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Charitable SD JULY 8, 2020

How a Choir Group Turned Nonprofit Is Helping Unsheltered San Diegans Find Hope

What started as a few people jamming on the street has turned into a life-changing, self-sustaining nonprofit

How a Choir Group Turned Nonprofit Is Helping Unsheltered San Diegans Find Hope
Michele Zousmer

It’s 11 a.m. on a Friday at the Living Water Church, located at 16th and Market in the East Village. Steph Johnson holds a guitar and speaks into a microphone. “If you have a solo, it’s time to memorize,” she says calmly to a seated group of about 100 people. One-third of them are unsheltered, another third are on the brink, and the rest are volunteers or East Village residents. The group makes up an R & B/soul choir called Voices of Our City, and they are rehearsing for a concert that’s one week away called “Summer in the City,” which will take place in the Quartyard.

The church is abuzz with vocal warm-ups, preshow jitters, and the promise of lunch. Anyone and everyone is welcome at these weekly sing-alongs—people come for the camaraderie and the stress relief, but only about 50 of the members will perform. A few professional musicians tinker with their band equipment. Someone in the choir has brought a kitty in a backpack-type carrier.

On cue, they close their eyes and collectively sing on a vowel, with the digeridoo that one of the musicians plays.

They rehearse the Sister Sledge classic “We Are Family,” followed by Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and Paul Simon’s “Homeless.” During a break, they sing “Happy Birthday” to a young man named Ray.

Voices of Our City / Choir 2

Voices of Our City / Choir 2

Michele Zousmer

The choir performs an original song that some members wrote together called “Sounds of the Sidewalk.” It describes coins falling in a cup, a baby crying. A sample lyric goes like this: “Gotta keep that hope for tomorrow/ With my dignity inside/ What’s mine is yours to borrow/ Together we touch the sky.” The tune is catchy and the lyrics a testament to how the choir members’ lives have been transformed, thanks in large part to Johnson.

Johnson does not have a background in social work or social enterprise. But three years ago, the 39-year-old San Diego native noticed a big change in the East Village. “It seemed like overnight there were thousands more people on the street.” She began educating herself on the issues around homelessness and learned that affordable housing units had been removed while people on the street were going to jail. “I thought it was just so incredibly inhumane. My mother’s disabled, and I grew up a little bit on assistance, so I know not everyone has the same circumstances.”

Johnson had befriended a lot of people who were living on the street. With her guitar by her side, she would hand out food and bottles of water and sing with them. Sometimes she’d bring friends, and they would distribute feminine hygiene products. Around that time, the Living Water pastor noticed what she was doing and offered up his church space to use for anything. “I was like, ‘Really? I don’t go to church. Really?’” Johnson recalls. “I said, ‘I want to start a choir.’ The words kind of came from somewhere else. I knew that a lot of the people I’d met on the street, we bonded through making art or singing.” What started with one person grew to nine, then 20. KPBS did a story on Voices of Our City at the end of 2016. “It went nationwide on PBS NewsHour, and our lives were never the same,” she says.

 

 

Johnson, a self-taught musician who did banking in her former life, was about to go on a European tour with her fourth album. But Voices was getting gig after gig, so she put her album and music career on hold. People wanted to hire them to perform, but they needed money to transport members and feed them (Voices provides food every time they get together to sing). So, to be more organized and efficient, they held auditions for a 30-member performance choir that rehearses separately and performs about one to four times per week. Their paying gigs include community events and conferences, but they also do donated concerts at places like women’s shelters. They even performed “Amazing Grace” with the San Diego Symphony at the Bayside Performance Park in 2018. With the orchestra’s new music director, Rafael Payare, they are recording an album.

In addition to all the music and performing, Johnson had to learn how to establish a nonprofit and create a board. Today she is the cofounder and executive director and also acts as a music director.

The concerts became a revenue stream that allowed them to hire a case manager, programs director, and drivers—a few of whom started out as choir members. They run about 10 programs, from songwriting and guitar lessons to personal development workshops. More importantly, they’ve helped 40 people get into housing or safe shelter. “The wraparound support, the feeling of family, is the transformational element,” she says. Voices of Our City also does advocacy and trains members in public speaking and how to tell their story. They meet regularly with elected officials and go to city council and transit meetings.

“We really felt like in San Diego it’s all so fractured. I couldn’t give people a phone number and say, ‘Call this number,’ when I knew it was broken on the other end. So, we use our popularity and our name. A lot of agencies come now to practice. Everyone’s welcome—people who are sheltered, people who live up the street . . . if they want to come sing with us, they can sing. And so, you’re sitting next to someone who is unsheltered, and then that person is immediately in a conversation with somebody in a respectful dialogue, so it’s really unique.”

Voices of Our City / Choir 3

Voices of Our City / Choir 3

Michele Zousmer

Music and gathering is a very simple and free antidote to sadness, desperation, and loneliness, and Johnson seems to have struck a very sweet chord in the community.

In between songs, Johnson continues to teach the choir, not just about music, but also about performing and commitment and showing up. Life skills.

She is telling the members that there will be paying customers at the concert and that the choir should think about sharing the venue and not just taking over.

“I always try to give up my space or comfort to make accommodations for others. Someone who bought a ticket, can you give your seat to them?”

Harmony—it’s now a sound on the sidewalk in the East Village.


Editor’s Note: We first published this story in our Charitable Giving Guide 2020. In May, Voices of Our City earned a Golden Buzzer on TV’s America’s Got Talent. Then in June, the organization lost its co-founder, Nina Deering, in a vehicle accident. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all the members of this choir that brings hope and joy to so many San Diegans. Support them here.

Steph Johnson (on guitar) performs with Voices of Our City at “Summer in the City.”

Michele Zousmer

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Charitable SD AUGUST 27, 2026

Las Patronas Celebrates 80 Years of Giving Back to San Diego

The all-volunteer organization has awarded more than $28 million to local nonprofits—and its members still do the work by hand

Las Patronas Celebrates 80 Years of Giving Back to San Diego
Photo Credit: Melissa Jacobs

Las Patronas turns 80 this year. But its newly minted octogenarian status doesn’t mean the all-volunteer organization is slowing down. On August 8, Las Patronas celebrated eight decades of philanthropy at its Venetian-themed Jewel Ball at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. 

More than 800 attendees attended the philanthropic event, a sold-out black-tie gala, which featured classic Italian sports cars, photo ops in a gondola, a replica of the Orologio tower, and other thoughtful details that set the scene for an elegant and festive evening.

Though the Jewel Ball is one of the highlights of the gala season and the most visible element of Las Patronas’ mission, it’s also an opportunity to thank supporters, showcase the organization’s impact, and cap off fundraising efforts throughout the year.

“Behind the gowns, flowers, and celebration is an extraordinary amount of work and an even more extraordinary group of women who make that work possible. This includes our members, both active and advisory, along with our donors, sponsors, nonprofit partners, and generations of San Diegans who have supported Las Patronas,” says Colleen Lighter, the organization’s president. 

Courtesy of Las Patronas

Looking Back on a Legacy 

As Las Patronas celebrated at its 80th annual Jewel Ball, Festa di Venezia, members reflected on how special it is for an organization to remain so vibrant and relevant for eight decades.

Las Patronas was founded in 1946 by a small group of women with a shared desire to give back to their community. In the decades since, Las Patronas has transitioned into one of San Diego’s premier philanthropic organizations, providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations across an array of causes. Major beneficiaries for 2026, who will each receive grants of more than $20,000 for capital projects, include Alpha Project for the Homeless, Canine Companions, Meals on Wheels San Diego County, National Marine Mammal Foundation, Promises2Kids, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Workshops for Warriors. 

“What started with friendship, philanthropy, and service has grown into an organization that has funded more than $28 million in grants for over 4,500 nonprofit organizations throughout San Diego County,” explains Lighter.

She notes that it’s especially meaningful that while San Diego has changed tremendously over the years, Las Patronas’ spirit of giving has held steady. “The needs of our community evolve, the organizations serving those needs evolve, and the things they need to do their work evolve. Our responsibility is to listen, learn, and make thoughtful investments that allow those organizations to serve San Diego more effectively,” she says.

Courtesy of Las Patronas

Charity and Commitment

Part of what makes Las Patronas stand out among philanthropic groups is its hands-on approach to service. The Jewel Ball is known for over-the-top décor, with many of its elements crafted in painstaking detail by members of Las Patronas, a tradition dating back to the first Jewel Ball. 

In addition to fundraising throughout the year, leading up to the event, members log long hours in “The Warehouse,” where they put their creative skills to work, painting backdrops, assembling centerpieces, and doing everything it takes to turn the exterior of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club into a grand ballroom. They also haul all of their handiwork to the venue and set up, then break it back down immediately after the event wraps.  

“The motivation behind one extraordinary evening is an entire year of fundraising, grantmaking, and thousands of hours of volunteer work,” says Lighter. 

That collaborative spirit stretches far longer than just a year. Las Patronas keeps its roster of members intentionally small and highly engaged. To ensure senior members stay on long enough to hold a handful of leadership positions and show newer members the ropes, the organization requires a commitment of six to seven years. It also requires all members to work with its grants committee, visit eligible nonprofit organizations that apply for grants, and assist in the vetting and selection processes.  

“Our members have careers, families, and very full lives, yet they make an extraordinary commitment of time. Members participate in fundraising, evaluate grant requests, visit nonprofit organizations, serve on committees, and quite literally build and produce the Jewel Ball together,” says Lighter. “That investment of time is part of what makes Las Patronas and the relationships we form within the group special. We don’t simply raise money and write checks. We do the work ourselves, shoulder-to-shoulder, and we take stewardship of the money entrusted to us very seriously.” 

Courtesy of Las Patronas

The Past Carries the Future

Lighter says Las Patronas is defined not by moments or events, but by its traditions, which will continue for generations to come.  

“When you think about the generations of women who have given their time, talent, and energy to Las Patronas since 1946 and the donors, sponsors, advisory members, and community partners who have believed in our mission, you realize that our job is both to honor what they built and make sure it remains relevant and strong for the future,” she says.  

And though events like Jewel Ball are rewarding, the real magic happens once the funds are put to work. Lighter recalls one story that captures the quiet impact Las Patronas hopes to continue to make. A woman reached out to say that as a child, she’d attended a school where Las Patronas had funded a new floor and noted how much brighter the campus felt. It may not sound transformational, but it made a difference, and decades later, people still remember.   

“That is what capital giving can do. A vehicle can allow an organization to reach people it couldn’t reach before. A piece of medical equipment can expand care. A commercial kitchen can allow a nonprofit to feed more people or train people in a new profession so they can flourish. Technology can help an organization serve an entirely new population and expand their impact,” she explains. “We aren’t trying to tell nonprofits what they need. We listen to them, learn about their work, and help provide the critical tools they tell us will allow them to do more of it.” 

As she looks to the next 80 years, Lighter’s hope is that Las Patronas continues to evolve without losing what makes it special: thoughtful stewardship, hands-on service, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to San Diego.

“The needs will change. The nonprofits will change. San Diego will change. Las Patronas will change with it, but our mission will always remain the same,” she says.

Photos Credit: Melissa Jacobs

Sarah Sapeda

About Sarah Sapeda

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.

Charitable SD AUGUST 24, 2026

La Jolla’s Historical Society Debuts New Name & Mission

After more than six decades of preserving the community’s past, the newly renamed museum is expanding how it tells its stories

La Jolla’s Historical Society Debuts New Name & Mission
Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla

La Jolla has a rich history. From its roots as Kumeyaay territory and early days shaped by influential San Diegans like Ellen Browning Scripps to the vibrant hub for arts, culture, and education that it is today, the roughly seven-mile stretch along the coast has long been a local gem. 

In 1964, a group of volunteers came together to preserve the history of the community. They formed the La Jolla Historical Society, which has since evolved into the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. For the past 62 years, the organization has worked to protect historic buildings, archival materials, and recorded memories, ensuring the character of the neighborhood would endure well into the future. 

“La Jolla is a small community, but it has a fascinating history,” says Lauren Lockhart, executive director of the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. “The focus was always on how do we preserve the stories, places, and people that make La Jolla unique, and that remains central to our mission.”

However, in its early days, the organization was limited in what types of programming it could offer because it didn’t have a permanent homebase. A pivotal point came in 2008, when it was gifted Wisteria Cottage, originally the private residence of Virginia Scripps, by descendants of the Scripps family. The historic Craftsman cottage had been remodeled by famed architect Irving Gill, whose other modernist works are peppered throughout La Jolla, adding to its distinctive look. The organization then launched a capital campaign to expand into a museum-quality space to host exhibitions and to store the tens of thousands of photos, drawings, postcards, and other materials in its collection, Lockhart explains. 

“At that point the organization could really begin to invest in developing a public space and public programs that would give back to the community,” she adds. “That effort accelerated with my predecessor, Heath Fox, who pushed the organization to think about an exhibition program that was interdisciplinary in nature. It’s something that drew me to this organization and that I’ve continued to advocate for because examining history through lenses of art, architecture, science, and literature is so compelling and such a great way to bring different audiences into the fold.”   

Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla

The organization entered another period of transformation this year when it “outgrew” its previous identity as La Jolla Historical Society and officially rebranded as the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. The organization had transitioned from a traditional historical society into a professionally operated museum and wanted to reflect that while also amplifying its ability to connect with broader audiences. 

“We’ve grown so far beyond what a traditional historical society might offer to the public that we were finding that often, especially younger generations, they would come through our doors and say, ‘Wow, it’s a lot cooler than I thought it would be,’ which is a nice compliment, but it made us ask ourselves who’s not coming through our doors because they’re not sure what we have to offer or that they will see themselves reflected here,” says Lockhart. “We wanted to remove that barrier and make sure that everyone, just from recognizing our name, will think, That sounds like there’s something there for me, and that definitely is evidenced in our current programming and exhibitions.”  

Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla

The change, she says, has been a long time coming. “We’ve already made a lot of huge strides over the years,” Lockhart says. “It’s about our name catching up to our work.”

The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla’s current exhibits include Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles, presented in partnership with the Visions Museum of Textile Art at Liberty Station, on display through September 6. On deck is The Scientific Art of Historic Preservation, which explores the processes behind the museum’s mission. To honor the philanthropic spirit of the Scripps sisters, admission to the museum and many of its public programs are free of charge. 

Sarah Sapeda

About Sarah Sapeda

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.

Charitable SD AUGUST 19, 2026

MANA de San Diego Is Building a Community of Mentors

For nearly four decades, the Latina mentorship organization has connected volunteers with girls and young women

MANA de San Diego Is Building a Community of Mentors
Courtesy of MANA de San Diego

MANA de San Diego has spent the past 38 years building a community to help girls and women thrive. Short for hermana, Spanish for sister, MANA de San Diego is part of a national organization that aims to empower Latinas to reach their full potential through programs like its Hermanitas mentoring program for middle and high school students, which has served more than 600 girls and young women since its inception and, in recent years, boasts 100 percent high school graduation and college admission rates.

Volunteers like Brenda Lemas are essential to MANA de San Diego’s mission. Here, she details her service with the organization and why, for her, mentoring is truly paying it forward. 

How did you first get involved with MANA de San Diego?

I had just come back from a conference that was sponsored by LATINA Style magazine. I was receiving an award while I was still on active duty in the Navy. It was all women, all different branches of the military. The environment I was in excited me so much. I had never been in a room full of women who just wanted to help each other out.

When I came back to San Diego, I started looking for that type of community. I found MANA and I volunteered at its Latina Success Conference. It was just incredible. I stayed connected with MANA, but because I was still on active duty, I couldn’t fully engage as a volunteer. When I retired, I wanted to go back to it. They wanted me to do the Latina Success Leadership Program, and during that, one of the women asked me if I wanted to be a mentor. I really enjoy mentoring. When I was in the military on active duty, that was something that was at the top of my priorities. I always wanted to mentor people. 

What do your duties entail? 

I was asked to be in the leadership program, so I became part of the leadership team and did that for a year. And I have done a consulting gig with them. Right now I’m a mentor, and help any time I can with any of the events. I really love the community that they have. 

For me, what it means is giving back. I didn’t have a strong female role model when I was growing up. I kind of always searched for that. But I think slowly, life shapes you and molds you and I sort of became that for other people.

I’ve always looked at mentors as somebody to provide guidance. And that’s what we do. The program is for young women, and the purpose is to encourage them to continue in their academic journeys. As a woman in a professional space, you’re offering that guidance to that young woman, and the goal is to get them through high school and eventually for them to pursue higher education. Then some of them come back and they become mentors. It’s a holistic way to empower young women. 

What do you like best about volunteering at MANA de San Diego?

My favorite part has been seeing my mentee grow. You always learn something different from each person that you get to mentor. The experience is not one-way; they get a lot from it, but then as a mentor, you gain a lot of knowledge. With my mentee now, she was going through some stuff when she first started the program that I didn’t fully understand. But it allowed me to gain some insight into what it looks like for a young adult and how to help her and support her. And I really didn’t have to do much other than be a strong presence for her. She’s a very smart, intelligent young woman. 

Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?

It is the whole process. I look back, like, if I had only had somebody in my life that could have been there, I probably would’ve done most of the things that [my mentee] has done. None of what she’s accomplished I was able to do in my young lifetime. She’s just so motivated; it’s a confidence that I can’t explain, and a complete 180 from where she started. 

Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?

The question for them is, ‘What are you trying to get out of it?’ Most of us volunteer for a reason, like a higher purpose or something like that. But I would recommend finding a community where you feel like you belong and just do it. It doesn’t have to necessarily be difficult. Just go out there and start asking people, ‘Where can I help?’ 

Sarah Sapeda

About Sarah Sapeda

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.

Studio S SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

The Best Gym in San Diego Isn’t Really a Gym Anymore

Earlier this year, Fit quietly dropped "athletic" from its brand, from Fit Athletic Clubs to simply Fit, and started calling itself something new: a social wellness club.

The Best Gym in San Diego Isn’t Really a Gym Anymore
Courtesy of FIT

There’s a version of San Diego that lives in two extremes. On one side, the 5 a.m. crowd: biohackers, marathoners, people who’ve already logged a cold plunge before your alarm goes off. On the other, the after-dark crowd, the ones chasing sunset happy hours and late dinners with friends. Everyone seems to be either optimizing or unwinding, and most of us feel like we’re failing at both.

Fit, San Diego’s reigning Best Gym for the third year running, has built its entire identity around erasing that divide.

Walk into one of Fit’s three San Diego locations on a Tuesday afternoon and the lines blur fast. Someone’s mid-set on the squat rack. Someone else has a laptop open at a café table a few feet away, half-working, half-people-watching. A group is trading plans for the weekend’s event by the recovery lounge. Nobody’s in a rush to leave. 

“We’re not competing for the same people,” says Emily Waybright, Public Relations Manager at Fit,  addressing the arrival of a national luxury gym chain in San Diego this year. “We don’t really feel like we’re in the gym category. It’s this unique thing.”

That unique thing has a name now. Earlier this year, Fit quietly dropped “athletic” from its brand, from Fit Athletic Clubs to simply Fit, and started calling itself something new: a social wellness club.

It’s a small wording change with a bigger idea behind it. Fit was never built around escaping the workday. It was built around the people who genuinely like what they do, and who want workouts, work, and friendships to happen in the same place instead of three separate ones. Because sometimes red light therapy with a stranger turns into weekend plans.

Fit’s philosophy traces back to its founder, who started the brand nearly two decades ago after failing to find a gym he actually wanted to belong to. He looked instead to the old-school country club, where people came for a shared interest and stayed for the community. His version was made for a younger generation, minus the golf, plus the loud music.

Which makes it a little ironic that the very award putting Fit back in the spotlight this year is Best Gym.

What does the best traditional gym look like when the definition of a gym is becoming less traditional? It’s a fair question, and Fit’s answer is that the fitness industry itself is shifting. The 45-minutes-in, 45-minutes-out model is giving way to something closer to a genuine third space, the kind of role the office and the bar used to play before remote work and changing nightlife habits rearranged how people spend their time

For Fit, community isn’t a marketing add-on to fitness. It’s the through-line. Members aren’t just paying for a treadmill; they’re paying for an entire day of social wellness that’s built on performance, recovery, connection, and a plan for the next event on the calendar. That’s a much harder membership to walk away from.

Ambition and ease aren’t opposites here, they exist side by side, where passion and play share the same morning. On September 12, Fit is hosting Sol, a full day wellness festival at Fit Social. The morning focuses on wellness classes and vendors and then the evening is a full party with multiple DJ sets and an open bar. Think of it as a kick-off to locals’ summer in San Diego. 

Ready to see what a social wellness club actually looks like? Visit fitclubs.com, or follow along at @thefitclubs on Instagram.

Partner Content
Charitable SD AUGUST 19, 2026

13 Charitable Events to Attend in September 

Here’s where to celebrate, connect, give back, and make a difference this month

13 Charitable Events to Attend in September 
Courtesy of Girl Scouts of San Diego | Photo Credit: Sam Hodgson / Uptown 11 Studios

September 4: Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Day of Service

Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will honor the legacy of the late Jimmy Buffet with a fundraiser for the San Diego Music Foundation. Its Day of Service at its rooftop bar will feature a performance by The Buffett Band, a travel and experience themed silent auction, and interactive entertainment. 

September 5: McAlister Institute Walk for Sobriety

Hundreds of San Diegans will gather at NTC Park at Liberty Station for the McAlister Institute’s 14th Annual Walk for Sobriety. In addition to the walk, the event will include a resource fair with more than 35 nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community organizations that are part of a network of support for those in recovery. 

September 14: Promises2Kids Dream On Concert Gala 

Foreigner will take the stage to benefit Promises2Kids at its Dream On Concert Gala at a private home in La Jolla. Proceeds from the exclusive event will help Promises2Kids create a brighter future for local foster kids. 

September 17: Lucky Duck Foundation 2026 Showcase Soirée

The Lucky Duck Foundation will host its annual Showcase Soirée at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. Proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit’s mission to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. 

September 17: Emilio Nares Foundation Harvest for Hope

Show your support for families of local children with life-threatening diseases at the Emilio Nares Foundation’s Harvest for Hope at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Funds raised will benefit programs like Ride With Emilio, which provides no-cost transportation for families seeking medical treatment, and Healing Through Nature activities for kids in recent cancer remission. 

September 18: Girl Scouts San Diego Urban Campout 2026

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts San Diego’s Camp Winacka, the organization will host a nostalgic evening under the stars. This year’s Urban Campout: Ignite the Possibilities at Girl Scouts San Diego’s Balboa Campus will feature camp-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and activities. 

September 19: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego’s An Evening of Changing Lives

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego will celebrate its impact on local youth at its 13th annual An Evening of Changing Lives. Proceeds from the gala at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina support programs that promote academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles.

September 19: Youth Tennis San Diego Annual Gala 

Youth Tennis San Diego will honor the sport’s American icons at its annual gala at the Barnes Tennis Center. An Evening Celebrating Tennis Heritage & Legends will help the nonprofit make tennis accessible to all youth in San Diego, regardless of background or skill level. 

September 19: Serving Seniors Sunshine Gala 

Serving Seniors will produce a Jukebox Broadway-style show for its highly anticipated Sunshine Gala. The evening at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar will support Serving Seniors’ compassionate and life-changing services for seniors in need throughout San Diego. 

September 25: Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament

Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) will host an 18-hole golf tournament on the South Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to raise money for its financial wellness program. Proceeds from STEP’s Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament will help connect military families and veterans in need with financial social workers, emergency relief, and other tools.

September 26: Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope

Tom Petty Tribute Band, PettyBreakers, will take the stage at the Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. This year, the nonprofit will celebrate its 25th year of transforming the lives of unhoused youth. 

September 26: Boys to Men Mentoring 100 Wave Challenge

Boys to Men Mentoring will celebrate 30 years of service this year at its annual 100 Wave Challenge. The annual surf-a-thon event welcomes hundreds of surfers who attempt to catch 100 waves in one day and raise $1,000 or more to support Boys to Men Mentoring.

September 26: The Party in the Park

The San Diego Automotive Museum will host The Party in the Park to raise money for the museum and programs that equip youth for careers in the automotive industry. The Roaring 20s-themed event at the Balboa Park institution will feature live jazz and an exhibit of 1920s automobiles. 

Sarah Sapeda

About Sarah Sapeda

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.

Arts & Culture AUGUST 5, 2026

The Best of San Diego 2026: Readers’ Picks

From tacos to tailors and trainers to travel, these are the businesses, people, and places that earned San Diego readers' votes

The Best of San Diego 2026: Readers’ Picks
Photo Credit: Narrative Images

Beauty + Cosmetic

Brow Studio

Elicia Marie Beauty

Hair Removal Business (Non-Laser)

Brazilia Skin Care

Laser Hair Removal

San Diego Aesthetics and Med Spa

Lash + Brow Technician

Elicia Soltesz, Elicia Marie Beauty

Lash Studio

Cupid Complexion

Makeup Artist

Ashley Fierro, Ashley Fierro Makeup

Microblading Artist

Sunny Olais, Sunny Bee Brows

Microneedling

Michelle Langston, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, HNB-BC, Starlite Aesthetics

Spa for Skin Care (Non–Med Spa)

Honest Skin

Spray Tan Artist

Alysa Espiritu, Afterglo Beauty Lounge

Spray Tan Studio

Afterglo Beauty Lounge

Waxer

Tracy McMaster, The Wax Lady

Cosmetic or Beauty Product: San Diego–Based

KOA+ROY

Barber

Ronnie Page, Gold Comb Barbershop North Park

Barbershop

Hillside Barber

Courtesy of The Blow Dry Lounge

Blow Dry Bar

The Blow Dry Lounge

Colorist (Balayage)

Mariela Urbina, Rinse Salon

Colorist (Highlights)

Ryleigh Hunter, Headbang Salon

Colorist (Single-Process)

Mariela Urbina, Rinse Salon

Hair Extensions

The Hair Extension Bar

Hair Salon

Pixiedot Salon

Hair Stylist

Ann Teresa Degischer, Maen the Salon

Keratin or Smoothing Treatment Specialist

Lindsay Axelrod, Pixiedot Salon

Scalp Treatment Specialist

Cheng Tan, Koda Salon

Manicurist

Moni, Clawed Up by Moni

Nail Salon

Lulu Nails

Pedicurist

Zoe Walter, Pure Nailz

Piercing Studio

Enigma

Tattoo Artist

Lauren Skinker, Lucky Cat Tattoo

Tattoo Studio

Lucky Cat Tattoo

Courtesy of SUVA Fitness

Fitness

5K Run

Father Joe’s Villages Turkey Trot

Aerial Fitness Studio

Aerial Revolution

Barre Studio

barre3

Best New Class/Program, Opened 2025

SUVA Fitness

Best New Fitness Studio, Opened 2025

Sculpted. A Lagree Studio

Body Sculpting Studio

Move Madly

Boutique Gym

MK Fitness

Boxing Studio

City Boxing

Climbing Gym (Indoor Rock Climbing)

Mesa Rim Climbing

CrossFit Studio

Invictus Fitness

Dance Studio

Madhouse Dance

Fitness Bootcamp

The Camp Transformation Center, West Chula Vista

Fun Run

San Diego Santa Run

Golf Clinic

Singing Hills Golf Club at Sycuan

Half Marathon

Carlsbad Half Marathon

HIIT Studio

Orangetheory Fitness

Kickboxing Studio

9Round Kickboxing Fitness

Lagree Studio

Rise Lagree Studio

Courtesy of Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego

Marathon

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego

Martial Arts Studio (Including Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Krav Maga, and MMA)

Legacy San Diego

Personal Trainer

Camila Casanueva, The Yard Gym

Pickleball Courts

Barnes Tennis Center

Pickleball Lessons

The Hub Pickleball Club

Pilates Studio

SaltVault

Pole Fitness Studio

The Dollhouse Fitness

Spin Studio

Activate House

Surf Lessons

Little Groms Surf Camp

Tennis Club

Balboa Tennis Club

Tennis Courts

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

Tennis Lessons

Mission Hills Tennis

Traditional Gym/Fitness Center

Fit Athletic Club

Triathlon

San Diego Triathlon Series

Yoga Studio

Yoga Box

Photo Credit: James Tran

Food + Drink

Açaí Bowl

everbowl

Bagel

Big City Bagels

Bakery

Valerio’s Bakeshop

Bar

Happy Medium

Bartender

Austin Harrington, Captain’s Quarters

Best Local Alt-Drink, Alcoholic

Bivouac Ciderworks, Savoy Dry Apple Cider

Best New Bar Opened 2025

Kiku Room

Best New Brewery Opened 2025

Good Pressure Brewing Company

Birria

Birria El Rey

Bloody Mary

Waterfront Grill

Bread

Izola

Brewery

Harland Brewing Company

Burrito

The Taco Stand

Canned Cocktails

Cutwater

Caterer

Snake Oil Cocktail Company

Cheese Shop

Venissimo Cheese

Chips & Salsa

La Puerta

Chocolate Shop

San Diego Chocolate Co.

Coffee Beans/Roaster

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Craft Cocktails

Happy Medium

Distillery

Cutwater

Dive Bar

Aero Club

Donuts

Nomad Donuts

Farmers Market

Little Italy Mercato

Farmers Market Food Vendor

Flavors of East Africa

Fish Market

Tunaville Market and Grocery

Fish Taco

Oscars Mexican Seafood

Food Truck

Shawarma Guys

Fries

The Crack Shack

Gourmet Grocery Store

Lazy Acres

Happy Hour

La Puerta

Ice Cream/Gelato

Stella Jean’s

Juice Bar

Señor Mangos

Kombucha

Juneshine

Liquor Store

Old Town Liquor

Local Agave Spirits (Tequila/Mezcal)

Bebemos

Local Beer

Pure Project

Courtesy of Seven Caves Distillery

Local Gin

Seven Caves Distillery

Local Vodka

619 Spirits North Park

Local Whiskey

Skrewball Whiskey

Local Wine

Bernardo Winery

Margarita

Cantina Mayahuel

Martini

Turf Supper Club

Mocktails

Juniper and Ivy

Negroni

Sonny’s Pizza

Old Fashioned

Cowboy Star

Pasta

Pazza Market & Cucina

Phở

Phở Ca Dao

Pizza

Tribute Pizza

Pop Up

Mon Chourie

Produce Market

Specialty Produce

Romantic Bar

Starlite

Rooftop Bar

Communion

Sandwich

Big Jim’s Roast Beef

Smoothies

Señor Mangos

Sommelier

Missi Burns, Et Voila

Speakeasy

Raised by Wolves

Specialty Food Store

The Wise Ox

Sports Bar

Fairplay

Taco

Tacos El Gordo

Taproom/Tasting Room

Pure Project

Tequila/Mezcal Bar

Cantina Mayahuel

Whiskey Bar

Seven Grand

Wine Bar

Finca

Wine Store

Vino Carta

Winery

Gianni Buonomo Vintners

Wings

OB Noodle House

Courtesy of Four Moons Spa

Health + Wellness

Aesthetics + Med Spas: Aesthetician for Facials/Peels/Non-Medical Skincare

Cara Paymaster, CARA Studios

Aesthetics + Med Spas: CoolSculpting/Body Contouring Clinic

Cosmetic Laser Dermatology

Aesthetics + Med Spas: Hormone Therapy/Anti-Aging Clinic

Prospera Internal Medicine and Aesthetics

Aesthetics + Med Spas: IV Therapy/Hydration Lounge

San Diego Aesthetics and Med Spa

Partner Content AUGUST 21, 2026

This Scripps Clinic Physician is Serving Up Care

Laika Nur, MD, takes her love of volleyball from the court to the clinic as team physician for the San Diego Mojo

This Scripps Clinic Physician is Serving Up Care
Courtesy of Scripps Health

Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff  for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice. 

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