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10 events to enjoy Memorial Day weekend in San Diego

Catch a concert, comedy show, pups at Petco Park, zoo at night and military tributes.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend, and if you don&#x27;t want to spend every day at the beach, here&#x27;s what&#x27;s happening around San Diego.🐅 Explore the zoo at night, when it has live music, acrobats, dancers, and other entertainment with nocturnal wildlife.<ul><li>This is the final summer for this nighttime experience, which runs Friday through Aug. 9.</li></ul>

Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died

Five years after Max LeNail drowned, a proposed bridge remains tangled in city delays.

Public Safety

When 21-year-old Max LeNail died trying to cross the river in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Trails Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="7f5934b2-9944-4b7d-b573-e28a4550c634" data-vars-headline="Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" target="_self">Mission Trails Park</a> in 2021, his parents set about building a bridge in his honor.The big picture: But today, those bridge plans remain up in the air, stymied by bureaucracy despite them securing a state grant to pay for it.<ul><li>And his parents are losing hope that there&#x27;s a way forward.</li></ul>

Why e-bikes are becoming a pediatric trauma crisis

The ER is seeing more kids with spine and skull fractures and brain bleeds from e-bike crashes.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-bikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/06/san-diego-ebike-crashes-rise-kids-injuries-speed-safety-rules" data-vars-content-id="57925dd1-dbda-47d9-a28d-01c01cd6622e" data-vars-headline="Why e-bikes are becoming a pediatric trauma crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/06/san-diego-ebike-crashes-rise-kids-injuries-speed-safety-rules" target="_self">E-bikes</a> are on track to become the most common cause of child trauma cases at Rady Children&#x27;s Hospital this year, trauma medical director Romeo Ignacio told Axios.Why it matters: As e-bikes have become a popular ride for San Diego kids in recent years, crashes, injuries and ER visits have also spiked.

From prison to USD master's graduate

Shawn Khalifa was released in 2020 after a law change. Now he's earning a USD degree.

Education

When Shawn Khalifa steps onto the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduation stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" target="_self">graduation stage</a> at the University of San Diego this weekend, he&#x27;ll be continuing a path he never thought possible a few years ago.The big picture: Khalifa went to prison at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="age 15" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" target="_blank">age 15</a> after being convicted under a since-changed California felony murder law, and he was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released in 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" target="_blank">released in 2020</a> at age 31.

San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for "heroic" actions

The 3 community members are being remembered for protecting children and others.

Politics & Policy

The three victims in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday&#x27;s shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" target="_self">Monday&#x27;s shooting</a> at the Islamic Center of San Diego were all beloved members of the Muslim community and acted heroically to save other lives, according to community leaders and San Diego police.Security guard Amin Abdullah, as well as community members Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were shot outside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the center&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" target="_self">the center&#x27;s</a> entrance and are being lauded for preventing violence from reaching children attending school inside.

Deadly shooting at San Diego's largest mosque

Officers evacuated people from the Clairemont mosque as police responded Monday afternoon.

Five people are dead — including two gunmen — after a shooting at the Islamic Center of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego" data-vars-content-id="51a70942-b794-481d-b880-4f1c2617effa" data-vars-headline="Deadly shooting at San Diego&#x27;s largest mosque" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego" target="_self">San Diego</a> in Clairemont, according to San Diego Police.

San Diego privacy board seeks more police tech oversight

The board is taking action after Axios revealed SDPD's new Flock Nova contract.

San Diego&#x27;s Privacy Advisory Board is asking to be more involved in the city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="evaluating surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/30/san-diego-surveillence-tech-approval-review-process" data-vars-content-id="6bc74f7b-0865-4885-a731-15f6f66bf353" data-vars-headline="San Diego privacy board seeks more police tech oversight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/30/san-diego-surveillence-tech-approval-review-process" target="_self">evaluating surveillance technology</a> following Axios&#x27; exclusive reporting on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="police department&#x27;s Flock Nova contract" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="6bc74f7b-0865-4885-a731-15f6f66bf353" data-vars-headline="San Diego privacy board seeks more police tech oversight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">police department&#x27;s Flock Nova contract</a>.Why it matters: The board was created to review how city departments use surveillance technology, but it was kept in the dark about this contract.

Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge

Police data shows crashes quadrupling in recent years.

E-bike collisions across San Diego have nearly quadrupled over the past five years, police data obtained exclusively by Axios shows.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-bike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/13/advocates-emotos-ebikes-legislation" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/13/advocates-emotos-ebikes-legislation" target="_self">E-bike</a> injuries are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing" data-vars-click-url="https://inewsource.org/2026/03/24/ebike-crashes-injury-data-san-diego-county/" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://inewsource.org/2026/03/24/ebike-crashes-injury-data-san-diego-county/" target="_blank">skyrocketing</a> and becoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more severe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/09/rady-childrens-study-finds-more-severe-trauma-with-e-bikes/" data-vars-content-id="fdfe3897-9953-4bf8-bf09-d074ff246a2f" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego e-bike crashes surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/09/rady-childrens-study-finds-more-severe-trauma-with-e-bikes/" target="_blank">more severe</a>, particularly for kids, as they hit speeds faster than regular bikes.

Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls

The city is using AI agents to sort nonemergency calls and assist dispatchers with transcripts and prompts.

San Diego has rolled out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI for police dispatchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/01/how-san-diego-uses-ai-government-copilot-gemini-future-potholes-records-requests" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/01/how-san-diego-uses-ai-government-copilot-gemini-future-potholes-records-requests" target="_self">AI for police dispatchers</a>, including AI agents that answer non-emergency calls and automatically classify calls by type, per a contract obtained exclusively by Axios.Why it matters: The contract is another example of the city using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/20/san-diego-chula-vista-police-drones" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/20/san-diego-chula-vista-police-drones" target="_self">AI technology</a> to help employees be more efficient, but advocates warn it could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violate privacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="67608916-df80-467d-93a9-4d57f51f8dad" data-vars-headline="Scoop: AI is helping answer San Diego 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">violate privacy</a>.

How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved

The public review process was created in 2022 to build trust and transparency.

When the City of San Diego wants to add <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new surveillance tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" data-vars-content-id="ff0fadf3-5ea2-493a-8067-b9d29df5c7e1" data-vars-headline="How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/29/san-diego-police-flock-nova-surveillance-technology-contract-review" target="_self">new surveillance tools</a> to its arsenal, it must first go through a public review process.Catch up quick: City departments evaluate new tools to see if they meet the definition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/police/data-transparency/technology" data-vars-content-id="ff0fadf3-5ea2-493a-8067-b9d29df5c7e1" data-vars-headline="How San Diego gets surveillance tech approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/police/data-transparency/technology" target="_blank">surveillance technology</a> under the city&#x27;s Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) ordinance.

Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal

Police say the software was exempt from an oversight process for surveillance tech.

Privacy advocates are alarmed that San Diego Police acquired a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance-related technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" target="_self">surveillance-related technology</a> without going through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s public oversight process" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/council-amends-surveillance-oversight-ordinance" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/council-amends-surveillance-oversight-ordinance" target="_self">city&#x27;s public oversight process</a>, but the police say the platform in question didn&#x27;t need that approval.Why it matters: The contract for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Nova" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-nova-smarter-investigations-faster-case-resolutions" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-nova-smarter-investigations-faster-case-resolutions" target="_blank">Flock Nova</a> platform was quietly signed in December, as local residents and City Council members questioned police using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock&#x27;s Safety&#x27;s other surveillance technology" data-vars-click-url="https://transparency.flocksafety.com/san-diego-ca-pd" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transparency.flocksafety.com/san-diego-ca-pd" target="_blank">Flock&#x27;s Safety&#x27;s other surveillance technology</a> — specifically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="dbbead24-d45c-4136-afab-2ed17d56bd1c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: San Diego police quietly signed new Flock tech deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" target="_self">license plate readers</a> — to assist investigations.

How San Diego plans to lower speed limits

Officials found money for lower speeds, but staff cuts raise concerns about street safety work.

Funding to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lower speed limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/24/san-diego-speed-limit-reductions-need-funding-2-4-million" data-vars-content-id="4532476b-0024-4ab0-a090-400d36982498" data-vars-headline="How San Diego plans to lower speed limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/24/san-diego-speed-limit-reductions-need-funding-2-4-million" target="_self">lower speed limits</a> on some streets isn&#x27;t included in San Diego&#x27;s proposed budget, but city officials say the plan will still get the money it needs.Why it matters: Efforts to slow speeds got renewed attention last year after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple children were killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" data-vars-content-id="4532476b-0024-4ab0-a090-400d36982498" data-vars-headline="How San Diego plans to lower speed limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/23/jackson-drive-lake-baldwin-stop-sign-tickets-andrew-olsen-san-carlos" target="_self">multiple children were killed</a> by drivers, and city spokesperson Anthony Santacroce told Axios that improving street safety is a high priority.

Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria's draft budget

The spending plan would close a $146 million deficit through layoffs, new revenue and deep cuts.

Politics

Mayor Todd Gloria&#x27;s proposed budget would gut San Diego&#x27;s arts organizations and cut library and rec center hours while beefing up the police and fire departments.The big picture: Released Wednesday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayor&#x27;s $2.2 billion spending plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/finance/draft" data-vars-content-id="3c2f2eb0-dc5b-4572-a9ed-07f3dab2678e" data-vars-headline="Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria&#x27;s draft budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/finance/draft" target="_blank">mayor&#x27;s $2.2 billion spending plan</a> would close a projected $146 million deficit through furloughs, new revenue, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuts to city services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/15/gloria-proposes-layoffs-furloughs-and-deep-cuts-to-arts-libraries-recreation-to-close-146m-deficit/" data-vars-content-id="3c2f2eb0-dc5b-4572-a9ed-07f3dab2678e" data-vars-headline="Big takeaways from Mayor Gloria&#x27;s draft budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/15/gloria-proposes-layoffs-furloughs-and-deep-cuts-to-arts-libraries-recreation-to-close-146m-deficit/" target="_blank">cuts to city services</a> and programs, including layoffs.