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Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton's plans for Calif. and San Diego

The Republican discusses income taxes, $3 gas, Sunbreak Ranch and the Tijuana River sewage crisis.

Election

It&#x27;s time to vote for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor" 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="08a65fad-9c3c-4843-bdba-d55e2d40e31c" data-vars-headline="Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton&#x27;s plans for Calif. and 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-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" target="_self">governor</a> in California.The big picture: Democrat Xavier Becerra is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squaring off against" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="08a65fad-9c3c-4843-bdba-d55e2d40e31c" data-vars-headline="Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton&#x27;s plans for Calif. and 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/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" target="_self">squaring off against</a> Republican Steve Hilton. Axios sent questions to both candidates and today we share Hilton&#x27;s responses.

Your San Diego pumpkin patch guide

From corn mazes to hayrides, these local farms offer fall fun for kids, adults and dogs this season.

Things to Do

The weather isn&#x27;t exactly autumnal, but that won&#x27;t stop us from getting our pumpkin patch on.The big picture: There are several across the county to choose from.

Padres return home with their season on the line

The Padres won nearly two-thirds of their games at Petco Park this season, giving fans some hope.

Sports

The Padres head home with their playoff backs against the wall, but there&#x27;s still reason for hope. State of play: Down 2-0 to the vaunted Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres have to win the next three to advance.

San Diego's 48th District candidates answer our questions

They discuss housing, health care and the issues that could put them at odds with their own parties.

The 48th Congressional District race is attracting national attention and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/senate-campaign-ad-spending-most-expensive-election" data-vars-content-id="e3eedc94-1c65-4a0e-a171-2ec2ab765f1f" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 48th District candidates answer our questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/senate-campaign-ad-spending-most-expensive-election" target="_self">big spending</a>, as Democrats hope to flip the seat from red to blue.The big picture: Republican Rep. Darrell Issa opted not to run again after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting made the district favorable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/09/how-prop-50-could-change-elections-in-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="e3eedc94-1c65-4a0e-a171-2ec2ab765f1f" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 48th District candidates answer our questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/09/how-prop-50-could-change-elections-in-san-diego" target="_self">redistricting made the district favorable</a> to Democrats, and Democratic City Councilwoman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marni von Wilpert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marnivonwilpert.com/" data-vars-content-id="e3eedc94-1c65-4a0e-a171-2ec2ab765f1f" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 48th District candidates answer our questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marnivonwilpert.com/" target="_blank">Marni von Wilpert</a> is hoping to capitalize on that.<ul><li>Meanwhile, County Supervisor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jim Desmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.desmondforcongress.com/" data-vars-content-id="e3eedc94-1c65-4a0e-a171-2ec2ab765f1f" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 48th District candidates answer our questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.desmondforcongress.com/" target="_blank">Jim Desmond</a> is trying to keep the seat in the Republican camp.</li></ul>

San Diego's October concert calendar is packed with stars

Charli XCX, Weezer, Gorillaz and Jack Johnson are playing San Diego this October.

Music

There&#x27;s plenty to put on your fall concert calendar.The big picture: Pop stars, alt-rock favorites and blues legends are headed to venues across the county, with shows stretching into early December.

San Diego's free museum month for kids adds Tijuana

Tijuana's cultural center and aquarium join the October lineup, with coupons available to families.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kids Free Museum Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/30/museums-zoo-legoland-free-tickets-kids-october" data-vars-content-id="b266ab10-134f-4667-b795-45a9a8421515" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s free museum month for kids adds Tijuana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/30/museums-zoo-legoland-free-tickets-kids-october" target="_self">Kids Free Museum Month</a> has now expanded south to Mexico.The big picture: You can now take your kids to a selection of Tijuana museums for free.

How SeaWorld San Diego engineers its Halloween scares

More than 100 performers use hidden triggers, misdirection and movie scenes to deliver the scares.

Culture

Alexander Krikes is out to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scare you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/09/25/san-diego-kensington-slasher-romance-halloween-movie" data-vars-content-id="52947ff5-06c8-49ca-b4c1-154ad75f294f" data-vars-headline="How SeaWorld San Diego engineers its Halloween scares" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/09/25/san-diego-kensington-slasher-romance-halloween-movie" target="_self">scare you</a>.The big picture: Krikes is the evil genius, quite literally at times the man behind the curtain, for SeaWorld&#x27;s six <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haunted houses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/24/how-halloween-takes-over-san-diegos-maryland-street" data-vars-content-id="52947ff5-06c8-49ca-b4c1-154ad75f294f" data-vars-headline="How SeaWorld San Diego engineers its Halloween scares" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/24/how-halloween-takes-over-san-diegos-maryland-street" target="_self">haunted houses</a>, including an alien laboratory and a slaughterhouse.<ul><li>They&#x27;re part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Howl-O-Scream" data-vars-click-url="https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/" data-vars-content-id="52947ff5-06c8-49ca-b4c1-154ad75f294f" data-vars-headline="How SeaWorld San Diego engineers its Halloween scares" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/" target="_blank">Howl-O-Scream</a> nighttime attractions meant to draw horror-lovers to the park all this month.</li></ul>

La Mesa Oktoberfest returns with new family attractions

The free festival returns with dog races, beer gardens, kids activities and Bavarian food this weekend.

Break out your dirndls and lederhosen because La Mesa&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oktoberfest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lamesaoktoberfest.org/" data-vars-content-id="7ae64eb9-d4ab-4d03-a836-a6b2d7461de1" data-vars-headline="La Mesa Oktoberfest returns with new family attractions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lamesaoktoberfest.org/" target="_blank">Oktoberfest</a> is back this weekend.The big picture: There are several new attractions this year, along with old favorites like music, Bavarian food and dog races.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to San Diego

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="914962ab-eb6b-4bb2-a7bc-885ab8ad2590" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in San Diego&#x27;s Little Italy neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

10 things to do in San Diego on September's final weekend

Catch the Blue Angels, a haunted trail, dragon boats, island culture and a College Area food crawl.

And just like that, it&#x27;s the last weekend of September.The big picture: From fighter jets and food crawls to electronic music and Pacific Island culture, there&#x27;s plenty to do.

San Diego exhibit explores what families pass down

Local artists use baskets, bricks and woodwork to explore what families pass down across generations.

A new exhibit at the downtown library explores the idea of family through craft projects.The big picture: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Becoming Heirlooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/visualarts" data-vars-content-id="31adc2b5-e0c6-4ea9-8ab1-e6da8f9b285d" data-vars-headline="San Diego exhibit explores what families pass down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/visualarts" target="_blank">Becoming Heirlooms</a>&quot; uses work by local artists to explore the idea of inheritance and how heirlooms can be both a blessing and a burden.

12 things to do in San Diego this weekend

Catch hydroplane races, street fairs, craft beer, live music, baseball and pirates by the bay.

Want something to do this weekend?The big picture: If you do, you&#x27;re in luck, because there&#x27;s music, food festivals and bunnyfests happening this weekend.

San Diego's tucked-away bay trail feels like walking on water

The paved path to Hospitality Point offers bay breezes, dog-beach views and room to add miles.

The weather is cooling down a bit, but it&#x27;s still a great time to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bike or walk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/09/03/solana-beach-bike-trail-san-diego-coast-heat" data-vars-content-id="8ea6d864-981c-4488-9ed5-1b388f6d6913" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s tucked-away bay trail feels like walking on water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/09/03/solana-beach-bike-trail-san-diego-coast-heat" target="_self">bike or walk</a> near water, not hike some East County mountain.The big picture: The Old SeaWorld Drive Bay Trail is a tucked away path that has nothing but ocean breezes.

Things to Do 🗓

San Diego's October concert calendar is packed with stars

San Diego's free museum month for kids adds Tijuana

How SeaWorld San Diego engineers its Halloween scares

Your San Diego pumpkin patch guide

La Mesa Oktoberfest returns with new family attractions