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How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter

City officials are urging residents to clear drains, watch forecasts, and build an emergency kit.

Public Safety

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" data-vars-content-id="d24aa131-e306-4a5a-9325-549230a4deb0" data-vars-headline="How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" target="_self">El Niño</a> is coming, bringing warmer and wetter weather, and the city of San Diego is asking us to prepare.The big picture: Warmer water from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/26/super-el-nino-cooler-wetter-winter" data-vars-content-id="d24aa131-e306-4a5a-9325-549230a4deb0" data-vars-headline="How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/26/super-el-nino-cooler-wetter-winter" target="_self">El Niño</a> changes our weather patterns and could lead to higher temperatures, more rain and coastal flooding.

San Diego apartments shrinking as rents keep rising

New San Diego apartments lost 84 square feet on average over a decade as rents rose roughly 70%.

Real Estate

New apartments in San Diego are getting smaller, according to a new survey from RentCafe.Why it matters: They might be smaller, but they aren&#x27;t cheaper.

All your best parenting advice

From sleep schedules to reading early, San Diegans pass along their best tips.

Parenting

It&#x27;s official, our Axios San Diego family has grown by one!Driving the news: Kate and her husband Stefan welcomed their baby boy!<ul><li>They chose the name Nathan despite what we voted for in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the baby name bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/13/vote-kate-baby-boy-name-bracket-axios-readers" data-vars-content-id="24edee42-df57-400f-b166-31e3b0c8491d" data-vars-headline="All your best parenting advice" 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/vote-kate-baby-boy-name-bracket-axios-readers" target="_self">the baby name bracket</a> (so sorry, Connor fans).</li></ul>

Waymo officially launches driverless rides in San Diego

Public robotaxi rides start Tuesday across a 50-square-mile area, with more expansion planned.

Transit

If you want to ride in a car driven by a robot, your time has arrived.Driving the news: Waymo officially starts offering rides to the public on Tuesday, after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing with humans" 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="d00c3654-e365-4f6f-85de-880f06820a64" data-vars-headline="Waymo officially launches driverless rides 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/2025/01/29/waymo-autonomous-vehicles-testing-drivers-san-diego-las-vegas" target="_self">testing with humans</a> for more than a year and allowing Alphabet employees to get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driverless rides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/08/waymo-driverless-cars-san-diego-robotaxi-rides-public-launch" data-vars-content-id="d00c3654-e365-4f6f-85de-880f06820a64" data-vars-headline="Waymo officially launches driverless rides 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/2026/07/08/waymo-driverless-cars-san-diego-robotaxi-rides-public-launch" target="_self">driverless rides</a> since July.

13 big concerts coming to San Diego through September

The Breeders, Thee Sacred Souls, Journey and Buddy Guy also have San Diego shows on the calendar.

Things to Do

Summer is winding down, but the local music scene isn&#x27;t.The big picture: Take advantage of locals&#x27; summer with this lineup, ranging from new hit shows to old favorites.

San Diego's Listening Rooms build community through music

A new journal captures the conversations, connections and reflections sparked by shared album listening.

Listening Room organizers believe in the uniting power of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/09/cameron-crowe-the-uncool-san-diego-movie-locations" data-vars-content-id="12bc42f7-acb2-47ae-a5fd-d697694a65a7" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s Listening Rooms build community through music" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/09/cameron-crowe-the-uncool-san-diego-movie-locations" target="_self">music</a>.The big picture: Like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book clubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/20/silent-book-clubs-happy-hour-introverts-readers" data-vars-content-id="12bc42f7-acb2-47ae-a5fd-d697694a65a7" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s Listening Rooms build community through music" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/20/silent-book-clubs-happy-hour-introverts-readers" target="_self">book clubs</a> but for music, Listening Room participants take in an album together and then talk about it using guided prompts from a host.

7 San Diego concerts worth seeing

From surf legend Tom Curren to jazz at Balboa Theatre, here's what to see live in San Diego.

If you&#x27;re looking to dive into San Diego&#x27;s live music scene, start here.The big picture: From laid-back surf sounds to country to soul, there&#x27;s a lot to choose from over the next two weeks.

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!

Kendrick and SZA rule San Diego's Spotify in 2025

Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga and Neton Vega also made big waves in San Diego's Spotify Wrapped this year.

&quot;luther (with sza)&quot; by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-streamed song on Spotify" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" data-vars-content-id="7e86bfc8-548a-477c-93e9-578d720fdb9e" data-vars-headline="Kendrick and SZA rule San Diego&#x27;s Spotify in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" target="_self">most-streamed song on Spotify</a> this year in San Diego.Why it matters: San Diegans mostly followed the trends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-tops-global-artists" data-vars-content-id="7e86bfc8-548a-477c-93e9-578d720fdb9e" data-vars-headline="Kendrick and SZA rule San Diego&#x27;s Spotify in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-tops-global-artists" target="_self">across the country</a> in their listening habits, but Bad Bunny and Neton Vega are more popular here.

SD's indie music venues fuel state economy, local artists

Local clubs like Belly Up and Casbah drive San Diego's music scene and propel local artists.

News

California&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent music venues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/02/belly-up-venue-50-year-anniversary-san-diego-music-scene" data-vars-content-id="b0150d15-0e9a-4108-9c14-a2da25193948" data-vars-headline="SD&#x27;s indie music venues fuel state economy, local artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/02/belly-up-venue-50-year-anniversary-san-diego-music-scene" target="_self">independent music venues</a> contributed nearly $11 billion to the state&#x27;s economy in 2024, according to a first-of-its-kind report released this week.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" data-vars-content-id="b0150d15-0e9a-4108-9c14-a2da25193948" data-vars-headline="SD&#x27;s indie music venues fuel state economy, local artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" target="_blank">report</a> was produced by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to inform policymakers and music industry stakeholders about the importance of independent venues.

Adams Avenue Street Fair headlines big festival weekend

Normal Height's annual event is billed as Southern California's largest two-day free music festival.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Adams Avenue Street Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adamsavenuebusiness.com/adams-avenue-street-fair/" data-vars-content-id="42851ef6-8f11-4259-a0cf-9a453c7bee1c" data-vars-headline="Adams Avenue Street Fair headlines big festival weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adamsavenuebusiness.com/adams-avenue-street-fair/" target="_blank">Adams Avenue Street Fair</a> is taking over Normal Heights this weekend for one of the city&#x27;s biggest block parties.Why it matters: The annual event started in the 1980s for the community to celebrate the new neighborhood sign. It&#x27;s since grown into Southern California&#x27;s largest two-day free music festival, drawing about 80,000 people from around San Diego and other states.

San Diego's top Spotify songs of the summer

Here's what San Diegans were listening to.

&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back To Friends" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/0FTmksd2dxiE5e3rWyJXs6?si=e97f03f5ee4b4005" data-vars-content-id="e9654556-32fe-4b66-b0ec-02b0443368d8" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s top Spotify songs of the summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0FTmksd2dxiE5e3rWyJXs6?si=e97f03f5ee4b4005" target="_blank">Back To Friends</a>&quot; by Sombr was the top song this summer for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego&#x27;s Spotify" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/04/san-diego-2024-spotify-wrapped-taylor-swift-sabrina-carpenter" data-vars-content-id="e9654556-32fe-4b66-b0ec-02b0443368d8" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s top Spotify songs of the summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/04/san-diego-2024-spotify-wrapped-taylor-swift-sabrina-carpenter" target="_self">San Diego&#x27;s Spotify</a>, according to data shared exclusively with Axios.The big picture: According to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotify" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" data-vars-content-id="e9654556-32fe-4b66-b0ec-02b0443368d8" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s top Spotify songs of the summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" target="_self">Spotify</a> data, summer 2025 was the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music in the last decade, based on the tempos, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity of its top tracks.<ul><li>The platform says listeners &quot;swapped carefree anthems for songs that felt personal, vulnerable, and emotionally charged — both lyrically and sonically.&quot;</li></ul>

City shuts down popular pop-up DJ events

The organic parties were promoted on social media and eventually brought hundreds of attendees.

Daniel Joseph started by playing tunes for his friends at Golden Hill Park through a Bluetooth speaker. A year later, 500 strangers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were showing up every Friday to hear him spin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/22/wavves-aquabats-deltron-3030-concerts-san-diego-july-23-27" data-vars-content-id="05c46584-c565-4369-8300-9c1796f67ac7" data-vars-headline="City shuts down popular pop-up DJ events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/22/wavves-aquabats-deltron-3030-concerts-san-diego-july-23-27" target="_self">were showing up every Friday to hear him spin</a> — until the city shut him down.The big picture: Local DJs have been drawing big crowds to neighborhood parks with low-key free pop-ups for a few years now, but city officials put a stop to the social media-boosted gatherings this month when they got too big.