Week of November 2–8, 2026

Your 5–7 minute guide to San Diego news, business, real estate, restaurants, sports, and the best things happening around town.

Happy Monday!

November has arrived, and San Diego is starting the month with a packed calendar.

The November 3 general election is here, mortgage rates have declined for the second consecutive week, and a new affordable housing project is moving forward in East Village.

Meanwhile, San Diego's defense technology industry is drawing fresh attention as the region works to strengthen its position in military innovation.

And there's plenty to look forward to this weekend.

Fleet Week returns, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival takes over the waterfront, Del Mar opens its fall racing season, and the San Diego Wave host a major playoff game Friday night.

San Diego FC also returns to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, while the University of San Diego Toreros head to Iowa for another conference football matchup.

The weather? Sunshine and warmer temperatures are expected as the week progresses.

Let's get into it.

🗳 Election Day: Tuesday, November 3. Voting centers open 7 AM–8 PM.

🏡 Mortgage Rates: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate drops to 7.24%.

🏠 Housing: San Diego County's latest median home sale price is $899,000.

🏗 Development: Father Joe's Villages breaks ground on 124 affordable apartments in East Village.

💻 Business: San Diego Regional EDC releases a new defense innovation roadmap.

🎶 Fleet Week: Military appreciation events begin across San Diego.

🍽 Food + Wine Festival: Major waterfront tasting events Friday through Sunday.

🏇 Del Mar: Bing Crosby racing season opens Friday.

🌊 San Diego Wave: Home playoff quarterfinal Friday at 7 PM.

⚽ San Diego FC: Hosts Sporting Kansas City Saturday at 4 PM.

🏈 SDSU: Football has a bye week.

🏈 USD: Visits Drake Saturday at 10 AM Pacific.

☀️ Weather: Sunshine returns, with temperatures potentially reaching the low 80s Saturday.

Election Day arrives Tuesday, November 3.

San Diego County voting centers are already open, giving residents several ways to cast their ballots.

📅 Tuesday, November 3

⏰ 7 AM–8 PM

📍 Vote at any San Diego County voting center.

Voters can also return completed mail ballots at official ballot drop boxes.

If mailing your ballot, make sure it is postmarked no later than November 3.

Residents who missed the regular registration deadline may still be eligible for conditional voter registration at a voting center.

Why it matters: Decisions made in this election will influence government leadership, public spending, and policies affecting San Diego communities.

For official voting locations and election information, visit sdvote.com.

Downtown San Diego is getting another affordable housing development.

Father Joe's Villages recently broke ground on an eight-story residential building at 16th Street and Island Avenue.

The project will provide 124 affordable apartments, primarily studios and one-bedroom units.

But there's another interesting feature.

The development will use mass timber, an engineered wood construction system that can reduce the environmental impact of building construction.

Mass timber components can also be manufactured off-site, helping shorten construction schedules and reduce certain construction costs.

Why it matters: San Diego needs additional housing options for residents who cannot afford market-rate rents.

Innovative construction methods could help make future affordable housing projects more financially practical.

San Diego has long been one of America's most important military communities.

But the future of defense increasingly involves advanced technology.

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation recently released a defense innovation roadmap highlighting the region's opportunities in emerging military technologies.

Areas of interest include:

• Autonomous systems

• Unmanned vehicles

• Artificial intelligence

• Advanced communications

• Maritime technology

• Defense manufacturing

The roadmap is designed to help attract investment, strengthen partnerships, and support regional companies.

Why it matters: San Diego's defense economy supports far more than military installations.

It creates opportunities for engineers, manufacturers, software developers, contractors, technology integrators, and small businesses throughout the region.

San Diego's housing market remains expensive, but buyers may be seeing slightly more negotiating opportunities.

🏡 Median Home Sale Price: $899,000

📈 Year-Over-Year Price Change: +1.6%

🏘 Closed Home Sales: 1,827

📉 Closed Sales Change: -11.6%

📝 Pending Sales: 1,881

📉 Pending Sales Change: -10.9%

🏠 New Listings: 2,925

📉 New Listings Change: -7.1%

🏦 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: 7.24%

Housing figures reflect September 2026 countywide all-home data from the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®. Mortgage rates reflect Freddie Mac's October 29 national survey.

Mortgage rates have declined again.

Freddie Mac reports the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell from 7.32% to 7.24%.

That's welcome news for prospective buyers, although rates remain higher than a year ago.

Meanwhile, San Diego's September housing statistics show fewer homes changing hands.

Closed sales declined nearly 12% compared with September 2025.

The median sale price, however, increased 1.6%.

This suggests buyers remain cautious, but housing prices have not experienced a comparable decline.

Look for properties that have remained on the market longer than expected.

Sellers may be willing to negotiate closing costs, repairs, or mortgage-rate buydowns.

Price your property based on current market activity rather than peak-market expectations.

Buyers are paying close attention to monthly mortgage costs.

San Diego Regional EDC's new defense innovation roadmap emphasizes the region's growing role in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and military technology.

Local engineering firms, technology companies, and contractors could benefit as the sector evolves.

The average 30-year mortgage rate dropped to 7.24% on October 29.

Lower rates could gradually improve purchasing power, although affordability remains a major challenge in San Diego.

Father Joe's Villages' new East Village development will provide 124 affordable apartments while introducing mass-timber construction to a local affordable housing project.

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns this week with chefs, restaurants, winemakers, and culinary businesses from San Diego, Baja California, and beyond.

Events like this help support the hospitality industry and introduce visitors to the region's growing culinary reputation.

If you enjoy fresh pastries and artisan bread, IZOLA deserves a visit.

The East Village bakery has developed a following for its freshly baked croissants, sourdough bread, and creative pastry flavors.

The company is also preparing to expand into Sorrento Valley.

It's another example of a local San Diego food business growing through quality products and customer loyalty.

Don Maguro offers a Japanese seafood dining experience centered around kaisen don — rice bowls topped with fresh seafood.

Diners can enjoy seafood bowls, sushi-style wraps, and other Japanese-inspired dishes.

📍 8155 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Suite 3

Rather than highlighting just one restaurant, this weekend offers an opportunity to sample food from numerous chefs and culinary businesses in one place.

The festival's Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta showcase the diversity of San Diego's food scene.

Make Saturday an afternoon on the waterfront at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival Grand Tasting.

Great food, San Diego Bay, and some of the region's most creative chefs.

That's a strong November weekend plan.

6 PM • JULEP Venue

The festival's signature opening-night event brings together notable chefs, wines, and culinary experiences.

General admission begins at approximately 6:30 PM, with earlier access for eligible ticket holders.

Tickets required.

12:30 PM • Del Mar Racetrack

The fall racing season returns to Del Mar.

The Bing Crosby Season runs November 6–29, with racing primarily Friday through Sunday.

The shorter fall season offers a different atmosphere from Del Mar's busy summer meet.

Opening Day is also Diamond Club Day, with special admission benefits for members.

7 PM • Snapdragon Stadium

The Wave begin their NWSL playoff run at home.

San Diego has secured a home quarterfinal, giving fans another opportunity to support the club during postseason soccer.

The match will air on Prime Video.

The opponent will be finalized following the November 1 regular-season results.

Evening • Jacobs Music Center

Fleet Week festivities include a performance by Marine musicians at Jacobs Music Center downtown.

The concert honors service members, veterans, and military families.

12–3 PM • Embarcadero Marina Park North

One of San Diego's signature culinary events returns to the waterfront.

Expect:

🍽 Food from participating chefs

🥂 Wine and beverage tastings

👨‍🍳 Culinary demonstrations and experiences

🌎 San Diego and Baja California influences

🏆 Chef of the Fest voting

General admission begins at noon, with early-entry ticket options beginning at 11 AM.

Tickets required.

9 AM–3 PM • Naval Base San Diego, 32nd Street

A special opportunity to experience San Diego's military community.

Visitors can explore military displays, learn about naval operations, and meet service members.

Admission is free, but security and identification requirements apply.

Check the official Fleet Week website before arriving.

9:30 AM–5:30 PM • Liberty Station

A family-focused celebration featuring activities, entertainment, and interactive experiences for children and parents.

A good option for families looking for something different this weekend.

4 PM • Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego FC returns home for a Saturday afternoon MLS matchup.

With the regular season entering its final stretch, the match carries additional importance for the club.

Del Mar Racetrack

The Bing Crosby Season continues with another afternoon of thoroughbred racing.

First post is generally scheduled for 12:30 PM.

12–3 PM • Embarcadero Marina Park North

The festival closes with a celebration of San Diego and Baja California's culinary connections.

Expect:

🌮 Tacos and regional cuisine

🎶 Latin music

🍽 Participating chefs

🥂 Beverage tastings

🏆 Taco TKO competition

General admission begins at noon, with early-entry options beginning at 11 AM.

Tickets required.

2–4 PM • Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park

A free concert honoring military service members and veterans.

The performance features Navy Band Southwest alongside San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez.

A wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music in one of San Diego's most recognizable public spaces.

12:30 PM • Del Mar Racetrack

Fall racing continues Sunday at the seaside track.

San Diego's military community is an important part of the city's history, identity, and economy.

Fleet Week offers residents a chance to learn more about that community while enjoying family-friendly activities.

This week's top community pick is Meet the Fleet on Saturday.

The Padres' 2026 season has ended.

San Diego finished the regular season 91–71 and reached the postseason for the third consecutive year.

The team swept Chicago in the Wild Card Series before falling to Milwaukee in the National League Division Series.

There are no Padres games this week.

Attention turns to offseason roster decisions and preparing for 2027.

San Diego FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

⏰ 4 PM Pacific

📍 Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego returns home for another MLS matchup.

Check the club's official schedule for any matchday updates.

NWSL Playoff Quarterfinal

⏰ 7 PM Pacific

📍 Snapdragon Stadium

📺 Prime Video

San Diego has secured a home playoff quarterfinal.

The club's opponent is determined by the final regular-season standings on November 1.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the Wave's playoff campaign.

The Aztecs have a bye week.

There is no SDSU football game scheduled for Saturday, November 7.

Saturday, November 14

SDSU vs. Utah State

📍 Snapdragon Stadium

The break gives the Aztecs additional preparation time before returning to Pac-12 Conference competition.

USD at Drake

⏰ 10 AM Pacific

📍 Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa

📺 ESPN+

The Toreros continue Pioneer Football League competition with a road matchup against Drake.

USD's next home game is scheduled for November 21 against Stetson.

San Diego begins the week with sunshine after Sunday's rain.

Temperatures are expected to gradually warm throughout the week, with Saturday potentially reaching the low 80s in central San Diego.

National Weather Service forecast issued November 1 for central San Diego. Sunday's detailed forecast is not yet available.

☀️ Best Early-Week Outdoor Day: Tuesday.

🌡 Warmest Day: Saturday, with temperatures potentially reaching the low 80s.

🍽 Festival Weather: Saturday currently looks favorable for the waterfront Food + Wine Festival.

⚽ Soccer Weather: Comfortable conditions are expected for Friday night's Wave playoff match.

🏖 Beach Reminder: Ocean conditions can differ from the air temperature. Check surf and beach advisories before entering the water.

Weather forecasts may change throughout the week.

This week's Good News comes from downtown San Diego.

Father Joe's Villages has broken ground on a new affordable housing development at 16th Street and Island Avenue.

The eight-story project will provide 124 apartments.

Many of the homes will be studios and one-bedroom units, designed for residents who need more affordable housing options.

The development will also use mass-timber construction, which can reduce construction-related environmental impacts.

Affordable housing remains one of San Diego's biggest challenges.

Projects that create more housing while exploring innovative construction methods deserve attention.

More homes.

More opportunities.

And another step toward addressing San Diego's housing shortage.

That's good news.

This week's Neighborhood Spotlight belongs to San Diego's waterfront.

With the Food + Wine Festival and Fleet Week taking place, the Embarcadero will be one of the city's busiest destinations.

The area offers:

✔ Waterfront walking paths

✔ USS Midway Museum

✔ Maritime Museum

✔ Seaport Village

✔ Waterfront Park

✔ Restaurants

✔ Harbor cruises

✔ Public art

✔ Incredible bay views

It's one of the best places to experience San Diego's connection to the Pacific Ocean and its maritime history.

Downtown parking can become difficult during major events.

Consider taking the trolley to Santa Fe Depot and walking toward the waterfront.

• November 3 election results

• Mortgage rates after declining to 7.24%

• San Diego housing affordability

• New affordable housing construction

• Defense technology investment

• San Diego Wave's playoff run

• San Diego FC's final regular-season stretch

• SDSU's upcoming Utah State matchup

• USD football's conference schedule

• Padres offseason decisions

• Fleet Week celebrations

• Food + Wine Festival tourism

• Del Mar's fall racing season

• November weather patterns

"The best way to enjoy San Diego is to know what's happening before everyone else."

This week's Local Business Spotlight goes to IZOLA Artisan Bakery.

What began as a small San Diego bakery operation has grown into a recognized local food business.

IZOLA built its following around freshly baked croissants, sourdough bread, and a commitment to quality.

The company is preparing to expand with another location in Sorrento Valley.

Its growth demonstrates how independent San Diego businesses can build loyal customer relationships and expand through consistent quality.

Supporting local businesses helps strengthen our neighborhoods and regional economy.

Want to introduce your company to people who live, work, and do business throughout San Diego?

San Diego Brief offers opportunities for:

• Local Business Spotlights

• Newsletter Sponsorships

• Featured Restaurants

• Real Estate Partners

• Event Promotions

• Local Service Companies

Interested in becoming a San Diego Brief partner?

Contact San Diego Brief to learn more.

Thank you for making San Diego Brief part of your Monday morning.

If you enjoyed this edition, please forward it to a friend, coworker, or neighbor.

Every share helps us build San Diego's most trusted local newsletter.

Have a fantastic week, San Diego!

The Team @ San Diego Brief