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Find your way ↗️

New, bilingual, wayfinding signage coming to Balboa Park in 2023
SD new Balboa Park wayfinding signs
This is the first of many new signs coming soon to Balboa Park. | Photo via Forever Balboa Park
You can go your own way. Exploring Balboa Park is always an adventure. But since it spans 1,200 acres — with parks, trails, gardens, museums, and historic nooks galore — maps and signs sure do help.

Forever Balboa Park and the City of San Diego are working together to make it easier for locals and visitors to navigate the landmark by adding new, more inclusive signage. Let’s make our way through the project.

🧭 One direction

Forever Balboa Park’s signage and wayfinding plan — in the works since 2017 — features 20 different types of signs, from welcome and interpretive signage to directional signs. The signs will be “stylistically consistent” so they’re easier to spot and read, and will include Spanish-English translations.

The organization says the project is being rolled out in two phases, the first of which includes updating and installing 35+ signs throughout the park’s three mesas this year. Visitors can expect the new signage at park attractions, historical sites, tram stops, and parking lots.

Phase 2 includes the design and adoption of a parkwide map that will be used digitally and in print.

🗺️ We saw the sign

The project marked a milestone in November 2022, when the first of the bilingual signs was installed at the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden at 2144 Pan American Rd. W. — home to some of the largest cactus and succulent specimens in the park.

The sign features English and Spanish descriptions of the garden that honors San Diego horticulturist Kate Sessions, including details on how it was created for the 1935 California Pacific Exposition.

Its color palette and style give a sign of what’s to come — the others set to be installed throughout this year will look similar.

➡️ Keep up with enhancements to the landmark via Forever Balboa Park’s website.

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Feb. 6
  • Hiking for Fun and Fitness | Monday, Feb. 6 | 9-11 a.m. | Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, 16275 Espola Rd., Poway | Free | A nature-focused fitness gathering for all levels; meet at the south end of the parking lot.
  • Circus Vargas Presents “Bonjour Paris” | Monday, Feb. 6, Wednesday, Feb. 8 | Times vary | Circus Vargas at Westfield Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego | $39-$59 | Be dazzled and awed at this Paris-themed show.
  • SD Tap Room Trivia | Monday, Feb. 6 | 8-10 p.m. | SD TapRoom, 1269 Garnet Ave, San Diego | Free | Assemble your team + test your knowledge.
  • Senior Monday | Monday, Feb. 6 | Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego | $10 | Seniors ages 65+ can enjoy a discounted show at the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater and a scientific lecture.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
  • The Kimono Reimagined | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Japanese Friendship Garden, 2215 Pan American Rd. East, San Diego | $14 | Clothing is reimagined in this collaboration between Visions Art Museum and San Diego Mesa College Fashion Program.
  • Ivan Cornejo | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 8 p.m. | House of Blues Voodoo Room, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $ | The Latin artist performs the “Dañado U.S. Tour” with guest Estevie.

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.
FEBRUARY FUN

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire
Portrait of businesswoman standing against a wooden wall in office.
SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo by Dean Mitchell
This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*
TAKE THE FREE QUIZ

Weather
  • 63º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
  • The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement through tomorrow evening for San Diego’s coastal areas. Breaking waves of 3-6 ft — with sets up to 7 ft — are expected, as well as strong rip currents, so it’s best to stay out of the water. 🌊 (National Weather Service)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:44 a.m.
  • Set: 5:20 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 3:07 a.m. + 4:11 p.m.
  • High: 9:14 a.m. + 10:31 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 56°
Development
Feel Good
  • Late OB entrepreneur Jay Kahn donated $100 million to the San Diego Foundation — the largest gift of its kind ever given to a local charity. The nonprofit said Kahn — a donor they didn’t know until now — left the money for the charity to do whatever is best with it. 💓 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Transit
  • Jewish Family Service of San Diego has rolled out its San Diego County Senior Transportation Program, giving free rides to low-income seniors living in 39 local zip codes. The program is open to locals ages 60+ who meet the prerequisites, and each rider can get up to 80 miles of rides monthly. 🚍
Drink
  • Cheers to collabs. Second Chance Beer Company partnered with local brand All My Friends Are Rappers to brew “All I Want” — a Kolsch in honor of Black History Month. The limited-release beer is now available on draft and in canned four-packs at Second Chance’s taprooms in North Park and Carmel Mountain. 🍻
Ranked
  • San Diego may be considered the US capital of Ethiopian food. Preply conducted a study where it tracked the best international cuisines in major US cities by studying 785 restaurants nationwide. It found local Ethiopian restaurants averaged 4.76 stars out of 5, placing SD higher than any other city. 🇪🇹 (Preply)
Sports
  • The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship just dropped its game schedule for the competition featuring 30 teams coming to San Diego Wednesday, June 21-Saturday, July 1. It’ll feature 100+ games played at San Diego State University and University of San Diego, plus medal games at Snapdragon Stadium. 🥍
Watch
  • Four US Navy aircraft that served with the airwing of USS Carl Vinson — the carrier homeported in San Diego — will perform a flyover at Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12. Watch the formation take flight right after the “Star-Spangled Banner.” 🛩️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Shop
  • From chocolates to candles and cards, we’ve got you covered with all things loveable in our online shop, Six & Main. Explore our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide to start shopping for sweet presents such as this bonbon gift box by Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates. 🍫
Travel
  • Dreaming of a tropical summer vacation? Us too. We’re eyeing this romantic villa with pristine views in Costa Rica and this charming beachfront cottage in St. Kitts. Or maybe we’ll splurge on a trip to Tahiti and stay in this beach house with a private pool. 🏝️ *
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Art is a superpower 🦸

Comic-Con Museum reopens with new animation and art exhibitions
SD Comic-Con Museum Animation Academy exhibition
Eh... what’s up, doc? It’s getting real animated at the Comic-Con Museum. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Let us draw you a picture. ✏️

“The Simpsons.” “Scooby-Doo.” “Gumby.” Looney Tunes. Those are just a few of the cartoon icons taking center stage at the Comic Con Museum, which reopened over the weekend with new exhibitions.

The traveling exhibition, “The Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels” is the museum’s new headliner, all about the pioneers of animation — think Art Clokey, Chuck Jones, and studios like Hanna-Barbera — and their indelible marks on pop culture.

The display features 20+ interactive stations where visitors can create their own stop-motion animated shorts and illustrations. There are also life-size props everywhere so fans can snap photos inside the sets of their favorite TV shows and movies. 📸

Meanwhile upstairs, visitors can now explore “Cover Story: Five Decades of Comic-Con,” a look at the vibrant souvenir program books created by artists for San Diego Comic-Con International from its humble beginnings in 1970 through present-day.
THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKS
THE WRAP

SD Monica at Comic-Con Museum

Today’s issue was written by Monica.

Editor’s pick: Hi, San Diego. I went deep into the incredible world of animation during my visit to the Comic-Con Museum’s new exhibitions — so deep, I ended up in Springfield, sitting on the couch inside “The Simpsons.” Maybe we need a Springfieldtoday? 🛋️

There are so many fun photo ops inside “The Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels,” make sure you visit with your phone fully charged. I also loved an area dedicated to Chuck Jones, where fans can try their hand at sketching iconic characters on special, backlit tables.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Need some indoor plants to spruce up your space? We’ve got you. 🪴
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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