Neighborhoods

West San Ysidro Boulevard in San Diego has an extra pop of color. Creatives have added fresh street art along the high-traffic thoroughfare — less than four miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Vacant buildings, alleyways and businesses serve as canvases for a series of commissioned murals.

One of the murals is the work of a self-taught cartoonist. The vibrant narrative reflects the artist’s comic strip background. It’s the first public mural created by Fifi Martinez. 

While the term "struggling" is frequently used to describe artists, "resilient,"  "resourceful" or "entrepreneurial" may be more accurate descriptions. Whatever their chosen artistic pursuit,  most artists struggle to find affordable housing or studio space while drawing on considerable inner resources to continue creating their art and maintaining other jobs to support their passion.

This is an independent opinion. Have one of your own? Write it! Email it to hoa@ivn.us

For years, the future of San Diego’s short-term rentals has been in question, as past attempts at regulation were tantamount to a ban.

This is an independent opinion. Have one of your own? Write it! Email it to hoa@ivn.us. 

Jean-Huy Tran grew up in Orange County, home to more than 200,000 Vietnamese-Americans, one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the U.S. He became accustomed to seeing elected officials of Vietnamese descent in office, including Tony Lam, the first Vietnamese person to hold elected office in the U.S. 

But, when Tran made his way to San Diego 15 years ago, he found a different story. 

IVN San Diego spoke to longtime North Park residents and business owners to gather their perspective on the bicycle lanes that are currently being painted on the bustling street of 30th Street.

Described as the "center of San Diego," the handful of interviewees spoke about why they decided to move or open a business in the fast-growing neighborhood. Although they shared different opinions, they all agreed that their hope is maintain the "personality" that makes North Park so inviting.

Watch the video for just a few perspectives, absent of the politics.‍

This is an independent opinion. Want to respond? Write your own commentary! Email hoa@ivn.us.

As many of San Diego’s communities have grown over the past few decades into bustling and holistic neighborhoods, it’s now the Midway District’s time to shine.

THE NORTH COUNTY BEAT, a Coast News podcast, features in-depth analysis and incisive commentary on the wide range of topics including politics, housing, environmental and the social concerns that i

Allen Chan is a fixture in the Convoy District. In fact, it would be difficult to tell any story about this Pan-Asian community without talking to Chan, a judicious figure who stands out among the hundreds of business owners in the area.