The Port of San Diego is jumping on the parking fee increase bandwagon.

The agency that operates 34 miles of coastline around San Diego Bay said they will increase parking meter rates at some locations in two rounds, with the first wave kicking off on April 2 and the second on July 1. It’s the first rate increase since 2017, according to the Port.

Rates will jump anywhere from $1 to $2.50 per hour at some locations.

Port officials say the changes will help boost turnover during the busy summer months, will ensure people spend less time looking for parking and will allow more people to enjoy the waterfront.

The following locations will be impacted:

• Spanish Landing Park
  • 219 meters increase from $1.00 to $2.00 on April 2 and increase to $2.50 on July 1.
• Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South
  • Increases from $1.75 to $2.50 on April 2. No planned increase in July.
• Shelter Island
  • 283 parking meters increase from $1.25 to $2.25 on April 2 and increase to $2.50 on July 1.
  • More than 1,200 parking spaces will remain free on Shelter Island and at Shoreline Park, the Port said

The Port — a self-funded public agency that maintains bayfront property in Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego — said parking fees will help pay for maintenance costs of 22 public parks, restaurants and shops around the bay and fund their Harbor Police department.

Of the 9,400 parking spaces managed by the ports, about 30%, 2,900, are free, including those at Cesar Chavez Park in San Diego, Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Coronado Ferry Landing Park, Pepper Park in National City, and Shoreline Park on Shelter Island, among others, the agency said.

The Port’s move to increase parking rates follows a similar push by city of San Diego leaders to raise parking fees in order to address some of a $250 million budget shortfall. The rate increase will affect about 4,500 meters in the city of San Diego.

San Diego State’s basketball season has ended and what figures to be an eventful offseason is here.

The college basketball transfer portal opened up on Monday, clearing the way for hundreds of players across the country to submit their names while looking for a new home. The portal had previously been open for graduate transfers and for players who had dealt with a coach hiring/firing.

As it stands in late March, here’s a look at who is slated to suit up for the Aztecs in 2025-26.

RETURNERS:

F Pharoah Compton (sophomore)

G BJ Davis (junior)

G Reese Waters (redshirt senior)

G Miles Byrd (redshirt junior)

G Taj DeGourville (sophomore)

F Miles Heide (junior)

F Thokbor Majak (redshirt freshman)

F Demarshay Johnson Jr. (redshirt senior)

G Ray Gonzales (sophomore)

G Kai Lee (sophomore)

San Diego State lost six of their past seven scorers last offseason either to graduation or the transfer portal. Reese Waters, the top returnee, injured his foot before the season and wound up missing the entirety of this past season. Waters was San Diego State’s second-leading scorer in 2023-24, averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 34 percent from three-point range. He previously stated in February his intentions to return to the Aztecs for his final season of eligibility in 2025-26.

Despite transfers and graduation this season, San Diego State may still return five of their top eight scorers from this year’s team that advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight season in addition to Reese Waters. Forward Thokbor Majak is a wild card, similar to Magoon Gwath a year ago. The seven-foot Majak, originally from Sudan, played his high school basketball at Dream City Christian in Arizona. He enrolled with the Aztecs this past summer and spent this season redshirting. Forward Demarshay Johnson Jr. has played in 40 games over his three seasons at San Diego State and has one year of eligibility remaining. Johnson Jr. was one of six players honored at senior night against Nevada, giving pause to his return next season.

DEPARTURES:

F Magoon Gwath (transfer portal)

G Nick Boyd (transfer portal)

F Jared Coleman-Jones (graduation)

G Wayne McKinney (graduation)

G Kimo Ferrari (graduation)

G Ryan Schwarz (graduation)

G Desai Lopez (graduation)

G Cam Lawin (transfer portal)

Boyd and Gwath were San Diego State’s first and third-leading scorers this season. The duo combined to start 57 games for the Aztecs in what would be their lone season on the court. Boyd spent four seasons at Florida Atlantic prior to coming to San Diego State one year ago and will now look elsewhere for his final season of collegiate ball.

Gwath was an unranked recruit who San Diego State offered in the summer of 2023. They got him enrolled shortly after and helped develop him during his redshirt season in 2023-24. One of the breakout stars nationally this season, Gwath started 26 games, missing five games after a hyperextended knee took him out against Utah State. Gwath earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors this season, finishing second nationally in block percentage. He became the second Aztec to enter the portal this offseason and will likely be among the most sought-after players nationally, likely securing an NIL deal near seven figures. Gwath is also a candidate to test the NBA Draft waters.

San Diego State was active in the transfer portal last offseason as they’ve long been since before the portal started. The Aztecs secured four players last year, all of which will be gone from next year’s roster. In addition to Boyd, forward Jared Coleman-Jones started 27 games while spending his final collegiate season with the Aztecs. Reserve guards Wayne McKinney and Kimo Ferrari, both former high school standouts in San Diego, spent their final seasons of eligibility with the Aztecs and were among the crowd favorites. Both players chose the Aztecs despite having played more minutes at their previous stops.

Cam Lawin was the third entry into the transfer portal. A walk-on guard from Chicago, Lawin played in 15 games over the past two seasons.

NEWCOMERS:

F Tae Simmons (freshman)

San Diego State’s lone high school commit comes south from Heritage Christian High School in Northridge. Simmons is a six-foot-seven forward who fits the San Diego State mold. A four-star recruit ranked, No. 124 nationally by 247Sports, Simmons averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior.

Simmons won’t be San Diego State’s lone addition to the roster next season, though barring a late surprise, he’ll be the only one coming from the high school ranks.

MORE SAN DIEGO STATE NEWS & ANALYSIS

“We get emotional about good food, good plates, good drinks,” says home cook Giovanni Siracusa. “It’s not just a business for us.” Siracusa is talking about Decore, an Italian restaurant he’s opening with longtime friend and first time business partner Giorgio Corletti. In Roman dialect, Decore means “with heart.” 

“Everything is made with heart,” explains Corletti, from made-from-scratch pasta to the homey ambiance they hope people feel when they step through the doors into the tiny-cozy East Village space that was longtime home to one of San Diego’s most beloved bistros, Cafe Chloe.

“People had an attachment to that place,” says Siracusa. 

Both partners are from Italy and met working in restaurants in San Francisco, including Nihon Whiskey Lounge and Bar 821. Siracusa prefers working behind the bar, while Corletti says his mother’s cooking inspired him to work in kitchens from a young age. In Italy, he learned to be a chef under famed Michelin-star and Gambero Rosso-winning chef Gianfranco Vissani, who taught him to work only with “the best food, the best ingredients, the best suppliers.”

Currently running the kitchen at Nado Republic in Coronado, Decore will open the second week of April. The menu will feature traditional Italian ingredients and preparation—simple, classic, and elegant. In the meantime, the pair are working on renovating the space that’s sat vacant since Cafe Chloe closed in 2018. Corletti describes it as an Art Deco vibe, with emerald greens and pops of gold—not casual, but not too high-end. 

“We are trying to give a middle space, where you can sit for the full dinner, or just sit and have a great dessert and a glass of vermouth,” he says. “In Italy, when there is a bar in the neighborhood, or there is a restaurant, it’s kind of like an anchor point for the community. That’s where you feel at home. That’s what we want to do.”

Beth’s Bites

• Despite its residents making sizable business deals over surf sessions, Cardiff’s food scene has long leaned more casual than Del Mar and La Jolla—which gives it more of an under-the-radar bougie charm. On May 1, you can taste their intentional mellow at the 15th annual Taste of Cardiff with longtime favorites like Besta-Wan Pizza House, Seaside Market, VG Donuts, plus AleSmith, Boochcraft, Local Roots.
• One of my absolute favorite San Diego beer events is coming up on March 29—the annual Pucks & Pints charity hockey game. Watch a bunch of brewers and brewery employees face off at Pechanga Arena for the friendly fundraising hockey game at 12:30 p.m., then stroll across the parking lot to Bay City Brewing for a beer and barbecue festival from 2-5 p.m. If you’re so inclined, stay and watch the real deal Gulls take on the Calgary Wranglers. Proceeds go to five different local nonprofits (like the Boys & Girls Club) and it’s always a pucking great time.
• Tasting all the way through Little Italy simply isn’t possible in one day, which is why the annual Taste of Little Italy is wisely spread over two days. (Honestly, it could easily be an entire week, but moderation is key, I suppose.) On June 17-18, guests can eat through one of San Diego’s most delicious neighborhoods with 48-square blocks of eateries, coffee shops, bars, and cafes. Tickets always sell out, so if you’re interested at all, snag yours now.
• Spring into spring at Carlsbad’s annual Spring Art & Wine Walk on Saturday, April 5 at The Forum Carlsbad. Browse (or buy!) the collection of art, which ranges from paintings to photography, while sipping on wine from places like Sipwell Wine Co. and bites from vendors like Mirabelle Charcuterie and McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams. Bring along the kids for activations at places like Geppetto’s, but note that the wine garden is 21+. 

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].