1942 Map of Escondido
    1942 Map of Escondido
    1942 Escondido
    1942 Print · USGS
    Northern San Diego County is captured here in the early 1940s, showing the inland citrus and ranching valleys before major development. Researchers can locate early schoolhouses like Rincon Sch and trace the original Escondido Branch rail line.
  52. 1942 Map of Point Loma
    1942 Map of Point Loma
    1942 Point Loma
    1942 Print · USGS
    San Diego and the peninsula appear here in the early 1940s, showcasing a landscape of naval installations and coastal neighborhoods. Trace family roots and local history through Roseville Point Loma PO, Tent City, and the Union Sta rail hub.
    2 unique versions available
  55. 1942 Map of El Cajon
    1942 Map of El Cajon
    1942 El Cajon
    1942 Print · USGS
    Inland San Diego County unfolds in the early 1940s, showing a landscape of working ranches and river valleys before modern development. Genealogists and historians can trace family-named lands like Peale Ranch and early institutions such as Dehesa Sch and the Daky Mine.
  58. 1942 Map of Ramona, 1947 Print
    1942 Map of Ramona, 1947 Print
    1942 Ramona
    1947 Print · USGS
    Northern San Diego County ranching and forest lands are detailed here during the mid-1940s. Local researchers can trace family-named sites like Silvano Ranch or explore the boundaries of the San Pasqual Indian Reservation and Mesa Grande.
    2 unique versions available
  61. 1943 Map of Del Mar
    1943 Map of Del Mar
    1943 Del Mar
    1943 Print · USGS
    Coastal San Diego County was a mix of quiet seaside towns and rugged inland ranching during the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace old homesteads and landmarks like the Penasquitos Ranch, Soledad Sch, and the Mercy Hospital Farm.
    2 unique versions available
  64. 1943 Map of La Jolla
    1943 Map of La Jolla
    1943 La Jolla
    1943 Print · USGS
    San Diego's coastline and inland mesas are captured here during the early 1940s, showing the early footprints of coastal neighborhoods. Researchers can trace historic landmarks like Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Crystal Pier, and the Brown Military Academy.
    2 unique versions available
  67. 1943 Map of San Ysidro
    1943 Map of San Ysidro
    1943 San Ysidro
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Southern California borderlands during the early 1940s reveal a mix of coastal defense, salt harvesting, and emerging towns. Researchers can trace the rail lines through San Ysidro Station or locate family landmarks like Howard Ranch and Emory Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1943 Map of Jamul
    1943 Map of Jamul
    1943 Jamul
    1943 Print · USGS
    Southern San Diego County ranching and water history is captured here at the start of the 1940s. Genealogists and local historians can trace family holdings like Ivanhoe Ranch and Otay Ranch alongside community landmarks such as Dulzura Sch and the Camp Minnewawa CCC camp.
  73. 1944 Map of National City
    1944 Map of National City
    1944 National City
    1944 Print · USGS
    Post-war San Diego County comes alive in this survey of the South Bay and its inland valleys. Genealogists and historians can trace family plots at Holy Cross Cem, the growth of Lincoln Acres, or the operations of the Chollas Heights Naval Radio Sta.
Showing maps 1-25 of 98

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for San Diego?
  • What is the oldest map of San Diego?
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