San Diego, CA
Fees approved for outdoor dining spaces in Encinitas
ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of Encinitas is working on how pandemic-era outdoor dining will look for years to come.
Local and state law allows temporary outdoor dining until July 2026 or until a permanent ordinance is adopted.
On Wednesday night, Encinitas City Council decided how much outdoor dining space will cost businesses and what it will look like.
“We’re still stuck with these ugly looking orange cones in the front,” said Raul Villamar, owner of Encinitas Barbers.
It was decided the current orange k-rails would be replaced by a neutral concrete style, with the option for murals or other designs in the future.
“We actually fought for the rights of the businesses, the restaurants when they were closing them down and putting either no customers or out on the street, but it’s come to the time where they are allowed back inside so they have doubled their floor space virtually for free,” said Vicki Bass, owner of Encinitas Coin and Jewelry.
The city would incur the cost of about $500 per concrete barrier and maintain them, however businesses will begin paying for the parklets.
The council decided on a fee of $2.50 per square foot, per month which will begin Aug. 1. The fees will increase annually based on inflation. The $2.50 fee is the same as the City of San Diego for outdoor dining space.
Some locals have continued to criticize the dozens of parking spaces no longer available.
“We don’t have very many parking as you see the parking is terrible,” Villamar said.
Others see no issue and believe people will adapt.
“I really think people have mostly figured out the parking issue. Evidence of that is there’s more foot traffic, there’s more customer base,” said John Niedernhofer, co-founder of Culture Brewing.
The city is estimating about $240,000 in revenue from the outdoor spaces if they stayed as is, however some businesses may scale down in size or choose to no longer have the space.
The ordinance will continue to be worked on and it’s expected parking spaces may be discussed by the end of summer.
The mariachi band broke into song as soon as the Tijuana Municipal Little League team stepped back onto its home field Monday afternoon. Cheers and applause erupted for the team, which over the weekend earned the coveted spot to represent Mexico in the Little League Baseball World Series.
The team of 11- and 12-year-olds won the Mexico region tournament title on Saturday by defeating the Matamoros Little League team 8-2 in Tamaulipas. They ended the tournament with a 7-1 record.
“We are very proud of what you have done and what you are about to embark on, because this is just the beginning,” said Darío Venegas, president of the Tijuana Municipal Children’s and Youth Baseball League, before handing out rings to commemorate the team’s regional crown.
This marks the third time that the Tijuana Municipal team has advanced to the tournament in Williamsport, Pa., following appearances in 2013 and 2023. Francisco Fimbres has been the manager for all three trips, and he hopes that the third time could be the charm.
“I feel blessed with these players,” he said. “(They) make me believe that we can get that championship.”
But the proud coach acknowledged that there’s still work to be done and that he has learned from the last two tournaments. In 2013, Mexico lost to Japan in the international championship and finished third. In 2023, they fell to Curaçao in the international semifinals.
During his speech at the Jorge Campillo baseball field in Tijuana on Monday, Fimbres urged players and parents to enjoy the moment, as he said it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
He described this year’s group of players as “una generación campeona,” or a “winning generation,” whom he has followed since they were 8 years old. “These kids have too much baseball in them,” he said. “They’re growing up and learning a lot, which will be great for their development.”
In 2023, an interaction between Fimbres and one of his players went viral. During the second inning, with the bases loaded, he noticed that his pitcher was nervous. He went to the mound to encourage him and remind him to have fun and not be afraid of making mistakes. “What if he hits a home run? Exactly, nothing happens,” he told him. “You’re a good pitcher. You’re better.” For many, this moment captured the spirit of the Little League competition.
This time will be special for Fimbres. He shared that this might be his last stint with the Tijuana Municipal team.
Pitcher and outfielder Jean Paul Lavenant said that he felt happy for “Pancho,” as he fondly calls his coach, and hoped to get the title for him.
Lavenant named Major League players Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays and Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays as his inspirations. Both players came from the Tijuana Municipal league.
The players said they have their minds set on bringing home the championship. “Nothing is impossible,” said pitcher and infielder Emiliano Kerber.
Coach Marcelo Santamaría, who was part of the 2023 coaching team, said he hopes this opportunity leaves a lasting impression on the players. “It’s every young baseball player’s dream to participate in this tournament,” he noted.
That’s what they emphasized to the players throughout their journey to earn a spot in Williamsport. Tijuana Municipal will kick off its Little League World Series run on Aug. 20 against the Australian region.
“Would you rather experience it on TV or in person?” pitcher and outfielder Esteban Bautista recalled his coaches asking them before the Mexico region championship game.
In person, it will be.
The Killer Tomatoes are loose in San Diego, and they’re ready to get sauced.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is taking over Good Night John Boy (401 G Street) in the Gaslamp on Saturday, July 25 from 7pm-11pm for the official Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence after party, celebrating the wild new chapter in the cult classic franchise that first got its start in San Diego back in 1978.
Fans can party alongside cast and crew with meet and greets, “killer” cosplay, exclusive giveaways, DJs, and dancing. There will also be specialty themed cocktails and bites available for purchase, because fighting off killer produce apparently works up an appetite.
Tickets will be available here, though they’re not yet available. We’ll update once we know more.
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