John L. Bacon (November 3, 1878 – April 25, 1961) was an American civil engineer and Republican politician from California.

He was a structural engineer and helped lay out the aquatic features of the San Diego Zoo.

[2][3] An important issue of the day was the construction of water projects to enable San Diego to grow and prosper.

During and after his term as mayor, Bacon was president of Boulder Dam Association, a group that promoted funding for the construction of Hoover Dam, and was seeking a share of Colorado River water for use by Southern California cities.

I would rather see 100 tourists come to San Diego, spend a month or a season, be busy every minute with healthful, outdoor entertainment, and go back home to tell their relatives and neighbors that San Diego is the greatest town in America than to have 10,000 tourists come, stay 24 hours, and go away "knocking" because they had a dull time.