I think San Diego will stay strong and competitive even in a recession because of its location and weather. If there is a depression, all bets are off. Also, if cities continue to increase their sales tax to off set their declining revenues, then they will see people migrate to other cities were the sales tax is lower. El Cajon is a good example of this and the numbers are way down in Parkway Plaza mall because of the tax increase. If the cities try to balance the deficit on the backs of the tourists with TOT, then that will eventually catch up to them, too. Citizens are not stupid. Politicians think they can always raise business taxes, sales taxes, etc. and disguise them as fees and no one will be the wiser. That is their biggest problem. People will leave the State in droves to other States that are more business and retiree friendly. That will leave California much poorer, economically and socially. It is time they learned that you cannot tax your way into prosperity. It did not work for Rome and it will not work for the State.
