Thanks for reading the San Diego Sun! I appreciate the efforts of all those who’ve contributed to the growing success of this three-month-old, hyperlocal news site focusing on downtown San Diego.
Happy holidays to all, and to all, please keep reading. And subscribing. And commenting.
The goals of this publication have solidified over the last quarter of 2021. Simply, The Sun is a place where locals, and those with a stake in downtown, can come for updates on the quality of urban life.
Our numbers are trending up. As of December 21, the site had 816 (unpaid) subscribers. This month, The Sun hosted more than 6,000 unique content visits.
My plan has been to prove The Sun’s commitment to downtown coverage before embarking on a financial plan to become self-sustaining.
For now, San Diego Sun is bankrolled by Bulletin, a program for independent journalists created by Facebook/Meta.
The Sun could become a paid-subscription entity in 2022. However, I’m not excited about putting up a firewall on any stories.
Another option for monetization is the sponsorship/advertising route.
Note: The Sun will always be an independent operation. Meanwhile, I’m on the lookout to team with a marketing/sponsorships/ad sales whiz. Email me if you have an idea to share (rondonoho@gmail.com).
Below is a sampling of what The Sun has been putting out, and will continue to cover in the coming year: Events. Restaurants. Resident profiles. Fun features. Deep dives into homelessness. And anything else that affects downtown San Diego.
Stick around. And click around…
Events
The Holiday Bowl moves to downtown for the first time on December 28. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Image) |
- Holiday Bowl Exec Promises: “We’ll Have The Best Bowl Experience In The Country”
- “The Best Thing I Saw” at San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition 2021
- Anya Marina Returning to San Diego with Comedian & Pal Nikki Glaser
Restaurants & Bars
Camino Riviera in Little Italy. |
- Camino Riviera Helps Lead a Little Italy North Restaurant Rally
- Dough! 17 Downtown San Diego Pizza Places Topping Our List
- Dive Back Into Star Bar 2.0
Resident profiles
East Village realtor Kaushal Patel. |
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Realtor Kaushal Patel helps others find the perfect place to live in East Village
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Shay Priyadarshi knows his downtown bars and restaurants, avoids the trolley and has an insider tip regarding hotel pools
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Emily Mason says downtown San Diego scores big thanks to proximity to Petco Park and Padres games
Fun Features
- Hello, Wonderbus! Get Onboard This Mobile Music Venue (video, above)
- Ladies Who Paint with a Purpose
- Maria Ho Recalls Her San Diego Poker Roots
Homelessness Deep Dives
East Village is ground zero for downtown homelessness. (Photo: Chanin Wardkhian/Getty Images) |
- East Village 2021: Doing Business Surrounded by Homelessness
- These Business Execs Enlist Super Powers to Fight for San Diego’s Homeless Population
- Homeless Court: A Helping Hand for Those Trying to Escape Legal Quicksand
(COVER PHOTO: The 2021 Holiday Market at Petco Park.)