Whether you are considering buying your first home here in San Diego, or maybe are a recent, or long term homeowner, the NEW HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX GUIDE (link to downloadable PDF) from the San Diego Tax Collector website is filled with lots of information about your property taxes and will answer many of your questions:
How Property Taxes are Calculated
How Property Taxes are Allocated
Your Property Tax Bill
Supplemental Property Taxes
The Property Tax Calendar
No one likes to pay taxes but you might as well understand them as best as you can.