Our Mission
At San Diego United Communities, our mission is to empower neighborhoods to come together under one roof to communicate and discuss San Diego policies. We are San Diego neighborhoods united—a powerful communication hub that amplifies our collective voices. Together, we support one another, share knowledge, and collaborate to preserve our heritage, strengthen our communities, tackle shared challenges, and champion growth rooted in integrity, transparency, and genuine respect for the people who call these neighborhoods home.
HELP Make a Difference
We need your help in rallying your own neighbors to attend very important meetings and events published below. This united front will provide a strong message to our San Diego City Council and City administration.
Join us in creating a stronger united multi-community alliance.
san diego call to action - balboa park fees
Today 01/28/26 City Rules Committee: Balboa Park Parking
The San Diego City Council’s Rules Committee met this morning to discuss a high-profile proposal that has been a major point of contention this week.
- The Proposal: They considered a ballot measure submitted by Shane Harris that would mandate free public parking at Balboa Park on Sundays.
- Yesterday's Move: This follows a City Council session yesterday where members proposed a "resident-only" parking fee suspension for Balboa Park to be voted on formally on February 9.
- Status: The committee was tasked today with determining if the Sunday-free-parking measure will proceed for a second discussion at a future meeting.
SIGN UP
Raul Campillo suggested that Shane Harris's Measure be revised to add that FREE parking should be every day and not just Sundays.
Joe Lacava and Kent Lee rejected Campillo's motion stating they want full City Council to weigh in and decide next steps for a possible repeal.
Please show up and write in folks before February 09, 2026
EMAIL ALL San Diego City Council
District 1 Joe LaCava: joelacava@sandiego.gov
District 2 Jennifer CampbelL: jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov
District 3 Stephen Whitburn: stephenwhitburn@sandiego.gov
District 4 Henry Foster: IIIhenryfoster@sandiego.gov
District 5 Marni von Wilpert: marnivonwilpert@sandiego.gov
District 6 Kent Lee: kentlee@sandiego.gov
District 7 Raul Campillo: raulcampillo@sandiego.gov
District 8 Vivian Moreno: vivianmoreno@sandiego.gov
District 9 Sean Elo-Rivera: seanelorivera@sandiego.gov
Press conference at balboa park to repeal the fees 01/24/26
repeal the fees event at balboa park 01/24/26
Thank You, San Diego!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined San Diego United Communities this past Saturday, January 24th, at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion. Seeing so many of you stand with us at 10:00 AM to demand a repeal of these fees sent a message that City Hall simply cannot ignore.
The Power of the PeopleOur presence was felt far beyond the park. Because of your energy and dedication, our message was featured on every major news station, ensuring that all of San Diego hears our call for fairness and transparency.
Why Grassroots MattersThis movement isn't led by lobbyists or special interests—it’s led by you. Grassroots efforts are the heartbeat of real change because:
- Strength in Numbers: Individual voices are whispers, but together, we are a roar that demands a seat at the table.
- Authentic Advocacy: Nobody can tell the story of how these fees impact our families better than the people living through them.
- Accountability: When the community shows up in person, it reminds our leaders exactly who they serve.
We are just getting started. Your courage to show up and speak out is the fuel that will drive this repeal to the finish line.Stay united, stay loud.
Why we protested at the Organ Pavillion at Balboa Park: The Organ Pavilion is not just a landmark; it is a legal and historical monument to free public benefit that should have FREE parking around it. The Deed of Gift: When John D. and Adolph Spreckels gifted the organ and pavilion to San Diego in 1914, it was with the explicit condition that it be used for free entertainment for the people of the world. A Century of Tradition: For over 110 years, it has hosted free weekly concerts. Charging for parking creates a "de facto" admission fee, violating the spirit—and potentially the legal intent—of the original gift.
Why your presence matters: Stop the "Pay-to-Play": Attendance at our local museums is already dropping. Protect Accessibility: Don’t let $5 "verification fees" and high hourly rates keep families away from their own park. Power in Numbers: City Hall needs to see that this isn't just a neighborhood issue—it’s a citywide movement with San Diego United Communities.
The Importance of This Event: Balboa Park is more than just a park; it is a regional asset that thrives accessibility. The new parking fees represent a "bait-and-switch" that disproportionately impacts low-income families, seniors on fixed incomes, and residents of neighboring cities like Chula Vista and El Cajon who are now being charged "tourist rates."
By standing together this past Saturday, we sent a clear message to the Mayor and City Council: The park is a public commons, not a profit center. Your attendance provided the visual and political impact necessary to push forward the voter referendum and ensure our public spaces remain open to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
"100 Years of Free Access—Don't End it Now!" "Parks are for People, Not for Profit." "Public Land, Public Access, No Public Fees." "Stop the Bait-and-Switch."
Remember it was only 6 councilmembers and Mayor Todd Gloria that voted for this bogus parking fee implementation.
Thank You San Diego for following our Movement.Stay Tuned with the next steps by following all of our social media pages and website.
www.sandiegounitedcommunities.com
#RepealTheFees #FreeBalboaPark #SanDiegoUnited #KeepSanDiegoFree
Emerald Hills & Encanto press conference rally 01/10/26
latest updates
SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES IS CALLING ALL NEIGHBORHOODS TO SHOW UP AGAIN TO SEND SAN DIEGO CITY LEADERSHIP A MESSAGE.
Greetings Neighbors.
Hope you are all enjoying the New Year.
Hope this email will help clarify and shed some light as to why showing up to a press conference for another neighborhood in San Diego in 2026 is more than just a nice gesture; it is a strategic move that strengthens the entire city’s advocacy landscape. In a city where land use, housing, and infrastructure decisions are often made at the citywide level, neighborhood isolation can be a weakness. 2026 is our election year so it is crucial and imperative that we hit up every neighborhood bringing awareness regarding all of our issues which includes the ridiculous policies that don’t make sense for our Coastal City.
Here is why your presence matters this upcoming Saturday January 10, 2026, at 10am for our 2nd San Diego United Communities Press Conference.
Address: 5643 Bethune Court, San Diego, CA 92114
1. Strength in Numbers (The "Visual" Impact)
Press conferences are designed for the media and for City Hall. A small group of five people from one street can be easily dismissed as "NIMBYs" or a local grievance. However, when 50+ people from Point Loma, Barrio Logan, North Park, and Mira Mesa all stand together, for Encanto and Emerald Hills this weekend it signals to the Mayor and City Council that the issue has broad political consequences. It transforms a "neighborhood issue" into a "voter issue."
2. Breaking the "Silo" Effect
The City of San Diego often handles issues neighborhood by neighborhood (through Community Plan Updates or specific project permits). By supporting another area, you prevent the city from using a "divide and conquer" strategy.
- Shared Precedents: If a controversial policy or "reckless development" is approved in Preserve Greater Golden Hill, it sets a legal and administrative precedent that can be used later in your neighborhood. Donating to their appeal legal process will help us all in the long run.
- Coalition Building: Groups like San Diego United Communities have shown that when neighborhoods join forces, they can pool resources for legal fees, expert speakers, and media outreach.
3. Mutual Reciprocity
Advocacy is exhausting. When you show up for a neighborhood like Barrio Logan or Mission Hills today, you are "depositing" into a bank of goodwill. When your neighborhood faces a crisis—whether it’s a park closure, a high-density project without infrastructure, or a safety concern, those residents are much more likely to drive across town to stand behind you at your press conference.
4. Influencing Media Narratives
Journalists look for a "hook." A story about one neighborhood complaining is routine; a story about citywide solidarity is a headline.
"Neighborhoods across San Diego unite to demand better infrastructure" is a much more powerful narrative than "Residents in Clairemont upset about new bike lane."
5. Increasing Accountability
Elected officials are sensitive to optics. Seeing representatives from multiple Council Districts at one event reminds them that the community is watching—and communicating—with each other. It makes it harder for a Councilmember to say "my hands are tied" when they see a unified front of educated constituents from all over the city.
It is crucial that everyone start showing up to our press conference events folks. The power is in bodies present at these events whether its your neighborhood or not especially wearing your community shirts.
Our next lineup for press conferences will be for the following neighborhoods:
· Jamacha Rd.
· College Area
· Pacific Beach
· La Jolla
If you are interested in having San Diego United Communities, come speak at one of your meetings, please reach out. We have a large collection of contacts, along with a strong social media presence and can also help organize a rally in your community. We have been gathering emails, phone numbers and bridged the gap amongst communities fighting over the same bogus policies. We are all officially in this fight together at this point.
Our group is not only going to focus on responsible development, but we will also tackle other San Diego Tax paying issues coming our way and will be holding a press conference to support Repealing the Parking Fees later in January at Balboa Park. Save the tentative date of 01/24/26 at 10am for the Rally. Exact location in Balboa Park will be sent soon.
Many more events are coming down the pipeline; all we ask is to share and help us spread awareness but most importantly help us build this movement and show up to our events before elections. Help us Reform our San Diego Government.
Thank you!
San Diego United Communities
COMMUNITY RALLY on 12/16/25 was a huge success!
San Diego United Communities is rallied the troops to ask San Diegans to please show up in massive forces in your neighborhood shirts and signs or wear color blue to this event.
December 15 2025
1pm
202 C Street 12th Floor
Many people showed up, sending a stronger message to San Diego Leadership.
Many in attendance did not live in this neighborhood but were part of this massive movement. It will eventually come to your neighborhood soon.
Enough is Enough!
Bogus policies need to be stopped by San Diego Citizens.
United as One!
Spread the word
Help us raise awareness about San Diego United Communities and the work we do. Share our website, social media pages, and information about our events and programs with your family, friends, and colleagues. Most importantly attend these events, we must show the power in numbers.
REPEAL THE FEES
WHY REPEAL THE TRASH FEE...
Voters approved a 2022 measure based on misleading estimates of $23-29/month, but now face new trash fees of $43.60/month and rising to $55 - the highest in the county. San Diego should contract with private trash haulers like every other city in the county to save the City and taxpayers.
THE STORY OF PAID PARKING
WHY PARKING FEES SHOULD BE REPEALED...
New paid parking at Balboa Park. New paid parking at the Zoo. Increased parking at meters throughout San Diego. "Surge" pricing to $10/HR in the Gaslamp. Paid parking on Sundays. Attempts for new paid parking at beaches...when will it end?
The City estimates these new parking rates will generate nearly $30M annually in new revenue.
These increases aren't primarily about encouraging transit use or improving parking turnover; if that were the goal, the city would have raised rates years ago.
This is fundamentally about addressing a staggering $250 million budget deficit, driven by years of overspending, excessive staffing, and financial mismanagement, all passed onto workers, visitors, and residents through higher everyday costs.
Paid parking is not meant to be a city profit-center. At most, the public purpose of paid parking is to recover the nominal cost of parking stall maintenance and generate turnover to create better access to desirable public spaces.
But these news fees are bailing out the city's poor spending and management decisions while making access to the best part of San Diego more expensive for everyone.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRH3oG0Eeif/
CLICK AND SIGN TO REPEAL THE FEES TODAY
FIRST EVER CITYWIDE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS SO SUCCESSFUL
HOSTED BY: SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES
.........
ALL NEIGHBORHOODS PLEASE JOIN US IN YOUR COMMUNITY SHIRTS AND BRING YOUR SIGNS!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025
10AM
2935 A STREET SD, CA 92102
IT IS CRUCIAL TO SHOW UP IN MASSIVE GROUPS TO SEND A STRONG
MESSAGE TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
PLEASE WEAR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SHIRTS AND BRING YOUR SIGNS.
IF YOU HAVE A LEADER FROM YOUR GROUP THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE LIST
OF SPEAKERS PLEASE EMAIL:
SANDIEGOUNITEDCOMMUNITIES@GMAIL.COM
THIS IS GOING TO BE A MASSIVE MOVEMENT FOR A BETTER GOVERNMENT.
"Testimonies"
Eric Law
In our struggle, I cite Benjamin Franklin often: "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Margaret Virissimo
Fighting against the destruction of a city is important for preserving human life, cultural heritage, economic stability, and environmental health. The reasons span humanitarian, social, and practical concerns.
Jane Rodrigues
Grass Root Efforts seems to be the only way to be heard in San Diego. I hope this group can get through and mke a huge difference with some wins.
mark inglewood
The destruction of one's home and neighborhood causes significant psychological trauma and disrupts social networks. Restoring the original environment can help minimize this trauma.
james kennedy
Grassroots efforts can succeed against city governments primarily because they derive immense power and credibility from authentic community engagement and a deep, localized understanding of the issues. This focus on the "lived experience" of everyday people creates pressure that elected officials, who are accountable to voters, find difficult to ignore
albert jones
I am so thankful for this group, uniting San Diego neighborhoods through one platform.