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6AM City In-house

Way to glow, Hillcrest ✨

Hillcrest welcomes a new, multicolored community sign
Hillcrest has a new glow to it. The iconic Hillcrest sign that welcomes locals and visitors along University Avenue was taken down for renovations — but now it’s back and shinier than ever.

Hillcrest sign before and after

The different is day and night. | Photos via SDtoday + Hillcrest Business Association

đź›  Why were renovations needed?

It’s hard for Hillcrest to lose its shine, but its sign had seen brighter days. At the end of 2022, the Hillcrest Business Association stopped lighting it up because the LEDs weren’t as strong as they once were.

The display has gone through maintenance over the years, but the dimming lights indicated it was once again time for a refresh. But, this couldn’t happen without community support. Like prior efforts, this $80,000+ glow-up was entirely funded by donations from locals and businesses in the area.

đź’ˇ The glow-up

At the end of January, the sign was taken down for renovations, leaving the heart of the community looking quite bare. Last week, Hillcrest came together and celebrated the return of the landmark sign.

What makes this sign different? Now, its lights can change colors because crews installed environmentally-friendly LEDs that have 16+ million different hues. Each letter can be illuminated in its own color, allowing the sign to be used for holiday celebrations and observances.

Mardi Gras Hillcrest sign

Hello Mardi Gras, Hillcrest style. | Photo via @jhcilch

🎉 Reasons to celebrate

The Hillcrest sign has always been a source of pride in the community. It’s been hanging over University Avenue since 1940, and it’s been a guiding light since it was first illuminated in 1984. Hillcrest wouldn’t be the same without it.

Now that the sign is back and better, it will be part of the community’s celebrations. It welcomed Mardi Gras with green, purple, and gold, but it will shine differently for Christmas or San Diego Pride — and don’t worry, the classic look will show up between themed displays.
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Monday, Feb. 27
  • Curator Conversations | Monday, Feb. 27 | 10-11 a.m. | Timken Museum of Art, 1500 El Prado, San Diego | $15 | Derrick Cartwright and Rineke Dijkstra dive into the influence of Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.”
  • Free Tax Preparation Clinic | Monday, Feb. 27 | 1-7 p.m. | Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego | Free | The San Diego Public Library and Home Start have partnered to offer free basic tax prep to those who qualify; appointments are required.
  • Dr. Abby’s Comedy Angels Show | Monday, Feb. 27 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Athens Market Taverna, 109 F St., San Diego | $5 | A night of food, drinks, and local comedy.
  • JUNNY | Monday, Feb. 27 | 8 p.m. | Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., San Diego | $50-$175 | The Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter performs the “US Blanc Tour 2023" with DJ Minjeong.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
  • SDSU Aztecs vs. Air Force | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6 p.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $6-$9 | It’s a women’s college b-ball showdown.
  • The Field Irish Pub 25th Anniversary | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6-9 p.m. | The Field Irish Pub, 544 Fifth Ave., San Diego | Free entry | This bar gets better with age — celebrate with music, drinks, and appetizers.
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.

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Weather
  • 56Âş | Mostly cloudy | 21% chance of rain
  • Recent storms left San Diego County with inches of rain — or snow in mountain communities. As of Sunday at 11 a.m., Mount Laguna had the highest snow accumulation with a 5-day total of 29 inches. Carlsbad received 3.31 inches of rain, the most for a coastal community. 🌧 (National Weather Service)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:18 a.m.
  • Set: 5:44 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 10:48 a.m. + 8:38 p.m.
  • High: 2:24 a.m. + 6:50 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 55°
Regional
  • Tax season will end later this year. The IRS has pushed back the filing deadline in multiple counties in California — including San Diego — to October 16. The relief effort is due to a designation from FEMA, which recognizes locals have been heavily impacted by the high number of storms this year. đź“„ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Civic
  • It’s official, Encinitas City Council voted to prohibit smoking in public areas — including tobacco products, cannabis, and e-cigarettes — enacting one of Southern California’s strictest policies. The amendment will go into effect 90 days after its adoption, and violators will be subject to a $50 fine, which will increase for subsequent offenses. đźš­ (The Coast News Group)
Closed
  • The City of San Diego made the decision to close the Ocean Beach Pier for the foreseeable future “out of an abundance of caution.” The landmark structure has sustained damage from storms this winter, and the city will reassess the pier for reopening after the stormy season. 🚧
Development
  • A new playground will swing into Lake Poway, replacing the existing structure next to the Pavilion building. Poway City Council approved the $1.4 million renovation that includes two play towers, ADA-compliant paths, and some ADA-accessible equipment. Construction is expected to run from May to December. 🌳
Award
Coming Soon
  • Order up. This spring, Mr. Moto will open a new location at 4646 Convoy St. in the Convoy District — its eighth shop in San Diego. The local pizza chain will bring something new to this restaurant: the Moto wheel. When customers order beers, they will be able to spin the wheel and win prizes. 🍕
Announced
  • SeaWorld San Diego is going cashless, just like Sesame Place. The pilot program is being implemented by SeaWorld Entertainment to determine if it should be adopted by all 12 of its parks nationwide. Bring your credit cards, but there will be kiosks to convert cash into Visa prepaid debit cards. đź’ł (San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Word
  • Graupel — snowflakes that collect supercooled water droplets on their surface, formed above freezing temperature, with a soft and wet texture. This is how the National Weather Service distinguishes graupel from hail, as seen in parts of the county during recent storms. ❄️ (National Weather Service)
Shop
  • Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. đź‘š *
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San Diego reconstructed 🧱

LEGOLAND California Resort recreates Petco Park for MINILAND San Diego
Petco Park LEGO replica
Petco Park inside Petco Park | Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND California Resort
A new addition is coming to MINILAND USA at LEGOLAND California Resort, and it’s kind of a big deal.

On Thursday, March 23, the North County theme park will debut a miniature replica of San Diego, equipped with 55 landmarks made from 5+ million LEGO bricks. This is a fitting addition, because the park already has small-scale versions of American cities like New York, San Francisco, and Las Vegas — but not America’s Finest City.

Fans voted for the landmarks that will be included, and while they haven’t all been revealed yet, LEGOLAND California Resort released a teaser image. We spy the Hotel del Coronado, Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and California Tower. 🔍

One landmark that definitely made the cut: Petco Park. The miniature version of the ballpark was unveiled inside the full-scale stadium to give locals a sneak peek. The replica took 150,000+ LEGO pieces — and we’d say, it’s a home run.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Happy Monday, San Diego. It’s been chilly recently, so I’ve been thinking to myself — I’m already cold, I should get ice cream. When I go out for a scoop, I want to get funky flavors, which is why I’m happy Stella Jean’s Ice Cream is open in Pacific Beach now (in addition to Point Loma and University Heights). If you’re like me, I’d recommend trying “Ube + Pandesal” or “Lemon Basil Ice Box Pie” to get something different. 🍦

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Once this wet weather is gone, buckle up and plan your ultimate road trip to Julian.
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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.

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