The San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDCSD) handles issuance of CCW License for 18 cities in SD County, as well as for residents in the unincorporated areas of the County.
The following nine cities have their own police departments. Although none of their web sites indicate that they issue CCWs, you should contact your local police department to make sure they have given the authority (Declared G) to the SDCSD to issue for them before applying directly to the Sheriff.
EDIT: SDSD is the only agency that issue's for the whole county. G/S 1/2/08 Per MOU
Carlsbad
Chula Vista
Coronado
El Cajon
Escondido
La Mesa
National City
Oceanside
San Diego
The SDCSD is the sole issuing authority in the following nine cities and the unincorporated areas of San Diego County:
Incorporated cities:
Del Mar
Encinitas
Imperial Beach
Lemon Grove
Poway
San Marcos
Santee
Solana Beach
Vista
Unincorporated areas
Alpine
Fallbrook
Lakeside
Ramona
Spring Valley
Valley Center
And all other unincorporated parts of the County
The reason you need to be certain you must apply to the SDCSD is that, in all honesty, your chances are not good you will be approved. Your chances will probably not be any better applying to your local police department, and they don’t issue. San Diego County, as a whole, is very unfriendly when it comes to those desiring/needing a CCW. If you still decide to apply to the SDCSD for a CCW License, the following links will guide you.
SDCSD CCW Application Information Page
SDCSD CCW Application
Given the reality of issuance in SD County, what can you do to improve the situation? First, you can get involved here and stay involved. We will continually provide information which you can then use to contact your local and state officials regarding the situation in SD County. You can talk about CCW issuance with people you know. You can share how the highly discretionary system works--or doesn't, in the majority of cases.
The one thing you should not do is give up. Change will not happen overnight. But it will happen. Good luck and stay tuned.
Courtesy of Tango-52