Waymo Expands to La Jolla, DemoFest Returns to Encinitas & More: La Jolla News in Brief Nov. 4
From autonomous rideshares rolling through the neighborhood to a brand-new oceanfront picnic spot and a major Veterans Day commemoration in La Jolla (LaJolla.com), here is your news in brief for Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Waymo expands driverless rideshare service into La Jolla
Autonomous rideshare company Waymo has officially expanded its San Diego footprint to include La Jolla, Clairemont, and University City. Following its initial San Diego launch in September and broader rollout in mid-October, the expansion nearly doubles the company’s local service area to 90 square miles.
Locals and visitors can now hail the self-driving Zeekr Ojai vehicles directly through the Waymo app for up to four passengers per ride. While Waymo vehicles may be spotted on local freeways or outside coverage boundaries for testing and training, passenger rides currently remain restricted to surface streets and do not yet service San Diego International Airport.
Camp Shred DemoFest returns to Seaside Reef this Saturday
Just a quick drive up the coast from La Jolla, the annual Camp Shred DemoFest is taking over Seaside Reef at the Encinitas and Solana Beach border on Saturday, Nov. 7. Running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the one-day coastal festival gives local surfers a chance to test the latest surfboards, wetsuits, and fins for free right on the beach.
This year’s lineup features more than 20 top surf and gear brands, including Lost Surfboards, O’Neill, Rip Curl, and Futures Fins. Local vendors like Plus Six Coffee will also be on site serving coffee, breakfast burritos, and grilled cheese. Surfers looking to demo gear just need to bring a valid driver’s license.
For more details or to sign up, visit this link.
Mt. Soledad hosts Veterans Day Ceremony this Saturday
The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will host its annual Veterans Day tribute, themed “Guardians of the Promise” on Saturday, Nov. 7. The free, public ceremony runs from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and features a keynote address by retired Marine and former NFL linebacker Donnie Edwards.
Following the formal program, the memorial will host “The Guardians’ Gathering” from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., a family-friendly community celebration featuring live music and stories of valor. Free off-site parking and shuttle service will be available from Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church and the San Diego French-American School.
For more information, visit this link.
Shio brings creative sushi and full bar to La Jolla Shores
Two years after debuting Takaramono Sushi in The Village, owners Eugene Kim and Peter Kim have expanded their culinary footprint with the opening of Shio on Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters and Galaxy Taco, the new restaurant features a larger dining footprint, a full kitchen, and a full bar.
Named after the Japanese word for salt, Shio highlights fresh sashimi paired with specialty salts, housemade sauces, and creative garnishes like shiro ponzu and yuzu jelly. Standout menu items include seared yellowtail hamachi with herb oil and crispy spicy maguro served on a cheese chip with Midori sauce, alongside a curated cocktail program.
Media credit: Banner image courtesy of waymo.com
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
