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Week of October 26–November 1, 2026

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

Happy Monday!

Halloween arrives Saturday, Día de los Muertos celebrations take over San Diego this weekend, and November begins with one of North County's biggest street fairs.

But there's plenty happening beyond the festivities.

San Diego officials are debating whether large artificial intelligence data centers belong in the city. Mortgage rates have finally declined after several weeks of increases, local high schools are preparing to bring librarians back, and San Diego County is expanding early voting locations ahead of the November 3 election.

Meanwhile, coastal flooding concerns are making headlines again as unusually high tides affect portions of the coastline.

Sports fans have a busy Saturday ahead.

San Diego FC visits St. Louis, SDSU hosts Washington State, USD welcomes Marist, and the San Diego Wave close their regular season Sunday against Bay FC.

And if you're looking for something fun, this weekend has plenty of options.

Old Town celebrates Día de los Muertos, La Mesa hosts Halloween festivities, Carlsbad Village fills with hundreds of vendors, and Balboa Park offers a free cultural celebration.

Let's get into it.

🤖 AI Development: San Diego officials push back against a proposed large data center near Old Town.

🏡 Mortgage Rates: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate drops to 7.32%.

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

🗳 Election: All 221 county voting centers are scheduled to open Saturday.

🌊 Coastal Warning: Elevated tides create flooding concerns through Thursday afternoon.

📚 Education: Nine teacher-librarian positions will return to Grossmont Union High School District.

🍣 Restaurants: Encore Sushi celebrates its opening in Solana Beach.

🎃 Halloween: Saturday, October 31.

💀 Día de los Muertos: Old Town celebrations run Saturday through Monday.

🛍 Carlsbad Village Street Faire: Sunday, 8 AM–4 PM.

⚽ San Diego FC: Visits St. Louis Saturday at noon Pacific.

🌊 San Diego Wave: Visits Bay FC Sunday at 2 PM Pacific.

🏈 SDSU: Hosts Washington State Saturday at 4 PM.

🏈 USD: Hosts Marist Saturday at 1 PM.

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Ends: Sunday morning. Set your clocks back one hour.

Artificial intelligence is creating a new debate in San Diego.

City and state officials are raising concerns about a potential 400-megawatt data center at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command property in Old Town.

The proposed facility is one concept being considered by developer Manchester Financial Group as part of a larger redevelopment.

Mayor Todd Gloria has called for a pause on new data center development within the city.

The proposal has generated concerns about:

• Electricity consumption

• Water usage

• Neighborhood impacts

• Infrastructure costs

• Housing opportunities

Supporters of data center development generally point to growing demand for AI infrastructure and the economic opportunities associated with technology investment.

Opponents question whether the facilities provide enough local benefits to justify their substantial energy and land requirements.

Why it matters: San Diego's technology economy continues growing, but communities are increasingly asking how much infrastructure should be dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The Old Town project remains a proposal, not an approved development.

The November 3 general election is approaching.

San Diego County opened 41 voting centers Saturday, October 24.

Another 180 locations are scheduled to open October 31, bringing the total to 221 voting centers.

Voting centers will operate daily from 8 AM–5 PM before Election Day.

On Tuesday, November 3, voting hours expand to 7 AM–8 PM.

Residents can vote at any county voting center, regardless of their neighborhood.

Mail ballots can also be returned at official ballot drop boxes.

Why it matters: Expanded voting locations provide residents with additional flexibility to cast their ballots before Election Day.

San Diego's coastline is facing another round of elevated water levels.

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning through 1 PM Thursday, October 29.

High tides combined with ocean conditions could create flooding in vulnerable coastal locations.

Low-lying beaches, coastal parking areas, and waterfront pathways may be affected.

The warning arrives as San Diego continues preparing for potentially challenging winter weather.

Local Reminder: Check beach conditions before visiting coastal areas, particularly during high tides.

Here's a positive development for East County students.

Grossmont Union High School District has reached an agreement to reinstate nine teacher-librarian positions eliminated in 2025.

The positions are scheduled to return for the 2027–2028 school year.

The agreement follows more than a year of community opposition and a labor dispute.

Teacher-librarians support students with research, reading, technology skills, and access to educational resources.

Why it matters: School libraries provide resources that extend beyond books. Restoring these positions will help rebuild educational support services across the district's nine campuses.

San Diego's housing market remains expensive, but fewer homes are changing hands.

🏡 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%

🏦 Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: 7.32%

Housing figures reflect September 2026 countywide all-home data from the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®. Mortgage rates reflect Freddie Mac's October 22 national survey.

Mortgage rates finally moved in the right direction.

Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined from 7.40% to 7.32%.

That's the first weekly decline since late August.

But borrowing costs remain substantially higher than a year ago, when the average rate was 6.19%.

Meanwhile, San Diego's September housing statistics show closed sales falling nearly 12% compared with last year.

Home prices are holding relatively steady, but transaction activity is slowing.

With fewer transactions taking place, look closely at homes that have been sitting on the market.

Sellers may be more receptive to negotiating repairs, closing costs, or mortgage-rate buydowns.

Price realistically.

Buyers are calculating monthly payments carefully, and homes that enter the market overpriced may require reductions before attracting serious offers.

The proposed Old Town data center highlights an important question for San Diego's economy.

How can the region attract advanced technology investment while managing electricity demand, infrastructure costs, and competing land uses?

The debate is likely to continue as artificial intelligence expands.

The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 7.32% on October 22.

Although the decline is modest, lower borrowing costs could provide some relief to homebuyers and housing-related businesses.

Mi Pan Artisan Bakery recently opened its first permanent storefront in Grantville.

The bakery began as a small operation selling sourdough bread and pastries at farmers markets.

Its new location represents another example of a San Diego small business growing into a neighborhood storefront.

North County has a new sushi destination.

Encore Sushi recently celebrated its grand opening in the Cedros Design District.

The restaurant is led by chef James La and business partner Chris West.

The intimate dining room focuses on sushi prepared to order, with customers able to watch the chef work behind the counter.

Menu highlights include:

🍣 Nigiri and sashimi

🍱 Poke bowls

🍤 Signature sushi rolls

🍶 Sake

🍺 Japanese and local beers

The restaurant also offers a weekday and weekend afternoon happy hour.

📍 112 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach

What began as a small baking business during the pandemic has grown into a permanent bakery.

Mi Pan specializes in sourdough breads and European-inspired pastries.

The bakery is operated by husband-and-wife team Alejandro Gomez and Alejandra Ruelas.

📍 6435 Mission Gorge Road

The bakery's published hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM–2 PM.

Visit Encore Sushi for dinner, then explore the nearby Cedros Design District.

Or grab fresh pastries at Mi Pan and support another growing San Diego business.

San Diego Zoo • Evening

The zoo continues its family-friendly Halloween celebration.

Expect seasonal entertainment, Halloween-themed performances, and activities throughout the park.

The celebration runs during the final Halloween weekend.

SeaWorld San Diego • Evening

For visitors looking for something scarier, SeaWorld's nighttime Halloween experience continues through October 31.

Expect haunted attractions, scare zones, and Halloween entertainment.

Separate admission is required.

10 AM–5 PM • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

One of San Diego's most meaningful cultural celebrations returns.

The free event includes:

🌼 Traditional altars

🎨 Arts and crafts

💃 Folkloric dancers

🎶 Live performances

💀 Sugar skull activities

👨‍👩‍👧 Family activities

Visitors are invited to honor loved ones and learn more about the traditions surrounding Día de los Muertos.

The celebration continues Sunday and Monday.

Admission is free.

4–6 PM • Downtown La Mesa

La Mesa businesses welcome families for an afternoon of Halloween fun.

Activities include:

🍬 Trick-or-treating

🐶 Pet costume contest

🎃 Halloween characters

🎨 Family activities

🛍 Local shopping

The event takes place along La Mesa Boulevard between Grant and Acacia avenues and nearby streets.

Admission is free.

4 PM • Snapdragon Stadium

The Aztecs host Washington State in a Pac-12 Conference matchup.

The game airs on CBS Sports Network.

12 PM Pacific • Energizer Park

San Diego FC heads to Missouri for an MLS road match.

The game airs on Apple TV.

8 AM–4 PM • Carlsbad Village

One of North County's largest annual events returns.

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire features hundreds of vendors and attracts visitors from throughout Southern California.

Expect:

🛍 Arts and crafts

🍽 International food

🎨 Handmade products

🎶 Live entertainment

👨‍👩‍👧 Children's activities

🛒 Local shopping

Admission is free.

Local Tip: Parking will be limited. Consider taking the COASTER or using the event's complimentary shuttle service.

10 AM–5 PM

The free celebration continues with cultural performances, community altars, art, and family activities.

11 AM–4 PM • Balboa Park

The museum hosts a free community celebration featuring:

• Live performances

• Family art activities

• A collaborative ofrenda

• Cultural programming

Free admission to the San Diego Museum of Art and Museum of Photographic Arts is available from noon to 5 PM.

12–4 PM • Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter celebrates the end of daylight saving time with a family-friendly historical street festival.

Expect games, entertainment, cultural demonstrations, and activities inspired by San Diego's early history.

📍 410 Island Avenue

Admission is free.

2 PM Pacific • PayPal Park

The Wave travel to San Jose for their final regular-season NWSL match.

Hundreds of vendors.

Local businesses.

Food.

Entertainment.

Free admission.

And a great excuse to explore North County.

This week's top pick is the Carlsbad Village Street Faire.

The Padres' 2026 season has ended.

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

The Padres swept Chicago in the Wild Card Series before losing to Milwaukee in the National League Division Series.

There are no Padres games scheduled this week.

Attention now turns toward offseason roster decisions and preparations for 2027.

SDFC has two road matches this week.

San Diego FC at Vancouver Whitecaps

⏰ 7:30 PM Pacific

📍 BC Place, Vancouver

San Diego FC at St. Louis CITY SC

⏰ 12 PM Pacific

📍 Energizer Park, St. Louis

Both matches are scheduled to air on Apple TV.

San Diego enters the week following Saturday's 2–2 draw with Seattle Sounders.

The Wave close the NWSL regular season Sunday.

San Diego Wave at Bay FC

⏰ 2 PM Pacific

📍 PayPal Park, San Jose

The match is scheduled for ESPN.

San Diego has already secured a postseason position, making the final regular-season match important for momentum heading into the playoffs.

SDSU vs. Washington State

⏰ 4 PM Pacific

📍 Snapdragon Stadium

📺 CBS Sports Network

The Aztecs return home for another Pac-12 Conference matchup.

USD vs. Marist

⏰ 1 PM Pacific

📍 Torero Stadium

📺 ESPN+

The Toreros continue Pioneer Football League competition with a Halloween afternoon home game.

San Diego begins the week with comfortable temperatures before cooler, cloudier conditions arrive.

The National Weather Service also warns of elevated coastal flooding risks through Thursday.

National Weather Service forecast issued October 25 for central San Diego. Sunday's detailed forecast was not yet available.

🌊 Coastal Flood Warning: Through Thursday at 1 PM.

☀️ Best Early-Week Outdoor Day: Monday.

🌦 Weekend Rain Watch: Friday and Saturday have a chance of showers.

🎃 Halloween Reminder: Check the updated forecast before outdoor trick-or-treating Saturday.

🏖 Beach Safety: Avoid flooded coastal areas and follow posted warnings.

⏰ Time Change: Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, at 2 AM. Clocks move back one hour.

Weather conditions may change throughout the week.

This week's Good News comes from East County.

Grossmont Union High School District has agreed to reinstate nine teacher-librarian positions that were eliminated in 2025.

The librarians are expected to return for the 2027–2028 school year.

School librarians do much more than organize books.

They help students:

📚 Develop reading skills

💻 Learn technology

🔎 Research information

🎓 Prepare for college

📖 Discover new interests

The agreement follows months of community involvement and discussions between the district and teachers association.

More educational resources for students.

More support for teachers.

And another opportunity to strengthen local schools.

That's good news.

This week's Neighborhood Spotlight belongs to Old Town.

With Día de los Muertos celebrations taking place throughout the weekend, it's a perfect time to explore one of San Diego's most historic neighborhoods.

Old Town offers:

✔ Historic buildings

✔ Museums

✔ Mexican restaurants

✔ Local shops

✔ Cultural attractions

✔ Traditional crafts

✔ Historic State Park

✔ Family activities

✔ Easy trolley access

Old Town is one of the best places in San Diego to experience the region's history and cultural traditions.

Arrive early for Día de los Muertos.

Consider using the trolley to Old Town Transit Center.

Parking around the historic park can become difficult during major community celebrations.

• San Diego's debate over AI data centers

• Coastal flooding and high-tide conditions

• Mortgage rates after declining to 7.32%

• Slower September home sales

• November 3 election preparations

• San Diego FC's final regular-season stretch

• San Diego Wave's postseason preparations

• SDSU vs. Washington State

• USD football's Pioneer League schedule

• Padres offseason roster decisions

• Halloween weekend tourism

• San Diego's Día de los Muertos celebrations

• The transition into November's holiday season

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

This week's Local Business Spotlight goes to Casa de Pico.

The longtime Mexican restaurant is preparing to celebrate 55 years of San Diego history.

Founded by Diane Powers in 1971, Casa de Pico became known for its colorful atmosphere, Mexican cuisine, handmade tortillas, and mariachi music.

The restaurant originally operated in Old Town before relocating to La Mesa in 2005.

Today, it remains a longtime favorite for families and visitors.

📍 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa

The restaurant's anniversary celebration is scheduled for November 4–7.

It's another example of a local business becoming part of San Diego's history.

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Have a fantastic week, San Diego!

The Team @ San Diego Brief