The Peninsula communities of Ocean Beach, Point Loma, and Midway experienced growing pains as their neighborhoods continued to evolve and adapt to constantly changing times.

A task force was created to re-imagine how OB Pier could be repaired or replaced. City and County governments grappled with rising homelessness, banning encampments, and increasing shelter space. There also was an ongoing affordable housing crisis, and rents remained sky-high. And, there was public pushback on land-use issues like higher densities, height limits, and building more housing near transit stations.

JANUARY

New Laws

Hundreds of law changes in 2023 affected everything from protecting abortion and the rights of transgender individuals to legalizing jaywalking and banning the sale and manufacture of new fur clothing and accessories.

Spaces As Places

Merchants were scrambling to comply with a new California Coastal Commission amendment to the City’s Spaces as Places, requiring beach businesses to replace displaced vehicular parking.

“Private cars and street parking are still the primary means by which the general public accesses the shoreline,” ruled the CCC. “Measures that limit coastal access for people who are not within walking distance disproportionately impact lower-income communities. Therefore, projects to remove parking in beach areas must replace that parking elsewhere.”

OB Pier Replacement

It was full speed ahead on initial planning to replace the aging Ocean Beach Pier determined to have outlived its useful service life. “The mayor has formed a task force to design usable public space areas on a new pier,” said OB Pier Task Force member Mark Winkie.

OTC Redevelopment

Over 100 companies expressed interest in submitting their Statement of Qualifications in hopes of being selected as the master developer for revitalizing the Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Campus. The redevelopment would expand the housing infrastructure and possibly add a public transit station.

OBMA Awards

Recipients at Ocean Beach MainStreet’s annual awards celebration on Jan. 26 included Tony Cohen for supporting graffiti abatement; OB Hardware for their updated storefront; OB Business Center for spearheading the revitalization of the OB Mall; California Wild Ales for actively promoting OB; Craig Gerwig, Ken Moss, and Michele Amsterdam named as volunteers of the year; and Steve Rowell for contributing to Ocean Beach’s history through photography.

Drones Replace Fireworks

Luminosity, the nonprofit formed in 2022 to find a viable alternative to Fourth of July fireworks in Ocean Beach, announced it was in final negotiations with a drone company.

Market Revamp

Formerly Apple Tree Market, Krisp Beverages and Natural Foods at 4976 Newport Ave. updated its look and contemporary feel, changing its name and branding and making numerous improvements including adding a full deli.

FEBRUARY

Palm Challenge Thwarted

A lawsuit against the City challenging the cutting down of palm trees on Newport Avenue considered a possible threat to incoming aircraft was dismissed in court as “frivolous.”

PLNU Track Usage

Point Loma Nazarene University alum Jimmie Presley, who had been running on the university’s track since COVID, questioned the university’s revising of a decades-long policy allowing unrestricted public access to its track. “Outside businesses and private trainers were taking advantage of the track and interfering with our athletic team training,” responded university spokesperson Lora Fleming.

Wildlife Baby Shower

San Diego Humane Society geared up for one of its busiest times of the year, baby wildlife season, holding a virtual baby shower to fund its Project Wildlife program. Each spring, Project Wildlife takes in thousands of injured and orphaned baby wildlife – and needs the community’s help to give them a second chance.

Sustainable Entrepreneur

In 2018, Point Loma entrepreneur Jared Koett founded a start-up biodegradable pill bottle company. Four years later, that initial offering had evolved into Invert, a cutting-edge company providing sustainable alternatives to replace traditional plastic packaging.

OB City Tacos

City Tacos’ owner Gerry Torres planned to expand into the space formerly inhabited by Tiki Port at Voltaire and Cable streets.

Supportive Housing Unsupported

In February, Midway-Pacific Highway Community Planning Group bristled at City plans to turn a Midway Ramada Inn into permanent supportive housing, claiming their neighborhood is being deluged by homeless projects.

Midway Rising

On Feb. 8, Midway Rising, the team granted exclusive negotiating rights by the City to re-imagine what the 48-acre former Sports Arena site can be, held a workshop with stations where the public could ask questions of technical experts engaged in the sports arena’s redevelopment.

Prickle In Peninsula

Thanks to Canadian transplant Blair Braz, Peninsulans can have their cake and eat it too as she opened up her new bakeshop next to Stump’s Family Marketplace at 3772 Voltaire St.

Coastal Blossoming

Coastal Sage Gardening in Ocean Beach progressed beyond being just a drought-tolerant and native landscaper, adding botany education and community beautification to its mix.

CAP Progresses

San Diego joined the rest of the nation and world in shifting away from dependence on oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels to the accelerated use of renewable energy. The City’s updated Climate Action Plan now calls for eliminating nearly all natural gas use from buildings in the city by 2035, as well as slashing 90 percent of natural gas use in existing buildings within the city’s limits in the next 13 years.

PLNU’s 50th Anniversary

Point Loma Nazarene University welcomed more than 800 alumni and friends back for 2023’s homecoming festivities on Feb. 17-18, marking the 50th anniversary of PLNU’s move from Pasadena to San Diego.

MARCH

PLHS Champs

The Pointer boys soccer team went on to win CIF’s Southern California Div. III Regional championship exactly one week after winning the San Diego Section Div. I title.

New Thespian Society

Theater was resurrected at Point Loma High School as students banded together to form the Point Loma High School Thespian Society spearheaded by student president Emma Nickel. Their first production, “Inherit The Wind,” was held in the campus theater.

In-Person Meetings

California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency lapsed on Feb. 28 and community planning groups were now being required by the Brown Act to begin meeting in-person only.

St. Paddy’s O’Beach

The inaugural St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party in 2022 was so successful, that the second annual event in 2023 was expanded into a two-day Irish-themed festival arranged by the producers of Oktoberfest.

PLNU Controversy

Point Loma Nazarene University’s LGBTQIA+ community cried foul after March 15 when PLNU dean Dr. Mark Maddix was fired by Kerry Fulcher, the provost and chief academic officer, allegedly because he supported former adjunct professor and minister Melissa Tucker, who’d been told she wouldn’t be rehired as a professor because of her public support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Biden In Point Loma

On March 13, President Joe Biden visited San Diego regarding the partnership with the U.K. and Australia on an 18-month-old nuclear submarine deal named AUKUS — for Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The meeting took place at Naval Base Point Loma.

Women’s History Month

Liberty Station’s Arts District joined in honoring the many great accomplishments of women via showcasing the work of women who account for more than half of the artists exhibiting their talents there at more than 30 art galleries, working artist studios, and businesses.

Longtime Realtor

Rosamaria Acuña, a top-producing Realtor and recognized Point Loma community leader, marked her 35th year in the real estate business

APRIL

OB Hat Contest

Ocean Beach Woman’s Club presented its third annual fundraising Hat Contest at Dirty Birds on April 6. Men were also invited and encouraged to compete.

OB Pier Cost

At the first OB Pier Replacement workshop on April 1, Mayor Todd Gloria said “Our preliminary reviews are talking about a project that would be north of $40 million and as much as $100 million,” when asked about the cost of replacing OB’s iconic, aging pier.

Cell Phone Antenna

Rock Church in Point Loma’s decision to allow a T-Mobile cell phone antenna on its campus building alarmed some parents concerned about their children’s safety.

Midway Float Spa

Stardust Float Spa and Wellness Center at 3589 Midway Drive in the old Hollywood Tans building opened offering float therapy, massage, and skincare.

Bridge Opening

Mayor Gloria was joined at West Mission Bay Drive Bridge on April 4 by Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) to officially open the new $148 million bridge replacing the existing four-lane bridge, built in 1950.

Robb Field Planning

With the City updating planning for Robb Athletic Field, the park’s largest users – Peninsula Tennis Club, Peninsula Youth Softball Association, and Albion Soccer Club – joined to encourage pursuing a broad vision addressing the park’s short- and long-term needs. The priorities for the park included community-friendly lighting; safer playing surfaces; hospitable restrooms; and paved parking.

Cancer Fundraiser

Point Loman Mandy Havlik started a fundraising drive benefiting critical cancer support programs at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.

STVR Enforcement

Some coastal civic leaders and citizens argued enforcement regulations in the City’s new Short-Term Residential Ordinance, which took effect May 1, are flawed. That message came across repeatedly during a 90-minute STRO Zoom enforcement community briefing presented by the City’s Development Services Department Code Enforcement Division (now called BLUE).

MAY 

OB Ambassadors

Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and Ocean Beach Town Council together sought volunteer ambassadors for their new Downtown Ocean Beach Ambassador program. Volunteers were to stroll OB’s downtown business district to welcome visitors, as well as provide them with information to help them explore the town.

Mural Dedication

One of the highlights of the 75th-anniversary celebration of the United Portuguese S.E.S. in Point Loma on April 15 was the dedication of an outdoor mural painted by Jack Stricker and Austin Gosswiller.

PLHS HOF

Point Loma High School’s Hall of Fame with 21 previous members was revived with three new inductees in the Class of 2023. Inductees included Peninsula Beacon writer and retired teacher Scott Hopkins, along with artist and sculptor Richard Arnold and A. Lee Brown, author, professor, scientist, lifeguard, and surfer.

Festa do Espirito Santo

The 113th Festival of the Holy Spirit honoring Portuguese religious and cultural traditions was held the weekend of May 26-28 in Point Loma, culminating with the annual Festa parade on Sunday, May 28.

Monument Trail

Major improvements at Cabrillo National Monument were announced to include construction on a new trail linking it with its tidepools, and work scheduled on the monument’s visitor center.

Kite Festival

On May 20, OB Kiwanis held its annual family-friendly kite festival offering games for kids in all age groups including food trucks, a craft fair with vendors, and community information booths.

Murder Conviction

After two days of deliberations, a jury convicted a woman on May 26 of second-degree murder in the drowning death of her passenger after she crashed her parents’ BMW through a guardrail on Sea World Drive while driving drunk.

JUNE

Farmers Market

Brady Farmer, a local chef, and president of the nonprofit Devoted to Youth Foundation, planned to open a weekly Point Loma farmers market at Point Loma High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday starting on June 4.

Drone Launching Site

Ocean Beach Elementary School was selected as the venue for the upcoming Fourth of July Drone Light Show, launching 300 drones from the school premises for the performance.

Arts Leader Retires

Longtime San Diego arts leader Alan Ziter announced that after 43 years of advancing and promoting arts and culture, he would be retiring in June from his current leadership role at the NTC Foundation to travel and do community service.

Homeless Camping Ban

The City Council passed an ordinance banning most tent encampments in public spaces if shelter beds are available nearby. The new ordinance bars encampments at all times in certain areas including parks, canyons, and waterways, as well as near schools and homeless shelters, and transit stations regardless of shelter capacity.

Centennial Kick-off

Liberty Station launched an exhibit inside the historic USS Recruit naval ship to kick off the 100-year celebration of the Naval Training Center’s 1923 opening.

June Gloomy

Known as May gray and June gloom, the marine layer annually descended like a curtain along San Diego’s coast this time of year was intense in 2023 lasting longer than usual. “We’ve had more cloudy days and had less solar radiation than most Mays,” said meteorologist Brandt Maxwell.

OB Street Fair

The 43rd annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off took place on Saturday, June 24. One of San Diego’s most beloved traditions, the Street Fair draws upwards of 50,000 people to the beach community to enjoy three stages with music from 18 performers, an Artists Alley, the Chili Cook-Off, a beachside beer garden, and a community mural.

Nautical Museum

Located in the historic Dick Laub NTC Command Center in Arts District Liberty Station, the 800-square-foot Nautical History Gallery and Museum is curated by military veteran Joe Frangiosa Jr.

Surfing HOF

Thirteen individuals and two organizations joined the ranks of local surfing royalty during a San Diego Surfing Hall of Fame induction ceremony at San Diego Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club. The Class of 2023 included Bill Bahne, Tim Bessell, Joey Buran, Pat Curren (in memoriam), Mike Diffenderfer (in memoriam), Jeff Divine, Don Hansen, Dempsey Holder (in memoriam), Richard Kenvin, Julie Klein, Taylor Knox, Don Okey (in memoriam), Hank Warner, Pacific Beach Surf Club, and Pacific Beach Surf Shop.

STVR Loophole

Turns out the City’s new Short-Term Rental Ordinance contained an exploitable “loophole” that some landlords were taking advantage of, including one in Ocean Beach with a landlord owning numerous rental units in multi-family structures ranging from two to 37 units.

JULY

Successful Drone Show

A display of aerial artistry unfolded above Ocean Beach Elementary School on July 4, as a fleet of 300 drones took flight in the inaugural Ocean Beach Fourth of July Drone Light Show, with an accompanying soundtrack. The spectacle captivated onlookers for 12 minutes with its patriotic designs and iconic formations, paying homage to the community.

VVSD Stand Down

Veterans Village of San Diego held its annual Stand Down event – a three-day encampment put together to help homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness – from July 20-22 at Pechanga Arena.

Summer Concerts

The long-running free Point Loma Summer Concerts series continued on Fridays from July 14 through Aug. 11 with a different theme each week. Attendees listened to performances at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd.

Sunset Cliffs Conversation

A conversation ensued over the effectiveness – or ineffectiveness – of ongoing drainage and other improvements, like native plant re-introduction, at scenic Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. The long-term goals of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park are embodied in its master plan and vision statement, which calls for the “creation of a park where people can enjoy San Diego’s natural coastal environment as it once was, free from the effects of man.”

Pocket Park Greenlighted

After years of community effort, the City agreed to expedite plans to construct a new pocket park for Cañon Street in Point Loma. “The three-quarter acre Point Loma pocket park is funded, the selected contractor, Dick Miller Construction, Inc., has signed the contract, and everything after nine-plus years is in expedited mode,” said Don Sevrens, who spearheaded the park-improvement project.

AUGUST

SB 10 Rejected

The City Planning Commission on Aug. 3 thwarted an initial attempt to make San Diego the first California city to implement SB 10, a bill that could allow up to 10 homes on a single-family lot up to three stories tall near existing or planned mass transit.

Climate Action Plan

According to “Crunch Time For Climate,” the latest report by the nonprofit Climate Action Campaign, the City must double down on shifting transportation options away from gas-powered vehicles, in order to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the next 12 years.

Fish Shop

Point Loma was the perfect spot for the Fish Shop to cast its line, tailoring its look and feel to fit that of the surrounding Portuguese fishing community. The company opened its third location at 1110 Rosecrans St.

Terminal Concessions

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board approved the final group of New Terminal 1 concession leases for restaurants and retail shops that will offer a mix of local, regional, and some national brands.

Piano Exhibit

Two 14-year-old Point Loma youth were seeking a permanent home for an “inspirational” piano they created named “Here Comes the Sun,” which was on exhibit at Liberty Station.

Emergency Declared

On Aug. 21, City Council voted unanimously to ratify a declaration of emergency by Mayor Todd Gloria following the disruption wrought by Tropical Storm Hilary.

Britannia Tearooms

It’s all things British at The Britannia Tearooms at 2323 Midway Drive which boasts, among other things, a Sherlock Holmes sitting room, a Mad Hatter’s Tearoom, numerous references to “Alice In Wonderland Through The Looking Glass,” and a Mary Poppins-themed gift shop.

SEPTEMBER

Pastor Dismissal

A Nazarene pastor lost his credential to preach after a church jury convicted him of supporting same-sex marriage, which is contrary to the Church of the Nazarene manual about human sexuality. A seven-man, two-woman jury voted 9-0 on Aug. 14 to convict Rev. Selden Dee Kelley III, of being “out of harmony with the Church of the Nazarene’s doctrine, teaching, beliefs, and practices.”

Water Bill Glitch

Some Peninsulans got an unexpected surprise in their mailboxes: several months worth of water bills all due at once. And the unprecedented “glitch” seems as wacky as it is unsettling, considering the amounts on some of those delayed water bills, which just stopped coming regularly, were in the hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

Lights Out

A new “Lights Out, San Diego” campaign by the San Diego Audubon Society called on county residents to switch off non-essential lighting at night to help migratory bird species who are threatened by it.

Classic Car Show

The first Sunset Cliffs Car Show and Grill Master Competition was held Sept. 9 at the corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Point Loma Boulevard in the church parking lot, as well as in Trinidad Motor’s parking lot and in the parking area of Inn at Sunset Cliffs, 1370 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

Midway Tasting Room

California Wild Ales, which has an Ocean Beach tasting room, opened a new multi-faceted production facility and tasting room in the Midway District on Sept. 15 at 3826 Sherman St.

Little League World Series

Baseball and watching the Little League World Series helped 9-year-old Sunset Cliffs resident Westan Ward recuperate from emergency eye surgery. But Westan and his family never realized what else was in store for them, as they won a “Swing Big” contest that gave them all tickets to watch the LLWS Championship in August in Pennsylvania.

National Dance Day

National Dance Day on Sept. 16 was celebrated by local dance organizations in Arts District Liberty Station showcasing their talents for the special day and beyond.

Pier Design Alternatives

The City presented three preliminary design concepts for a new Ocean Beach Pier during a third community workshop. The Braid concept builds upon the long, linear experience of the pier. The Squint Test concept utilizes the current pier’s layout and design but widens the pier, and adds a fishing deck. The Remora concept highlights the original layout and design of the pier and adds a series of features that celebrate unique ocean experiences.

OCTOBER

Centennial Salute

The centennial celebration of Liberty Station took place on Oct. 29. The festivities included recognition of the oldest living Naval Training Center recruits who trained on the property, the burial of a time capsule to be opened in 25 years, live entertainment by the Navy Band. During its 74 years of active service, some 1.7 million recruits packed their bags, loosened mothers’ heartstrings, and arrived at the Main Gate of Naval Training Center in Point Loma.

OB Oktoberfest

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest, promoted as “San Diego’s wildest,” for its 21st installment Oct. 6-7. Sponsored by Jägermeister, the fall classic event featured live music, activities, and refreshments.

PLHS Homecoming

Spirits were sky high on Sept. 22 at Point Loma High when a considerable student turnout welcomed dozens of alumni to the school’s 97th Homecoming event.

Schools Reunited

The lower- and middle-school campuses of Ocean Beach’s homegrown independent Warren Walker School, separated for two decades, were reunited for the 2024-25 academic year.

MTS Changes

The Metropolitan Transit System board approved a series of measures aimed at improving operations, accessibility, and security across the MTS transit system. These measures include the implementation of a credit card tap-to-pay feature, which will allow riders to simply tap their physical credit cards or smart devices to qualify for a ride.

OB Surf Novel

A. Lee Brown, Jr. described being rocked in the cradle of the emerging surf culture by his mentors while growing up in Point Loma and Ocean Beach during the ’50s and ’60s in “Cradle of Bitchin: A Story of Mentors, Watermen, and The Sea.”

Church Property Sale

A proposal to combine Water’s Edge Church in OB with its parent in Mission Valley, and sell the church property for affordable housing development, raised concerns throughout the community.

STVR Revised

District 2 Councilmember Campbell asked for and was granted, amendments to the ordinance her office drafted and was passed by the City Council in May 2022. The amendments include clearer language that protects Constitutional rights and also include introducing impounding procedures to swiftly address rogue vendors who don’t comply with the city’s regulations.

PLA Fundraiser

The Point Loma Association’s annual dinner auction on Oct. 30 at the Kona Kai Resort and Spa raised over $140,000 for local community projects and beautification.

NOVEMBER

Lobster Season

Recreational fishing for California spiny lobsters commenced running through March 20, 2024, and local anglers – and those selling their catches – were looking forward to a successful season, with lobsters being sold more locally now.

Cancer Fundraising Ride

The 10th Annual Jim Krause Memorial Charity Cycling Ride the Point for pancreatic cancer research, beginning and ending at Liberty Station, was held on Nov. 11.

Ice Rink Returns

Rady Children’s Ice Rink fundraiser returned for its 27th season – eighth in Liberty Station – in the Central Promenade of the Arts District running Nov. 16 through Jan. 7.

Homeless Proposal Protest

The Peninsula Community Planning Board meeting on Nov. 16 was overflowing with residents protesting the proposed conversion of the City-owned H Barracks into an area for homelessness services.

OB Fire

On Nov. 24, fire departments from four different stations converged on Ocean Beach in an effort to save one of the town’s most revered landmarks, the Lighthouse Ice Cream shop. Thanks to the quick response, firefighters were able to put out the blaze before it took the building.

DECEMBER 

OB Pier Closed

As a result of continuing damage and with the potential for additional structural impairment from the upcoming storm season, the City opted to keep the Ocean Beach Pier closed through into 2024.

Christmas Parade

The Ocean Beach Town Council invited the community to join in cherished annual holiday celebrations including the OB Christmas tree, the OB Toy & Food Drive, the Holiday Auction & Party, and the eagerly awaited 44th Annual OB Holiday Parade which took place Dec. 2 on Newport Avenue.