What does it mean to have influence in San Diego? What developments—big and small—will mold life here today and in the years ahead? What ideas born here will put some San Diego DNA into the world? And who are the people playing a critical role in those changes?

To create this issue, our editors spent months mapping the cultural and structural shifts across the county—the biggest headlines and fascinating developments dictating what San Diego is and what it will soon become. From scientific breakthroughs to billion-dollar tech unicorns. From massive public facing projects that will alter the face of the city to a kid who built a global video empire from his parents’ living room in Mira Mesa. The people in business, entertainment, sports, science, tech, politics, culture, every realm central to San Diego’s beating heart.

“People to Watch” isn’t an award. It’s an observation and a prediction of what’s about to enter SD’s bloodstream. These people are different ages, from different backgrounds, working in different lanes, chasing different versions of success.