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Scoop: Stone's Escondido bistro gets a new name

Greg Koch hopes to reopen the restaurant before the holidays.

Culture

We now know the name of the new restaurant taking over the iconic Stone Brewing World Bistro &amp; Gardens in Escondido, so drumroll please. <ul><li>It&#x27;s...Quarry Escondido! And owner Greg Koch told Axios Monday he&#x27;s aiming to open before the holidays.</li></ul>Why it matters: Stone&#x27;s 12,500-square-foot bistro and acres of gardens have been legendary since opening in 2006, and many feared the location would be closed for good after Stone&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sale to Firestone Walker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/21/san-diegos-stone-brewing-sold-beer-production-moves" data-vars-content-id="01859a07-0398-40ac-88ed-963012b0d09c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Stone&#x27;s Escondido bistro gets a new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/21/san-diegos-stone-brewing-sold-beer-production-moves" target="_self">sale to Firestone Walker</a> last spring.

How San Diego Unified is weathering the bus fuel squeeze

County fuel deals, storage tanks and 43 electric buses help the district ride out price spikes.

Education

School districts across the country are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/05/iran-war-diesel-fuel-costs-school-bus" data-vars-content-id="876af2ea-cae0-40aa-81c7-dfece21ade28" data-vars-headline="How San Diego Unified is weathering the bus fuel squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/05/iran-war-diesel-fuel-costs-school-bus" target="_self">struggling</a> as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surging gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/24/iran-war-austin-isd-diesel-costs" data-vars-content-id="876af2ea-cae0-40aa-81c7-dfece21ade28" data-vars-headline="How San Diego Unified is weathering the bus fuel squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/24/iran-war-austin-isd-diesel-costs" target="_self">surging gas prices</a> make busing kids more expensive, but not in San Diego.The big picture: A combination of things have helped San Diego Unified largely weather the costs, spokesperson James Canning told Axios.

San Diego voter guide 2026: Propositions, candidates and races

Get to know the candidates, state propositions and local measures before voting.

Politics

San Diego voters have a lot to weigh in on before the Nov. 3 election.Why it matters: The ballot spans California&#x27;s next governor and 14 statewide propositions to a countywide sales tax and several competitive local races.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s your cheat sheet.</li></ul>

Gloria will headline public trust forum

The free Oct. 22 forum will explore how cities can strengthen ties with residents.

Election

Mayor Todd Gloria is headlining a discussion this week about how cities can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="build public trust" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/14/american-trust-voters-government-gallup" data-vars-content-id="9bb110cd-7849-4c7c-8841-9bbf2b726329" data-vars-headline="Gloria will headline public trust forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/14/american-trust-voters-government-gallup" target="_self">build public trust</a>.Why it matters: The conversation is focused on doubts about elections ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midterms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/15/americas-wits-end-election-approaches" data-vars-content-id="9bb110cd-7849-4c7c-8841-9bbf2b726329" data-vars-headline="Gloria will headline public trust forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/15/americas-wits-end-election-approaches" target="_self">midterms</a>.

Halloween costumes can stress out dogs

A frozen pose can signal discomfort, and a simple bandana may be a better choice than a costume.

What&#x27;s more adorable than a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dachshund dressed as a hot dog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/31/dog-costumes-halloween" data-vars-content-id="a1e469d8-9cc7-4f25-8196-d47ea8a1f4f1" data-vars-headline="Halloween costumes can stress out dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/31/dog-costumes-halloween" target="_self">dachshund dressed as a hot dog</a>, or a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golden retriever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/10/05/san-diego-rover-dog-breeds-xolo-goldendoodle-report" data-vars-content-id="a1e469d8-9cc7-4f25-8196-d47ea8a1f4f1" data-vars-headline="Halloween costumes can stress out dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/10/05/san-diego-rover-dog-breeds-xolo-goldendoodle-report" target="_self">golden retriever</a> dressed as a lion, or a shiba dressed as really anything? Turns out, all that seasonal cute may not be great for your furry friend.The big picture: That&#x27;s right. Those super fun Halloween costumes can be super stressful for most dogs.

9 Halloween houses to visit around San Diego

Pirate ships, singing pumpkins and movie-inspired haunts turn yards into neighborhood attractions.

Things to Do

If you want to get spooky, several local houses have ghoulish offerings.The big picture: You can pay for terrifying experiences at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SeaWorld" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/10/02/seaworld-san-diego-howl-o-scream-1997-slasher-haunted-house" data-vars-content-id="83db8b64-2fbb-45f4-b542-31324f6c4e24" data-vars-headline="9 Halloween houses to visit around 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/2026/10/02/seaworld-san-diego-howl-o-scream-1997-slasher-haunted-house" target="_self">SeaWorld</a>, the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park, or the Haunted Corn Maze in Carlsbad. Or you can visit these houses, where Halloween decorations are deadly serious.

What it's like to run San Diego's cemetery on Halloween 

David Noriega started on the grounds crew in 2001 and now helps families through their hardest days.

San Diego&#x27;s very own gravekeeper loves his job because, as you might expect, it&#x27;s very quiet.The big picture: While David Noriega prefers his professional title, area manager of the city-owned Mt. Hope Cemetery, he is in fact the keeper of about 80,000 departed and their resting places.

San Diego readers share their best first dates

From Point Loma motorcycle rides to fireworks at Presidio Park, romance bloomed locally.

Holidays

We asked our readers recently to tell us their San Diego first date stories and got some great responses.Why it matters: We have some romantics among our readers.

So you think you can lion dance

Performers say it's harder to get kids interested in the ancient Lunar New Year art form.

Several groups across San Diego are striving to ensure traditional Chinese <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lion dancing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/30/chinatown-welcomes-lunar-new-year" data-vars-content-id="0bba6093-02e7-4cd5-a3a5-abbae21e3eee" data-vars-headline="So you think you can lion dance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/30/chinatown-welcomes-lunar-new-year" target="_self">lion dancing</a> doesn&#x27;t become a lost art.Why it matters: Lion dancing is an essential part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lunar New Year celebrations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/28/lunar-new-year-business-experiments" data-vars-content-id="0bba6093-02e7-4cd5-a3a5-abbae21e3eee" data-vars-headline="So you think you can lion dance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/28/lunar-new-year-business-experiments" target="_self">Lunar New Year celebrations</a>, but can also be part of weddings, business openings and other cultural events.

Feed your ex to the wolves this Valentine's Day

The California Wolf Center will name a mouse after your least-favorite human and make it snack.

This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/valentines-day-sweethearts-conversation-hearts" data-vars-content-id="74907c31-5c0d-4487-85a5-b657ff0c677e" data-vars-headline="Feed your ex to the wolves this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/valentines-day-sweethearts-conversation-hearts" target="_self">Valentine&#x27;s Day</a>, you can feed your ex to the wolves. Well, symbolically, at least.How it works: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Wolf Center in Julian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/" data-vars-content-id="74907c31-5c0d-4487-85a5-b657ff0c677e" data-vars-headline="Feed your ex to the wolves this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/" target="_blank">California Wolf Center in Julian</a> wants you to name a mouse after your least-favorite human, and staff will toss the snack to their hungry wolves. <ul><li>Don&#x27;t worry, the mice are already dead.</li></ul>

Tell us your New Year's resolutions

From 75 Hard to trying dance class, San Diegans are setting goals — and sharing them for inspiration.

Sure, it&#x27;s cliché, but January does feel like a fresh start and a chance to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make changes" 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="e822c9f7-6938-45da-a1de-aceb6967738a" data-vars-headline="Tell us your New Year&#x27;s resolutions" 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">make changes</a>.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re making resolutions this year, please share them. We&#x27;ll make a list for those procrastinators among us who need inspiration.

Why Hanukkah's dates change every year

From SeaWorld to Liberty Station, San Diego is glowing with menorah lightings this Hanukkah season.

Hanukkah starts at sundown Dec. 14, with Dec. 15 as the first full day of the holiday this year.What&#x27;s happening: That&#x27;s different from last year, and it will be different next year. Hanukkah begins on a different day on the Gregorian calendar, but it&#x27;s on the same date annually on the lunisolar Hebrew calendar.

How one San Diego dad built a DIY holiday music light show

An Allied Gardens dad used 6,000 LEDs and a laptop to sync his house to holiday music. Here's how.

Justin Michalowski has a little advice for anyone thinking about creating a holiday music house: don&#x27;t wait until December.The big picture: Michalowski&#x27;s home at 5439 Brunswick Ave. in Allied Gardens is covered with lights that coordinate with holiday music he broadcasts through a small antenna. <ul><li>His house is one of several across San Diego where you can tune into a radio station and watch a synchronized light show.</li></ul>

Forget "Die Hard" — try these unusual Christmas movies

A knight, Gremlins and Princess Diana walk into a holiday movie list. Trust the process.

A knight, Gremlins and Princess Diana walk into a holiday movie list.I have long had a list in my head of Christmas movies that are more unconventional than &quot;Die Hard.&quot; And I&#x27;m thrilled to share it with all of you.