| | | City of Solana Beach WEEKLY UPDATE September 26, 2025 | | Highlights from Coastal Cleanup Day | | | Last Saturday, September 20th, the City hosted a Coastal Cleanup Day in partnership with I Love a Clean San Diego. A big thank you to the Climate and Resiliency Junior Commissioners who helped co-captain the event, and to all the volunteers who joined us early Saturday morning and helped collect over 30 pounds of litter from the beach! In total, 27.2 pounds of trash and 5.2 pounds of recycling were collected. The most common item found was plastic/foam pieces (over 406 collected), which likely consisted of confetti pieces left behind from a beach celebration the day before. The second most common pieces of litter were cigarette butts, with 89 pieces collected.
As a reminder, littering at the beach is strictly prohibited. While plastic confetti, glitter, and other party decorations may be eye-catching for an event, please remember that they contribute to microplastic pollution and are toxic to the environment. We recommend that you opt for reusable or biodegradable, plastic-free alternatives and always pick up your litter before leaving the beach. Having a ‘pack-in pack-out’ mentality helps protect the natural environment and preserves the beauty of Solana Beach for the entire community. | | Northbound I-5 Weekend Closure | | | | As a part of the I-5 Asset Management Project, Caltrans will be closing all lanes of I-5 northbound between I-8 to Mission Bay Drive from Friday, September 26th at 9:00 PM to Monday, September 29th at 5:00 AM. Crews will be conducting pipe replacement and roadwork to help keep the freeway in good shape. This is the second of six weekend closures planned in the area to maintain and improve infrastructure. Detours will be in place, so please plan extra travel time if you’re heading north as there will be delays. Portable message signs will be placed along the routes advising of the closure and suggesting alternate routes. For real-time updates, visit Caltrans QuickMap. | | Fire Management Services Update | | | | The Solana Beach City Council received an update from the City Manager on Wednesday night on the future of Fire Management Services for the City. This was following a mutual recognition by Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Del Mar to evaluate new approaches for fire service management. The City remains committed to delivering uninterrupted, high-quality fire and emergency services. We value our Fire Personnel and our partnership with the neighboring cities, and are committed to continue working together to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition. To hear the full presentation and Council discussion, please view the September 24th meeting below. The City will continue to keep the community informed as this process moves forward. | | Fire & Brush Management Tips | | | | Wildfire season is here, and we need everyone in Solana Beach to be ready. Clear dry brush by hand from around your home, keep gutters clean of leaves and dry debris, and make sure your address numbers are visible for first responders. Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit and know your evacuation routes. You can sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSanDiego.org and download the Genasys Protect app to get real-time evacuation maps and updates. Together, we can reduce risk and keep our community safe. | | Make Use of EV Incentives | | | | There are currently Federal and State Incentives to help with the upfront cost of switching to an electric vehicle (EV). The U.S. Department of Energy offers a tax credit on eligible new and used EVs, along with tax credits for home chargers and home energy storage. California’s Clean Cars 4 All also provides incentives for low-income customers to purchase or lease new or used EV. If you are interested, act fast! These incentive programs will end in only 5 days. Do you already have an EV and want to charge your car in Solana Beach? Learn more below to discover a few reliable resources that will help you track down the nearest station. | | Del Mar Fairgrounds Open House Sessions | | | | This fall, the Del Mar Fairground's staff are visiting communities across San Diego County as a part of their master site plan outreach process. Through a series of six "Fairgrounds 2050 Open House" sessions, they will gather public input about the future master site plan. Registration is now open for six scheduled events across the County. The closest session for our community is at The Sound/Del Mar Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 18th at 6:00 PM. Join this opportunity to learn more and share your thoughts! | | | Clean Air Day Wednesday, October 1st | | | | Join us in celebrating California's Clean Air Day on Wednesday, October 1st, a statewide initiative focused on reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. Air pollution in California can pose serious health risks, and transportation remains the largest source of pollution. You can help clear the air by pledging to support Clean Air Day and choosing sustainable commuting options like biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transit. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive impact and contribute to a cleaner, greener future! | | | Free Ride Day Wednesday, October 1st | | | | In alignment with California's Clean Air Day, all MTS Trolleys and buses, as well as the NCTD COASTER, SPRINTER and BREEZE, will be completely free to ride all day on Wednesday, October 1st! Every 10 minutes spent idling your vehicle releases 1 pound of carbon dioxide into the air. Free Ride Day is a great opportunity to leave your car at home and try out one these great public transportation options. Don't miss this chance to enjoy a cost-effective and eco-friendly commute while supporting a greener future! | | | Fall Sustainable Recycling Day Saturday, October 4th, 9:00 AM | | | | The annual Fall Sustainable Recycling Day (formerly known as Bulky-Item Cleanup Day) is right around the corner on Saturday, October 4th at the La Colonia Park parking lot from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is the best time to drop off unwanted bulky items and electronic waste, donate items to Goodwill that can still be used, pick up self-loading mulch, and shred personal documents with certified shredding trucks. If you have scheduled to participate in the curbside pickup service, please remember to place all items curbside by 7:00 AM. There is still time to register for the curbside service by calling (858) 350-8544. This is a great event to get organized, clean up, and be sustainable! | | | Walk, Bike & Roll to School Wednesday, October 8th | | | | Get ready for the annual Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 8th! This nationwide event unites local schools and the community for a collective effort to walk, bike, and roll to school on the same day. Join in the fun and enjoy the benefits of reducing air pollution, promoting physical activity, and strengthening our sense of community. By showing the next generation the joy and convenience of biking and walking, we inspire them to live healthy and exercise. | | | | Missed an update? Check out previous Weekly Updates on our website! | | | | Download the City's My Community App! | | | | | |
