Category: Ocean Beach

Here’s the Long List of Groups That Opposed Package A

By South OB Girl

This was truly a remarkable accomplishment for so many people to come together in our efforts to defeat “Package A” of the so-called Preservation Reforms. The warped San Diego political scene pulled the decision making in favor of Package A, despite dozens of inconsistencies in the handling of the policy (no Package B for certain, then a Package B under way), legal violations specified by multiple organizations, and constituent opposition.

As a comment in The OB Rag recently suggested, are some of our City Council members paid a salary beyond their capabilities?  Are City Council representatives exercising the same precision, thoroughness, moral excellence, and skills of logic and deduction when analyzing and evaluating policies and municipal code that judges exercise when presiding over their court rooms?

Additionally, perhaps some of our City Council representatives are pulled in too many directions.  City Council members have an extensive gamut of responsibilities — from fiscal decisions pertaining to every aspect of the city to policy decisions pertaining to every aspect of the city.  It is clear that some facts and details are getting lost along the way with such extensive agendas for City Council week after week.

Ocean Beach to Host 14th Annual “Skate for the Kids” Fundraiser this Sunday

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Ocean Beach community will roll into Robb Field Skate Park for the 14th Annual Skate for the Kids. This high-energy afternoon of skateboarding, community spirit, and local food serves as a major fundraiser for Ocean Beach Elementary, with 100% of proceeds directly benefiting the school’s PTA
programs and student resources.

By Judi Curry

First of all, I want to thank the Readers of the OB Rag for your calls and visits re: the health problem I had one year ago today.  I woke up one morning blind in one eye. The doctor said that the vision might come back so not to cover it, but it has been a year now and there is only a peripheral vision, and not all the time. But don’t feel sorry for me – comparing it to the alternative, I am still able to see my 20+ grandkids, and although no longer drive and depend on others, am aware of what is going on in the world – and District 2!  I find that although I seldom go to the meetings I used to go to, I frequently have meetings at my home where many topics are discussed.

About 4-5 months ago I had the opportunity to “meet” Richard Bailey through a “Next Door” post originally written by my handyman Glenn Millar.  We had a conversation, of sorts going, and I even told Mr. Bailey that I hoped that Glenn would run for the mayor’s job because I thought he was the best candidate for the position! Mr. Bailey told me agreed – that Glenn should run. I liked him already!

However, as time passed, and we are coming closer to the race, I decided to take a closer look at Mr. Bailey as a candidate (because I had already done extensive investigation into some of the candidates and had decided to vote for Mandy Havlik) and wanted to give him a chance.  And let me tell you why I was doing so much investigative work: I probably have voted a minimum of 70 times in governmental elections. (Yes, I am OLD!

Editordude: The following is an account of the background to the City’s efforts to close De Anza Point in Mission Bay, and was originally submitted as an attachment to the Mission Bay Park Committee agenda by Dep. City Manager Beth Murray on Feb. 14, 2005.

By Judy Swink

Property History

In 1945 approximately 70 acres of land and 6 acres of water located at De Anza Point in Mission Bay Park were conveyed to the City of San Diego by the State of California for the primary purpose of park and recreational uses. In 1953, the City entered into a 50-year lease with De Anza Harbor Resort and Golf’s predecessor for the purpose of operating a transient tourist and recreational vehicle park area which was consistent with the use restrictions under the tidelands grant. In 1962 the property was included in the dedication of Mission Bay Park to park and recreational use pursuant to Section 55 of the City Charter.

Kapiloff Legislation

In the late 1970’s the issue of legality was raised, and in 1978 the City Attorney opined that use of State tidelands and dedicated park for permanent private residences was not a legal use. The legality of the mobile home park use was addressed by state legislation sponsored by then Assembly member Larry Kapiloff and adopted in 1981 (AB 447, the Kapiloff Bill).

The Surplus Land Act needs exemption for leased land

Editordude: the following was a Letter to the Editor in today’s SD Union-Tribune in response to a Feb. 28 UT article entitled, ““Bill aims to stop Mission Bay Park housing” .

By Sue Taylor

This article describes a proposed solution to a broader problem in how the Surplus Land Act is applied to leased public land. The Mission Bay exemption is a start but doesn’t go far enough.

Changes made to the Surplus Land Act in 2020 expanded it to include leased public property, allowing land to be treated as “surplus” simply because a lease is expiring. Before 2020, the city routinely leased public land for approved uses that provided amenities while generating revenue for city services.

Measure Would Be on November 2026 Ballot

By Donna Frye

It seems that every 10 years or so, the city comes up with a proposal to charge people to park at the beaches and Mission Bay Park as a potential revenue source. Thankfully, once the public gets involved, the elected officials usually back off this very bad idea.

Most recently, on November 10, 2025, The San Diego Union-Tribune’s David Garrick reported that four members of the city council were proposing entry fees for Mission Bay Park and paid parking at the beaches.

The public rallied against charging anyone to enter/park at Mission Bay Park or our beaches and on November 18, the paid parking proposal was not included as part of the council resolution being sent to the mayor’s office for consideration in preparing the FY 2027 budget.

At that time, the only councilmember who spoke at any length about the issue was Campillo and he made it clear he would not support charging residents or non-residents to park at Mission Bay Park or our beaches.

An OB Rag supporter saw these signs in her neighborhood and wanted to share them with us.

By Tyler Faurot / Point Loma – OB Monthly SDU-T / March 11, 2026

Dozens of road segments on the Point Loma Peninsula have been identified in a city of San Diego analysis as candidates for speed limit reductions. And as city leaders review the study, some members of community planning boards in Point Loma and Ocean Beach are bemoaning what they see as an ineffectual approach for their neighborhoods, despite welcoming the idea of lower speeds.

California Assembly Bill 43, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, allows municipalities to reduce speed limits, provided the reductions are justified by an extensive analysis. The city of San Diego compiled a 135-page speed management plan that was published in February and presented to the City Council’s Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

All four members of the committee voted Feb. 19 to recommend that the full council approve city staff’s proposals for new speed limits on the streets specified in the plan.

Ocean Beach Surf & Skate Shop and Ocean Beach Elementary PTA are teaming to hold the 14th annual Skate for the Kids fundraiser on March 15 at Robb Field Skate Park.

All proceeds from the event will go to the school’s PTA to fund programs, materials and campus improvements at the campus on Santa Monica Avenue.

The fundraising event at 2525 Bacon St., held from noon to 3 p.m., is a fun way to bring the community together, foster a love of skating and encourage healthy habits while providing much-needed support to a neighborhood school.

The Black — OB”s legendary headshop — is back.

Apparently, the shop’s longtime owner, Kurt Dornbusch, has partnered with a group of unidentified new owners, who wish to keep the place going. Just weeks ago, Dornbusch announced he was retiring after 57 years and was closing the store. Yet, things changed.

As SanDiegoVille reported:

Both Dornbusch and the incoming ownership group have confirmed that new buyers have secured the naming rights to The Black and are currently finalizing a lease agreement to continue operating the store at its longtime home on Newport Avenue.

Tessa Balc at the Times of San Diego dropped a stunning article on Sunday the 8th of March, by declaring there soon could be a Walmart at the former RiteAid property in Ocean Beach.

The new owner of the property is seriously considering putting in a Walmart Depot — but it wouldn’t be a “walk-in” store to buy anything but a location for delivery drivers to pick up wares and products to distribute nearby.

An application to install one was submitted to the City of San Diego recently and, as Balc reported:

“describes Walmart Depots as non-branded facilities, stocked with high-demand delivery items. Based on the description, it would not be open to the public, instead serving only authorized delivery “drivers/shoppers.” [Rag emphasis.]

Let’s back-up by returning to Balc’s article.

She reports that Murfey Construction Company is a developer who bought the RiteAid property in January, whom she also describes as “a well-known developer in the beach neighborhoods ….” (See below.) Balc in addition stated the company “is also considering a housing development.”

Balc also maintains the City staff is on board with this idea, having already reviewed the idea and reported back to Murfey that it did not run afoul of any development restrictions.

Assemblymember Ward Introduces Legislation to Protect Mission Bay Park and an Update on City Leases for Dana Landing and Sportsmen’s Seafood

By Donna Frye

It’s a nice change to write about something that is good, respects the public’s concerns, and protects and preserves dedicated public parkland. It’s not a usual occurrence which makes it all the more welcome.

The good news is that Assemblymember Chris Ward introduced legislation (AB 2525) on February 20, 2026 to exempt all of Mission Bay Park from the State Surplus Land Act.

Even though it has to go through various legislative committees and the governor needs to sign it to become law, I am optimistic that Mission Bay Park will be protected and preserved as the voters intended it to be. It will also eliminate any conflicts between the San Diego City Charter and the Surplus Land Act.

For those who may not be aware of why this is such good news, here is some background about how we got here.