‘Tis a new season

How to dispose of Christmas trees and holiday decorations in San Diego

Farewell, Christmas tree. | Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

Hello, 2024. Now that the holidays have wrapped, you’re probably starting to undeck the halls. We’ve gathered info on how to safely dispose of your holiday decor in San Diego.

🌲 Curbside tree pickup

If you’re a county resident who receives yard waste collection, you might be able to have your real Christmas tree picked up during certain time frames, depending on where you live. Prepare your tree by removing all decorations and lights; if you can, cut your tree in half.

If you have a green bin, you can also cut your real Christmas tree to fit into the container and have it picked up as yard waste.

If you have an artificial tree, it can only be disposed through regular trash service; it must fit into the trash bin with the lid closed for proper collection.

Pro tip: If your artificial tree is in good shape, consider donating it to a local nonprofit like Goodwill or Father Joe’s Villages — you might earn an early spot on the nice list.

🛻 Tree drop-offs

The City of San Diego’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs through Tuesday, Jan. 23, across 16 drop-off locations accepting real Christmas trees — just be sure to remove all decorations and lights. Check out these drop-off locations across San Diego County, too.

The recycling program turns Christmas trees into compost and mulch for residents to purchase year-round. SD residents can also grab two cubic yards of compost and mulch for free at the Miramar Greenery.

📦 Packaging and decorations

If Santa left you with cardboard boxes, break them down and put them in your blue recycling bin. Some packaging and gift wrapping materials — like bubble wrap, padded mailers, ribbons, bows, tissue paper, twine, and cellophane — can’t be recycled, so consider saving and reusing the items next year.

Learn more about recycling in SD, year-round.

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Wednesday, Jan. 4

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration | Through Sunday, Jan. 8 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego | $65-$120 | You have until this Sunday to check out this festive celebration.
New Year New Beginnings Happy Hour! | Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 5-7 p.m. | Societe Brewing Company, 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | Free | Join Finest City Team and Fearless Realty to network and discuss real estate.
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations | Through Sunday, Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego | $35.50-$120.50 | Follow the The Temptations’ journey to stardom, retold with song + dance.

Thursday, Jan. 5

Bitcoin San Diego | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | 8265 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego | Free | A monthly meetup with Bitcoin enthusiasts.

Friday, Jan. 6

Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic | Friday, Jan. 6 | 2:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $20-$80 | It’s a sunny day at the Midway District venue as familiar faces from “Sesame Street” sing and teach valuable life lessons.
San Diego Symphony - Anne Akiko Meyers | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido | $25-$70 | The distinguished California violinist performs alongside conductor Domingo Hindoyan.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

NEW YEAR, NEW EVENTS

Weather

64º | Showers in morning, cloudy afternoon | 37% chance of rain
The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazard Statement for coastal areas from late Thursday afternoon through Friday evening. Expect high surf with waves ranging 10 to 14 ft that could result in coastal flooding and beach erosion. 🌊 (National Weather Service)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:51 a.m.
Set: 4:55 p.m.

Tide

Low: 1:32 a.m. + 3:11 p.m.
High: 7:49 a.m. + 9:44 p.m.
Water Temperature: 59º

Civic

Cha-ching. Minimum wage in San Diego is now $16.30, an increase of $1.30 from last year. This number is now 80 cents higher than the state’s minimum wage, which increased 50 cents to $15.50 effective Jan. 1, 2023. 💴

Community

The city is pedaling forward with plans to repave streets in Kearny Mesa’s Convoy District, and will add bike lanes in the process. The project will take place over the next few months and contribute to the city’s goal of improving walking and biking access, but will result in the loss of ~300 parking spaces in the busy area. 🚲 (CBS 8)
The City of Escondido will host its community workshop on Thursday, Jan. 5, from 5-8 p.m., at the East Valley Community Center Grove Room to discuss changes to its Grape Day Park Master Plan and Aquatics Facility. The city will present conceptual plans and collect feedback from locals. 🌳

Read

If you resolved to read more in 2023, the San Diego Public Library is helping to keep you on track. Locals can participate in “All the Feels” — its winter 2023 reading challenge — and will receive a prize by completing any combination of five books read, reading hours, or special activities. 📚

Announced

A dining development in Carlsbad dubbed The Cottages on Roosevelt is expected to open in summer 2023, and will feature all local businesses. Proposed tenants include Pop Pie Co., Stella Jean’s Ice Cream, Revolution Roasters, and Shootz Fish & Beer. 🏪

San Diegan

Hello, Mila. A baby girl delivered on Jan. 1, 2023, at the stroke of midnight is believed to be the first San Diegan born in 2023. The family is excited, but exhausted — Baby Mila came four days early, as her expected due date was today. 🍼 (NBC 7)

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: SDtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

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Charging through the Rose Parade

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wins at the Rose Parade

A wild float at the Rose Parade. | Photo via San Diego Zoo + Ken Bohn

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance had a wildly successful celebration at the 134th Rose Parade presented by Honda in Pasadena this past Monday. The organization’s float — titled “Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation” — commemorated the 50th anniversary of San Diego Zoo Safari Park and took home the Animation Award for its display.

The float depicted animals supported by the zoo’s efforts. This included Neville, a 4-month-old southern white rhino, and his mother Livia — a duo helping in ongoing efforts to save the distantly related northern white rhino. There was also Msituni, a giraffe born with limb differences that hindered her ability to walk — but she persevered.

Similar sights are common at Safari Park, but the display truly made heads turn as the rhinos looked back and forth at onlookers and the giraffes took drinks from a flowing waterfall. The organization hopes its participation in the event will bring awareness to its conservation efforts.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Happy New Year, San Diego. What a rainy start to the year, but I’m not superstitious — I don’t think this is a sign of bad luck. I do believe it will keep me indoors, but that won’t stop me from working on my goals. I’m trying to read more and save money, and the San Diego Public Library has plenty of free resources I can access virtually.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet your New Year’s resolutions, San Diego style.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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