What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's San Diego

In July 2009, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed off on California's new state budget, calling it "the good, the bad, and the ugly." A more apt description might be "a fistful of dollars," because that's about all the cash-strapped Golden State has left. In order to address a budget shortfall of more than $24 billion, the governator slashed funding for such things as AIDS prevention, low-cost health insurance for impoverished children, and programs for seniors. The state parks system was also brutalized, which threatened the closure of some 100 parks throughout California. If your visit is going to include some outdoor recreation, be sure to check out www.parks.ca.gov to confirm which parks, beaches, and attractions are closed. Lawmakers were able save Santa Barbara from offshore oil drilling, but the loss of that potential revenue led Schwarzenegger to cut an additional $489 million via last-second line-item vetoes. Questions over the legality of that unilateral tactic will ensure that the state's epic budget battles will continue unabated.

California's other major dust-up is over Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. It was narrowly passed by voters last November, but was immediately challenged and went to the California Supreme Court. In late May the court ruled the initiative was "valid and enforceable," thereby effectively writing discrimination into the state constitution. Naturally, a new round of challenges was immediately filed, and a court case featuring the unlikely pairing of Bush Vs. Gore antagonists David Boies and Ted Olson on the same side in favor of overturning the amendment. Stay tuned. Locally, anger was directed at developer Doug Manchester, who donated a large sum of money to the Prop 8 campaign. Activists have called for a boycott of his two San Diego properties, the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Grand Del Mar. Go to www.boycottmanchesterhotels.com for more information.

In San Diego, passions also run high over the fate of the seal colony that for the past 10 years has made a home at the Children's Pool in La Jolla. Also known as Casa Beach, the Children's Pool features a seawall built in 1931 that makes the small cove an inviting spot for both humans and pinnipeds. It seemed the anti-seal contingent was about to get "their" beach back in July, when a judge ordered the colony dispersed (via loudspeakers blaring the sound of barking dogs) and the cove dredged. The judge threatened the city with heavy fines for each day it delayed action. With just 72 hours left before the woofing was to begin, the seals were given a reprieve by none other than Gov. Schwarzenegger. The governor signed a Senate bill granting the San Diego City Council control of the Children's Pool.

Accommodations

• Hotel Indigo San Diego, 509 9th Ave.; (tel. 877/846-3446; www.hotelindigo.com) opened in July. Maintaining the highest green standards, it's San Diego's first LEED-certified hotel.

Dining

• Laurel Restaurant & Bar, 505 Laurel St.; (tel. 619/239-2222; www.sdurbankitchen.com) has been rechristened by its owners as Cucina Urbana.
• Barra Barra, Old Town State Historic Park; (tel. 619/297-3100; www.fiestadereyes.com) has opened in a historic location in Old Town.
• Epazote Oceanview Steakhouse, 1555 Camino del Mar; is now called Sunset Bar & Grill (tel. 858/3501125; www.delmarsunset.com).

Activities/Attractions

• After being defunct for more than 10 years, San Diego's winningest professional sports team, the San Diego Sockers, is being resurrected as part of the new Professional Arena Soccer League. Del Mar Arena, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.; (tel. 866/799-4625; www.sdsockers.com).
• The San Diego Wild Animal Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd.; (tel. 760/747-8702; www.wildanimalpark.org) has unveiled a new thrill ride, Flightline. The zip-line attraction tops out at 130 feet (39.6m) above the ground and stretches for more than 3,600 feet (1,097m). Riders can reach a top speed of nearly 50mph (80kph).

Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our California Message Boards today.