SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It has been six years since an infectious disease caused by a respiratory virus called the coronavirus led to a global outbreak, business and school closures, and stay-at-home orders around the world and nationwide, including in San Diego.
Cases of the virus were first detected in China and spread rapidly to other countries, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020.
That month, schools and businesses were ordered to shut down, the public was told to stay indoors and global travel came to a halt.
In the weeks and months that followed, San Diego’s streets and popular tourist areas became deserted as social distancing was implemented, schools introduced virtual learning for students and employees started working from home.
Take a look at what San Diego looked like almost exactly six years ago in the video player above and the images below as captured by Drone 5.
Balboa Park in San Diego as it appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Balboa Park in San Diego as it appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Balboa Park, often referred to as the “Crown Jewel of San Diego,” usually sees thousands of visitors a year, with people strolling from the Botanical Building to the various museums within the park. However, aerial video captured by Drone 5 in March of 2020 saw Balboa Park completely deserted during the city’s lockdowns.
Belmont Park in Mission Beach in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Belmont Park’s parking lot in Mission Beach in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Amusement parks such as SeaWorld San Diego and Belmont Park in Mission Beach were shut down and void of visitors.
Empty Mission Beach in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
La Jolla Shores in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Belmont Park’s parking lot in Mission Beach in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Drone 5)
San Diego’s beaches were also empty during a time when they would typically be flocked with students and families on spring break.
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