Unwritten rules for living in San Diego

A woman sitting on a bench looking at a beach in La Jolla, CA

These beautiful views should be treated with love. | Photo via @frogg136

Treat others as you’d like to be treated — in essence, that’s the “golden rule.” The principle has been used in many cultures, to the point that international Golden Rule Week takes place annually, April 1-April 7.

In San Diego, we’ve got our own guidelines. So, we’re observing the occasion by looking at five rules we treat like they’re golden. There’s no real punishment for breaking them, but don’t be surprised if locals give you a few disapproving looks.

1. Leave the beach cleaner than you found it. We never litter on the beach (that’s a real rule), and we take pride in maintaining our pristine coastline, so we pick up trash that’s been left behind.

2. Flip-flops are acceptable for sand and land. While some advice columns will urge you to stay away from these sandals, our culture and climate are perfect for them. So, it makes sense brands like Reef and Rainbow Sandals have local roots.

3. Occasionally, it’s OK to complain about the weather. Outsiders may view San Diego through rose colored sunglasses, and we know our weather is great. But locals know it’s not all sunshine — and this winter has been proof. We have rainy periods, May Gray and June Gloom, and we have to watch for droughts during warm, dry months.

Cans of AleSmith Brewing Company's San Diego State Ale — We like our beers to scream San Diego.
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Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

4. Everyone has their own favorite beer, and there is no wrong answer — as long as its local. San Diego is the “Capital of Craft” for a reason, and residents love supporting their favorite breweries.

5. Interstate 5? We don’t know her. It’s “the 5" to locals. In San Diego, we shorten freeway names, which has roots in California history. Now, it’s just slang, but it helps us identify people who aren’t originally from here.

Asked

What is an unwritten rule of being a San Diegan?

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Events

Thursday, April 6

Sunset Sweep: Swan Canyon Cleanup | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 3-5 p.m. | Menlo Mini Park, 3003 46th St., San Diego | Free | Help I Love A Clean San Diego divert litter from the San Diego Bay Watershed to keep it from entering the ocean.
Kylie Morgan | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | Moonshine Beach, 1165 Garnet Ave., San Diego | $20 | The country crooner takes the stage at this 21+ show.

Friday, April 7

Rocket League Esports Tournament | Friday, Apr. 7-Sunday, Apr. 9 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | San Diego Convention Center: Halls D-H, 111 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego | $36-$179 | The best Rocket League gamers from around the world go head-to-head.
Hardcore Benefit Fest | Friday, Apr. 7 | 5:30-10:30 p.m. | The Ché Café, 1000 Scholars Dr., La Jolla | $4-$5 | Rock out with Containment, X-ACTO, Datson, Pulse, Buenos Nachos, Jericho Sirens, Yokai, and Gxllium.

Saturday, April 8

Spring Egg Hunt | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Dr., Encinitas | Free | Hunt for 20,000+ eggs with live music by Hullabaloo.
Taste of Hillcrest | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 12-4 p.m. | Hillcrest, University Ave., San Diego | $35-$40 | Sample dishes from 25+ local restaurants on a self-guided tour.
Pucks & Pints Charity Hockey Game | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 12:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $60 | Food, drinks, and the Brewers Charity game — plus admission to the San Diego Gulls vs. Calgary Wranglers game.

These events rule

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News Notes

Civic

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors accepted $1.6 million in funding from the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program to prevent youth smoking. The funds will be distributed over three years, and will enforce regulations to sell tobacco products in unincorporated San Diego County.

Announced

How’s this sound? The San Diego County Fair released its lineup that will take the Corona Grandstand Stage this year for the Toyota Summer Concerts Series. On the roster we peep Train, Boys II Men, and Stephen Marley with Hire, just to name a few.

Open

La Jolla is buzzing about Beeside Balcony — a new restaurant overlooking La Jolla Cove. This is the business’ second location (in addition to Del Mar), but there’s something else in this colony. Its 500-sqft speakeasy named The Hive opens next month. (Eater San Diego)

Eat

It’s National Açaí Bowl Day, and Everbowl is giving locals a taste of the fun. The Poway-founded chain will give out free small bowls today, 3-5 p.m., at participating San Diego County locations. Or, follow the map to catch up with the Everbowl truck for free treats and other giveaways.

Cause

San Diego County is collaborating with the San Diego Blood Bank for its 39th Annual Blood Drive. Locals can sign up to make donations this month at events across the county, and the effort will help blood banks address shortages and build their supplies.

Pets

Let’s have a round of a-paws for Kenobi — the cat that was named San Diego Humane Society’s March Meowness Champion. Thanks to the voters, the whiskered winner survived six rounds and defeated 1,400+ other photogenic pets in the contest.

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Live

📸 Picture perfect parks

30 parks in San Diego

Get out — San Diego was featured three times on Yelp’s “25 Most Photographed Parks in the U.S. and Canada.” Balboa Park scored the highest spot at No. 2, while La Jolla Cove came in at No. 9 and Torrey Pines State Reserve at No. 10. All three were mentioned in our guide to local parks, and we want to put the spotlight on more photo-worthy spots around town.

A woman sitting on a bench at Bayside Park overlooking San Diego Bay and the city skyline in the distance. — From Bayside Park, you can see the city skyline in the distance.
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Photo via @kristatot

Chula Vista Bayside Park

Hello San Diego Bay. Here, you’ll find trails for waterfront walking, biking, or running that come with views of the San Diego skyline and the Coronado Bridge.

Mission Hills Park (aka Pioneer Park)

This park may be best known for what it once was: a cemetery. Only a handful of tombstones remain, but since its transformation, the park offers outdoor spaces with views of the surrounding communities, a small playground, and tennis courts.

Explore the full guide

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. My phone is full of photos from our scenic parks, and I love our city’s efforts to add more. I think mini parks are a great way to give communities outdoor space, and I’m excited to see the Olive Street Park in Bankers Hill when it opens at the end of this year or early next.

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