12.12.2023

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Today’s Forecast

⛔️ Sealed off

Pupping season marks closures at La Jolla Children’s Pool

A happy seal at La Jolla Children's Pool — A happy seal at La Jolla Children’s Pool | Photo via Stephanie Carlson

La Jolla Children’s Pool closes this Friday, Dec. 15, but it’s not goodbye — it’s seal you later.

The day marks the beginning of seal pupping season in San Diego — the five month period when seals give birth. Closing the Children’s Pool (aka Casa Beach) will provide the pinnipeds with a safe place to birth and nurse their new pups. The end of pupping season, May 16, also marks the beginning of breeding season — harbor seals carry their babies for 9 to 11 months before giving birth.

Closing the Children’s Pool prevents humans from interfering with the pupping process. Thanks to the conservation effort, 50-60 pups are expected to be born in La Jolla this season.

Children's Pool La Jolla — La Jolla Children’s Pool from afar is still breathtaking.
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Photo via @dtelford168

This means visitors can’t go to this specific beach for a few months, but it’s worth it. Baby seals might be the cutest animals in San Diego.

Still want to peek at the seals during pupping season? Most of the areas surrounding the Children’s Pool remain open. The beach is also entirely visible from the sidewalk and seawall, though the wall may be closed due to inclement weather.

Sea lion family in La Jolla — Sea lions spending family time together.
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Photo via @dtelford168

Sea lion pupping season

Most California sea lions are born in June, so the species’ pupping season directly follows seal pupping season. Last year, this prompted closures of Point La Jolla and the bluffs at Boomer Beach from May through October. This year, San Diego City Council and the California Coastal Commission approved year-round closures of the areas.

These restrictions aim to prevent humans from bothering the pinnipeds who rest on the rocky areas, as they can become aggressive when they feel threatened. The regulations will be in place for seven years, after which they will need to be amended or reapproved.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 12

“Deck The Halls” | Through Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Nason’s Beer Hall, 570 J St., San Diego | Free | Tonight, this holiday bar hosts Tipsy Trivia at 7 p.m.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 5-7 p.m. | One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place, San Diego | Free | The Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe + Rabbi Levi Raskin lead this celebration that also includes live music and kosher bites.
Mercury Stardust “Safe & Sound” Book Tour | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Libélula Books & Co, 950 S. 26th St., San Diego | Free | This title covers repair tips for 50 common home projects — book available for $25.
Opera À la Carte: Holiday Extravaganza | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 7-9 p.m. | New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad | $26 | This musical variety show features local talent accompanied by Michele Scanlon.
Menorah Lighting | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 4:30 p.m. | Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado | Free | The nightly, glimmering event turns into “Chanukah on Ice” at The Del’s ice skating rink.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

That’s Sew Crafty: Holiday Garland | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr., Poway | $3 | This crafty class for older adults will focus on creating a festive holiday decoration — all supplies included.

Thursday, Dec. 14

Coastal Christmas | Select dates through Saturday, Dec. 30 | 4-9 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | $15+ | This new holiday celebration includes festive lights, skating, food and drinks, a kids zone, and more.
“Season of Joy” | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Joan Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego | $20 | Roy Anthony Jr. leads the San Diego Concert Band for its annual holiday celebration show.

Friday, Dec. 15

Queens of the Stone Age | Friday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $30-$150 | The rock band takes the stage with guest Spiritualized.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

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News Notes

Weather

Wave hello to “king tides.” The coastal event — exceptionally high tides due to the moon’s gravitational pull — is expected to impact San Diego today through Friday. Locals should take caution by the coast, as king tides may cause flooding or beach erosion. (NBC 7)

Civic

Six candidates have completed paperwork to challenge incumbent San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria in the 2024 election, including former public defender Geneviéve Jones-Wright. Meanwhile, former Mayor Kevin Faulconer is challenging Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer for county supervisor. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Community

The San Diego County Office of Equity and Racial Justice has launched the Equity Impact Grant — a program to address inequities that small, grassroots, and minority-led organizations face when applying for government funding. The initiative will offer $2 million over the next two years, and applications are now open.

Biz

Illumina, Qualcomm, LPL Financial, ResMed, and Sempra Energy. Those five local businesses ranked in the top 200 on Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024.” The rankings consider factors that measure how companies support communities based on environmental, social, and corporate governance. (Newsweek)

State

California’s housing market is not being taken over by investors. According to US Census Bureau data, the share of California houses being used as rentals is on the decline. In 2017, 25% of single-family homes were being rented; in 2022, only 23% were rentals. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ranked

San Diego is showing love. According to WalletHub, SD is the No. 5 most-caring city in the US. The study assessed the nation’s 100 largest cities across 38 metrics, and San Diego received its placement thanks to its exceptional care for vulnerable populations. (WalletHub)

Feel Good

SeaWorld San Diego is rehabilitating an Olive ridley sea turtle who was found stranded and stunned due to cold waters in Oregon. The turtle — named Sir Acha for his spicy personality — is doing better in warmer San Diego. He’s expected to be returned to the ocean once temps increase. (Fox 5)

Eat

🍕 Eyes on the pies

Where to eat pizza in San Diego

Filippi's Pizza Grotto with holiday styling in Little Italy — This shop has been a Little Italy staple for over 70 years.
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Photo by SDtoday + Michael Beausoleil

Crust us, you can find great pizza in San Diego. We’ve pie-oneered a guide of great, local pizzerias and thanks to recommendations from SDtoday readers, we’ve added new locations to the list.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Various
This shop has been a staple of India Street since it arrived in Little Italy in 1950, and has opened over a dozen shops across San Diego County. You’ll find a variety of pizzas, but they all have one thing in common: the old-fashioned, doughy crust.

Pitfire Pizza, Carlsbad
This LA-based, James Beard Award-nominated pizzeria opened its first San Diego County location this fall at the Beacon La Costa. The pizzas are made on signature sourdough crust in a Marra Forni oven.

Bongiorno’s Pizzeria, Solana Beach
Head to this shop if you’re a fan of thin crust pies and you’ll find a menu with a variety of New York-style pizzas.

30 more pizza shops

The Buy

The go-to gift for people who have everything: a scented candle.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. I went to the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights this past Sunday, and it was a glowing success. From my spot along the Embarcadero, I could see SeaWorld’s fireworks as boats passed by — one of those things you can only see in San Diego.

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