San Diego, CA

Balboa Park leaders urge San Diego mayor and city council to reconsider parking fees

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

Balboa Park leaders urge San Diego mayor and city council to reconsider parking fees

Leaders of some of Balboa Park’s largest cultural institutions Wednesday called on the city officials to rescind the parking fees in Balboa Park, citing a significant drop in attendance.

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership sent a request to Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council asking them to reconsider the new parking fees, which went into effect Jan. 1. The organization represents 24 arts, science, and cultural institutions in the park and cites a 25%-50% drop across its members during the year’s first “Residents Free” museum day.

“The current paid parking program threatens equity, access and the long-term vitality of the Balboa Park Cultural District,” said Peter Comiskey, executive director of Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.

During the first week of the new year, some of Balboa Park’s organizations saw as steep a decline in admissions as 57% on some days, according to the partnership.

“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,” Jessica Hanson York, president of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, wrote in her letter to Gloria and the council.

“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,” the letter continues.

“The reduction in attendance is not just a downward spiral — it is a potential death spiral where declining earned revenue drives reduced programming and further suppresses visitation, destabilizing already fragile operating budgets.”

Visitors to Balboa Park were asked to pay to park their vehicles in city lots starting this month, breaking a tradition of more than 100 years of parking at the city’s crown jewel being free for visitors in private vehicles.

San Diego residents are now able to purchase a monthly, quarterly or annual parking pass at a discounted rate by visiting sandiego.thepermitportal.com/. Residents can choose to pay $30 for a monthly parking pass, $60 for a quarterly pass or $150 for an annual one. Non-residents can pay $40, $120 or $300 for the same levels.

City residents can apply for discount rates through a city website using address verification. Park employees, volunteers and those with an ADA placard continue to be able to park for free. A free tram service also serves visitors, going from the Inspiration Point parking lot to a variety of stops within Balboa Park.

The move has proved controversial. Multiple kiosks were vandalized on New Year’s Day, filled with expanding contractor’s foam and at least one smeared with feces.

Councilmembers Raul Campillo, Vivian Moreno and Stephen Whitburn voted against the parking rates last year.

The fiscal-year 2026 budget passed last summer anticipated $15.5 million in parking revenue from Balboa Park. That revenue number assumed $12.5 million in fee parking in Balboa Park and at least $3 million from zoo parking.

But a revised figure presented to the City Council in November found the non-zoo parking might bring in just $2.9 million, or a decrease of $9.6 million from initial estimates. Officials had planned to begin charging for parking in October, but delays prevented that, costing the city three months of revenue. Expected parking rates have dropped as well.

“Despite the stated intent to protect local residents, both city and county, it has become clear that local residents are experiencing the most significant negative impacts,” York’s letter continues. “These are the individuals reducing or eliminating visits, foregoing cultural participation, and expressing frustration and exclusion from a park that has long served as their communal backyard.

“We recognize the city’s responsibility to balance its budget. However, this program shifts that burden directly onto Balboa Park institutions and the public they serve. As these impacts continue, institutions will be forced to reduce employment and public offerings, including exhibitions and community focused programs that residents value. Balboa Park is one of San Diego’s most important shared civic assets. The paid parking program is eroding public trust, limiting access, and destabilizing the very institutions that bring the park to life.”

Revenues from the parking fees paid within the park must be spent on Balboa Park. The funds can support ongoing maintenance, infrastructure and visitor amenities and may include road repaving, lighting upgrades, sign improvements and landscaping.

Projected revenues remain paltry compared to what was anticipated, meaning the city could face midyear budget cuts.

“The stakes of this program are high, given the reliance on the revenues in this fiscal year’s budget,” Gloria said in September. “It’s now incumbent on all of us to ensure it delivers so we can avoid steep and painful midyear cuts that will impact neighborhood services throughout the city.”

If the projected revenue falls short, the city will need to find money elsewhere.

Balboa Park leaders urged the public to voice their concerns with the city via a new website: SaveBalboaPark.org.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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San Diego, CA

SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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