# San Diego Informer > San Diego Informer is an independent local guide to San Diego County: neighborhoods, beaches and outdoors, things to do, everyday living and getting around, with official sources cited. San Diego Informer (www.sandiegoinformer.com) is an independent local guide to San Diego County, California: neighborhoods, beaches and outdoors, things to do, everyday living and getting around. Official sources cited. ## Sections - [Getting Around](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/getting-around.md): How to use the trolley and COASTER, park at the airport and cross the border efficiently in San Diego County. - [Living in San Diego](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living.md): Costs, water rules, termites, earthquakes, Santa Ana winds, the marine layer and voting by mail: the practical side of San Diego life. - [Neighborhoods](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods.md): What North Park, Little Italy, Ocean Beach, Chula Vista and other areas are really like to visit or live in, with practical details. - [Beaches & Outdoors](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors.md): Beaches, tide pools, hikes and whale season in San Diego County, with access, timing, rules and safety notes from official sources. - [Things to Do](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do.md): Balboa Park, Old Town, the USS Midway Museum, farmers markets and the bay: how to plan a good day out in San Diego. ## Articles - [Formosan Termites in San Diego County: How to Spot Them and What to Do](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/170698/super-termites-discovered-in-la-mesa.md): How to recognize Formosan termites in San Diego County, when they swarm, how they differ from local species, and how to get a licensed inspection. - [Voting by Mail in San Diego County: How It Works](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/21782/free-postage-for-absentee-ballots-sought-by-assemblywoman.md): How voting by mail works in San Diego County: registering, signing and returning your ballot postage-free, drop boxes, deadlines and ballot tracking. - [Water-Use Rules in San Diego County: What Applies and Where to Check](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/2849/guide-to-drought-alert-water-rules-in-san-diego-county.md): San Diego water restrictions explained: the permanent year-round rules, how shortage levels work, the new turf law and how to check your own water agency. - [Best Spots to Watch Ships on San Diego Bay](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/2878/where-to-get-best-views-of-tall-ship-parade-on-san-diego-bay.md): Where to watch ships on San Diego Bay from shore, how a short bay boat tour compares, and how to plan around a tall ship parade on the Embarcadero. - [Raising a Family in San Diego: The Real Budget Lines](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/2911/san-diego-ranked-14th-most-expensive-city-to-raise-a-child.md): What raising a child in San Diego costs: housing, child care, free transitional kindergarten, transit, tax credits and health coverage, with official sources. - [COASTER Train: Riding the Coast from Oceanside to Downtown](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/getting-around/coaster-train.md): How to ride the COASTER train: its eight stations from Oceanside to Santa Fe Depot, the flat fare since October 2026, tickets, Rail2Rail and weekend tips. - [San Diego Airport Parking: Your Options Compared](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/getting-around/san-diego-airport-parking.md): Compare San Diego airport parking: the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 plazas, the cell phone lot, off-airport lots, MTS Route 992 and the free San Diego Flyer. - [San Diego Trolley: Lines, Fares and How to Ride](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/getting-around/san-diego-trolley.md): How the San Diego Trolley works: the Blue, Orange, Green, Copper and Silver lines, PRONTO fares and day caps, free youth rides, bikes and boarding tips. - [SENTRI Explained: Crossing the San Diego Border Faster](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/getting-around/sentri.md): How SENTRI works at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa: the $120 five-year fee, the online application, the interview, vehicle registration and lane rules. - [Cost of Living in San Diego: Where the Money Goes](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living/cost-of-living-in-san-diego.md): What living in San Diego costs, using BLS spending data and Census figures: housing, transportation, food, health care, utilities and how to plan around them. - [May Gray and June Gloom: San Diego's Marine Layer Explained](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living/june-gloom.md): What causes May Gray and June Gloom in San Diego, when the marine layer burns off, why it can last into July, and how to plan beach days around it. - [Earthquakes in San Diego: Faults, Risk and How to Prepare](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living/san-diego-earthquake.md): San Diego earthquake guide: the Rose Canyon fault and inland faults, early-warning apps, Drop, Cover and Hold On, and a practical home preparedness checklist. - [Santa Ana Winds: What They Are and How to Prepare](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living/santa-ana-winds.md): What Santa Ana winds are, when they hit San Diego County, what Red Flag Warnings and power shutoffs mean, and a step-by-step way to prepare before the season. - [Chula Vista: A Guide to San Diego County's Second-Largest City](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods/chula-vista.md): Chula Vista explained: its place in San Diego County, older west side vs. planned east side, the bayfront, Otay Lakes, trolley stations and getting around. - [Little Italy, San Diego: What to Know Before You Go](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods/little-italy.md): A practical guide to Little Italy, San Diego: its tuna-fishing history, the Saturday Mercato, the trolley stop, parking tips and how to plan a relaxed visit. - [North Park, San Diego: A Neighborhood Guide](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods/north-park.md): North Park, San Diego explained: where it sits, its Craftsman streets and historic district, the main corridors, bus lines and parking tips. - [Ocean Beach, San Diego: A Local Guide](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods/ocean-beach.md): Ocean Beach, San Diego explained: Newport Avenue, Dog Beach, the closed pier, the Wednesday farmers market, beach rules and how to get there and park. - [Pacific Beach: What It's Like to Visit and Live There](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/neighborhoods/pacific-beach.md): A practical guide to Pacific Beach in San Diego: the boardwalk, Crystal Pier, Garnet Avenue, the bay side, beach rules and what it is like to live in PB. - [Cowles Mountain: Trailheads, Parking and What to Expect](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/cowles-mountain.md): Hiking Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails: the Golfcrest, Barker Way and Santee trailheads compared, parking, dog rules, heat and the best time to go. - [La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Snorkeling and Visiting Responsibly](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/la-jolla-cove.md): Plan a La Jolla Cove visit: where the sea lions are, which areas are closed, how snorkeling works in the marine reserve and how far to stay from wildlife. - [Potato Chip Rock: The Mt. Woodson Hike Explained](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/potato-chip-rock.md): How to hike to Potato Chip Rock on Mt. Woodson: Lake Poway vs. Highway 67 routes, parking, heat closures, water, and how the photo line works. - [San Diego Beaches: How to Pick the Right One for Your Day](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/san-diego-beaches.md): How to choose among San Diego beaches by what you want to do, with city beach rules, water-quality checks, lifeguard coverage and rip current basics. - [Sunset Cliffs: Where to Go and How to Stay Safe on the Bluffs](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/sunset-cliffs.md): Sunset Cliffs in San Diego: the park's two sections, where to watch the sunset, parking and closures, tides, and how to stay safe on unstable bluffs. - [Tide Pools in San Diego: Where, When and How to Visit](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/tide-pools.md): Where to find tide pools in San Diego, from Cabrillo National Monument to La Jolla, how to time a low tide, what the protected-area rules say and how to stay safe. - [Torrey Pines Hike: Trails, Rules and Timing](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/torrey-pines-hike.md): Plan a Torrey Pines hike: trail lengths from the official map, reserve rules on food and dogs, the 2026-27 construction closure and the best times to go. - [Whale Watching in San Diego: Seasons, Species and Spots](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/outdoors/whale-watching-san-diego.md): Whale watching in San Diego: gray whale season from December into spring, blue whales in summer, the best land spots and NOAA's 100-yard distance rule. - [Balboa Park: How to Plan a Visit Without Missing the Best Parts](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/balboa-park.md): Plan a Balboa Park visit: how parking works since 2026, resident free Tuesdays, the free tram, the Sunday organ concert and how to split the park into zones. - [San Diego Farmers Markets: How to Shop Them Well](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/farmers-markets.md): How to find and shop San Diego farmers markets: the County's official list, what certified means, using CalFresh and Market Match, and timing tips. - [Old Town San Diego: History, Sights and Practical Tips](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/old-town-san-diego.md): Plan a visit to Old Town San Diego: the 1769 founding story, the state historic park's free museums, the Whaley House, transit options and timing tips. - [USS Midway Museum: How to Plan Your Visit](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/uss-midway-museum.md): Plan a USS Midway Museum visit: how long to allow, parking on Navy Pier, getting there by trolley, a route through the decks and accessibility tips. ## Author - [Marisol Keane](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/authors/marisol-keane.md): Marisol Keane writes San Diego Informer's guides to neighborhoods, beaches, trails and everyday living: a resident since 2011 who always checks official sources. ## Site pages - [About San Diego Informer](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/about.md): About San Diego Informer: an independent local guide published by Happiness Communication, with official sources, AI-generated photos and no paid mentions. - [All articles](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/all-articles.md): Browse every San Diego Informer guide: neighborhoods, beaches and outdoors, things to do, getting around and everyday living in San Diego County. - [Contact](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/contact.md): Contact San Diego Informer by email for corrections, guide suggestions and questions about the site. We read every message. - [Our team](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/our-team.md): Meet the San Diego Informer team: Marisol Keane, a San Diegan since 2011, and the fact-checking method behind every local guide. ## Optional - [Sitemap](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/sitemap.xml) - [RSS](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/feed.xml)