It was previously known as San Pablo de los Montes, which translates to "Saint Paul of the Mountains" in Spanish.

[5] San Pablo's earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mount Makiling composed of settlements, the most prominent of which was "Sampalok" (Sampaloc).

On May 7, 1940, the Charter Bill sponsored by Assemblyman Tomas D. Dizon of Laguna's 1st district was approved by President Manuel L. Quezon.

San Pedro followed suit in 1995, then came Santa Rosa and Biñan in 2007, and Cabuyao in 2015, all owing their growth to its proximity to Metro Manila.

San Pedro, Biñan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Baños, and Santa Cruz experienced rapid economic development brought about by local and foreign investments, the rapid growth of industrial estates and export processing zones, and the placement of major institutions in those areas, San Pablo City was left behind and remained a semi-developed residential community.

Despite the fact that the city was partly touched by economic development, San Pablo boasts itself as a potential eco-tourism destination in the province.

However, given its human and land resources, various BPO companies are seriously looking at developing the city into the ICT hub of Southern Luzon.

San Pablo also claims the title "City of Buko Pie", although other neighboring towns are also known for producing the delicacy.

Colette's has also regularly produced the "World's Largest Buko Pie" during San Pablo's Coco Festival.

The supply of coconut in San Pablo makes it an ideal spot for putting up buko pie shops.

[23] However, production was restored in the first quarter of 2009 in the San Pablo plant of Franklin Baker Company due to processing problems encountered at Davao del Sur.The Seven Lakes of San Pablo, seven crater lakes scattered around the city, have for many generations provided food and livelihood, leisure and respite for the citizens of the city.

Notable hospitals and medical centers are as follows: San Pablo city is along the Maharlika Highway which leads to Quezon province.

Citizens of San Pablo mainly use PLDT (including Smart), Globe, and Dito Telecommunity, although some may use other internet service providers.