The Spanish Land Grant, El Rancho de la Nacion, was purchased by Frank, Warren and Levi Kimball in 1868. The Kimball brothers cleared the lands, built roads, constructed the City's first wharf and brought the railroad to the City. They successfully advertised National City as the most healthful climate on earth. Soon tree-lined streets connected graceful Victorian homes, and orchards flourished over rolling hills.

National City, San Diego County’s second oldest city,is truly “In the center of it all:” a thriving bi-national region of 5 million consumers. The City’s competitive edge is its central location, transportation network, and business industry. National City is 10 minutes from everywhere and positioned for prosperity, with proximity to the San Diego Bay, US-Mexico border, downtown San Diego, international airport, rail, San Diego State University, and other colleges and universities.

National City is home to over 3,000 businesses - a remarkable number for a city with a population of 61,115. As one of the healthiest business climates in Southern California, National City businesses come from various industries and sectors. Business types range from small family-owned operations to multi million dollar corporations. National City also boasts the highest sales tax per capita in the County.

National City is circled by interstates 5 and 805, and highways 54 and 15. The San Diego Trolley and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) service National City 7 days a week. These transportation resources conveniently connect the City to the region.