Living in San Diego, there are moments when you stop and watch a warship the size of a building passing by while looking at the ocean. Usually, the sea is filled with tourist boats like yachts and cruises, but suddenly a warship the size of a building comes in or slowly exits, which is quite a sight.

At first, you might think it's a movie shoot, but when you see the scale, you quickly realize it's not. It's a moment that makes you realize this city is not just a beach town.

San Diego is one of the key bases of the Pacific Fleet, and the U.S. Navy base is naturally integrated into the daily life of the city. The San Diego area is densely populated with military facilities centered around the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, making it one of the most notable military cities in the United States.

In the San Diego area, there are dozens of military-related facilities, including naval bases, air stations, and Marine Corps camps. Notably, there are naval bases where aircraft carriers and surface ships dock, as well as the large-scale training facility known as Marine Corps Camp Pendleton. It is estimated that around 100,000 active-duty military personnel work in this area, and when you include civilian contractors and military employees, the related population exceeds 200,000.

Including families, it is not an exaggeration to say that a significant portion of San Diego's population is directly connected to the military. Thus, this city is both a beach town and a living area built on a massive military infrastructure.

So, when you look at the ocean, seeing a warship becomes less of a special event and more of a scene where you think, "Oh, another one is coming in."

The most striking sight is undoubtedly the aircraft carrier. At about 330 meters long, this massive ship, which carries several aircraft, has a different kind of presence even from a distance. The aircraft carrier is a core power of the U.S. Navy, with the entire Pacific Ocean as its main operational stage.

One ship itself acts like a small airbase, with thousands of crew members moving together. When it enters the harbor, escort ships accompany it, and that scene looks like a procession.

Next, the destroyer is frequently seen. While not as large as an aircraft carrier, it is still sufficiently big at around 150 meters long, with speed and maneuverability as its strengths. It is a multi-purpose force responsible for missile defense, submarine detection, and escort missions, so you can often see it training and departing in the waters off San Diego.

Also, amphibious assault ships are not to be missed. These ships act like mobile bases on the sea, carrying helicopters and Marines. They are smaller than aircraft carriers but still comparable in size to a decent cruise ship, and they are overwhelming when seen up close.

These vessels are frequently deployed in operations in the Western Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. The reason these warships come in and out of San Diego is not just for docking. It is for maintenance, resupply, training, and rest before and after deployment.

So, some days the harbor looks quiet, while on other days it transforms into a scene filled with lined-up warships. This is one aspect of daily life in San Diego.

For tourists, it is a fascinating sight, but for the locals, it is a familiar scene of thinking, "Oh, that ship will be leaving soon."

Watching warships glide between the blue sea and palm trees, it is strangely apparent that this city is both a vacation spot and the front line.

The waters of San Diego always seem calm, but beneath the surface, the flow of the U.S. military that moves the world seems to be busily at work.