San Diego Reopens Public Restrooms After Complaints

San Diego closed 13 Mission Bay public restrooms in July as part of budget cuts, drawing concerns from visitors over access and convenience. Hower, last week San Diego reversed course on the balance-budgeting decision that caused public outrage.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and other local leaders announced all public restrooms in Mission Bay would reopen after San Diegans, business owners and visitors complained that closures to half its facilities were creating long lines and forcing long walks. Additionally, a month of complaints from residents and others included rampant public urination and potential public health issues, Beach and Bay Press reported.

The 13 public restrooms were closed to cut costs and address a $118 million budget deficit for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. The idea originated with Mayor Todd Gloria’s budget proposal, which called for closing 38 city-run public restrooms to help reduce spending, NBC News reported.

Gloria said funding to reopen the restrooms came from cuts to community project programs and new state funding.

The reopenings would last through the remainder of the year, when the city will analyze the budget to determine whether there are resources to keep them open.