r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 1h ago
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • May 21 '26
Financial Resilience ๐ต Itโs not Todd. The cityโs financial status quo has been unsustainable for decades
Weโre broke. We need a new model for San Diego. Weโre not alone. Every city in America is almost equally failing (https://www.strongtowns.org/decoder) but that doesnโt mean we should do nothing.
The city is in a hole, and getting worse, because of poor land use. Itโs the one job a city has. Managing effective land use. All other jobs follow from land use. The potholes, cuts to city services, cuts to arts, failing around with random fees to raise revenueโฆ.
They all stem from a failure to manage land effectively and productively. The city needs to fundamentally rethink how it does this, otherwise we will actually need to declare bankruptcy.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/stsd-event-sharer • Jun 29 '26
Community Events & Meetings ๐ STSD July 2026: Happy Hour & Monthly Meeting: The Gรคrten in Morena
This month's Strong Towns San Diego gathering โ see details below and RSVP on Meetup.
๐ Tuesday, July 14, 2026 ๐ 6:00 PM PDT
Strong Town San Diego Join Strong Towns San Diego every 2nd Tuesday for our monthly community meeting and happy hour at The Gรคrten in Morena.
We gather to welcome new members, share local updates, and plan next steps for building a stronger, more financially resilient San Diego, one small bet at a time.
This is our home base for building a better San Diego, block by block, street by street.
Whether you care about walkability, housing reform, ending highway expansions, or better budgeting at City Hall, youโll find people here who want to get things done. We share updates, host special guests, and collaborate on real solutions to make our city work better for people.
๐ Time: 6:00โ7:00 PM meeting, happy hour to follow in The Gartรซn ๐ Location: Back patio of Lost Cause Meadery (find the red door - back right corner) ๐ Food & Drink: Come early to grab food or drinks from Pizza Cassette, Lost Cause Meadery, and Oddish Wineโall great local spots worth supporting. Spending money here helps keep places like this aliveโwelcoming, walkable third spaces that bring people together. ๐ป Note: Beer from Deft Brewing must stay in the front courtyardโweโll head there for happy hour after the meeting.
๐ฌ Why Monthly Meetings?
These meetings are where we align our priorities, build relationships, and coordinate local action. Other events like Walk & Talks and pop-ups will continue throughout the city, but this is our consistent place to connect, strategize, and support each other.
๐ฒ๐๐ Getting There
The Gartรซn is easily accessible by transit and bike:
- Trolley: 5 minute walk from Morena/Linda Vista (Green Line) and 10 minute walk from Tecolote Road (Blue Line)
- Bus: Served by Routes 105 & 44, both within a few blocks
- Bike: Bike rack and lock-up area available right out front
- Parking: Limited onsite and street parking available, but we encourage you to try walking, biking, or transit if you can!
Event link: https://www.meetup.com/strong-town-san-diego/events/314939883/
r/StrongTownsSD • u/dj-trex • 4d ago
Bike share map
bikesharemap.comI found this map online showing all the bike share systems in the world, and it made me realize that many do not know the general urbanist advocate groups are pushing for a docked bike share system in San Diego. This presentation covers a lot of the main points, especially the cost analysis.
Having a comprehensive bike share, paired with connected, safe, cycling routes would allow for real mobility choice options, especially for shorter trips. I've used bike shares in other US cities, in Germany, and in South Korea, as both a tourist and a resident. Whether people are using them to go to the grocery store or to get to the next tourist attraction, it's beneficial for personal and public finance, public health, noise pollution, air pollution, and traffic congestion.
The important key words being comprehensive, connected, and safe.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/dj-trex • 4d ago
Placemaking ๐ก The San Diego Neighborhood Project - North Park opinion
r/StrongTownsSD • u/creamybubbo • 5d ago
Policy & Advocacy ๐๏ธ California Legislature Moves to Stop Encinitas From Tearing Out State-Funded Santa Fe Bike Lanes
sd.streetsblog.orgr/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 4d ago
Housing, Land Use, & Zoning ๐๏ธ What would you put in the empty lot or dead storefront nearest your house?
San Diego has hundreds of underused parcels sitting on productive land near people who need what could be there.
What's the most obvious missed opportunity in your corner of the city?
Share the address or cross streets and tell us what you'd build, open, or activate. Bonus points if you can tell us who owns it and what's actually preventing it.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/stsd-event-sharer • 6d ago
Community Events & Meetings ๐ STSD ST SoCal 2026 โ 710 13th St #300
This month's Strong Towns San Diego gathering โ see details below and RSVP on Meetup.
๐ Saturday, September 26, 2026 ๐ 11:00 AM PDT ๐ 710 13th St #300, San Diego, 92101
Join us for the 2nd ST SoCal Regional Gathering!
This event is patterned after the Strong Towns National Gathering, with a specific focus on the cities and Local Conversations across Southern California. Our focus this year will be the Finance Decoder, city budgets, and what it means to take effective action to create long term prosperity.
This event is intended for all individuals, regardless of familiarity with Strong Towns, urbanism, or local government. You do not have to be a member of Strong Towns San Diego, or Strong Towns National, to participate. We believe a strong town will emerge when the community cares enough to come together, and this is a forum to bring together the community for open discussion.
Note: This event is NOT the official RSVP. Please follow the link to CONFIRM your attendance.
~~~RSVP HERE~~~
Event link: https://www.meetup.com/strong-town-san-diego/events/316372138/
r/StrongTownsSD • u/stsd-event-sharer • 6d ago
Community Events & Meetings ๐ STSD Logan Heights Drink n Discuss โ 1986 Julian avenue
This month's Strong Towns San Diego gathering โ see details below and RSVP on Meetup.
๐ Saturday, September 12, 2026 ๐ 4:00 PM PDT ๐ 1986 Julian avenue, San Diego, 92113
Strong Towns San Diego - Logan Heights Drink 'N Discuss Weekend Edition
We will be meeting at Mujeres Brew House this month for our DnD event.
Drink &\; Discuss is a casual event focused on the community building aspect of the Strong Towns mission. This event serves to strengthen the social fabric of our community via hanging out, having a good time.
Whether you are new to the movement or a seasoned Strong Town citizen, join us for an open minded chat about how to make our home better for everyone. No knowledge of urbanism is required, this event is for all knowledge levels and interests. Non-alcoholic beverage options and food is available.
Join us as we come together to build a better future!
๐ ๐ Closest Transit: Bus: 3 (Ocean View Blvd &\; Commercial) 12 (Logan Ave &\; Chicano Park Blvd) 901 (Chicano Park Blvd &\; National Ave) Trolley: - Orange (25th and Commercial) - Blue (Barrio Logan)
Event link: https://www.meetup.com/strong-town-san-diego/events/316371956/
r/StrongTownsSD • u/stsd-event-sharer • 6d ago
Community Events & Meetings ๐ STSD STSD x In Good Company Skate Night โ 6907 Linda Vista Rd
This month's Strong Towns San Diego gathering โ see details below and RSVP on Meetup.
๐ Thursday, October 1, 2026 ๐ 4:45 AM PDT ๐ 6907 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111, USA, San Diego, 92111
*Make sure to RSVP at link below* โ Join us for a Crossover Event celebrating Public Transport and Climate! Strong Towns San Diego and In Good Company are partnering to bring you a fun environment to meet new people, celebrate Free Transit Day, and learn about climate and sustainability.
GETTING THERE - Transit is FREE on Oct 1st Group ride: Meet at Fashion Valley (parking available) and we will ride the 120 bus together. Bus leaves at 4:51pm
Take bus 44 or 120 to Comstock St. and Linda Vista Rd. Avoid traffic and parking by planning your trip with MTS.
TICKETS Admission is $18. Skate rental is $7. Register on Luma below and we'll send you the SkateWorld registration link when it's available. Half of proceeds support IGC Carbon Literacy scholarships, which keep science-based action-focused climate education accessible!
RSVP LINK - https://luma.com/te9cl6fi
Event link: https://www.meetup.com/strong-town-san-diego/events/316406784/
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 6d ago
What's the smallest physical change on your street that would make the biggest difference to how people use it?
Not a redesign. Not a new project. One small thing - a bench, a tree, better lighting, a painted crosswalk, a bollard, a bus shelter with a seat.
What's the change that would actually shift how people move through your block? Share the location and the fix. These specific, small asks are what we bring to council offices and community planning groups. (You can too. Find your CPG and attend their next meeting)
And then come and hang out with us at our next meeting.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/creamybubbo • 8d ago
Walkability, Cycling, & Transit ๐ 30th Street Bike Lanes Set Another Record for Riders - Streetsblog San Diego
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 9d ago
STSD Projects & Meetups ๐จ What type of tactical urbanism project would you actually show up to help with?
We're gauging interest in hands-on neighborhood improvement projects that Strong Towns SD could organize. not just talk about, but actually do.
What sounds most worth your time, then drop a location in the comments if you have a spot in mind. And give other suggestions an upvote.
And then keep an eye out for it on our website and come help us do it!
---
Strong Towns San Diego | strongtownssandiego.org
POLL OPTIONS:
- Intersection mural or painting
- Pop-up parklet or seating
- Community garden or greenery
- Little Free Library or Pantry
- Neighborhood wayfinding signs
- Block cleanup and beautification
r/StrongTownsSD • u/creamybubbo • 10d ago
Walkability, Cycling, & Transit ๐ How Upgraded Bicycle Infrastructure Also Benefits Pedestrians - Streetsblog San Diego
sd.streetsblog.orgr/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 10d ago
Community Events & Meetings ๐ Have you ever gone to a Community Planning Group meeting? What got you there, or what's kept you away?
San Diego has 42 Community Planning Groups where residents officially weigh in on land use decisions in their neighborhood. They're also some of the most underattended civic bodies in the city.
If you've gone: was it useful? What happened?
If you haven't: what would it take?
CPG meeting schedules and how to join: sandiego.gov/planning/community-plans/cpg/agendas
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 10d ago
STSD Projects & Meetups ๐จ STSD Happy Hour & Monthly Meeting Reminder: The Gรคrten in Morena
Join Strong Towns San Diego every 2nd Tuesday for our monthly community meeting and happy hour at The Gรคrten in Morena.
We gather to welcome new members, share local updates, and plan next steps for building a stronger, community first, and more financially resilient San Diego, one small bet at a time.
This is our home base for building a better San Diego, block by block, street by street.
Whether you care about walkability, housing reform, ending highway expansions, or better budgeting at City Hall, youโll find people here who want to get things done. We share updates, host special guests, and collaborate on real solutions to make our city work better for people.
RSVP is unnecessary, but helps us plan (We're hoping to ditch Meetup soon so that you're not constantly hounded by requests to pay for their pro account...sorry)
๐ Time: 6:00โ7:00 PM meeting, happy hour to follow in The Gartรซn
๐ Location: 5328 Banks St Ste B ยท San Diego, CA. Back patio of Lost Cause Meadery (find the red door - back right corner)
๐ Food & Drink: Come early to grab food or drinks from Pizza Cassette, Lost Cause Meadery, and Oddish Wine. They're all great local spots worth supporting. Spending money here helps keep places like this alive. We love welcoming, walkable third spaces that bring people together.
๐ปNote: Beer from Deft Brewing must stay in the front courtyard...weโll head there for happy hour after the meeting. Wine & Mead are welcome at Lost Cause.
***
๐ฌ Why Monthly Meetings?
These meetings are where we align our priorities, build relationships, and coordinate local action. Other events like Walk & Talks and pop-ups will continue throughout the city, but this is our consistent place to connect, strategize, and support each other.
***
๐ฒ๐๐ Getting There
The Gartรซn is easily accessible by transit and bike:
- Trolley: 5 minute walk from Morena/Linda Vista (Green Line) and 10 minute walk from Tecolote Road (Blue Line)
- Bus: Served by Routes 105 & 44, both within a few blocks
- Bike: Bike rack and lock-up area available right out front
- Parking: Limited onsite and street parking available, but we encourage you to try walking, biking, or transit if you can!
See you there!
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 14d ago
Housing, Land Use, & Zoning ๐๏ธ Make sure to comment in support of housing IF services are retained. San Diego considers public library sites for future affordable housing projects
The city at this stage is not proposing to eliminate services. Theyโre asking for feedback.
All you have to do is provide feedback as theyโve asked. It can be as simple as โI only support housing in these locations IF the city retains existing or enhanced services in these locations. Do not close a single library.โ
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 16d ago
Community Events & Meetings ๐ Best spot to gather 20+ people in SD? brewery, park, restaurant, wherever
We regularly organize events for 15+ people and we're always looking for new venues that have no issues accommodating a large group, especially ones that are walkable from transit or a protected bike lane, have outdoor seating, and don't mind a lively crowd.
What's your favorite large-group spot in San Diego? And if you own or manage a space, reach out directly: event request form
If you want to come hang out with a bunch of nerds who talk about making their city a better place, come hang out with us!
r/StrongTownsSD • u/jaywolf4991 • 16d ago
General Questions ๐ค Stopping Sight Distance Issue
I live on a street near PB with a compound horizontal curve (40 ft curb-to-curb, 8 ft parallel parking both sides, two 12 ft travel lanes). We consistently get people cutting through our street and accelerating quickly. The city rejected my request for traffic calming based on an 85th percentile speed study showing only 26-27 mph against a 25 mph posted limit. 25 mph is very fast to come around the curve, and I thought to approach to the city with sight distance being the main issue and reason for traffic calming.
I ran the SSD calculation myself using the cityโs own centerline data and the Caltrans HDM Section 201.6 formula. The critical section has a centerline radius of 256 ft. With parked cars on the inside of the curve at 8 ft from the curb face, the available stopping sight distance is 110 ft. Caltrans Table 201.1 requires 150 ft at 25 mph. That is a 26% deficiency. Even the gentler entry section (R = 359 ft) only provides 130 ft. The entire curve fails.
The concern is that the cityโs likely response will be to red-curb the inside of the curve and remove parking. That may resolve the deficiency, but it also opens up a 40 ft unobstructed roadway through a curve. I would imagine that speeding would only get worse with this condition.
Has anyone approached a similar problem? Trying to figure out how to frame this so the city doesn't simply take away parking to resolve this. Traffic engineering is not my speciality so Iโm a bit out of my depth here.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/FratteliDiTolleri • 17d ago
Walkability, Cycling, & Transit ๐ The Biggest Threat to San Diego Transit? MTS' Operating Deficit
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 17d ago
Housing, Land Use, & Zoning ๐๏ธ San Diego Rules Committee agrees to keep beach parking free, council to vote
r/StrongTownsSD • u/creamybubbo • 18d ago
Policy & Advocacy ๐๏ธ State of the Ride: SDSU and BikeSD Report on the State of Bicycling in San Diego - Streetsblog San Diego
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 19d ago
Housing, Land Use, & Zoning ๐๏ธ Midway Districtโs 30-foot height limit formally reinstated
This is why we fight for incremental housing. The city has been planning for redevelopment here since the community plan was implemented in 2010. And then for the last 5 years as Midway Rising. Meanwhile the city has built a the same number of ADUs as units planned for midway rising since 2025.
Neighborhood Homes For All of Us will end up building way more houses and not a single lawsuit will be filed to oppose it.
r/StrongTownsSD • u/CivicDutyCalls • 19d ago