Ron Donoho is a veteran San Diego journalist who founded thesandiegosun.com. That independent news website focuses exclusively on downtown (92101). He was former executive editor of San Diego Magazine for 12 years and editor of the alt-weekly San Diego CityBeat. His award-winning byline has appeared in more than three dozen newspapers, magazines and websites, including Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, and Ranch & Coast Magazine. On April 10, 2024, he will present a TEDxSanDiego talk on “The Power of Local Media.”
About Ron Donoho
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
There’s my lovely wife, Jules. My daughter, Chandler, and her boyfriend, Kevin, are our favorite travel companions.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My job involves finding people and telling their stories. I love meeting interesting folks and presenting different points of view on thesandiegosun.com.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be politically open-minded. The fire for new ideas comes from people with strong opinions. Change happens when people meet in the middle.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Overseeing a media outlet with broad reach that’s solutions-minded.
Ron Donoho & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Downtown is my focus: For breakfast, Ukrainian-owned Adore Coffee House or dive-tastic Waterfront Bar & Grill. Lunch, Swami’s. Dinner: Barbusa. Game-day grub: Stout Public House.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
30 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
2023 CNN Hero of the Year Dr. Kwane Stewart. He’s the “Street Vet” who cares for the pets of homeless people.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. It’s hands-down the best party event of the year.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Downtown San Diego is a collection of neighborhoods, and each is different, though all share an urban mindset.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Comedian Bill Murray. He’s got a home (or two?) in the San Diego area. I’d invite him to Timmy’s Place (a pizza joint staffed by homeless youths) and chat about his comedy and his career choices.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. We’re both guys named Ron in San Diego news.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was a national finalist in a Ron Burgundy look-alike contest. Didn’t win, but got a PlayStation as a consolation prize.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Comic-Con. Had to come around to the cosplay convention concept, but now I’m all in. The top people-watching gathering.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am energized by the college interns who work at thesandiegosun.com
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Lucky Duck Foundation, which does extensive work in the homelessness arena.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You’ll never solve all the problems at once. Pick one, solve it, and move to the next one.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
East Village.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I’ve had a love-hate-love relationship with downtown. I love how it is rebounding from the pandemic.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Sunny and 72. Daylight Savings Time is in effect and clocks spring forward. Atmospheric rivers go back to where they came from.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Condo balcony view.
Photo by Adriane Nicole
