Take the least of all cities, National City, California. Examine its past and present and see if there's a remarkable story waiting to be told. No other city in San Diego County has experienced such a tarnished reputation as has National City. This book does not seek to resolve the truth of the matter, just illuminate certain aspects of the city to give pause to its critics. There is something special about this place. It's found in the generations of families, the commitment of its civic leaders, and its historical roots. Even the trees, rivers, creeks, and neighborhoods have a certain tranquility to them. It's not your perfect city. You couldn't pay some people to live here. Home values are markedly lower than in the cities directly north and south. Rents are no different. But what other towns lack, National City has in abundance; things kept quiet, reserved for locals only. This book seeks to reveal the city's hidden gems and to finally set the record straight."