[Dale]

Originally Posted by Will O' Wisp

The SD harbor is extremely shallow compared to LA's (50' vs 80') and very narrow. SD lacks a direct rail connection with the east coast and the rest of the country, meaning that all cargo entering via the port of SD has to pass through LA anyway (in the past there was a eastbound railroad at times. Nicknamed "the impossible railroad" due to the engineering feats it took to cross the peninsular range, the tracks would regularly wash out during rainstorms and were eventually abandoned). SD also has a dearth of flat developable land, and what land there is can be difficult to access due to the numerous canyons crossing the landscape, but in comparison that issue is relatively minor.

There just aren't any major avenues to propel SD upward that aren't already being tapped. Even if we kicked out the Navy, which provides for 30% of the SD economy btw, we wouldn't be able to outpace LA in trade. SD already tries to compete in service industries like SF in Tech and NYC in finance, and usually loses out to more established centers. The only thing SD could really do is double down on tourism, a finicky industry as it is already.

Man, you make it sound like SD is Shantytown. Other reports say it's going, glowing and growing.