San Diego, CA
San Diego tourism up in FY 2024 as tourists extend stays, spend more
Tourists are staying longer and spending more money in San Diego in this past fiscal year ending in June, according to the San Diego Tourism Authority.
In FY 2024, 32 million people visited San Diego, up 2 million from FY 2023, but still down from 35 million prepandemic.
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” said Kerri Kapich, San Diego Tourism Authority’s chief operating officer. “What we see is perhaps fewer visitors coming in, but they are staying longer in San Diego.”
Longer stays mean more money is being spent here. Tourists spent $14.6 billion last fiscal year — a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
“And once you put that through the total economy of San Diego, it’s $22 billion of total economic impact,” Kapich said. “Those are the highest numbers that we have ever seen.”
With sun, sand and surf; plus local attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and LegoLand; and the local food scene, it not hard to see why San Diego is one of the top tourist attractions in the country. Readers of Condé Nast Traveler ranked San Diego as the No. 2 best big city in the United States for the second year in a row.
Arizona State University (ASU) student Sam Troester, who is visiting from Phoenix, Arizona, said visiting San Diego was an easy decision.
“(It’s) close by. There’s a beach. Wanted to get out of the bad weather. Three good reasons enough for me,” he said.
The beaches really sold him. “It’s beautiful here, and we love it,” Troester said.
His friend, Ronald McInnis, also an ASU student, said that besides the beaches, the food scene drew him.
“My main reason was mostly for the restaurants, the food that’s offered here,” he said. “My girlfriend, she’s gluten free and pescatarian, and I feel like San Diego, like La Jolla, especially, offers a lot of those selections.”
McInnis said it was probably the best gluten-free and vegan selections he’s had in the U.S.
While San Diego tourism has more or less bounced back from pre-pandemic levels, one soft spot is international travel.
“European markets, Canada and Mexico have performed quite well, but the Asian market is still slower to recover,” Kapich said.
Part of that has to do with available flights coming to San Diego and visa wait times. But with wait times coming down, Kapich said 2025 could be another banner year for San Diego tourism.
By the numbers
- Total economic impact: $22 billion
- Total visitors: 32 million (up 2 million from FY 2023)
- Visitors spending: $14.6 billion
- San Diego City Transient Occupancy Tax generated: $310.7 million
- Hotel occupancy rate: 76% (ahead of Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco)
Some people living in remote North County may have felt shaking from an earthquake on Monday afternoon.
The epicenter of the 3.1 temblor that hit at 3:51 p.m. was a little under 2 miles from Lake Henshaw, according to officials with the United States Geological Survey.
Lake Henshaw is about 25 miles east of Valley Center and near Highway 76, which is often traveled by people headed north to Palomar Mountain.
Representatives of Cal Fire and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said the agencies had received no reports of any problems caused by the temblor.
San Diego, CA
Deputy ID’d Who Died In Baker Run | Jeep Launches Off Bridge | Protest Turns Violent: SoCal In Brief
SAN DIEGO, CA — As we head into the new work week, we’ve rounded up the stories you may have missed Saturday through Monday to prepare you for the week ahead.
But before we jump into Southern California’s top stories, residents should expect the Southland’s long period of record-breaking heat to ease this week with more seasonal weather for early spring, according to the National Weather Service.
“A cooling trend will begin on Monday, with near normal temperatures expected Tuesday through Thursday,” NWS Los Angeles forecasters wrote Sunday.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Gusty onshore winds will affect the area at times, along with chances of light rain. Weak to moderate offshore winds with warming and drying will follow Friday and Saturday.”
In other news, a deputy died after suffering a medical emergency while participating in the Baker to Vegas relay race; a man died of an apparent drowning near a pier; two people were killed when a speeding Jeep launched off a bridge and landed in a river; and one person was killed when a three-vehicle crash sent one car careening into a cemetery.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Plus, large crowds participated in No Kings rallies across Southern California as part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against the Trump administration that organizers called the largest single-day pro-democracy turnout on record.
A record 94,000 people participated in 21 separate No Kings protests in San Diego County. Thousands of similar gatherings took place Saturday throughout country. In Los Angeles, police said 74 people were arrested for allegedly failing to disperse after the demonstration in downtown LA turned violent, with some protesters throwing chunks of concrete at federal officers and one spray-painting a death threat near the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Here are some of the stories you may have missed:
1 Killed In Crash On 215 Freeway In Riverside Involving Babies
A witness told the CHP that the sedan was demolished and a witness said two babies and two adults were inside.
1 Killed In Fiery, 2-Vehicle Crash On 91 Freeway In Orange County
It involved a white “work truck” and another vehicle, with at least one of the vehicles catching fire, the CHP said.
1 Person Injured At Switzer Falls, Airlifted To Hospital
Falling rocks may have been involved, according to reports.
“If you do spot one of these animals, keep your distance. There’s absolutely no reason to approach one whatsoever.”
2 Found Dead In Home After Fire In San Diego’s North County: Authorities
The bomb and arson unit and the homicide unit for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
4 Boats Carrying Migrants Detained Off San Diego Shore
Twenty-nine migrants suspected of attempting to enter the country illegally were detained off San Diego in four incidents, officials said.
The arrests included 66 adults and eight juveniles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Iconic Actor Known For ‘Back To The Future,’ ‘Top Gun’ Dies At 94
He also spent 25 years in the New York theater scene and was part of the original cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
LA Deputy, 30, Dies After Medical Emergency During Baker To Vegas Relay
“His loss is deeply felt across our Department, and he will be greatly missed.”
Large Crowds Gather Throughout Riverside County For ‘No Kings’ Protests
The demonstrations were part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against illegal immigration enforcement and other federal policies.
Long Beach Police Arrest Teen, Tow 5 E-Bikes After Street Takeover
The teen was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving-related charges.
Man Fatally Struck By SUV After Running Into Lanes Of Traffic In Long Beach
Paramedics rushed the man to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Man Killed In Santa Monica Fight
Officers rendered aid to the wounded man until paramedics arrived to take him to a hospital, where he died, officials said.
Missing Swimmer Found Dead Near Oceanside Harbor Beach
A man died of an apparent drowning near the Oceanside Pier, authorities said.
A record 94,000 people participated in 21 separate “No Kings” protests in San Diego County on Saturday, organizers said.
9 Sickened In E. Coli Outbreak Tied To A California Company’s Raw Milk And Cheese
Two cases in California were added Thursday to the outbreak first announced March 15, bringing the total number of ill people in California.
185 New Speed Cameras Coming To CA Roads: See Where
Speed cameras have already caught hundreds of thousands of speeding drivers in the first two cities to install them.
CA Could Soon Start ‘Certifying’ Certain Groceries In Its War On Junk Food
California wants to be the first state in the nation to give a seal of approval for healthy foods and require grocers to promote them.
CA’s Most Spectacular Super Bloom In Years Is Underway: How To See It Before It Wilts
The super bloom in California may have peaked in the southern part of the state, but spring flowers are still blooming in stunning fashion.
CA Women Earn 63 Cents For Every Dollar Earned By White Men, Study Finds
Women’s earnings still lag far behind those of white men, with no significant improvement in that gap in 14 years.
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Two families were displaced from their Carmel Valley townhome after it went up in flames earlier this afternoon.
This happened just before 3 p.m. on Moratalla Terrace. Fire investigators said the fire started inside a garage unit because of faulty electrical equipment and robotics projects. One neighbor said she’s thankful for the quick response.
“The people that own the house were in the driveway calling 911, and within, I think within five minutes of me smelling the smoke the fire trucks were here,” said Nikki Briggs. I’m just thankful that everyone was okay, and that it didn’t keep spreading. Like if it would have been a wildfire, that would have been terrible.”
Firefighters say most of the damage was contained in the garage. A total of nine people were displaced by the fire. Five people lived inside the unit that burned. Thankfully all of them made it out safely without any injuries.
Kentucky Wildcats News: McDonald’s All-American Gameday
Louisiana could get rid of inspection stickers — in most places. Is your parish on the list?
Hermon man accused of assaulting and threatening Bangor woman with a gun
Truck driver in Maryland fatal crash identified as Waynesboro man
Scouting the Pioneers: Three Denver Threats Michigan Must Neutralize in Las Vegas
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Latino Republicans in South Texas Turn on Trump Over Birthright Citizenship
Fugitive illegal alien convict on the run after attempting to strike ICE officer with vehicle: DHS
EU to urge Israel to scrap death penalty bill as ‘grave regression’
Army reviewing after helicopters hovered alongside Kid Rock’s swimming pool as he saluted
Emanuel pushes back on ‘straight White man’ question, says ideas matter most in 2028
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