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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.

San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they're for sale

A new platform lets buyers signal interest early while owners explore selling on their own timeline.

Real Estate

San Diego homebuyers struggling to find the right home can now take a shot at ones that aren&#x27;t even on the market with the help of a new website.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Unlisted" data-vars-click-url="https://unlistedhomes.com/" data-vars-content-id="1443f046-2f04-4616-b56c-c3f30ce9b9e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they&#x27;re for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://unlistedhomes.com/" target="_blank">Unlisted</a> allows homeowners to gauge interest in their home before they&#x27;re ready to sell, and buyers can potentially get ahead of their competition by making their interest known.<ul><li>The new tool could shake up San Diego&#x27;s real estate market, which has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limited homes for sale" 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="1443f046-2f04-4616-b56c-c3f30ce9b9e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they&#x27;re for sale" 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">limited homes for sale</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/23/starter-home-prices-million-dollar-cities-zillow" data-vars-content-id="1443f046-2f04-4616-b56c-c3f30ce9b9e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they&#x27;re for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/23/starter-home-prices-million-dollar-cities-zillow" target="_self">high prices</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historically low sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1443f046-2f04-4616-b56c-c3f30ce9b9e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they&#x27;re for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" target="_blank">historically low sales</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="low turnover rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/01/housing-turnover-san-diego-2025-mortgage-rates-redfin-report" data-vars-content-id="1443f046-2f04-4616-b56c-c3f30ce9b9e6" data-vars-headline="San Diego buyers can shop for homes before they&#x27;re for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/01/housing-turnover-san-diego-2025-mortgage-rates-redfin-report" target="_self">low turnover rates</a> as owners stay put.</li></ul>

We tried 3 San Diego CSA boxes. Here's what we found.

Fresh produce, fewer errands and a few surprises. We compared three local CSA boxes to see what's worth it.

Food and Drink

If you want a box of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fruits and vegetables" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/21/urban-farm-supporting-women" data-vars-content-id="356f5668-8d91-4b46-b1be-d3d36c2fb920" data-vars-headline="We tried 3 San Diego CSA boxes. Here&#x27;s what we found." 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">fruits and vegetables</a> dropped on your doorstep, you might consider signing up for a CSA box.The big picture: You can buy boxes or sign up for subscriptions from local farms and they deliver the fresh produce to you, so you don&#x27;t want to brave the crowds at a farmer&#x27;s market.<ul><li>CSA means &quot;community supported agriculture&quot; and is meant to help consumers support local farms.</li></ul>

The perfect Big Bear Lake summer weekend itinerary

Hike, kayak, ride the sky chair and explore one of Southern California's best summer escapes.

Things to Do

Big Bear Lake is a popular destination for a cozy snowy mountain weekend getaway. But I recently discovered its summertime magic.The big picture: It&#x27;s a two- to three-hour drive from San Diego, with scenic mountain views through the San Bernardino National Forest on winding roads lined with wildflowers.<ul><li>The alpine lake surrounded by pine forests is prime for recreational water sports and outdoor activities.</li></ul>

Lawsuit challenges i-Ready's student data practices

It claims student data was collected and shared without consent.

Education

Personal data about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="students in San Diego Unified" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" data-vars-content-id="0877a838-b7a7-4d12-b762-73dc0389c1c5" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit challenges i-Ready&#x27;s student data practices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" target="_self">students in San Diego Unified</a> has been collected and shared without the students&#x27; or their parents&#x27; consent, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class action lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://edtech.law/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Curriculum-Assoc-Complaint.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0877a838-b7a7-4d12-b762-73dc0389c1c5" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit challenges i-Ready&#x27;s student data practices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://edtech.law/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Curriculum-Assoc-Complaint.pdf" target="_blank">class action lawsuit</a> alleges.Why it matters: The suit, filed in December, alleges that the online learning and testing program i-Ready collects a variety of student data without parental consent and then shares it with at least one outside data broker.<ul><li>San Diego Unified has more than 112,000 students, and every family whose students used i-Ready could be part of the lawsuit.</li></ul>

San Diego reining in school technology

The district is rolling out new Chromebook restrictions and limits on approved AI tools.

When school starts in August, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="classroom use of technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" data-vars-content-id="76b701b4-f180-4e1e-840f-ec841f57658f" data-vars-headline="San Diego reining in school technology" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" target="_self">classroom use of technology</a> will look a little different.The big picture: The San Diego Unified school board voted Tuesday on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suite of new" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiegounified.community.diligentoneplatform.com/document/e35090cd-69fd-4391-87c6-123fdfab80ec/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="76b701b4-f180-4e1e-840f-ec841f57658f" data-vars-headline="San Diego reining in school technology" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiegounified.community.diligentoneplatform.com/document/e35090cd-69fd-4391-87c6-123fdfab80ec/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">suite of new</a> technology restrictions.

Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way

Some educators say uneven enforcement is slowing progress despite stricter state rules.

One year in, reviews of whether San Diego <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="schools&#x27; cell phone bans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/27/san-diego-unified-phone-restrictions-schools" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/27/san-diego-unified-phone-restrictions-schools" target="_self">schools&#x27; cell phone bans</a> have worked remain mixed.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/" target="_blank">new state law</a> requires school districts to restrict student smartphone use to rein in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="addiction and anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/05/schools-ban-phones-social-media-desantis-newsom" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/05/schools-ban-phones-social-media-desantis-newsom" target="_self">addiction and anxiety</a> that can come with such devices.<ul><li>But teachers and students told Axios that phones are still a common sight in the classroom.</li></ul>

San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

The eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School is one of 247 spellers vying to win $50,000.

San Diego has a local kid to cheer on in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The big picture: 14-year-old Benjamin Reinhard is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="247 spellers" data-vars-click-url="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" data-vars-content-id="7c664303-325e-4197-8df6-f83316bf9f73" data-vars-headline="San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" target="_blank">247 spellers</a> competing in this year&#x27;s nationwide competition that starts Tuesday.

From prison to USD master's graduate

Shawn Khalifa was released in 2020 after a law change. Now he's earning a USD degree.

When Shawn Khalifa steps onto the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduation stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" target="_self">graduation stage</a> at the University of San Diego this weekend, he&#x27;ll be continuing a path he never thought possible a few years ago.The big picture: Khalifa went to prison at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="age 15" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" target="_blank">age 15</a> after being convicted under a since-changed California felony murder law, and he was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released in 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" target="_blank">released in 2020</a> at age 31.

AI, chickens and big wins for San Diego students

Students studied everything from visual attention software to lutein-rich egg yolks.

Local students were among the top winners at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Science &amp; Engineering State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://csef.usc.edu/" data-vars-content-id="af700ee6-95c9-4add-941e-f466e4ddbc03" data-vars-headline="AI, chickens and big wins for San Diego students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://csef.usc.edu/" target="_blank">California Science &amp; Engineering State Fair</a>.The big picture: When you hear what they did, you&#x27;ll either feel extremely hopeful or extremely dumb. Or maybe both.

San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads

ADP ranked it among the worst metros for young workers' hiring, pay and affordability.

San Diego is lagging when it comes to offering the best job opportunities for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college graduates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" data-vars-content-id="9f726c46-edf5-466f-ac8d-c178c638584c" data-vars-headline="San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" target="_self">college graduates</a>, according to a new study.The big picture: Fast-growing Southern metros like Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, top the list, based on payroll processor ADP&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" data-vars-content-id="9f726c46-edf5-466f-ac8d-c178c638584c" data-vars-headline="San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" target="_blank"> ranking</a> of 20-something hiring rates, wages and affordability.<ul><li>Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Riverside, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah, landed at the bottom of the rankings.</li></ul>

Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students

Most students can get free care for up to 9 hours a day — here's how and when to sign up.

San Diego will have free after-school care for every student who wants it next <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/17/san-diego-unified-free-summer-school-tk-6-primetime-2026" data-vars-content-id="838da5e7-740d-4395-8439-1b56f23b01fd" data-vars-headline="Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/17/san-diego-unified-free-summer-school-tk-6-primetime-2026" target="_self">school year</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s a big relief for parents who often pay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca" data-vars-content-id="838da5e7-740d-4395-8439-1b56f23b01fd" data-vars-headline="Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca" target="_self">hundreds of dollars</a> for after-school care and struggle to secure spots for their children.

Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News

Multiple programs at UCSD and SDSU rose in this year's rankings.

San Diego universities rose in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 U.S. News best graduate schools rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="70f10ce6-b655-4a83-9a04-0f73c37cdfd1" data-vars-headline="Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">2026 U.S. News best graduate schools rankings</a> released Tuesday.Why it matters: Many students rely the annual list when evaluating their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="postgrad education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="70f10ce6-b655-4a83-9a04-0f73c37cdfd1" data-vars-headline="Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" target="_self">postgrad education</a> plans.

AI is reshaping what and how college students study

SDSU researchers found mixed reviews of how students are using and thinking about the tech.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California college students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" target="_self">California college students</a> vary when it comes to how they&#x27;re using and thinking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI</a> in their academics, personal lives and future careers, according to a massive new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego State University study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/technology/ai-empowered-csu/Pages/ai-survey.aspx" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/technology/ai-empowered-csu/Pages/ai-survey.aspx" target="_blank">San Diego State University study</a>.The big picture: College graduates are entering a job market that&#x27;s been rocked by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive tech evolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/09/jobs-early-career-college-artificial-intelligence" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/09/jobs-early-career-college-artificial-intelligence" target="_self">massive tech evolution</a>, reshaping how students are preparing for the workforce and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="career prospects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" target="_self">career prospects</a> for entry-level employees.

Education 📚

Lawsuit challenges i-Ready's student data practices

San Diego reining in school technology

Some San Diego parents are pushing schools to further limit screens

Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way

San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee