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Mission Bay bathrooms are now scarcer

Half of Mission Bay's public bathrooms are now closed.

Politics

<div><iframe alt="Google Maps Embed" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=16VNZ4bFk8xEQ-lOeoAQkOjvbwWUp3_E&amp;ehbc=2E312F&amp;noprof=1" data-vars-category="google-maps" data-vars-sub-category="undefined-embed" data-vars-content-id="534673b4-1327-4582-b0ee-88fdbf24b565" width="100%" height="480" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>Starting Monday, 13 bathrooms <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will be closed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/14/san-diego-budget-public-bathrooms" data-vars-content-id="534673b4-1327-4582-b0ee-88fdbf24b565" data-vars-headline="Mission Bay bathrooms are now scarcer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/14/san-diego-budget-public-bathrooms" target="_self">will be closed</a> around Mission Bay due to budget cuts.Why it matters: That&#x27;s almost half of the 28 bathrooms in the park.

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's picks for America's Time Capsule

Cali burrito, surf wax, Zoo merch and sewage, to name a few.

Culture

California buried some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pretty cool stuff in America&#x27;s Time Capsule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/americas-time-capsule-california-artifacts-250th-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="7353d7a0-2992-4db5-b996-8d77d8126541" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s picks for America&#x27;s Time Capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/americas-time-capsule-california-artifacts-250th-anniversary" target="_self">pretty cool stuff in America&#x27;s Time Capsule</a> over the weekend. But we figured our readers had better ideas for items that truly represent San Diego at this moment in time.Here&#x27;s what we&#x27;re saying future generations should uncover in 250 years to really understand who we are.

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>

"NamaSteve" sues San Diego again over yoga classes

The yoga teacher says the city kept issuing tickets despite a court ruling on outdoor classes.

The saga of whether people can teach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="yoga at city parks and beaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/03/outdoor-yoga-ocean-san-diego-pacific-beach" data-vars-content-id="ae90b73a-00a3-4d91-8eaa-488c8a25482f" data-vars-headline="&quot;NamaSteve&quot; sues San Diego again over yoga classes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/03/outdoor-yoga-ocean-san-diego-pacific-beach" target="_self">yoga at city parks and beaches</a> without a permit just keeps on going.The big picture: Steve Hubbard, known as &quot;NamaSteve,&quot; filed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28336294-complaint-unlimited/" data-vars-content-id="ae90b73a-00a3-4d91-8eaa-488c8a25482f" data-vars-headline="&quot;NamaSteve&quot; sues San Diego again over yoga classes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28336294-complaint-unlimited/" target="_blank">third lawsuit</a> against the city last week, challenging tickets he got while teaching yoga in 2025.

Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor's race

Hilton had 25% of the vote and Becerra 27.9% with 91% of the vote counted this evening.

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are headed to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" data-vars-content-id="0b1a3228-7252-4c9d-83e1-2b0ed32c2e70" data-vars-headline="Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" target="_self">California governor&#x27;s race</a> in November, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-governor/" data-vars-content-id="0b1a3228-7252-4c9d-83e1-2b0ed32c2e70" data-vars-headline="Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-governor/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.The big picture: With 91% of the vote counted as of Tuesday evening: <ul><li>Hilton has 25% of the vote and Becerra 27.9%.</li><li>The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, face off in November.</li></ul>

Cheaper trash and free Balboa parking could return

The proposal would reduce pickup fees, scrap Balboa Park parking charges and cost millions.

You could be paying less for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" data-vars-content-id="4426c3e5-3f1a-42f9-9ea1-e796ccba518a" data-vars-headline="Cheaper trash and free Balboa parking could return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" target="_self">trash</a> and nothing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Balboa Park parking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/25/more-free-parking-city-residents-balboa-park" data-vars-content-id="4426c3e5-3f1a-42f9-9ea1-e796ccba518a" data-vars-headline="Cheaper trash and free Balboa parking could return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/25/more-free-parking-city-residents-balboa-park" target="_self">Balboa Park parking</a> next year.The big picture: The City Council is considering a new deal Monday after outrage ensued over new fees that it passed last year.<ul><li>It made concessions to avoid a potential lawsuit and a ballot measure, which could have blown a massive hole in city finances.</li></ul>

Voters appear to reject Measure A in early returns

City leaders would lose a potential revenue stream as they grapple with a growing budget shortfall.

A majority of voters said &quot;no&quot; to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant home tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/13/san-diego-measure-a-non-primary-homes-tax-realtors-mailers" data-vars-content-id="ae9990ad-8c91-4720-be91-946bcc20d8e9" data-vars-headline="Voters appear to reject Measure A in early returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/13/san-diego-measure-a-non-primary-homes-tax-realtors-mailers" target="_self">vacant home tax</a> proposal, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early returns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/sandiegocaenr/24/en/Index_24.html" data-vars-content-id="ae9990ad-8c91-4720-be91-946bcc20d8e9" data-vars-headline="Voters appear to reject Measure A in early returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/sandiegocaenr/24/en/Index_24.html" target="_blank">early returns</a> Tuesday night. The big picture: 58% of voters so far opposed Measure A, which would cost owners of second homes $8,000 annually in 2027 and $10,000 every year after.<ul><li>The city said the measure would bring in $9 million to $21 million each year to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="general fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/15/san-diego-mayor-gloria-draft-city-budget-2027-arts-police-fire-spending" data-vars-content-id="ae9990ad-8c91-4720-be91-946bcc20d8e9" data-vars-headline="Voters appear to reject Measure A in early returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/15/san-diego-mayor-gloria-draft-city-budget-2027-arts-police-fire-spending" target="_self">general fund</a>.</li></ul>

Nearly 7 in 10 San Diegans say the city is on the wrong track

Housing costs, the budget and homelessness are driving growing frustration with the city.

The share of San Diegans who think the city is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the wrong track" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" data-vars-content-id="6ee0d9dc-a3bb-430f-9a51-ce2de64dac77" data-vars-headline="Nearly 7 in 10 San Diegans say the city is on the wrong track" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" target="_self">on the wrong track</a> has spiked since last year, according to a new poll.The big picture: The poll, paid for by the city&#x27;s white collar union and obtained by Axios, puts some hard data behind just how unhappy people are with the city.

Your guide to voting in San Diego's primary election

You can still mail or drop off a ballot, vote in person and follow results tonight.

Today&#x27;s the last day to cast your ballot in our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/13/california-june-2-primary-san-diego-ballot-guide-governor-insurance-commissioner" data-vars-content-id="baf42758-fd21-4102-9046-c0b56db4d3d8" data-vars-headline="Your guide to voting in San Diego&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/13/california-june-2-primary-san-diego-ballot-guide-governor-insurance-commissioner" target="_self">June primary</a>.Catch up quick: Here&#x27;s your last-minute guide on how to vote if you haven&#x27;t already.

"The Big Middle" aims to reverse political polarization

"The Big Middle" uses live audience feedback to search for political common ground.

Encinitas resident Allan Hoving thinks he can actually get people to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="agree on politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/house-republicans-swing-seats-congress-democrats" data-vars-content-id="26548b16-57c9-4602-b3b7-d0cc835576d5" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Big Middle&quot; aims to reverse political polarization" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/house-republicans-swing-seats-congress-democrats" target="_self">agree on politics</a>.The big picture: Hoving launched a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="substack web show" data-vars-click-url="https://thebigmiddle.substack.com/p/the-big-middle-live-webshow" data-vars-content-id="26548b16-57c9-4602-b3b7-d0cc835576d5" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Big Middle&quot; aims to reverse political polarization" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thebigmiddle.substack.com/p/the-big-middle-live-webshow" target="_blank">substack web show</a> this month called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Big Middle,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://thebigmiddle.substack.com/" data-vars-content-id="26548b16-57c9-4602-b3b7-d0cc835576d5" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Big Middle&quot; aims to reverse political polarization" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thebigmiddle.substack.com/" target="_blank">&quot;The Big Middle,&quot;</a> where he uses a series of questions and surveys to bring the live audience to a consensus in real time.

San Diego District 8 candidates on cost-of-living fixes

Candidates shared plans for utility bills, housing costs, policing and city services.

The other open seat in San Diego&#x27;s June 2 election is in District 8, which runs from downtown to the Mexico border. The big picture: We asked the four candidates about cost-of-living questions.<ul><li>Council chief of staff <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Venus Molina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.venusford8.com/" data-vars-content-id="ed7c28af-ac14-4047-858b-ea744c2fb56c" data-vars-headline="San Diego District 8 candidates on cost-of-living fixes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.venusford8.com/" target="_blank">Venus Molina</a> didn&#x27;t respond.</li></ul>

District 2 hopefuls split on police, city spending

Candidates for San Diego's open District 2 seat offered sharply different budget priorities.

San Diego voters in District 2 will narrow the field on June 2 for a council member to fill an open seat. The council race has attracted the most candidates and spending.Catch up quick: District 2 covers Clairemont, Point Loma, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and the Midway District. The top two vote-getters on June 2 will advance to the November election.

Politics 🇺🇸

Six new California laws taking effect in July

Mission Bay bathrooms are now scarcer

"NamaSteve" sues San Diego again over yoga classes

Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor's race

Cheaper trash and free Balboa parking could return