A glimpse at the New T1 — it opens to the public next month. | Photos via Monica Garske + SDtoday
After nearly four years of construction, the biggest infrastructure project in San Diego International Airport’s history is ready to spread its wings and fly.
Phase 1A of SAN’s $3.8 billion project to replace Terminal 1 and improve transportation, mobility, and access to the airport will debut on Tuesday, Sept. 23. SDtoday got a first look at the New T1 — here are some highlights:
A total of 19 new gates operated by six airlines: Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and SunCountry.
Phase 1B will bring three more gates in spring 2026 operated by Air Canada and WestJet. Eight remaining gates will open in early 2028 for a grand total of 30 new gates.
Pro tip: SAN will host a New T1 open house for the public on Sunday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. No registration is required — just park in the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza and head to the terminal’s Level 1 entrance at 3301 N. Harbor Dr.
Stony Brook vs. SDSU Aztec Football | Snapdragon Stadium | $27+ | Football is back, baby — the Aztecs kick off the 2025 season on their home turf.
Friday, Aug. 29
Opening Reception: “Fragmentos Del Barrio” | 5-8 p.m. | Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center | Free | This exhibition showcases the powerful work of artist and political activist Ramsés Noriega, and how he helped shape the Chicano Art Movement.
Saturday, Aug. 30
San Diego Made Summer Market | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Naval Training Center Park | $7 | Shop small and local with more than 125 curated makers, live music, crafts, games, fun photo ops, and food + drink vendors.
CultureFest 2025 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Grape Day Park, Escondido | Free | The 15th annual multicultural fest will bring live performances, games, a kids zone, and a beer garden to the North County park.
Holo Holo Music Festival | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Petco Park | $149+ | The island and reggae music festival’s stellar lineup includes J Boog, Josh Tatofi, Common Kings, and Wyclef Jean.
Runway Show & Pop Up Market | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 629 J St. | $34+ | Check out the latest runway fashion trends and shop pieces from emerging brands at a pop-up marketplace.
Sunday, Aug. 31
DJ Pauly D | 10 p.m. | Nova SD | $50 | Pump those fists, beat the beat, and call a cab — the “Jersey Shore” star is spinning on the ones and twos.
Monday, Sept. 1
Baltimore Orioles vs. San Diego Padres | Monday, Sept. 1-Wednesday, Sept. 3 | Times vary | Petco Park | $36+ | Some series highlights: It’s “Harry Potter” Day at the ballpark on Sept. 1 and there’s a Manny Machado basketball jersey giveaway for fans on Sept. 2.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Love SD Cleanup | 3-5 p.m. | Fit Social | Free | Help I Love A Clean San Diego clean up the post-holiday Mission Beach shoreline.
With each mortgage payment, your equity grows — here’s what that can mean for homeowners. | Photo via Pexels
The Word: Equity. It’s the difference between your home’s current market value and what you still owe on your mortgage. Want to make it grow? From making home improvements to simply paying your mortgage each month, you’re building value over time.
You likely already know that you can tap into this equity to help cover expenses, like debt consolidation, education costs, medical bills, or even retirement. Here are a few options:
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Borrow against equity as needed, with flexible access over time and a variable interest rate.
Home Equity Loans: Receive a one-time sum with a fixed interest rate, usually repaid over five to 30 years.
Equity Sharing Home Loans: Offers borrowers a fixed-rate, interest-only loan, with lower monthly payments than a traditional loan. In exchange, you agree to share a portion of your home’s future value appreciation.
LUCIEN, a 30-seat, tasting-menu-only restaurant, is now open in La Jolla. The fine dining concept owned by Chef Elijah Arizmendi and backed by a Michelin-seasoned team offers a guided 12-course dinner described as “a love letter to California.” Make reservations to check it out.
Closing
WNDR San Diego, downtown’s multi-sensory art-meets-tech museum, is closing on Monday, Sept. 1. It’ll end its two-year run with a Final Bash filled with art + music this Sunday, Aug. 30. Keep this local guide handy for your next museum outing — you have options aplenty.
Traffic
SD’s new parking reforms are now in effect across the busy communities of Pacific Beach, midtown, uptown, and downtown. Meters are no longer free on Sundays and have been extended by two hours, either to 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. The city says the revenue will be reinvested into the communities. (CBS8)
Civic
The deteriorating, long-vacant California Theatre has to go. Per a legal settlement with the city, the owner of the blighted downtown building must list the site for sale by this Saturday, Aug. 30. If the sale isn’t finalized by Dec. 31, 2026, the owner must get permits to demolish the structure.
Travel
Disney Cruise Line is expanding its cruises out of San Diego for the 2026-2027 season. The Disney Magic will offer three to seven-day voyages in October 2026. The Disney Wonder will offer three to seven-day sailings through April 2027. General bookings open on Tuesday, Sept. 2. (Disney Parks Blog)
Sports
Let’s go, SD. With just 28 matches under their belt, San Diego FC clinched its first-ever spot in the playoffs and broke the record for the fastest MLS expansion team to reach the postseason. The team is also eyeing the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record. (AP News)
Seasonal
Ho, ho, holiday cheer is coming. The annual Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars will return to many US cities this holiday season, including San Diego. Miracle will set up shop at Botanica Bar and Coaster Saloon, while Sippin’ Santa plans to sleigh at The Grass Skirt.
Outdoors
This Saturday, Aug. 30 is National Beach Day, but really, every day is beach day in San Diego. Celebrate by visiting one of our gorgeous local beaches and catching the sunset — it’s an abundance of riches, really.
Sports
The Padres’ push for the playoffs persists. Is this the turning point for SD’s season? Can they hang on during this crucial stretch? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Home
Have a project you’ve been itching to work on? Think: bathroom renovation, upgrading your HVAC system, or maybe a backyard makeover. Wondering how to pay for it? Hint: A HELOC isn’t the only way to access your home’s equity. Enter: Unison.*
Biz
Ready to launch ads in your pajamas? Our Self-Service Ad Portal gives you instant access to thousands of engaged readers — click, create, conquer. Got a real estate listing or a local event? Get it seen, stress-free.
The institutional firms that backed Uber and Venmo also invested in Pacaso, whose co-ownership tech revolutionizes the $1.3 trillion vacation home market. Pacaso has earned $110 million+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. Invest for $2.90/share before the opportunity ends Sept. 18.†‡*
Local muralist Paul Jimenez of Ground Floor Murals painted this beautiful tribute in East Village honoring three beloved, longtime San Diego Zoo residents who died earlier this month: Kalluk, a 24-year-old polar bear, Nicky, a 28-year-old Masai giraffe, and Maka, a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla.
Jimenez is known for creating larger-than-life murals of Padres players all over SD along with artist Signe Ditona. He said this piece felt extra special.
“This one’s just straight from the heart, right to the city,” he said.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
My family and I have been spending our weekends at the bay and I’ve gotta say, it feels like “Locals Summer” may have arrived a tad earlier this year. We’ve had more room to spread out on the sand lately, especially later in the afternoon. See you on the shoreline.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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