The city we call home.
The world we share.
San Diego runs on a strong-mayor system with a nine-member City Council. Here is who holds which powers, how the system came to be, and where city hall ends and the county begins.
From the mayor's spring proposal to the council's June vote and a possible line-item veto, here is the calendar the city follows to decide how public money is spent each fiscal year.
Five supervisors oversee a county government that runs public health, social services, elections and the sheriff's budget. A guide to the board's powers, its limits and how it differs from city hall.
How the region's trolley lines, buses and commuter rail fit together, how to pay with a PRONTO card or a contactless bank card, and what first-time riders tend to get wrong.
SANDAG is the regional agency behind the San Diego region's long-range transportation plan, the TransNet sales tax and the toll roads. Here is how it is governed and why its decisions reach beyond any one city.
The region's main airport has one runway, an overnight departure curfew and an independent governing authority. Here is how those pieces fit together, and what the new Terminal 1 changes.
The Port of San Diego is a state-created district that oversees 34 miles of bayfront across five cities, from cargo and cruise terminals to parks, hotels and its own police force.
A five-member elected board, a superintendent it hires and a budget shaped by state formulas: here is how San Diego's largest school district makes decisions, and how families can be heard.
Volunteer planning groups review local building projects and advise the city. Here is how they are recognized, how members are chosen, and where their advice ends and the city's decision begins.
Backyard cottages, garage conversions and junior units have become one of San Diego's main tools for adding housing. A plain-language guide to the state floor, the city's rules and where to check before building.
A state rent cap, a just-cause eviction law and a city ordinance with its own notice rules all apply in San Diego. Here is how they work together, who is covered, and where renters can get help.
Most of the county's water is imported over hundreds of miles. A guide to the Colorado River, the State Water Project, the Carlsbad desalination plant and the city's recycling program.
Balboa Park mixes museums, gardens, theaters and a famous zoo in a setting shaped by two world's fairs. Here is how the park is laid out, where its architecture came from, and how to plan a visit.
Off La Jolla's coast lies a protected marine area where look-but-don't-touch is the rule. A guide to what the reserve is, how to snorkel or kayak responsibly, and how to behave around seals and sea lions.
Fire is a recurring risk in San Diego County's canyons and backcountry. A practical guide to defensible space, the new Zone 0 rules, evacuation alerts and what to do when an order comes.
Why does the coast stay cloudy for weeks in late spring while inland areas bake? The answer lies in cool ocean water, a temperature inversion and onshore breezes.
Four industries anchor the San Diego region's economy: the military, life sciences, tourism and cross-border trade. Here is how each works, why the figures differ by source, and where the pressure points are.
The Navy and Marine Corps have shaped San Diego for more than a century. A look at the major installations, how many people serve here, and how the military's footprint connects to housing, jobs and the waterfront.
San Diego County mails a ballot to every active registered voter and offers drop boxes, vote centers and same-day registration. Here is how each option works and where to check the dates.
Three public systems, each with a different mission, serve San Diego students. Here is how the University of California, Cal State and community colleges differ, and how students move between them.
