San Diego, CA

Not all is as it appears at the new Museum of Illusions in the Gaslamp Quarter

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2025

Not all is as it appears at the new Museum of Illusions in the Gaslamp Quarter

In the old days, visitors to the Gaslamp were warned all may not be as it appeared. Now, the operators of the newly opened Museum of Illusions (MOI) are keeping that tradition alive.

The 9,000-square-foot museum, which has more than 60 locations around the world — San Diego is the first in California — opened earlier this month. Staffers said attendance has been good — visitors were spotted inside one morning this week after the doors opened at 10 a.m. on 5th Avenue in the location where the old Urban Outfitters used to be.

“We have interactive, freestanding installations,” said general manager Phillip Belmont. “They play with your visual perspective and explore cognitive science. And we have a number of exhibits that take great videos, great photos, and there’s a lot to learn.”

The docents at the Museum of Illusions — and there are a lot of them, BTW; about eight people working at any given time — are especially helpful, and necessary, guiding guests on how to interact with the exhibits or filling in as photographers.

“We have our illusion experts that really are there to serve our guests, help them take photos, help them take videos and explain the science behind our illusions,” Belmont said.

Brain ticklers, optical illusions, 3D holograms and just plain weird stuff will have you and the kids losing count of how many times you say, “Whoa!”

While not every one of the 60 exhibits may have that wow factor, many do, prompting a retracing of steps to replicate the pretzel your mind gets twisted into. Many are interactive, prompting those previously mentioned photo shoots, such as the Ames Room, where an angled floor and mirrors trick perspective into changing the apparent sizes of people and objects; the Walk-In Kaleidoscope; and, our favorite, the Vortex Tunnel, where visitors walk a catwalk through a spinning image that had an NBC 7 photographer unconsciously, unnecesssarily bending his neck to capture a shot.

“I think what makes us most exciting is that you get a chance to really become a part of our illusions, to really be immersed,” Belmont said.

As is the case with many of the other worldwide MOI locations, some of the exhibits in San Diego “pay tribute to the city that we’re in,” as Belmont put it, including a mirrored view of the Colorado House in Old Town that has visitors walking up the side of the building or hanging off of it, and a “surf-themed reverse room” where a “surfer” can pose on a static wave. Altogether, Belmont said, it took about six months to take over the space and open up.

This being the Gaslamp, there ARE night hours: Till 9 during the week and 10 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Potential guests should have no illusions about the cost of a ticket, though: Adults have to pay $35, and kids are $30.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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San Diego, CA

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

Published

20 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

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

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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