📰 News Highlights

It’s Padres Opening Weekend!! ⚾️

The San Diego Padres open their 2026 season against the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park from March 26–28, 2026. Opening Day is Thursday, March 26, at 1:10 p.m. The weekend features a Party in the Park with a scarf giveaway on Friday and postgame fireworks on Saturday.

Schedule: Thursday (1:10 PM), Friday (6:40 PM), Saturday (5:40 PM)

Giveaway: First 40,000 fans on Friday receive an Opening Series Scarf.

New Food on the Menu:

Coco Ichibanya - Curry House Coco Ichibanya (CocoICHI), which is dubbed the world’s largest Japanese curry chain, is bringing its cultural flavors to Petco Park with its renowned Curry Rice, Curry Buns, Keema Cheese Fries, and Garlic Nan Bread.

Pop Pie Co. - Pop Pie Co. is bringing its popular savory pies. You can choose from two flavors, Classic Chicken and Creamy Herb Sauce. You can also get their delicious mashed potatoes and gravy.

The Shortstop - Offers delicious braised Beef Short Rib, Boursin aioli, and Au Jus served on a French Roll with Kettle Chips and a chili cheese dog with house-made short rib chili, new school American cheese, onion, and an all-beef frank.

Padre Pretzels - The freshly baked braided pretzels come in a variety of flavors, including buffalo with blue cheese ranch, honey mustard with queso blanco, classic salted with Bavarian brew mustard, and s’mores with chocolate, graham cracker crumble, and marshmallow whipped cream. They will also sell pretzel bites available in a sweet cinnamon sugar with vanilla icing or savory classic salted with cheese sauce.

Want to go? Get your tickets here.

San Diego’s Birch Aquarium Celebrates Historic Milestone

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has announced a major breakthrough in cephalopod care by successfully hatching and raising a native Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens). Experts believe this is the first time this specific species has been successfully hatched, raised, and "settled" into a benthic, bottom-dwelling lifestyle in an aquarium setting. 

Octopus settlement remains one of the most mysterious phases in a cephalopod’s life, largely because scientists have rarely observed this transition from a free-swimming, planktonic stage to a benthic, “settled” lifestyle on the seafloor. The aquarium’s breakthrough offers a rare, detailed glimpse into the early life stages of the Red Octopus, helping scientists better understand octopus settlement as a whole.

Want to support the Birch Aquarium? Get tickets here.

Want to learn more about the breakthrough? Read this article.

Want us to feature a new business in your neighborhood? 💼

Complete this form and we’d be happy to share the business in our newsletter and on instagram! 💬💛 New Business Form

Love what we do at North County San Diego? 🌞

If our videos, posts, or recommendations have helped you discover something new or made your day a little brighter, we’d be so grateful if you left us a Google review! Your support helps us keep sharing the best of North County — one beach day, bite, and hidden gem at a time 💬💛 Leave a review here! 

🎬 Reel Recap + Real Details

Restaurant Row in San Marcos is Getting a MASSIVE Upgrade

The project, called “The Row,” is being built by Lennar Homes. This mixed-use development will combine the former Restaurant Row strip with the old Sears lot, where 261 residential units, 27,000 sq. ft of commercial space, and a one-acre park with pickleball courts will come together to form a brand new community in the heart of San Marcos. The project aims to create a more walkable, dense, and vibrant urban environment, aligning with the city's broader strategy of creating a downtown-style atmosphere in the North City area.

Watch our reel here.

Keeping San Diego Beaches Free May Appear on November Ballot

Last week, Councilmember Raul Campillo’s proposed no-paid parking ballot initiative was supported by Council President Joe LaCava and Councilmember Vivian Morena — bringing forth an effort to protect free parking at city beaches. Councilmember Campillo cited the city’s attempt to charge for parking in Balboa Park to fix the deficit as an example of how current council policy seeks to increase revenues through taxation and referenced the public backlash toward this approach.

Want to learn more? Check out this link or watch our reel here.

​​Your Guide to Weekend Fun ✨

Attend a Padres Game + The East Village Opening Weekend Block Party on March 28th

It’s time to play ball! Gather your family and friends and head to the East Village for one of downtown San Diego’s most anticipated spring traditions — the East Village Association’s 14th Annual Opening Weekend Block Party.

Taking over J Street from 6th to 10th Avenue, right outside Petco Park, this free, all-ages celebration brings the energy of baseball season to life in the heart of Padres territory. Join the community on Saturday, March 28th from 11:00am to 4:30pm for an unforgettable day filled with local flavor, entertainment, and hometown pride.

Experience everything East Village has to offer — from a multi-block classic car show and three stages of live music featuring local DJs and San Diego talent, to artisan vendors, delicious street eats, and interactive experiences for all ages. Enjoy fitness and sports demos, explore unique retail booths, and capture the day at vibrant photo installations throughout the event.

Intersted? Find more info here.

Local Eats and Coffee Shops ❤️ 

☕ Coffee Shop of the Week: TERI Common Grounds Café & Coffee Bar

📍San Marcos | 555 Deer Springs Rd

TERI owned Common Grounds Café & Coffee Bar is doing something pretty special - their mission is to change the way the world sees, helps, and empowers individuals with special needs. So, Common Grounds is being used to train individuals with disabilities for careers in retail, restaurant, and culinary services! While the center is designed to provide vocational training to individuals with disabilities, it also serves as a community resource for businesses and residents with space for meetings, clubs, and events.

They host various events and often have live music, in addition to their regularly scheduled coffee and food service. 100% of the proceeds benefits TERI’s programs and services to help individuals with disabilities. Next time you’re around San Marcos, be sure to check them out.​

Check out their instagram here!

🍴 Restaurant of the Week: One More Bite Dumpling House

📍 San Marcos | 803 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd #107

One More Bite Dumpling House is a Chinese Restaurant known for its handmade dumplings and authentic comfort food. The menu features a variety of freshly made dumplings, savory noodles, stir-fried dishes, and traditional appetizers. It's a great spot for casual meals, whether you’re craving tender dumplings, flavorful noodles, or tasty side dishes — One More Bite Dumpling delivers a memorable dining experience filled with rich, authentic flavors and excellent customer service.

Check out their instagram here!¹

📺 What’s Changing and What You Should Know about SD

If I Were Moving to San Diego in 2026, I would Move HERE

Many buyers coming into San Diego right now are focused on the same well-known coastal spots, but that’s not always where the smartest opportunities are. If you follow where demand and investment are actually heading, a very different map starts to appear, and that’s where things get interesting.

In this video, I’m walking you through eight areas where momentum is already building and why they deserve your attention if you’re thinking long term. These are the places I’d be analyzing closely if I were making a move today. Watch all the way through, so you don’t miss the final pick, and make sure to subscribe for more breakdowns on where this market is really heading.

The 5 San Diego Neighborhoods That Feel Impossible to Get into… in 2026

Some parts of San Diego in 2026 feel nearly impossible to break into. Listings are scarce, competition is intense, and homes seem to vanish from the market almost as soon as they appear. For many buyers, it can feel like the door to these neighborhoods is completely closed.

In this video, I’m walking you through five of the toughest neighborhoods to get into and the strategies smart buyers are using to land a home anyway. After helping many families navigate this market, I’ve seen where the opportunities still exist. Make sure you watch until the end because I’ll share the most underrated move buyers can make right now to finally get a foothold in San Diego.

🔍 Search Homes for Sale in North County
Start your search here: Explore Listings 

Want to learn more or feature your home?
Reach out to Bern for personalized support, market insights, or to get your home listed and seen. 📧 Email Bern Today: [email protected]

1