San Diego Magazine Launches New Creator Correspondent Program
The program will debut at the upcoming Del Mar Food + Wine Festival, allowing followers special discounts & behind-the-scenes looks at exclusive events
The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival returns September 10–14, 2025, and this year it’s dialing up the excitement with San Diego Magazine’s new Creator Correspondent Program. The new program features a partnership between some of SoCal’s and Baja’s top influencers offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at its weeklong itinerary of events, all in the name of raising funds for Feeding San Diego.
This program isn’t just about content creation. It’s about celebrating the voices that help shape how we experience San Diego and Baja. Each correspondent has, in their own way, contributed to telling the story of this region through food, culture, family, or lifestyle. By bringing their perspectives to the festival, they’re adding new chapters to the ongoing story of this city, weaving their voices into the larger narrative of what makes San Diego…well, San Diego.
These local influencers will be sharing behind-the-scenes looks and special discounts on the events they’re covering during the festival. Follow San Diego Magazine (@sandiegomag) on Instagram for a front-row seat to all the food festival action and follow our inaugural class of correspondents for an inside look at some of the incredible events happening.
A foodie at heart, you can find me at the bar of the latest and greatest restaurant in San Diego enjoying a glass of wine and contemplating my next feature on SDFoodies. Started in 2019 and grown to over 500K followers, @SDFoodies is one of San Diego’s premier social media accounts focusing on all things amazing in America’s Finest City. When I’m not eating and filming, you can find me walking the farmers market on the hunt for fresh oysters and heirloom tomatoes, hiking the local mountains, taking photos, and playing with my pup, Callie.
What inspired you to create SD Foodies?
SD Foodies really started during Covid out of boredom, but it was the perfect storm of timing and my background, having worked in the food and drink industry my whole life. I had professional photography and videography experience, Instagram started pushing Reels, and I suddenly had the time to create. What keeps me going now is the storytelling side—highlighting spots and people who might otherwise not get coverage.
How do you choose which restaurants to cover? Any green or red flags you look out for?
Internally I have a list of red flags I see in restaurants, and it includes neon signs and other gimmicks like that. I think creating items on the menu that are solely for Instagram are a poor representation of your restaurant. Laminated menus. Wine glasses that have a super thick rim—that just gives me the ick. If I see that, I’m like, “Oh God, I’m probably gonna get a bad glass of wine right now, aren’t I?”
Green flags include calling out the farmers or producers on their menu. If I don’t see a Cisco truck in their parking lot, sorry, Cisco. Any sort of local seafood on the menu. I think those are all green flags for sure.
What’s your favorite part of San Diego’s food and drink scene?
The diversity of the neighborhoods and communities. Each one has its own distinct culture—City Heights feels completely different from Normal Heights, for example. They both have their own feeling and identity, and I really love that.
What are you most excited to experience at this year’s Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
We’ve been every year, and it’s always the festival we come back saying it was the best one—great chefs, the best wine, and no gimmicks. This year, I’m especially looking forward to Rosemarie’s Burgers, anything from chef Brad [Wise] and the Trust Restaurant Group, and Robert Green Vineyards. It’s always such a standout experience.
Emily Sanchez is a San Diego based entrepreneur, content creator, and community builder. She is the founder of Classy Casita, a lifestyle brand that highlights home and plant decor, and Happy Girl Club, a growing women’s social club that fosters connection and empowerment. Originally from Los Angeles, Emily has built her life and businesses in San Diego, where she loves being involved in the community and creating spaces for connection.
What inspires you about Classy Casita?
I think, honestly, it’s been really fun to just share my experiences with people—whether that’s when I’m out traveling or just day-to-day life in San Diego. A lot of girls would message me saying they wished they could join me and my friends, so I wanted to create something that allowed women to connect. That’s how Happy Girl Club came about. For me, it’s not just about posting, it’s about actually connecting with people. That’s what inspires me, knowing somebody is going to take something away from the content one way or another.
What’s next for the Happy Girl Club?
We host everything from sewing workshops with Sew Loka and flower arranging with local florists in addition to wellness classes, beach picnics, even pickleball games. The idea is to create a mix so there’s something for everyone, while also collaborating with local businesses and artists. Right now, I’m working on expanding through an ambassador program—we already have women hosting in San Diego, Orange County, and LA. The dream is to grow Happy Girl Club to more cities across California, and eventually nationwide.
What’s your favorite part of San Diego’s food and drink scene?
I love that there’s always something new popping up here, from restaurants to bars, and I never feel bored. I love going to baseball games, trying new spots, and just having so many events and activities happening all the time. San Diego really feels like the perfect place to enjoy food, drinks, and experiences.
What are you most excited to experience at this year’s Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
I haven’t attended before, so I’m really excited this year. Looking at the talent alone, it’s going to be amazing. I love that Guy Fieri will be there—I actually went to Shawarma Guys after seeing his Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives episode, and now it’s one of my favorite spots. I’m also excited to see Claudia Sandoval again, and Mark Murphy, too. And the Game Changers event with Alex Morgan really aligns with what I do through Happy Girl Club, bringing women together. It’s just such a great opportunity to connect and learn from all these amazing women.
Aaron Clancy is a TV personality from The Bacheloretteand Bachelor in Paradise. Born and raised in Southern California, he now lives in San Diego and is known for his humor, energy, and ability to connect with people on and off screen.
What inspired you to go on The Bachelorette in 2021?
When Covid hit, life really switched up. I was working for an insurance company out of my bedroom, and I just developed this mindset of, “Why not try something really different?” That’s what led me to go on TV and explore creating. I never thought about reality TV or content before, but once I tried it, it opened up a new world for me.
What’s your favorite part of San Diego’s food and drink scene?
San Diego is so close to Mexico, so I always say Mexican food for sure. I love an upscale spot like Javier’s—it’s honestly my favorite restaurant right now. Really good ceviche or aguachile, something fresh like that, I just really enjoy.
What’s your ideal first date in San Diego?
My ideal first date—I think if I’m going fancy, I’d say Javier’s, or if it’s really fancy, Island Prime. But honestly, I’m a big fan of keeping the first date casual—like going to TapRoom, grabbing a couple drinks somewhere with a view of the water. I’d rather save the fancier second date […] and by the third date, I’d make it more fun—OB Noodle House or something like that.
What are you most excited to experience at this year’s Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
I went to the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival last year and really enjoyed it—it was a ton of fun, with really good drinks and food. I’m planning on going to as much as I can this year. Honestly, I didn’t have a bad bite last time, so I’m excited to dive in again.
Born in San Diego, raised in Tijuana, Paola is a 35-year-old lawyer and the creative mind behind @viviendolabaja, a platform dedicated to recommending unique gastronomic experiences, boutique stays, adventures, and more across Baja California, California, and the world. She combines her professional background with her love for storytelling and travel, inspiring her audience to discover hidden gems, enjoy authentic local flavors, and embrace unforgettable experiences both close to home and in remarkable destinations worldwide.
Nacida en San Diego y criada en Tijuana, Paola es una abogada de 35 años y la mente creativa detrás de @viviendolabaja, una plataforma dedicada a recomendar experiencias únicas de comida, hospedajes boutique, aventuras y más en Baja California, California y el mundo. Combinando su formación profesional con su pasión por viajar y contar historias, Paola inspira a su audiencia a descubrir joyas ocultas, disfrutar de sabores locales auténticos y vivir experiencias inolvidables tanto cerca de casa como en destinos extraordinarios alrededor del mundo
What do you love about creating content for Viviendo La Baja?
I like creating organic content. I’ve been creating content for Viviendo La Baja for the last four years giving recommendations for restaurants and activities in Baja, California, and around the world. I say things like they are and don’t get paid to travel to the destinations featured on my page. I do extensive research and make an effort to explore new places, especially ones with great food and great history. I don’t look for “Instagrammable” spots made for photo-ops and instead look for unique places with more meaningful things to do.
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de crear contenido para Viviendo La Baja?
Me gusta crear contenido orgánico. He estado creando contenido para Viviendo La Baja durante los últimos cuatro años, recomendando restaurantes y actividades en Baja, California y alrededor del mundo. Soy honesta sobre las experiencias y no recibo pago por viajar a los destinos que presento en mi página. Hago una investigación extensa y me esfuerzo por explorar nuevos lugares, especialmente aquellos con buena comida y gran historia. No busco lugares “instagrameables” hechos solo para fotos, sino lugares únicos con cosas más significativas que hacer.
What are some underrated places to visit in Mexico that visitors might overlook?
Baja is a large region, and many people head to Cabo, which can be very expensive.There are better places to see in Baja like La Paz or Loreto which is a hidden gem. There’s also a place in Baja Norte called Bahía de los Ángeles where there’s a lot of sport fishing and you can visit the beautiful nearby islands. It’s a very small town, but it’s beautiful. Those are my favorite underrated spots in Baja, but La Paz is starting to become more popular.
¿Cuáles son algunos destinos poco conocidos en México que los visitantes podrían pasar por alto?
Baja es una región muy grande, y muchas personas van directo a Cabo, que puede ser muy caro. Hay mejores lugares para visitar en Baja como La Paz o Loreto, que es una joya escondida. También hay un lugar en Baja Norte llamado Bahía de los Ángeles, donde se practica mucho la pesca deportiva y puedes visitar las hermosas islas cercanas. Es un pueblo muy pequeño, pero muy hermoso. Esos son mis lugares subestimados favoritos en Baja, aunque La Paz está empezando a ganar popularidad.
What’s your favorite part of Baja’s food and drink scene?
The gastronomic experience in Baja has brought the region into international prominence especially since Michelin released its first guide to Mexico last year. Food has been a big driver of tourism and is bringing more international visitors to the Baja region lately, especially in Valle de Guadalupe—which is like a small Napa Valley for us in Ensenada. It was one of the few places in Baja people could safely visit during the pandemic which helped it become such a popular destination. The Valle de Guadalupe’s wine region has grown a lot in the last 20 years.
¿Cuál es tu parte favorita de la escena gastronómica y de bebidas en Baja?
La experiencia gastronómica en Baja ha llevado a la región a una prominencia internacional, especialmente desde que Michelin lanzó su primera guía de México el año pasado. La comida ha sido un gran motor del turismo y últimamente está trayendo a más visitantes internacionales a la región de Baja, especialmente al Valle de Guadalupe—que es como un pequeño Napa Valley para nosotros en Ensenada. Fue uno de los pocos lugares en Baja que la gente podía visitar con seguridad durante la pandemia, lo cual ayudó a que se convirtiera en un destino tan popular. La región vitivinícola del Valle de Guadalupe ha experimentado un notable crecimiento en los últimos 20 años.
What are you most excited to experience at this year’s Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
I haven’t been to the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival before and am really excited to attend. One of my dearest friends, chef Adria Marina will be hosting the Game Changers dinner and I absolutely love her food and am excited to support her. She was a judge for MasterChef in Colombia for three seasons and she’s a famous chef here in Mexico. Previously, she got her start cooking with one of Mexico’s first Michelin Star chefs, Javier Plascencia, and I absolutely love her restaurant, Georgina.
¿Qué es lo que más te emociona experimentar en el Del Mar Wine + Food Festival de este año?
Nunca he ido al Del Mar Wine + Food Festival y estoy muy emocionada de asistir. Una de mis amigas más queridas, la chef Adria Marina, será la anfitriona de la cena Game Changers, y me fascina su comida, por lo que estoy emocionada de apoyarla. Ella fue jueza de MasterChef en Colombia durante tres temporadas y es una chef muy reconocida aquí en México. Anteriormente, comenzó cocinando con uno de los primeros chefs con estrella Michelin en México, Javier Plascencia, y me encanta su restaurante, Georgina.
Danielle Schaffer, known as CityGirlGoneMom, is a NYC-born, San Diego-based creator and mother of four who built a 10M+ community by sharing raw, relatable stories of family, resilience, and joy. From parenting humor to red-carpet moments with her son Brody, she blends grit, glamour, and heart into content that inspires connection and authenticity.
What do you love about City Girl Gone Mom ?
I’ve always documented my children. I mean, I gave birth with a camera in my hand. I’m so proud of my kids, and it’s a passion of mine to share their lives. But it’s also about using my platform for purpose. When my brother died of an accidental overdose, I partnered with Narcan to help raise awareness. Someone wrote me saying they were going to rehab instead of using after hearing my story and that gave me the reason to keep going. So for me, it’s both documenting the beautiful everyday moments and sharing the real things that might help someone else.
What are your favorite things to do in San Diego with family?
If you have little ones, I really love the New Children’s Museum downtown. I love going to Coronado to ride bikes. I love going to see the seals in La Jolla and finding hidden pathways to the beach that few people know about. I also really love downtown, because that’s the city in me, and then I love Encinitas, of course. Just walking up the 101 is fantastic.
What’s your favorite part of San Diego’s food and drink scene?
There are so many perks; I love living by the ocean, I love the hills, the mountains, the people are really kind and sweet. It just seems like a right fit for our family and raising kids. And we are definite foodies around here—we love a good restaurant. One of my favorites is Lucrezia. The management there is divine. I can’t go there without eating mussels, my favorite dish on the menu.
What are you most excited to experience at this year’s Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
The epic flavor lineup from top chefs and restaurants. Chefs like Brian Malarkey, Jackson Kalb, and Zuliya Khawaja. Looking forward to a festival that basically feels like [San Diego’s] lifestyle with a dynamic roster and immersive, themed experiences.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Not all monsters have to be scary. In fact, entrepreneur Pinyada “Ada” Primpray’s is delightful. Sea Monster, a small cafe that will serve poke bowls, fresh spring rolls, and matcha, will open in Mission Valley by the end of the year.
“The concept is a Hawaiian- and Japanese-style cafe,” Primpray explains. She calls it Sea Monster in homage to her friend’s popular restaurant Big Monster Sushi & Thai in Hawaii, but “the idea really started to take shape after I came back from a solo trip to Italy,” she says. The experience inspired her to start her own concept that mixed her culture, experience, and passion for food.
Sea Monster will be her first restaurant as an owner, but Primpray has worked in restaurants for 15 years in places like Kauai, Chicago, New York, and San Diego. She realized a similar health-conscious, seafood-forward, quick-service restaurant could work here, especially in that corner of Mission Valley where pizza and burgers reign. Plus, she points to the massive development plans for the area—between Riverwalk bringing thousands of new homes to the area and even more coming from San Diego State University, there are lots of new locals looming on the horizon.
She brought on Head Chef Wasu Gibb Palipote from Sushisamba in Los Angeles to develop the menu and signature sauces, like ink wasabi and a larb sauce. “Every couple of months, we plan to introduce a new signature sauce created exclusively for Sea Monster by [Chef Palipote],” she says. All the sauces will be homemade, including a basil creamy sauce and sesame vinegar.
Courtesy of Pinyada “Ada” Primpray
Sea Monster’s menu centers around fresh poke bowls—mostly locally-caught bluefin tuna and hamachi as well as salmon, served California-style rather than Hawaiian-style (the sauces are added to order rather than marinating on the fish, which can overpower its flavor). Toppings will range from the usual, like edamame and green onion, to upscale, like uni (sea urchin). She’ll also serve fresh salad rolls, a popular light snack in Vietnam and her native Thailand, with vegetables and seafood like salmon, shrimp, and imitation crab. Everything will be served to-go, although there will be very limited seating for people who want to dive in right away.
The matcha program will start small, with six iterations planned for opening and potentially more in the future. “I really want to have mango sticky rice,” she adds. Beyond adding items to the menu, Primpray says she hopes Sea Monster will be more than a restaurant. “I want it to grow into a lifestyle brand with its own little world,” she says, pointing to the restaurant’s mascot, Smoo. A monster with aspirations of growing bigger and bigger until it takes over? Yeah, sounds about right.
Sea Monsterwill open daily for lunch and dinner in late 2026 at 6110 Friars Road in Mission Valley.
Oktoberfest season is closing in fast, and one of the first dirndl-laced events of the year kicks off at AleSmith Brewing Company this weekend. AleSchmidt Oktoberfest runs every Saturday from September 12 through 26, and the family-friendly event is chock-a-block with German food vendors, live oom-pah bands, stein holding, and a whole lot more. The free event starts at 11 a.m. each Saturday, and from personal experience, I recommend posting up on the early side to snag a seat.
Japanese fine dining restaurant Shio soft opened in August, bringing elegant plates and sunset views to La Jolla. (The area was hardly hurting for either, but I think we could always use some more sushi in our lives.) Has anyone checked it out yet? Let me know what I should order by dropping me a line at [email protected].
Restaurateur brothers Danny and Dante Romero have been on a tear the past few years, consulting at places like Una Mas and taking over The Lion’s Share last summer. It’s understandable to see they recently decided to pause their recurring pop-up concept Two Ducks to recalibrate and figure out its future in a permanent location, but it’s still a bit bittersweet. If it’s “see you later” and not “goodbye,” I can live with that (for now).
Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
“A sharp knife is a safe knife,” says Joshua “Jhun” de Andres, owner of Kuya Sharpens. It only takes a light touch to guide a properly-sharpened knife, while dull knives require much more force to cut through an object, increasing the likelihood and severity of an injury. “If you slip, that’s a lot of force that is now going into your finger, your hand, and that’s where it becomes extremely dangerous.”
De Andres started sharpening knives as a meditative practice during a time of personal grief, a way to zone in on a task with a useful and satisfying outcome. “[It was a] reminder to myself that you can fix something that’s broken and give it purpose again.” Once he ran through his own collection of knives, he started asking friends and family if he could sharpen theirs. When he’d sharpened everyone’s knives he could think of, he started posting videos on TikTok, where his first professional chef customer found him: Chef Tanner Stanich, chef de cuisine at Michelin-recognized Bib Gourmand Mabel’s Gone Fishing.
Courtesy of Kuya Sharpens
“That’s when things really started to take off,” he laughs. He uses whetstones rather than motorized belt sanders to sharpen, which gives him the ability to make microadjustments during the process for a more customized and controlled result. Whetstones also preserve steel more efficiently than other mechanical processes, which are faster, but take off more of the knife’s edge in exchange, reducing the lifespan of the knife.
Learning how to master whetstones takes a lot of time and practice, and while de Andres specializes in sharpening Japanese knives, he’ll sharpen a knife from anywhere. “Every knife deserves to be sharp,” he says.
Japanese kitchen knives are designed for extremely specific purposes: there’s a knife to break down a fish (deba), cut through boneless raw fish for sushi and sashimi (yanagiba), slice vegetables (nakiri), carve meat (sujihiki), debone poultry (honesuki), and even knives only the executive chef can use (kiritsuke). Few other culinary cultures utilize such ultra-specialized tools, and Japanese steel is prized for its extreme hardness and ability to maintain a razor-thin edge for decades when properly cared for.
De Andres is still figuring out different ways to expand his business: hosting workshops at Home Ec on Adams Avenue, creating knife restoration tutorials, and launching private lessons, all while continuing to sharpen knives people bring to him or even send from across the country. And he knows that for both home cooks and professional chefs, sharpening a knife that may have cost hundreds of dollars on a whetstone can feel overwhelming. Will I ruin it? Will I break it?
“You’re most likely not going to break it,” he promises. “But you are going to make it yours, and you have to kind of be okay with that.” Knives age and change just like humans do. Sharpening is an essential part of maintenance, and shaving away the dull edges to restore a shine takes care. And de Andres cares a lot.
“It’s just been really life-giving to me,” he says. “I know it seems really silly that taking a knife and putting it on a whetstone can change your perspective on how you view the world, but for me, it came to me at a time when I needed it most.”
Photo Credit: Lauren di Matteo
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beth’s Bites
Mesa Agricola, a tiny taqueria in Escondido, made this year’s New York Times50 best restaurants in the US list. If you’ve had the privilege of eating the guisado delicacies from chef Juan González and Megan Strom, you’ll understand why. Congrats on the recognition—and happy first birthday!
Ranchito Milkyway, a farmstand in Bonita, also has plenty of events to pencil into your calendar, starting with an Indian cuisine-inspired farm-to-table dinner on September 19 with chef Kanta from Sattvik to an Italian cooking class on October 17 with chef Elisa from Balsamico Italian Kitchen. If you’re chock-full of things to do over the next few weeks, there’s always the option to snag one of their CSA boxes for an abundance of winter greens, vegetables, and herbs for home cooking.
Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
October 2: Drew Brees Celebrity Pickleball Tournament
Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees will host a slew of celebrity athletes, chefs, and other hunger-relief supporters for a Celebrity Pickleball Tournament to raise money for Feeding San Diego. The tournament at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma is part of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, which has raised more than $100,000 for Feeding San Diego and other local nonprofit organizations since 2023.
October 3: Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Illumination Gala
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking research at its Illumination Gala at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Support from the gala will help Sanford Burnham Prebys continue to advance medicine and change lives.
Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society
October 3: San Diego Humane Society’s 40th Annual Fur Ball
San Diego Humane Society supporters—both people and pets—will get dressed to the nines for the 40th annual Fur Ball. Proceeds from the event at San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street campus will support the organization’s efforts to care for more than 40,000 animals each year.
October 3: Voices for Children Starry Starry Night Gala
Voices for Children will celebrate the impact of its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) at its Starry Starry Night Gala on the Heron Lawn at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. The 46-year-old organization is the only agency in the county designated to provide CASAs to advocate for local foster children.
October 3: Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala
Show off your sparkle at the Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala at the Town & Country Resort. The nonprofit will celebrate six decades of service with dinner, entertainment, and special guests.
October 11: Robin’s Nest Rescue Rockin’ Robin Music Fest
More than 30 performers will take the stage to support Robin’s Nest Rescue at its fourth annual Rockin’ Robin Music Fest. The five-acre animal sanctuary in Ramona will also celebrate America’s 250th birthday, showcase local artisans, and introduce guests to some of its rescue animals.
October 17: Adjoin Soil to Soul Garden Party
Local nonprofit Adjoin will host a whimsical garden party fundraiser at a private home in La Mesa. The Soil to Soul Garden Party will support Adjoin’s mission to build inclusive communities and support independence for people with disabilities and veteran families experiencing homelessness.
October 24: Living Coast Discovery Center Farm to Bay
Enjoy bites, beverages, and animal encounters at Living Coast Discovery Center’s Farm to Bay fundraiser. The annual event at the nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge will support coastal conservation efforts.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: September 15-20
Stop by Adams Avenue Street Fair, sample the Capital of Craft Beer Fest, and experience the new exhibition Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art
This week marks summer’s last hurrah before the seasonal transition to fall, and there are plenty of ways to make the most of it. There’s the Surf Lounge Festival, the fifth annual BirdStock, and the two-day Adams Avenue Street Fair, all of which boast a plethora of live music options and local artisans. There are also world premieres, including the first chances to see the play A Black-billed Cuckoo at La Jolla Playhouse and MCASD’s Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art exhibition. On top of that, the Padres are back in town, and fans can pack the stands at Petco Park to support the team in their playoff push.
With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Emilio Nares Foundation will present its 23rd annual Harvest for Hope fundraiser dinner this Thursday (5:30 p.m.). Guests will have the chance to try food from a curated selection of more than 20 chefs, breweries, and wineries from the SoCal and Baja regions while supporting a worthwhile cause. General admission is $250 online; tickets support free medical transportation, emotional care and critical services through the Emilio Nares Foundation for kids facing cancer and life-threatening diseases.
5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar
Capital of Craft Beer Fest
September 19
Though San Diego Beer Week won’t start pouring until Nov. 6, Christmas has come early for enjoyers of locally crafted brews. The 21-plus Capital of Craft Beer Fest returns Saturday (1-4 p.m.) at Broadway Pier, with local food and merchant vendors, performances by 80s Resurrection and Agent 51, and best of all, more than 70 beers to sample via unlimited two-ounce tastings.Ticket options include general admission ($57) and VIP passes ($78), which come with in-and-out privileges and an exclusive hour of premium beer sampling from noon to 1 p.m.; a portion of proceeds will go towards the San Diego Brewers Guild.
1000 North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
Taste of Bonita
September 19
Toast to Bonita’s culture, history, and cuisine this Saturday (5-9 p.m.) during the Taste of Bonita. Held at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, this charitable and educational soirée will feature tastings from local restaurants, as well as silent auction drawings, children’s activities, artisans and craft items, and a gallery exhibit on BonitaFest. Tickets, which come with unlimited tastings and a beverage, are $55 for guests ages 12 and older, $20 for ages 5-12 years old, and free for kids ages four and younger; proceeds will help support the year-round free programming offered by the Bonita Historical Society.
4355 Bonita Road, Bonita
Courtesy of We the Commas
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
BirdStock Music Festival & Artisan Market
September 19
Who needs Woodstock when there’s BirdStock? This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., all are invited to La Jolla’s Bird Rock neighborhood for entertainment from local musicians, an artisan market, and all-day activities to fundraise for arts and music programming at La Jolla Coastal Conservancy and Bird Rock Elementary. The 5th annual BirdStock Music Festival & Artisan Market will also include live DJs, a wine and beer garden, VIP libation areas, food trucks, pro BMX athletes and skateboarders, pickleball, a pet parade, and a custom hat bar.
5500-5700 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla
Surf Lounge Festival
September 19
The legend of Pacific Beach’s bygone Surf Lounge lives on this Saturday from 2-10 p.m. during this 21-plus party at The Soap Factory. Surf Lounge Festival is a passionate celebration of surf culture with a healthy dose of indie rock, featuring performances by the bands Summer Salt, Three-Legged Dog, Tropa Magica, Couch Dog, and Bēd. The festivities will also include five vinyl DJs, tattoos, and 20 local vendors. General admission is $50, and $60 the day of the festival.
2995 Commercial Street, Logan Heights
Earth, Wind & Fire at Civic Theatre
September 19
Technically, “the 21st of September” doesn’t arrive until Monday, but any concert from Earth, Wind & Fire is certainly cause for celebration. The legendary group is still carrying its legacy of love, soul, and R&B brilliance more than five decades after its formation. Experience the jubilant rhythms of the band’s greatest, most danceable hits when they play the Civic Theatre this Saturday (8 p.m.). Tickets start at $138 for this concert.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Tickets to the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival get you in the door. The real fun is figuring out who you’ll run into once you’re there. This year’s weeklong schedule of exclusive events, running September 30–October 4, includes dinners, tastings, and loosely-supervised chaos where celebrity chefs and local icons finally let their hair down.
The festival has a track record of the unexpected: Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul once toasted their mezcal brand Dos Hombres with an intimate dinner at the Lodge at Torrey Pines (and then, evidently unsatisfied, kept drinking it on the cliffs above Blacks Beach with a rotating cast of San Diego and Food Network chefs. Alex Morgan showed up for a dinner under the lights honoring the country’s most badass women chefs). Drew Brees ran a celebrity pickleball tournament where the guy from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia got absolutely humbled by locals.
If you scored a ticket to last year’s Grand Tasting, you might’ve caught Guy Fieri doing exactly what Guy Fieri does: strolling the grass, signing t-shirts and foreheads, and hanging off the DJ surf van like it was built for him. Meanwhile, local chef Ethan Yang of Glass Box walked off with the Chef Competition surfboard.
So whether your plan for 2026 is to corner legendary San Diego chefs like Victor Jimenez of Cowboy Star and Jon Sloan of Juniper & Ivy in person, or just aim for a spontaneous golf cart ride with a Food Network star—here’s your cheat sheet for where to run into a celebrity chef, TV personality, award-winning winemaker, or pro athlete at this year’s Del Mar Wine & Food Festival.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Troy Johnson, Karen Krasne
Signature San Diego Opening Night Party
September 30 | 6 – 9 p.m. | Monarch Ocean Pub
Consider this your soft landing into festival week—the walk-around tasting that eases you in before things get chaotic later on. Monarch Ocean Pub hands its patio over to the flavors that define San Diego eating: Baja seafood done right, coastal bites, Mexican flavors with some heat behind them, all the staples locals will fight you over.
The celebrity sightings here lean more “bump into” than “spot from across the room.” Troy Johnson—Food Network judge, San Diego Magazine chief content officer and co-owner, Emmy-winning host, a man who has eaten his way across the entire country professionally—is the type to materialize at whichever station has the longest line, because he already knows it’s worth the wait. Ask him what he’s had so far. He’ll have opinions.
Then there’s celebrity pastry chef Karen Krasne, owner and executive pastry chef of Extraordinary Desserts, James Beard House alum, and a woman Forbes once ranked among the top 10 pastry chefs in the country—which tracks, because you might find her holding court next to a tray of her roasted pecan shortbread dipped in white chocolate, explaining exactly why this is the flavor combination. You will listen to every word, too, because you’ll want to try that cookie.
This is an opening night party where the person next to you in line might just be the one who baked the thing you’re about to eat.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Bryn McArthur, Mawa McQueen
Chateau Montelena’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
October 1 | 6 – 9 p.m. | Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fifty years ago, a Napa Chardonnay beat France at its own game and rewrote what the world thought it knew about wine. This dinner is that legacy, poured by the family who built it, course by course.
Under the arches at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Ernie Hahn and the Hahn family, who partnered with the Barretts to revive Chateau Montelena into the Napa powerhouse it is today, host an evening built entirely around the winery’s most iconic pours. Every course gets its own pairing straight from the Montelena portfolio, so you’re not just hearing about the Judgment of Paris, you’re tasting the wine that started it.
Chef Mawa McQueen, a former James Beard Best of the West winner out of Aspen, brings globally inspired cuisine and serious technique to the table. Alongside her, Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s executive chef Bryn McArthur leans into farm-to-table sensibility shaped by a career of global kitchens. Together they’re building a menu meant to hold its own against wine that already changed history once.
This is the rare dinner where the wine isn’t just accompanying the meal, it’s the reason the meal exists. Fifty years after Paris, the rematch is happening right here in Del Mar.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!
