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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>

Where to join San Diego beach cleanups after July 4

It's busiest beach day of the year, which means our coastlines get trashed.

Environment

July Fourth festivities can really trash San Diego&#x27;s beaches, so local organizations are hosting cleanup events on Sunday to help them recover.🏖️ The Surfrider Foundation&#x27;s 20th annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Morning After Mess" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiego.surfrider.org/mam" data-vars-content-id="0b85f72f-1d22-4dd6-9f73-efa4dfc1f341" data-vars-headline="Where to join San Diego beach cleanups after July 4" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiego.surfrider.org/mam" target="_blank">Morning After Mess</a> has five events across the county from 9 to 11am.

Why San Diego's allergy season is getting worse

More high-pollen days and weaker coastal winds are keeping allergens in the air longer.

It&#x27;s going to be a sniffly summer: San Diego now ranks as one of the worst places for pollen allergies, a recent report shows.Why it matters: More pollen is sticking around town, floating in the air, coating our cars and making many of our lives miserable.

1 in 4 San Diego County homes don't have AC

Air-conditioning can feel like a much-needed luxury here with heat waves and high electricity costs.

About a quarter of San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have air-conditioning, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">new census data</a> shows. Why it matters: AC can feel like a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="much-needed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/06/most-san-diego-students-in-extreme-urban-heat-zones" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/06/most-san-diego-students-in-extreme-urban-heat-zones" target="_self">much-needed</a> luxury here, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising electricity costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" target="_self">rising electricity costs</a> and record-setting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/03/13/record-setting-heat-wave-grips-sd-county-socal" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/03/13/record-setting-heat-wave-grips-sd-county-socal" target="_blank">heat waves</a> in the winter.The big picture: Nationally, just 6.9% of U.S. households lacked AC in 2023.<ul><li>It was most uncommon in San Francisco, where 65% of homes lacked AC. </li><li>And Los Angeles County had the highest overall number of homes without AC at nearly 702,000.</li></ul>Between the lines: AC is part cultural and part economic.<ul><li>Some places don&#x27;t get hot often enough to warrant AC installations, which could be an argument for San Diego&#x27;s coastal neighborhoods.</li><li>In other places, pumping cool air through the house is too costly because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high energy rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" target="_self">high energy rates</a>. </li></ul>What&#x27;s next: As climate change makes heat waves more common and more intense, more people may install AC to stay cool and healthy.

Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died

Five years after Max LeNail drowned, a proposed bridge remains tangled in city delays.

Public Safety

When 21-year-old Max LeNail died trying to cross the river in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Trails Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="7f5934b2-9944-4b7d-b573-e28a4550c634" data-vars-headline="Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" target="_self">Mission Trails Park</a> in 2021, his parents set about building a bridge in his honor.The big picture: But today, those bridge plans remain up in the air, stymied by bureaucracy despite them securing a state grant to pay for it.<ul><li>And his parents are losing hope that there&#x27;s a way forward.</li></ul>

The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker

Using radio tags and AI, a San Diego researcher tracks how rattlesnakes react to habitat disruption.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indiana Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/e2K-WA6NQC0?si=KdrG2pZXT7u5Q3Wv&amp;t=25" data-vars-content-id="f580eade-fc9a-43e2-a110-a910849fa198" data-vars-headline="The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/e2K-WA6NQC0?si=KdrG2pZXT7u5Q3Wv&amp;t=25" target="_blank">Indiana Jones</a> would not want Vincent Marcantonio&#x27;s job. The SDSU graduate student spends his days in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Trails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="f580eade-fc9a-43e2-a110-a910849fa198" data-vars-headline="The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" target="_self">Mission Trails</a> tracking rattlesnakes.The big picture: Marcantonio implants snakes with small radio transmitters so he can study how they spend their days.<ul><li>That will tell him how the snakes respond to places with lots of hikers and big construction projects, including the nearby pipe replacement in Mission Trails.</li></ul>

San Diego air quality gets failing grades

The Tijuana River is fueling local air pollution and worsening air quality in the region.

San Diego County is one of the most polluted places to live in America, according to an annual American Lung Association report released today.Why it matters: Local residents face an elevated risk of health conditions linked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/28/study-tijuana-river-sewage-fuels-air-pollution-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="61ba7581-6539-4b48-bfbd-8df0faecef44" data-vars-headline="San Diego air quality gets failing grades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/28/study-tijuana-river-sewage-fuels-air-pollution-san-diego" target="_self">air pollution</a>, from wheezing and coughing to premature death.

Mission Bay cleanup aims to top 900 pounds of trash

Volunteers collected more than 900 pounds of trash last year — and hope to beat it Friday.

More than 900 pounds of trash were collected last year from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/05/2026-outdoor-bucket-list-hikes-swim-bike-challenges" data-vars-content-id="3db515dd-e39b-42f5-bc6e-9b5f96260ec5" data-vars-headline="Mission Bay cleanup aims to top 900 pounds of trash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/05/2026-outdoor-bucket-list-hikes-swim-bike-challenges" target="_self">Mission Bay</a> during the annual cleanup, and organizers are hoping to top that on Friday.Why it matters: Trash is bad. Cleaning up is good.

What's happening at Mission Trails right now

Here's a look at the major projects underway, from pipeline work to new trail features.

Mission Trails is getting some upgrades as the park continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/31/here-in-san-diego-mission-trails-is-growing" data-vars-content-id="31c6c2c5-cd10-4611-8e50-e702ab5a368d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s happening at Mission Trails right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/31/here-in-san-diego-mission-trails-is-growing" target="_self">grow</a>.The big picture: The park foundation is working on buying more land, restoring rare plants and removing invasive ones, and has ongoing construction on a water pipeline, Jennifer Morrissey, executive director of the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, told Axios.

Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona

The Ramona program raises awareness and funds for raptor research.

Hundreds of people got to see <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hawks, owls and falcons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/11/21/pbs-doc-san-diego-america-wildest-city" data-vars-content-id="7e42c15c-8ae9-4d45-b30e-49ae71ea8f2b" data-vars-headline="Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/11/21/pbs-doc-san-diego-america-wildest-city" target="_self">hawks, owls and falcons</a> up close and personal during weekly Hawk Watch events in Ramona over the last two months.Why it matters: These free events are a chance to get a good look at some really cool birds, but they also serve a larger purpose: raising awareness and money for local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golden eagle research and conservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/news-events/overview.html/article/2020/08/04/the-power-of-birds-audubon-advocates-speak-up-on-behalf-of-golden-eagles" data-vars-content-id="7e42c15c-8ae9-4d45-b30e-49ae71ea8f2b" data-vars-headline="Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/news-events/overview.html/article/2020/08/04/the-power-of-birds-audubon-advocates-speak-up-on-behalf-of-golden-eagles" target="_blank">golden eagle research and conservation</a>.

How Safari Park prepared elephants for visitors

Staff say the herd needed time to adjust before guests could walk alongside them.

Bringing guests up close to elephants requires careful planning and making sure the animals are comfortable, Safari Park officials told Axios.Why it matters: The Elephant Valley exhibit is meant to allow guests to better see and experience elephants, but some activists say the priority should be the elephants&#x27; quality of life.

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Environment

Where to join San Diego beach cleanups after July 4

Why San Diego's allergy season is getting worse

1 in 4 San Diego County homes don't have AC

Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died

Bat boxes upgrade backyards