San Diego

A picture of the San Diego skyline with the letters SAN.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in San Diego with Claire Trageser and Kate Murphy.

Axios San Diego

Standard

A picture of the San Diego skyline with the letters SAN

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

Axios San Diego Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

San Diego Alerts

Alert

Axios San Diego Partners

San Diego Members

Membership

Inside the viral San Diego pizza that sells out in seconds

AJ Miller makes just 15 sourdough pies a week, with more than 1,500 people now waiting for a shot.

Food and Drink

AJ Miller has transformed his Ocean Beach apartment into a birthplace for what his legions of online followers are calling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life-changing pizza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pizza/comments/1w1caab/found_a_guy_in_san_diego_who_makes_pizza_out_of/" data-vars-content-id="f8e7b0d1-7e83-4979-9e9b-73d772368c25" data-vars-headline="Inside the viral San Diego pizza that sells out in seconds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pizza/comments/1w1caab/found_a_guy_in_san_diego_who_makes_pizza_out_of/" target="_blank">life-changing pizza</a>.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pizza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/03/25/sisters-pizza-best-slice-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="f8e7b0d1-7e83-4979-9e9b-73d772368c25" data-vars-headline="Inside the viral San Diego pizza that sells out in seconds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/03/25/sisters-pizza-best-slice-san-diego" target="_self">pizza</a> is crispy and extremely exclusive. He makes just 15 a week and sells out in under 30 seconds.

Pali Wine Co. brings the Central Coast to Hillcrest 

The family winery brings wine, bites and a warmer new space to University Avenue.

Get your buzz on: Pali Wine Co. is open on University Avenue with killer beverages, bites and ambience to boot.Why it matters: This is a new beginning for the second-generation family business, which shuttered its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10-year-old Little Italy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/20/san-diego-restaurant-openings-closings-zuma-breakfast-republic" data-vars-content-id="d1dda66b-3cd8-4e87-b339-d1287fe258c4" data-vars-headline="Pali Wine Co. brings the Central Coast to Hillcrest " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/20/san-diego-restaurant-openings-closings-zuma-breakfast-republic" target="_self">10-year-old Little Italy</a> location in July after the landlord asked for nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="double the rent" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/food-news/cellar-wine-closes-pali-wine-co-moves-to-hillcrest/" data-vars-content-id="d1dda66b-3cd8-4e87-b339-d1287fe258c4" data-vars-headline="Pali Wine Co. brings the Central Coast to Hillcrest " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/food-news/cellar-wine-closes-pali-wine-co-moves-to-hillcrest/" target="_blank">double the rent</a>.

The San Diego side hustle you can do from home

Poplin says more than 2,200 laundry pros have washed 1.5 million pounds for San Diego-area customers.

Business

Some San Diegans are turning laundry into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="side hustle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/17/virginias-gig-workers-statistics" data-vars-content-id="58d60a8f-a9fc-44fa-8899-133e7451c3e9" data-vars-headline="The San Diego side hustle you can do from home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/17/virginias-gig-workers-statistics" target="_self">side hustle</a> to help bring in extra cash.Why it matters: Unlike food delivery or other gig jobs, laundry service <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Poplin" data-vars-click-url="https://poplin.co/" data-vars-content-id="58d60a8f-a9fc-44fa-8899-133e7451c3e9" data-vars-headline="The San Diego side hustle you can do from home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://poplin.co/" target="_blank">Poplin</a> can be done largely from home, making it an option for parents and others in need of flexible work.

Californians spend almost 3 hours in the ER

Forthcoming insurance eligibility and cost changes could send even more patients to an emergency department.

Health

Californians now spend on average almost three hours in hospital emergency departments, new federal data shows.Why it matters: Forthcoming insurance <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eligibility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/medicaid-work-eligibility-requirement-rules-patients" data-vars-content-id="ee78eab3-56ef-45b2-82cf-a2824d34744d" data-vars-headline="Californians spend almost 3 hours in the ER" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/medicaid-work-eligibility-requirement-rules-patients" target="_self">eligibility</a> and cost changes could lead people to put off care until their health reaches a crisis point, sending even more patients to an ED.

Escondido's Mesa Agricola lands on New York Times list

The 2025 newcomer is San Diego County's only restaurant on the NYT Best Restaurants list.

The tiny Escondido restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mesa Agricola" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/mesaagricola/" data-vars-content-id="6b75e4c5-8d46-4f9a-8f16-225c1ea4d074" data-vars-headline="Escondido&#x27;s Mesa Agricola lands on New York Times list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/mesaagricola/" target="_blank">Mesa Agricola</a> just earned a coveted spot on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York Times Best Restaurants list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#mesa-agricola" data-vars-content-id="6b75e4c5-8d46-4f9a-8f16-225c1ea4d074" data-vars-headline="Escondido&#x27;s Mesa Agricola lands on New York Times list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#mesa-agricola" target="_blank">the New York Times Best Restaurants list</a>.Driving the news: The counter-service spot had long lines before, and owner Megan Strom expects far more frenzy this weekend.

China's Chef Fei opens 1st U.S. restaurant in San Diego

The 200-location Hunan chain chose Westfield UTC for its U.S. debut, with Wagyu on the menu.

San Diego has another feather in its cap as it builds its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputation as a foodie haven" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/11/localsan-diego20260810zuma-luxury-japanese-restaurant-guild-hotel-downtown" data-vars-content-id="7b7e5a5c-9fbb-460e-8c94-bdaabd154582" data-vars-headline="China&#x27;s Chef Fei opens 1st U.S. restaurant in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/11/localsan-diego20260810zuma-luxury-japanese-restaurant-guild-hotel-downtown" target="_self">reputation as a foodie haven</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chef Fei" data-vars-click-url="https://cheffei.com/#:~:text=Westfield%20UTC%20Location!,92122%2C%20San%20Diego%2C%20CA%2092122" data-vars-content-id="7b7e5a5c-9fbb-460e-8c94-bdaabd154582" data-vars-headline="China&#x27;s Chef Fei opens 1st U.S. restaurant in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cheffei.com/#:~:text=Westfield%20UTC%20Location!,92122%2C%20San%20Diego%2C%20CA%2092122" target="_blank">Chef Fei</a>, known across China for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral wok-fired dishes" data-vars-click-url="https://hoodline.com/2026/08/viral-chinese-chain-chef-fei-fires-up-first-u-s-wok-at-westfield-utc/" data-vars-content-id="7b7e5a5c-9fbb-460e-8c94-bdaabd154582" data-vars-headline="China&#x27;s Chef Fei opens 1st U.S. restaurant in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hoodline.com/2026/08/viral-chinese-chain-chef-fei-fires-up-first-u-s-wok-at-westfield-utc/" target="_blank">viral wok-fired dishes</a> and Hunan-style cuisine, picked our city for its first U.S. location, further cementing San Diego as a go-to destination for creative cuisine.

Which expensive ice cream isn't worth it?

Let's vote on which ice cream just isn't worth the money.

We&#x27;ve been talking all summer about expensive ice cream.<ul><li>Now it&#x27;s time to vote on which ones cost just too dang much.</li></ul>

San Diego restaurant openings and closings to know now

New spots landed downtown, Coronado and UTC, while several longtime local restaurants shut down.

It&#x27;s been a busy month in local restaurants.The big picture: There have been some big openings downtown, along with additional locations for favorite spots.

Where to find San Diego's best cheap beer deals around town

Reader tips include $3 pints, $4 drafts and happy hours from Ocean Beach to Mission Valley, too.

We recently told you about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="achieving the impossible" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/28/san-diego-happy-hour-find-5-craft-beers-are-still-out-there" data-vars-content-id="6484de73-0c48-4f5f-bf2e-a6d2a01e0ede" data-vars-headline="Where to find San Diego&#x27;s best cheap beer deals around 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/2026/07/28/san-diego-happy-hour-find-5-craft-beers-are-still-out-there" target="_self">achieving the impossible</a> and finding $5 craft beer.The big picture: Readers weighed in on other cheap beer finds.

Zuma chooses San Diego for its first California location

The global Japanese brand opened downtown, drawn by San Diego's appetite for fine dining and luxury.

The luxury Japanese restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zuma" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/san-diego/menu" data-vars-content-id="61596156-dfa8-4b4f-8e31-f4df4ab90e32" data-vars-headline="Zuma chooses San Diego for its first California location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/san-diego/menu" target="_blank">Zuma</a> is coming to San Diego.Why it matters: Zuma has spread to high-end cities throughout the world, and picked San Diego as its first California location because of locals&#x27; appreciation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fine dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/25/michelin-guide-2026-lucien-la-jolla-valle-star-california-awards" data-vars-content-id="61596156-dfa8-4b4f-8e31-f4df4ab90e32" data-vars-headline="Zuma chooses San Diego for its first California location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/25/michelin-guide-2026-lucien-la-jolla-valle-star-california-awards" target="_self">fine dining</a>, vice president of operations Nick Fielding told Axios.

Before ube was trendy, this Poway shop was swirling it

Sandy Patag has made the Filipino purple yam flavor since opening In the Mix Yogurt in Poway in 2008.

Sandy Patag was making ube frozen yogurt long before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flavor was cool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/02/ans-gelato-new-ube-flavors-americas-best-ice-cream-shop" data-vars-content-id="0280cef4-7777-4a59-b550-ba3630759506" data-vars-headline="Before ube was trendy, this Poway shop was swirling it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/02/ans-gelato-new-ube-flavors-americas-best-ice-cream-shop" target="_self">flavor was cool</a>.The big picture: Patag opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In the Mix Yogurt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inthemixyogurt.com/" data-vars-content-id="0280cef4-7777-4a59-b550-ba3630759506" data-vars-headline="Before ube was trendy, this Poway shop was swirling it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inthemixyogurt.com/" target="_blank">In the Mix Yogurt</a> in Poway back in 2008 and immediately wanted to offer a taste of ube, the signature purple yams from the Philippines.

How ChatGPT turned unusual produce into a family hit

A honey-garlic stir-fry won over my family and used nearly every unusual vegetable in the box, too.

Experimenting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="farm boxes recently" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/13/best-csa-boxes-san-diego-local-produce-delivery-farm-subscriptions-review" data-vars-content-id="5b8fe4d9-8375-44b1-8477-c9884ca04efb" data-vars-headline="How ChatGPT turned unusual produce into a family hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/13/best-csa-boxes-san-diego-local-produce-delivery-farm-subscriptions-review" target="_self">farm boxes recently</a>, I ended up with a bunch of highly unusual vegetables.<ul><li>So I turned to AI to figure out exactly what to do with this diverse produce.</li></ul>

A bracket that lists 16 ice cream shops and brands in a four-round vote on which is least worth the price. Round 1 includes eight matchups, from San Diego Zoo vs. Ben & Jerryâs to Cali Cream vs. Galata Turkish. Later rounds and winners are blank.

Food and Drink 🍽

Escondido's Mesa Agricola lands on New York Times list

Inside the viral San Diego pizza that sells out in seconds

Pali Wine Co. brings the Central Coast to Hillcrest

China's Chef Fei opens 1st U.S. restaurant in San Diego

Which expensive ice cream isn't worth it?