San Diego

San Diego Alerts

Alert

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

blue

Axios San Diego Partners

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 Members

Membership

Drivers run new stop signs at fatal San Diego crash site

Police issued 39 tickets after new signs went up where 11-year-old Andrew Olsen was killed.

Public Safety

After an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11-year-old was killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/11/san-diego-dangerous-intersections-traffic-deaths" data-vars-content-id="e0d5c171-daad-473b-b066-9639b341c2ea" data-vars-headline="Drivers run new stop signs at fatal San Diego crash site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/11/san-diego-dangerous-intersections-traffic-deaths" target="_self">11-year-old was killed</a> by a car at a San Carlos intersection last October, the city installed stop signs that drivers have frequently been blowing through, records show.Why it matters: The stop signs were meant to prevent more tragedies like Andrew Olsen&#x27;s death. Instead, many drivers appear to be either missing or ignoring them.

Sips & Snacks: Sayulitas 2-pound burrito hits hard

It's currently holds the title for heavyweight champ among San Diego's California burritos.

Food and Drink

There&#x27;s a new heavyweight champ among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego&#x27;s California burritos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" data-vars-content-id="388a0dd5-43c0-45d0-b0f9-5e0cb5670dd1" data-vars-headline="Sips &amp; Snacks: Sayulitas 2-pound burrito hits hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" target="_self">San Diego&#x27;s California burritos</a>.Dig in: On our search to find the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fattest burrito in town" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/11/finding-san-diego-fattest-california-burritos" data-vars-content-id="388a0dd5-43c0-45d0-b0f9-5e0cb5670dd1" data-vars-headline="Sips &amp; Snacks: Sayulitas 2-pound burrito hits hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/11/finding-san-diego-fattest-california-burritos" target="_self">fattest burrito in town</a>, readers recommended <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sayulitas" data-vars-click-url="https://sayulitaseats.com/" data-vars-content-id="388a0dd5-43c0-45d0-b0f9-5e0cb5670dd1" data-vars-headline="Sips &amp; Snacks: Sayulitas 2-pound burrito hits hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sayulitaseats.com/" target="_blank">Sayulitas</a> again and again. And rightfully so.

What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego

A new study looks at how AI models rank U.S. cities and reinforce stereotypes.

News

Researchers have found that large language models (LLMs), such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a>, are just as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biased" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" target="_self">biased</a> as the rest of the world, including in their perception of San Diego&#x27;s chill culture.The big picture: Internet scholars at University of Oxford and University of Kentucky <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently compared" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" target="_blank">recently compared</a> 91 U.S. cities with populations over 250,000 across a range of categories to gauge AI inequality and bias, including social and physical attributes, food quality, governance, politics and business climate.

San Diego income growth outpaces national rate

New federal data shows local personal income climbed 5.9%, outpacing the national gain.

Money

Personal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/25/trump-economy-inflation-income-growth" data-vars-content-id="d9d81d75-7c16-46fa-91a2-fe7dbf3b9890" data-vars-headline="San Diego income growth outpaces national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/25/trump-economy-inflation-income-growth" target="_self">income levels</a> rose 5.9% in San Diego County from 2023 to 2024, according to new U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-by-county" data-vars-content-id="d9d81d75-7c16-46fa-91a2-fe7dbf3b9890" data-vars-headline="San Diego income growth outpaces national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-by-county" target="_blank">data</a>.The big picture: That&#x27;s bigger than the national increase of 5.6%.

Meet "Bum," San Diego's OG dog

Bum rode the trolley, led parades, napped in City Hall — and helped give early San Diego a sense of pride.

History

In 1887, a stowaway Saint Bernard puppy mix arrived on the streets of San Diego and quickly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="captured the city&#x27;s heart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/22/san-diego-first-dog-mayor-todd-gloria-diego" data-vars-content-id="9f9bce17-7a87-4e5c-ac31-66860e7ce100" data-vars-headline="Meet &quot;Bum,&quot; San Diego&#x27;s OG dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/22/san-diego-first-dog-mayor-todd-gloria-diego" target="_self">captured the city&#x27;s heart</a>.Why it matters: The dog, unfortunately dubbed &quot;Bum,&quot; was anything but to those San Diegans, and he became the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial mascot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/digital-archives-photos/bum-san-diegos-official-town-dog" data-vars-content-id="9f9bce17-7a87-4e5c-ac31-66860e7ce100" data-vars-headline="Meet &quot;Bum,&quot; San Diego&#x27;s OG dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/digital-archives-photos/bum-san-diegos-official-town-dog" target="_blank">unofficial mascot</a>.

Q&A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves San Diego

In a new book and interview, the iconic director opens up about his hometown memories and favorite spots.

Music

Cameron Crowe&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/padres-mariners-vedder-cup-pearl-jam-interleague-play" data-vars-content-id="4750447a-a30a-4a61-a12d-5dc7f169044c" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves 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/2025/03/17/padres-mariners-vedder-cup-pearl-jam-interleague-play" target="_self">San Diego</a> roots run deep.The big picture: He spent his teen years here, and his iconic movies &quot;Fast Times at Ridgemont High&quot; and &quot;Almost Famous&quot; are set here — with much of the latter filmed here too. Crowe&#x27;s new book, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Uncool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" data-vars-content-id="4750447a-a30a-4a61-a12d-5dc7f169044c" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" target="_blank">The Uncool</a>,&quot; is also dripping with San Diego references (more on that below).

The San Diego references in Cameron Crowe's memoir

From his first Elvis concert to writing for The Door, Crowe's memoir traces his San Diego roots in detail.

Cameron Crowe&#x27;s memoir &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Uncool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" data-vars-content-id="5119dad3-5ebe-416a-8b74-7907d4e5197e" data-vars-headline="The San Diego references in Cameron Crowe&#x27;s memoir" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" target="_blank">The Uncool</a>&quot; is packed with San Diego shout-outs. It tells the story of his adolescence and the beginning of his career, all of which happened in San Diego.Here are a few of the many, many local references we spotted. There are probably plenty of others we missed!

Leon Williams, San Diego's trailblazing Black leader, dies at 102

The first black person on San Diego's City Council or County Board of Supervisors shaped the region and was a trailblazer for future black leaders.

Politics

Leon Williams, San Diego&#x27;s first Black council member and first Black county supervisor, died Saturday of cardiac arrest. He was 102.Flashback: Williams shaped public life in San Diego during a trailblazing career that started when he was appointed to the City Council in 1969.

California sees increase in book titles challenged

San Diego Public Library branches received five book challenges in the last five years.

California saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more books challenged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/01/libraries-book-bans-censorship-intellectual-freedom" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/01/libraries-book-bans-censorship-intellectual-freedom" target="_self">more books challenged</a> from 2022 to 2023, according to the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" American Library Association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2024/03/american-library-association-reports-record-number-unique-book-titles" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2024/03/american-library-association-reports-record-number-unique-book-titles" target="_blank"> American Library Association</a>.Why it matters: California is often considered a haven for LGBTQ and other marginalized communities, but the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" rise of book-ban attempts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/book-bans-libraries-surge" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/book-bans-libraries-surge" target="_self"> rise of book-ban attempts</a> across the country has led to a similar push in the Golden State.

San Diego's moon mission connection

A Navy recovery team in San Diego will pick up the astronauts in the Pacific Ocean after they've parachuted down from space.

San Diego has a small but essential role in NASA&#x27;s next <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mission to the moon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/" data-vars-content-id="6186103e-f9b1-443b-9046-20f5a992ea01" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s moon mission connection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/" target="_blank">mission to the moon</a>: picking up the astronauts in the Pacific Ocean after they&#x27;ve parachuted down from space.Why it matters: The Artemis II crew is set to be the first in more than 50 years to fly around the moon in what&#x27;s considered a test flight for the later <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis III mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/" data-vars-content-id="6186103e-f9b1-443b-9046-20f5a992ea01" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s moon mission connection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/" target="_blank">Artemis III mission</a> — when the first woman and person of color are set to land on the moon.