San Diego Port renames beach as Kumeyaay Beach honoring indigenous tribe

At a July 14 meeting of the San Diego Port Commission, the board approved renaming an unnamed stretch of shoreline at Spanish Landing Park "Kumeyaay Beach." The change follows a long‑standing campaign by the Kumeyaay Cultural Repatriation Committee, a coalition of twelve Kumeyaay tribes, to recognize the tribe’s historic ties to the area.

Elder Jessie Pinto of the Kumeyaay Nation said the new name offers an opportunity for visitors to learn about the region’s first people. Councilmember Jamie LaBrake of the Sycuan Band expressed gratitude that the commission honored their tribe, while Vice‑Chair Michael Zucchet highlighted the waters of San Diego Bay as a longstanding source of life and culture for the Kumeyaay. The port will update maps, records and digital resources and work with tribal representatives to create new signage for the beach.