san diego county

2026 Holiday Resources

Abby H.Leave a comment

As more information about Holiday assistance programs becomes available, I will be updating this post.

Before I get into specifics, here are a few general ways that you can find some holiday help with resources that you may already take part in:

  • If you receive WIC or SNAP benefits, check with your social worker to see if they have information on holiday-help programs.
  • If you attend church/synagogue/mosque, check with your religious leader or the secretary/office staff. They may have referrals to programs offering holiday help.
  • Check with your kids’ school. Talk to the school counselor, resource teacher, or school secretary.
  • If you frequent local food charities or co-ops, they may have some resources on holiday events or toy giveaways.

Resources in San Diego County:

  • The Salvation Army does an Angel Tree program to gather gifts for children in need. For more information about this program, contact your local Salvation Army location.
  • 211 San Diego has a listing of all sorts of holiday assistance, from food to toys, and events- all free. Some programs/events require proof of need, but not all.
  • Hope for San Diego helps with many non-profits throughout the holiday season. For more information on events they sponsor, visit their website.
  • Women’s Resource Center for those residing in Northern San Diego County.
  • Foundation for Developmental Disabilities: Clients of the Regional Center whose families are facing financial difficulties can apply for help.
  • If you live in Santee and need help with food and gifts for the holiday, contact Santee Santas. Applications are done online and are available in multiple languages.
  •  Toys for Joy hosts an event in December with The Rock Church. There are not many details available on their website currently.
  • Toys for Hope is hosting an event on 12/20 at King Chavez School. More info can be found here.
  • Olive Crest: Helps Southern California families in need/crisis. They have a holiday program. More information can be found here.

Toy swaps are a great way to share old toys and get new ones.

Talk Back: If you know of any additional resources for holiday help in San Diego County, please leave a comment!

Free and Low Cost Dental Resources in San Diego!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Today is National Brush Your Teeth Day, and I thought I’d share some free and low-cost dental care resources in San Diego for those who may not have dental insurance or access to a dentist.

The UCSD School of Medicine has an extensive list of dental and other health care clinics in Southern California on their website, along with costs associated with care.

The UCSD School of Medicine also has a free dental clinic.

San Diego Mesa College has a dental school, and they offer free and low-cost services as part of their students’ training.

Children’s Dental Health Center has many programs and initiatives that help kids who may not have access to a dentist. They work closely with school nurses and staff to help identify kids in need of dental care.

OPSAM Health has low cost/sliding scale dental care at two locations in San Diego County.

If you have Medi-Cal, you automatically have Medi-Cal Dental benefits and access to dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, tooth removal, dentures, and emergency services

Visit smilecalifornia.org or call (800) 322-6384 to learn about Medi-Cal Dental benefits and to locate a dental provider.

And if you are looking for some recommendations for oral care products, my Amazon Storefront has a selection of my favorites (and these all got the OK from my dentist) here.

San Diego Area Upcoming Free E-bike Safety Courses!

Abby H.

There are so many kids (and adults) in my area riding e-bikes and scooters as of late and some of them aren’t wearing helmets. It’s scary! As a parent and someone who works with kids, I’ve seen the injuries that can happen from e-bikes and scooters. That’s why when I saw this email in my inbox, I had to share. This is a free series of events all over the county.

The YMCA is partnering with Scripps Health, the San Diego Bicycle Coalition and local leaders to offer free, hands-on e-bike safety courses for youth ages 12–16. The training will be hosted across five YMCA locations and is designed to help young riders build confidence, learn the rules of the road and develop safe riding habits. Every participant will receive a free e-bike-rated helmet provided by Scripps Health. Learn more here.

Choose the day and location that works best for your family:

Saturday, July 11 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
T. Claude and Gladys B. Ryan Family YMCA
4390 Valeta St, San Diego, CA 92107

Saturday, July 25 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Rancho Family YMCA
9410 Fairgrove Ln, San Diego, CA 92129

Saturday, August 08 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Dan McKinney Family YMCA
8355 Cliffridge Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Saturday, August 22 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA
200 Saxony Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Please note that registration is required and limited to one child per family. Spots are limited and are expected to fill quickly, so we encourage families to register early!

San Diego Residents: Hiking with The Cayoneers and The NAT!

Abby H.


One of my favorite aspects of living in San Diego County is the abundance of public open spaces available. That’s why I had to share this information straight from The NAT (That’s the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park).

Canyoneers are looking forward to launching their 52nd hiking season on September 7. The new season features 60 unique hiking opportunities between now and June 2026, allowing people to enjoy, explore, and discover San Diego’s natural landscapes. Hikes are led by the Canyoneers, volunteer naturalists trained by Museum scientists, to teach participants about our region’s rich flora and fauna, diverse landscapes, and natural history.

This year, 14 new hikes have been added to the schedule. Bridge to Nowhere in Eagle Peak Preserve, Kwaamii Point in Cleveland National Forest, and Ash Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are just a few examples of the new trails they’ll be exploring. Hikes are free, but advance registration is appreciated. Participants can register here.

The long-awaited second edition of Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors is also being released in early September. This hiking guide was originally published in 2016 and sold 12,000 copies.

For more information about the Canyoneers, a complete schedule of hikes, and to register, visit the Canyoneer website here. 

Thanks to Paula at the NAT for this amazing information- I hope to meet some of you on San Diego’s trails!