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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>

Mapped: World Cup watch parties in San Diego

Find neighborhood spots, local soccer bars and big events to catch every game.

There&#x27;s a new tool to find a place that matches your vibe for watching World Cup games.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Watch Party Radar" data-vars-click-url="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=san-diego" data-vars-content-id="aa4b3eda-bf39-40d0-a36c-b28731b1c62a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: World Cup watch parties in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://watchpartyradar.com/?city=san-diego" target="_blank">Watch Party Radar</a> shows you where to catch the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. men&#x27;s games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/teams/usa/fixtures" data-vars-content-id="aa4b3eda-bf39-40d0-a36c-b28731b1c62a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: World Cup watch parties in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/teams/usa/fixtures" target="_blank">U.S. men&#x27;s games</a> or any match at hundreds of bars and venues around San Diego. </li></ul>Why it matters: If the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest watch parties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/27/san-diego-world-cup-watch-parties-snapdragon-friendlies-sdfc-fan-zone" data-vars-content-id="aa4b3eda-bf39-40d0-a36c-b28731b1c62a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: World Cup watch parties 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/2026/05/27/san-diego-world-cup-watch-parties-snapdragon-friendlies-sdfc-fan-zone" target="_self">biggest watch parties</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popular soccer bars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/11/how-and-where-to-watch-the-2026-fifa-world-cup-in-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="aa4b3eda-bf39-40d0-a36c-b28731b1c62a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: World Cup watch parties 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/2026/06/11/how-and-where-to-watch-the-2026-fifa-world-cup-in-san-diego" target="_self">popular soccer bars</a> aren&#x27;t your scene, you can filter through this map to find a spot in your neighborhood that has deals, big screens or outdoor seating.

What to know about NASCAR's Coronado race weekend

The race taking over Naval Base Coronado is expected to draw 50,000 fans daily.

Sports

San Diego, you might want to avoid Coronado this Father&#x27;s Day weekend unless you&#x27;re going to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NASCAR street race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/22/see-the-course-for-san-diego-s-nascar-street-race" data-vars-content-id="adbb33ff-ec37-45a2-b68d-551895da2138" data-vars-headline="What to know about NASCAR&#x27;s Coronado race weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/22/see-the-course-for-san-diego-s-nascar-street-race" target="_self">NASCAR street race</a>.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed, three-day event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nascarsandiego.com/" data-vars-content-id="adbb33ff-ec37-45a2-b68d-551895da2138" data-vars-headline="What to know about NASCAR&#x27;s Coronado race weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nascarsandiego.com/" target="_blank">high-speed, three-day event</a> is expected to draw 50,000 daily spectators to Naval Base Coronado — the first active military base to host a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NASCAR race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/23/san-diego-nascar-street-race-coronado-navy-base" data-vars-content-id="adbb33ff-ec37-45a2-b68d-551895da2138" data-vars-headline="What to know about NASCAR&#x27;s Coronado race weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/23/san-diego-nascar-street-race-coronado-navy-base" target="_self">NASCAR race</a>.

Hundreds of Padres fans turn Petco Park into a remote office

Fans brought laptops, joined meetings and watched a Tatis walkoff at the ballpark.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Petco Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/05/padres-remote-work-wednesday-game-petco-park-reds" data-vars-content-id="db6de003-fef7-4050-8d11-be919eaed7ca" data-vars-headline="Hundreds of Padres fans turn Petco Park into a remote office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/05/padres-remote-work-wednesday-game-petco-park-reds" target="_self">Petco Park</a> isn&#x27;t the most productive place to work, but it was San Diego&#x27;s most fun office space Wednesday afternoon. Why it matters: The vibes were high. Focus level, not so much.

BYOLaptop to Petco Park

The Padres are leaning into a local influencer's work-from-anywhere stunt.

The Padres want fans to clock in from Petco Park for a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Remote Work Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/padres/tickets/specials/theme-games/remote-work-wednesday" data-vars-content-id="0a92bbde-7f4a-48b6-abea-c9a113d936fb" data-vars-headline="BYOLaptop to Petco Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/padres/tickets/specials/theme-games/remote-work-wednesday" target="_blank">Remote Work Wednesday</a>&quot; theme game against the Cincinnati Reds.Why it matters: A midday baseball game with a beer in hand seems like a great place to take video calls, answer emails and finish that slide deck your boss has been hassling you about.

San Diego leans into FIFA World Cup with matches and fan zones

From matches at Snapdragon to beachside fan zones, San Diego is embracing World Cup fever.

San Diego isn&#x27;t a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" data-vars-content-id="d44aa6ea-0979-4a41-9e19-393faae955ac" data-vars-headline="San Diego leans into FIFA World Cup with matches and fan zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> host city, but local soccer fans can still get in on the action next month with international matches and massive watch parties.The big picture: San Diego will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="host two international friendlies" data-vars-click-url="https://sportssandiego.org/countdown-to-26/" data-vars-content-id="d44aa6ea-0979-4a41-9e19-393faae955ac" data-vars-headline="San Diego leans into FIFA World Cup with matches and fan zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sportssandiego.org/countdown-to-26/" target="_blank">host two international friendlies</a> at Snapdragon Stadium ahead of the tournament — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Switzerland vs. Australia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/switzerland-vs-australia-san-diego-california-06-06-2026/event/0A00647FA8BEDB1A?CAMEFROM=CFC_SNAPDRAGON_STADIUM_WEB_EVENTPAGE_COUNTDOWNTO26&amp;_gl=1*195yip8*_ga*MTQxMTExMDA1Ny4xNzc4MTc1ODU3*_ga_L9ZKN7K4G6*czE3Nzk4MTYwODEkbzMkZzAkdDE3Nzk4MTYwODEkajYwJGwwJGgw" data-vars-content-id="d44aa6ea-0979-4a41-9e19-393faae955ac" data-vars-headline="San Diego leans into FIFA World Cup with matches and fan zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/switzerland-vs-australia-san-diego-california-06-06-2026/event/0A00647FA8BEDB1A?CAMEFROM=CFC_SNAPDRAGON_STADIUM_WEB_EVENTPAGE_COUNTDOWNTO26&amp;_gl=1*195yip8*_ga*MTQxMTExMDA1Ny4xNzc4MTc1ODU3*_ga_L9ZKN7K4G6*czE3Nzk4MTYwODEkbzMkZzAkdDE3Nzk4MTYwODEkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank">Switzerland vs. Australia</a> on June 6 and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colombia vs. Jordan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/colombia-vs-jordan-san-diego-california-06-07-2026/event/0A00647FA8C3DB36?CAMEFROM=CFC_SNAPDRAGON_STADIUM_WEB_EVENTPAGE_COUNTDOWNTO26&amp;_gl=1*195yip8*_ga*MTQxMTExMDA1Ny4xNzc4MTc1ODU3*_ga_L9ZKN7K4G6*czE3Nzk4MTYwODEkbzMkZzAkdDE3Nzk4MTYwODEkajYwJGwwJGgw" data-vars-content-id="d44aa6ea-0979-4a41-9e19-393faae955ac" data-vars-headline="San Diego leans into FIFA World Cup with matches and fan zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/colombia-vs-jordan-san-diego-california-06-07-2026/event/0A00647FA8C3DB36?CAMEFROM=CFC_SNAPDRAGON_STADIUM_WEB_EVENTPAGE_COUNTDOWNTO26&amp;_gl=1*195yip8*_ga*MTQxMTExMDA1Ny4xNzc4MTc1ODU3*_ga_L9ZKN7K4G6*czE3Nzk4MTYwODEkbzMkZzAkdDE3Nzk4MTYwODEkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank">Colombia vs. Jordan</a> on June 7.

San Diego FC players make 2026 World Cup rosters

No SDFC players made the U.S. team, but some are playing for other countries.

As expected, no San Diego FC players made the U.S. Men&#x27;s National Soccer Team World Cup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48882389/usa-2026-world-cup-roster-christian-pulisic-squad-mckennie-adams" data-vars-content-id="7878c5ca-f672-4e84-a866-17133cf06d0c" data-vars-headline="San Diego FC players make 2026 World Cup rosters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48882389/usa-2026-world-cup-roster-christian-pulisic-squad-mckennie-adams" target="_blank">roster</a> announced Tuesday.Yes, but: Two local stars will be competing for other countries on the global stage when the tournament kicks off in June.

San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

The eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School is one of 247 spellers vying to win $50,000.

San Diego has a local kid to cheer on in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The big picture: 14-year-old Benjamin Reinhard is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="247 spellers" data-vars-click-url="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" data-vars-content-id="7c664303-325e-4197-8df6-f83316bf9f73" data-vars-headline="San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" target="_blank">247 spellers</a> competing in this year&#x27;s nationwide competition that starts Tuesday.

SDFC opens new court in Southeast

The colorful soccer and basketball court is also a public art piece at Henderson Sports Complex.

Kids in Southcrest and Lincoln Park have a fresh place to play sports thanks to San Diego FC.Zoom in: The colorful sport court and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public art piece" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQnYXHyf05/" data-vars-content-id="c804ab5e-2476-482a-87f1-0cea5807ce42" data-vars-headline="SDFC opens new court in Southeast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQnYXHyf05/" target="_blank">public art piece</a> opened at the Willie Henderson Sports Complex over the weekend.

SDFC's $24 million player payroll is top 5 in MLS

SDFC's Chucky Lozano, one of the highest paid players in MLS, isn't on the field.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego FC " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/02/sdfc-2026-season-concacaf-champions-cup-snapdragon" data-vars-content-id="130e660d-2361-413f-a654-c481ef72fdcf" data-vars-headline="SDFC&#x27;s $24 million player payroll is top 5 in MLS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/02/sdfc-2026-season-concacaf-champions-cup-snapdragon" target="_self">San Diego FC </a>spends nearly $24.4 million on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="compensation for its players" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/11/mls-player-team-salary-2025" data-vars-content-id="130e660d-2361-413f-a654-c481ef72fdcf" data-vars-headline="SDFC&#x27;s $24 million player payroll is top 5 in MLS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/11/mls-player-team-salary-2025" target="_self">compensation for its players</a>, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="130e660d-2361-413f-a654-c481ef72fdcf" data-vars-headline="SDFC&#x27;s $24 million player payroll is top 5 in MLS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">salary guide</a>.<ul><li>But that total is less than what the league&#x27;s top-paid player brings in.</li></ul>

San Diego poker pro makes a living playing the odds

A San Diego player turned math into a career, grinding poker games from Chula Vista to Vegas.

&quot;Professional poker player&quot; might sound like a euphemism for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="someone who loses money" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/polymarket-kalshi-draftkings-fanduel-betting" data-vars-content-id="468079e9-0e54-406a-9b63-dce1eb458a32" data-vars-headline="San Diego poker pro makes a living playing the odds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/polymarket-kalshi-draftkings-fanduel-betting" target="_self">someone who loses money</a> at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="casinos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/gambling-laws-tax-2026-states" data-vars-content-id="468079e9-0e54-406a-9b63-dce1eb458a32" data-vars-headline="San Diego poker pro makes a living playing the odds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/gambling-laws-tax-2026-states" target="_self">casinos</a> all day, but San Diegan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Acker" data-vars-click-url="https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&amp;n=130368" data-vars-content-id="468079e9-0e54-406a-9b63-dce1eb458a32" data-vars-headline="San Diego poker pro makes a living playing the odds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&amp;n=130368" target="_blank">Tim Acker</a> has been living that dream for the past 20 years.The big picture: He&#x27;s all in on poker, splitting his time between online games, casino tournaments and the Chula Vista card room Seven Mile, and making a living in the process.<ul><li>Acker tells Axios that he stays away from private games in San Diego, though, because they&#x27;re &quot;sketch,&quot; meaning you might get cheated or robbed.</li></ul>

Sports 🏅

Mapped: World Cup watch parties in San Diego

What to know about NASCAR's Coronado race weekend

How and where to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in San Diego

Hundreds of Padres fans turn Petco Park into a remote office

BYOLaptop to Petco Park