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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting San Diego.

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How LA buyers are propping up San Diego's housing market

Los Angeles buyers are bringing bigger budgets to San Diego, helping keep home prices elevated.

Real Estate

The answer to who can possibly afford to buy a home in San Diego might be outsiders — specifically, people from Los Angeles.Why it matters: Angelinos, with their higher incomes and larger equities, are buying up homes in San Diego, contributing to local high prices, according to data from Redfin and Zillow and real estate experts.

How the mobile home law change will impact San Diego

Manufactured houses, or mobile homes, no longer must have a permanent chassis.

Housing advocates across the country are heralding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a change to requirements for mobile home construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/housing-manufactured-congress-law" data-vars-content-id="f39c8dfe-df5c-4b5a-9485-a0b6cb1ff15b" data-vars-headline="How the mobile home law change will impact San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/housing-manufactured-congress-law" target="_self">a change to requirements for mobile home construction</a> that could increase housing supply, but it likely won&#x27;t help San Diego&#x27;s stubborn housing problems much.Why it matters: Manufactured houses, or mobile homes, will become cheaper to make because the new law no longer requires the homes&#x27; steel under-frame used to transport them to remain attached<ul><li>That could help bring more affordable starter houses onto the market.</li></ul>

Inside San Diego's massively popular Pacific Beach Run Club

Music, group photos and a tightly packed route help newcomers connect without breaking off.

Sports

Want to be part of a stampede that&#x27;s decked out in Vuori and LSKD running clothes, all set to bumping hiphop? Check out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PB Run Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/18/social-running-club-san-diego-county" data-vars-content-id="f244a392-5ebe-4ee9-89d5-67141fc55ba5" data-vars-headline="Inside San Diego&#x27;s massively popular Pacific Beach Run Club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/18/social-running-club-san-diego-county" target="_self">PB Run Club</a>.The big picture: The group has almost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25,000 followers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/pbrunclub/" data-vars-content-id="f244a392-5ebe-4ee9-89d5-67141fc55ba5" data-vars-headline="Inside San Diego&#x27;s massively popular Pacific Beach Run Club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/pbrunclub/" target="_blank">25,000 followers</a> on Instagram and pounds down the boardwalk as a pack of up to 700 runners.

Perry's Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town

The former diner will become a leasing office as San Diego adds housing without a full teardown.

Development

The project to convert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Perry&#x27;s Cafe in Old Town" data-vars-click-url="https://builtbyzephyr.com/project/perrys-cafe/" data-vars-content-id="3d2002d5-843d-4198-9d54-f556e19b4dc3" data-vars-headline="Perry&#x27;s Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://builtbyzephyr.com/project/perrys-cafe/" target="_blank">Perry&#x27;s Cafe in Old Town</a> into apartments is in full swing and should be done in early 2028, the developers told Axios.The big picture: This is just one example across the San Diego region of old buildings being converted into apartments to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bolster housing supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/04/san-diego-boomers-empty-nesters-family-size-homes-millennials-redfin" data-vars-content-id="3d2002d5-843d-4198-9d54-f556e19b4dc3" data-vars-headline="Perry&#x27;s Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/04/san-diego-boomers-empty-nesters-family-size-homes-millennials-redfin" target="_self">bolster housing supply</a>.

Waymo's fully driverless cars are hitting San Diego streets

The human test drivers will be gone, but only Waymo employees can get rides for now.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s driverless cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/03/waymo-san-diego-self-driving-cars" data-vars-content-id="b7ec26ab-5496-4c9c-902a-3091ae5b9fb7" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s fully driverless cars are hitting San Diego streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/03/waymo-san-diego-self-driving-cars" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s driverless cars</a> will soon be cruising around San Diego, the company announced Wednesday.The big picture: Waymo has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing its autonomous vehicles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/29/waymo-autonomous-vehicles-testing-drivers-san-diego-las-vegas" data-vars-content-id="b7ec26ab-5496-4c9c-902a-3091ae5b9fb7" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s fully driverless cars are hitting San Diego streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/29/waymo-autonomous-vehicles-testing-drivers-san-diego-las-vegas" target="_self">testing its autonomous vehicles</a> with drivers locally for over a year, but there won&#x27;t be a human behind the wheel anymore.

MAKE Cafe offers farm-to-table dining and job training

The new restaurant in Normal Heights pairs globally inspired dishes with job training.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MAKE Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sdmake.org/cafe" data-vars-content-id="34ed3f1d-8157-4a5b-bbed-6779d4031fd0" data-vars-headline="MAKE Cafe offers farm-to-table dining and job training" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sdmake.org/cafe" target="_blank">MAKE Cafe</a>, a new brunch spot in Normal Heights, is providing a true <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="farm-to-table" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/21/urban-farm-supporting-women" data-vars-content-id="34ed3f1d-8157-4a5b-bbed-6779d4031fd0" data-vars-headline="MAKE Cafe offers farm-to-table dining and job training" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/21/urban-farm-supporting-women" target="_self">farm-to-table</a> experience for its customers and employees.Why it matters: Local nonprofit MAKE Projects opened the restaurant in June, giving San Diego refugee and immigrant women meaningful work experience to build their English speaking and job skills.

Why Fashion Valley and Mission Valley malls are so different

Designer boutiques, housing and bargain shopping show how San Diego's mall economy is changing.

Business

Fashion Valley and Mission Valley malls are less than a mile apart, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shopping experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/05/san-diego-malls-restaurants-utc-fashion-valley-foot-traffic" data-vars-content-id="6baaaacc-ba05-4a52-addd-88468e633f03" data-vars-headline="Why Fashion Valley and Mission Valley malls are so different" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/05/san-diego-malls-restaurants-utc-fashion-valley-foot-traffic" target="_self">shopping experience</a> in them couldn&#x27;t be more different.<ul><li>Fashion Valley has every designer store you can think of; Mission Valley has the more traditional array of a Footlocker, Hot Topic, a comic book shop and claw arcade games.</li></ul>

Inside Liberty Station's breath work and cold plunge studio

San Diego's latest wellness studio pairs guided breath work with icy plunges, hot tubs and saunas.

Things to Do

If you want to try something truly different, consider heavy breathing classes followed by a 42-degree cold plunge at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Breathe Degrees" data-vars-click-url="https://breathedegrees.com/" data-vars-content-id="d78d5314-28f3-4972-b616-90aa473bf4e0" data-vars-headline="Inside Liberty Station&#x27;s breath work and cold plunge studio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://breathedegrees.com/" target="_blank">Breathe Degrees</a>.The big picture: The studio just opened its second location in Liberty Station and is part of San Diego&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming wellness industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/19/wellness-industry-growth-bucks-trends" data-vars-content-id="d78d5314-28f3-4972-b616-90aa473bf4e0" data-vars-headline="Inside Liberty Station&#x27;s breath work and cold plunge studio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/19/wellness-industry-growth-bucks-trends" target="_self">booming wellness industry</a>.

Walmart drone delivery is coming to San Diego

Drones will soon drop off groceries, electronics and other products in your driveway.

Drones could start dropping off Walmart packages around San Diego later this year.The big picture: The retail giant and drone delivery company Wing are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/11/walmart-drone-delivery-wing-los-angeles-miami" data-vars-content-id="24b8d637-eac9-4046-b0de-514b778460bc" data-vars-headline="Walmart drone delivery is coming to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/11/walmart-drone-delivery-wing-los-angeles-miami" target="_self">expanding service</a> to seven new metro areas as part of a plan to reach more than 40 million customers with a network of more than 270 locations nationwide.

New San Diego group aims to bring more women into construction

The organization plans scholarships, mentorships and career programs for young women.

A new organization has popped up in San Diego to help women with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction careers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/jobs-report-july-trump-budget-construction" data-vars-content-id="bb9a7488-007d-47a8-ac62-9007c8965f0a" data-vars-headline="New San Diego group aims to bring more women into construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/01/jobs-report-july-trump-budget-construction" target="_self">construction careers</a>.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego Professional Women in Building Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/pwbsandiego/" data-vars-content-id="bb9a7488-007d-47a8-ac62-9007c8965f0a" data-vars-headline="New San Diego group aims to bring more women into construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/pwbsandiego/" target="_blank">San Diego Professional Women in Building Council</a> is stacked with women leaders at construction companies and is going to offer scholarship and mentorship programs.<ul><li>It&#x27;s part of the trade group Building Industry Association of San Diego.</li></ul>

Why San Diegans can't stop buying local business merch

From rhino tees to co-op hoodies, local business merch has become a citywide fashion statement.

We recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="asked our readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/11/san-diego-local-merch-poll-bracket" data-vars-content-id="83240f54-546a-48e8-9969-c52d881a249c" data-vars-headline="Why San Diegans can&#x27;t stop buying local business merch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/11/san-diego-local-merch-poll-bracket" target="_self">asked our readers</a> to vote on the best merch in the city, and the San Diego Zoo won. That got us thinking about what it takes to make good merch that people would want to rock.The big picture: Turns out it requires a bit more care than just slapping a logo on something.<ul><li>While it seems like every coffee shop and brewery these days has its own <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="branded T-shirt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/small-business-creative-marketing-online" data-vars-content-id="83240f54-546a-48e8-9969-c52d881a249c" data-vars-headline="Why San Diegans can&#x27;t stop buying local business merch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/small-business-creative-marketing-online" target="_self">branded T-shirt</a>, some local businesses put extra thought and care into their merch.</li></ul>

Ikea opening new, smaller store in San Diego

It won't feature a massive showroom, but customers can design rooms and pick up furniture.

San Diego is getting a second Ikea next week, but it&#x27;ll be a condensed version of the massive home furnishing store. Why it matters: You&#x27;ll have a new way to shop for room renovations and storage solutions, without snaking through a maze of a showroom.

Inside San Diego's fusion lab creating a tiny sun

General Atomics' fusion device gets hotter than the sun as scientists chase clean energy.

General Atomics can create quite literally a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small sun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/fusion-power-energy-federal-support-increase" data-vars-content-id="081d70a8-c08f-44de-8c48-df10e48c0f32" data-vars-headline="Inside San Diego&#x27;s fusion lab creating a tiny sun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/fusion-power-energy-federal-support-increase" target="_self">small sun</a> in Sorrento Valley.The big picture: The defense contractor operates what&#x27;s called a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tokamak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ga.com/magnetic-fusion/diii-d" data-vars-content-id="081d70a8-c08f-44de-8c48-df10e48c0f32" data-vars-headline="Inside San Diego&#x27;s fusion lab creating a tiny sun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ga.com/magnetic-fusion/diii-d" target="_blank">tokamak</a> that can get 100 times hotter than the sun. When it&#x27;s on, the machine is the hottest thing in the entire solar system.

Who has the best merch in San Diego?

Vote for your favorite local gear before the bracket narrows the field to one winner.

We are hoping to crown the merch champion of San Diego and need your help.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Take our poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opinionstage.com/page/32976752-4732-45f9-afb6-f51e86f91244" data-vars-content-id="6cb69c09-7dba-4b34-afb2-363649d97273" data-vars-headline="Who has the best merch in San Diego?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opinionstage.com/page/32976752-4732-45f9-afb6-f51e86f91244" target="_blank">Take our poll</a> to vote on your favorites.

Business 🏦

A new, mini Ikea is opening in South Bay

Waymo's fully driverless cars are hitting San Diego streets

MAKE Cafe offers farm-to-table dining and job training

Why Fashion Valley and Mission Valley malls are so different

Inside Liberty Station's breath work and cold plunge studio