📰 News Highlights

Balboa Park cultural centers see 25-50% drop in attendance during the year’s first “resident free Tuesday", citing parking fees as a huge obstacle

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership represents 24 arts, science, and cultural institutions in the park. This week, leaders from this organization banded together to call on Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council to rescind the parking fees in Balboa Park, citing significant drop in attendance (even on resident-free days). They said that they experienced a 25%-50% drop across its members during the year's first "Residents Free" museum day. If you’ve been to Balboa Park on these free admission days before… you know it’s usually full of people.

This parking program was put in place to address a city budget deficit, but it threatens equity for residents and is clearly posing a risk for the Balboa Park Cultural District. In a letter to Mayor Gloria and the City Council, President of Balboa Park’s Cultural Partnership Jessica Hanson York wrote "Over the past two weeks, the volume, consistency, and intensity of public feedback have made clear that this program is causing significant harm to park access, public trust, and the sustainability of Balboa Park's cultural institutions. If the minimum projected decline of 20% is maintained and applied across all museums, the total annual revenue loss would be a staggering $20-$30 million. This outcome is devastating, unacceptable and would far exceed the limited revenues the city is projecting from paid parking.”

Balboa park has had free parking for 100 years, and in a time plauged by economic instability, it’s time to bring free parking back - at least for San Diego county residents.

Want to learn more? Check out this article

San Diego secures $4.6 Million in federal funding to update stormwater systems

A significant rainstorm made New Year's Day 2026 one of the top 15 rainiest days on record, following a high-rainfall, 13-atmospheric-river season in 2023. 

It is no secret that San Diego has been in desperate need of a better storm drain system for a few years now. More than $4M in federal funding is approved for San Diego to begin four stormwater infrastructure projects.

The four projects named will received around $1.1 million each. They are:

• The Beta Street Channel and Storm Drain Improvement Project aims to increase the drainage capacity of Chollas Creek and improve the drainage system to "contain a 100-year storm event," according to a city statement. This project consists of a pump station, potential channel upgrade, new flood resilience infrastructure, green infrastructure basin, and a trail improvement.

• The Jamacha Drainage Channel Upgrade Storm Water Drain Project will create wetlands for habitat restoration, improve and expand culverts, expand the existing storm drain system upstream of Beacon Drive, and widen the existing stream channel.

• The Famosa Slough Alley Slope Restoration Project is intended to address severe erosion in an alleyway that floods during rain.

• The Pump Station D Component Upgrade will increase the community drainage system's capacity by providing electrical, structural, and mechanical improvements to the pump station.

Hopefully this initiative will be the stepping stone for more projects in the future. Storm drain infrastructure is expensive, but clearly needed to help curb the devastation from these catastrophic floods that we have seen in the past few years.

Want to learn more? Check out this article

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🎬 Reel Recap + Real Details

The Best Buy in Carmel Mountain Ranch is closing next month

Best Buy in Carmel Mountain is officially closing its doors on Feb. 28. This comes as the company seems to be making a shift towards online sales and delivery service as opposed to brick and mortar storefronts. Best Buy has been testing smaller format stores and expects to “lean into those a bit” in 2026, according to CEO Corie Barry.

If you’re still looking for an in person shopping experience, the nearest store is at 9540 Mira Mesa Blvd., six miles away.

Want to learn more? Watch our reel or read this article

Coastal Commission fines Carlsbad homeowner $2.4 Million, and he’s suing them over it

The Coastal Commission fined a Carlsbad homeowner $2.4 million over alleged beach access and environmental violations. They accused him of blocking public access to the beach, removing a protected shorebird habitat, and illegally installing a pickleball court on his property. Homeowner John Levy is suing the commission, claiming they violated his due process rights by imposing a multi-million dollar fine without court oversight.

However, it is not that simple. The Coastal Commission has been asking the homeowner to comply with the coastal act and his coastal development permit for many years and he has refused to do so. All beaches in California are public, and beach access cannot be restricted by gates on private property. There are two paths that are meant to provide pedestrian access through Levy’s property - one road, and one trail. Both have been blocked by gates that have been closed for years, in violation of his permit.

His property, tucked inside the Carlsbad lagoon, provides habitat for the endangered light-footed Ridgeway’s rail. His permit requires that he maintains a 100-foot buffer of native vegetation for shorebirds. He has been renting his home out as a wedding venue, and removed this native vegetation to create a large parking lot for events. He also installed a pickleball court without a permit. His lawsuit against the commission argues that a seven figure fines against him amount to “quasi-criminal” penalties that should receive judicial oversight. No matter the result, this will undoubtedly change coastal permitting in the future.

Want to learn more? Watch our reel or read this article.

​​Your Guide to Weekend Fun ✨

San Diego’s Restaurant Week starts this weekend!

January 25 – February 1 

San Diego Restaurant Week is back with over 100 participating restaurants offering seasonal dishes and pre-fixed, multi-course menus. Beginning this Sunday, foodies are invited to come out and try the various options available. You can search on their website and filter by price, neighborhood, or cuisine. This year is expected to be a big one, so make sure to make a reservation.

Want to learn more? Check out their website.

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 website here!

🍴 Restaurant of the Week: Yanni’s Bar and Grill

📍 Scripps Ranch | 12015 Scripps Highlands Dr

Yanni’s Bar & Grill is a Scripps Ranch staple. It is elegant and sophisticated without being stuffy. Simplicity is the focus: delicious food served in a comfortable, clean environment. It’s family owned and operated for over twenty years, with authentic food and service at the forefront. Blending rich Greek and Italian flavors, their menu leaves little to be desired. Try their Tirokafteri and their Linguine Carbonara, absolutely delicious!

Check out their website here!

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

AVOID Moving to the WRONG Area in San Diego, CA in 2026

Over 24,000 people moved to San Diego County last year, but many of them ended up in the wrong neighborhood for their lifestyle. After helping countless families find their perfect fit, I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the wrong area can cost you tens of thousands in missed opportunities. In this video, I’m breaking down 8 San Diego neighborhoods, showing you the ones that actually align with your lifestyle, and the ones you should avoid at all costs.

Whether you’re new to the area or thinking about making a move, I’ll guide you through the best spots and why some are more trouble than they’re worth. Stick around to find out where you should really be looking, and if you’re already eyeing specific neighborhoods, drop them in the comments, and I’ll help you figure out if they’re a good match.

The San Diego Housing Market is Splitting in Two

San Diego's luxury market is on fire, but the rest is a tale of two cities. Coastal areas are thriving, while some inland neighborhoods see price drops of over 20%. Discover the split market and where the opportunities are before the spring rush.

🔍 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]

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