Fashion Valley Mall. (Courtesy Fashion Valley Mall)
San Diegans looking to shop local or score early holiday savings can take advantage of extended Black Friday and early Cyber Week promotions. Many retailers and malls are keeping select deals live through the weekend, while national online sales continue through Cyber Monday, Dec. 1.
At local outlets and boutiques, shoppers will find discounts on fashion, home goods, and gifts. Fashion Valley Mall, Las Americas Premium Outlets, and select small businesses are featuring weekend specials. Online, retailers including Amazon and Best Buy continue Cyber Week promotions with deals on electronics, apparel, beauty, and home essentials.
The Las Americas Premium Outlets were among the businesses that closed on Sunday after the border shutdown. (Photo courtesy of Simon Property Group)
Hotels like Bahia Resort Hotel, Paradise Point Resort & Spa, and Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa are offering Cyber Monday–weekend promotions with discounts on multi-night stays — perfect for local staycations or visiting friends and family.
Kayaking for the fun of it. (Photo courtesy of Evans Hotels)
Note: Deals listed were confirmed as of Nov. 28 and may be subject to change; check directly with retailers or hotels for availability.
In other business news around the region, a lot is going on.
San Diego EMS Corps Celebrates First Graduating Cohort
Chula Vista, Dec. 2
SBCS, in partnership with San Diego County Fire, will host a graduation ceremony for the inaugural San Diego Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps cohort. The five-month training program prepares young adults impacted by the child welfare or juvenile justice systems for careers in emergency medical services.
The evening will honor 16 graduates and feature light refreshments, opportunities for families and community leaders to celebrate, and remarks from San Diego County Fire leadership. Program partners include Southwestern College, American Medical Response, Flack, Premier Ambulance, San Diego Workforce Partnership, The Children’s Initiative, Logan Heights CDC, and Project AWARE.
The first cohort of the new San Diego EMS Corps. ( Photo courtesy of San Diego County Fire)
The event takes place Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6–8 p.m. at Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. Free parking is available in Lot J.
The EMS Corps provides trainees ages 18–26 with paid stipends, EMT training, mentorship, academic and wraparound support, and job placement assistance. This first cohort launched July 7, with two additional cohorts planned for 2026. More at sandiegoemscorps.org.
San Diego Innovators and Leaders Making Headlines
San Diego’s business scene continues to thrive with local innovation, philanthropic leadership, and award-winning talent shaping the community.
Cox Mobile’s Survey
Cox Mobile’s survey, Connecting the Digital Dots: Online Habits and Safety Concerns Across Three Generations, shows adults 65+ are becoming increasingly confident with connected devices. Nearly two-thirds (62%) say they can spot online scams, and 41% log five or more hours online daily. Cox Mobile is partnering with Common Sense Media to offer resources to help families stay safe online.
A Cox Mobile sales associate works with a customer. (Photo courtesy Cox Communications)
North Island Credit Union Foundation
In education philanthropy, North Island Credit Union Foundation awarded $5,000 grants to 10 teachers in San Diego and Riverside counties for innovative classroom projects, from school gardens for special education students to biotech crime scene courses. Since 2012, the Foundation has distributed over $225,000 to classroom initiatives.
(L/R) Mt. Carmel High School Teacher Grant Recipient Shannon Alcorta receives a 2025 North Island Credit Union Foundation Teacher Grant from Shadi Poustchi, Senior School & Community Development Officer, North Island Credit Union. The grant will be used to support theatre arts education and programs at the school. (Photo courtesy North Island Credit Foundation)
Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation
Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) marked 37 years of grantmaking by awarding $100,000 to 24 local nonprofits, including ElderHelp of San Diego, Meals on Wheels, Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Rancho Bernardo High School PTSA, and Voices for Children. RBCF has granted over $1.2 million through membership and fundraising programs.
The organization’s logo. (Photo courtesy Meals-on-Wheels)
GoodFarms
In agriculture, Chula Vista’s Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel of GoodFarms received the 2025 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award for mentorship, leadership, and impact across the produce supply chain, including implementing collaborative worker-manager teams and promoting Responsibly Grown certification.
Chula Vista’s Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel of GoodFarms. (Photo courtesy of Equitable Food Initiative)
EōS Fitness
EōS Fitness donated $125,000 to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) during the Tour de Cove cyclethon, building on $550,000 raised over five years to support adaptive athletes. Grants, memberships, and training programs help athletes like Andrew Lalli pursue competitive sports.
EoS Fitness Raises $100K for Challenged Athletes Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Challenged Athletes Foundation)
Northmarq
In real estate, Northmarq arranged $66.15 million in construction financing for Palm & Hollister Apartments, a 198-unit garden-style multifamily community in South Bay San Diego near the Palm Avenue MTS Trolley Station. The loan includes a three-year initial term with an option to roll into a mini-perm upon construction completion.
The frame of a new home under construction. (Photo courtesy of County News Center)
Oceanside Artwork Unveiling
North County Transit District, the city of Oceanside, Caltrans, and MainStreet Oceanside unveiled new murals at the Oceanside Transit Center on Nov. 24. The project, part of MainStreet Oceanside’s Art that Excites program, enhances the pedestrian tunnel with vibrant artwork and security upgrades, funded in part by a $144,000 Clean California Local Grant.
Ribbon-cutting at the event. (Photo courtesy of North County Transit.)
Giving Tuesday Preview: How to Support Local Nonprofits
This Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Junior League of San Diego encourages donations to its Annual Fund, which supports programs improving food security and increasing access to diapers and period products. Earlier this year, Annual Fund dollars enabled a $5,000 match to help stock the Diaper Bank and Period Product Pantry, doubling the number of items distributed to families in need.
The Junior League of San Diego is an organization of women dedicated to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. (Photo courtesy of JLSD)
San Diego Opera, San Diego, Dec. 31
San Diego Opera invites supporters to participate in its Giving Tuesday campaign, with all gifts tripled through Dec. 31 by the Board of Directors. Donations help nurture emerging opera talent and support year-round performances and community programming. Contributions can be made online, by phone at (619) 533-7000, or by emailing philanthropy@sdopera.org.
Scene from a production of Don Quixote. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Opera)
Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego, Through May 2026
Arts District Liberty Station has launched its yearlong 25th-anniversary campaign, “Creating, Connecting, Celebrating – 25 Years and Growing,” running through May 2026. The initiative aims to raise $250,000 to support public art, arts education, tenant and partner grants, and accessible community programming. Supporters can donate online.
ArtWalk San Diego at Liberty Station includes painting, sculpture, glasswork, fine jewelry, and photography. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)
Got any Biz news? CEO appointments, a new location? Award? Drop me a line at DebbieS@timesofsandiego.com to possibly be featured in an upcoming Biz Beat column.
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