Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe
Partner Content JUNE 21, 2022

20 Best Colognes to Get Laid in 2022

The right cologne can give you the confidence you never had—and that’s the most attractive thing a man could be

20 Best Colognes to Get Laid in 2022

Colognes can make or break your chances when it comes to dating, and everyone wants a partner that smells good. In fact, women often rate smelling bad as their biggest turn-off when it comes to dating. The fact is, If you’re wearing a cologne that smells good, you’re going to have an easier time getting laid. But if you wear a cologne that smells bad, you might as well not even bother trying.

How does a good cologne help you get laid? 

According to a 2012 study by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, it’s all about the pheromones. Cologne contains chemicals that can subconsciously communicate to women that a man is available and looking for a mate. This proves that a good cologne will help your dating game exponentially. 

But that’s not the only reason why you should be wearing it. Cologne can also help build your confidence, making you feel more attractive and desirable. There’s a reason why confident men get more action than their shy counterparts. Guys who are confident are more likely to have success with women because they come across as being self-assured and knowing what they want. Confidence is an incredibly attractive trait, and confidence can help you seal the deal with any woman out there. 

Additionally, men often feel better when they are wearing cologne, and it definitely shows when they are out in public. If you’re not sure how to build your confidence, don’t underestimate what a sexy smelling cologne can do for you. The right cologne can give you the confidence you never had—and that’s the most attractive thing a man could be. 

How do you find the right cologne for you? 

There are hundreds of different colognes out there, and deciding on the right one for you and your situation can be difficult. We solved that problem for you by creating this list of the 20 best colognes to get laid in 2022. Whether you’re looking for something spicy and seductive or fresh and clean, we’ve got you covered.

It’s no secret that many men love the smell of a good, spicy leather cologne. But did you ever stop to think why? What is it about this particular scent that drives us wild? 

First, there is something undeniably sexy about the smell of leather. It’s evocative and masculine, two traits that many women find irresistible. Second, spicy scents are known to be stimulating and arousing. They can increase heart rate and create a sense of excitement in the air. Finally, when combined with the smell of leather, these scents can send our senses into overdrive. 

On the other hand, women love colognes that are fresh and clean or on the earthy side. Some say that it’s because these types of scents evoke a sense of cleanliness and safeness. Others argue that these fragrances make men smell more natural and approachable. Whatever the reason may be, one thing is for sure: many women love the way these scents smell on their man. 

Whether you decide to go for a cologne that’s on the spicy side to send your partner’s senses into overdrive, or you decide on a fresh and clean cologne to be more approachable and safe, the colognes on this list are sure to help you when it comes to dating. 

While a cologne probably won’t make all the moves for you, it definitely gives you a boost and helps you seal the deal. So don’t wait any longer—pick a cologne off this list of the 20 best colognes to get laid in 2022. 

1. Atlantis by Blu Atlas

 

The first cologne on this list of the best colognes to get laid is Atlantis by Blu Atlas. Blu Atlas is one of the best men’s skincare brands on the market right now because of their dedication to making premium products. They are backed by science and made from all-natural ingredients, so you know these products will make you feel and smell good. 

Atlantis by Blu Atlas is a clean and masculine scent that is perfect for the modern man who defies convention. This aromatic scent will transport you to a far-off place with its mix of bergamot, clary sage, and patchouli, while the notes of oakmoss, amber, and vanilla provide a grounding presence. This seductive scent is sure to up your dating game and help you get laid. 

Even better, Blu Atlas’s products are dermatologically tested for safety, and all of their products are sulfate and paraben free, so you can be sure your skin is safe from any harsh chemicals. 

If you love Atlantis by Blu Atlas, consider checking out the rest of their skincare line. Their men’s grooming products are sure to give you the same confidence Atlantis does. 

2. Seductive Homme by Guess

Seductive Homme by Guess is a great cologne for the charming, charismatic man who oozes sex appeal. Specifically formulated to increase the attraction of the wearer, this cologne embodies the playful, free-spiritedness of the California lifestyle with the sophistication, glamour, and nostalgia of Mediterranean culture. 

This woody scent evokes feelings of attraction and sophistication, making you irresistible to everyone you meet. With top notes of cardamom, mandarin pulp, and pink pepper blended with heart notes of vanilla orchid, crushed violet leaves, and vetiver oil, this long-lasting fragrance boasts a sense of elegance that is combined with sensuality coupled with masculinity and strength. True to its name, if you want to be confident and seductive, this is the cologne for your next night on the town. 

3. Dior Sauvage

Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum is the perfect scent for the man who wants to exude sensual and mysterious facets. The cologne is inspired by the magic hour of twilight in the desert, a moment when nature awakens, setting the night sky ablaze. It has a raw freshness of peppery bergamot, combined with fresh and woody notes to create a composition that is both raw and noble. This cultivates into an earthy and woody fragrance with scents of citrus and wood, which is perfect for the man who wants a masculine yet mysterious cologne. While women love confidence, they also love mystery. This mysterious scent is sure to turn heads wherever you decide to go. 

For a long-lasting fragrance, consider first cleaning your skin with Dior’s Sauvage Shower Gel and Dior’s Sauvage After-shave balm. Spray the cologne on the pulse points for best results. 

4. La Nuit De L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent 

La Nuit De L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent is a fragrance that embodies intensity, bold sensuality, and seduction. This scent is perfect for the man who wants to feel sexy and in control. It has a bright, masculine freshness that is coupled with sophistication and nonchalance to create a fresh yet deep and mysterious scent. 

The notes of cardamon, cedarwood, and coumarin combine together to create a warm and spicy fragrance that still has hints of cool spices. Whether you’re going out on a date or enjoying a night out with friends, La Nuit De L’homme will make you feel confident and irresistible.

5. Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Georgio Armani

Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Georgio Armani is a masculine fragrance that is both classic and contemporary. This woody citrus scent will transport you to the Mediterranean Sea with its marine notes, bergamot, and cedarwood. 

It’s perfect for any man who wants to feel confident and relaxed while dating. So go ahead and take a deep breath of that refreshingly clean air. This clean and fresh scent is sure to help you get laid. 

6. Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

Bleu de Chanel is a woody, aromatic fragrance that reveals the spirit of a man who chooses his own destiny with independence and determination. This new scent is an exciting blend of citrus and wood featuring a fresh citrus accord followed by ambery cedar notes. T

The notes of wood are amplified by tonka beans and vanilla for heightened sensuality. Finally, notes of sandalwood unfold at the base for greater depth. The confidence and independence this fragrance gives you will be irresistible to future partners. 

7. Creed Aventus 

Creed Aventus is an unforgettable scent that celebrates success and masculinity. Inspired by the dramatic life of a historic emperor, this scent celebrates strength, power, and success. Aventus is the perfect fragrance for men who are destined to live a driven life, ever galloping with the wind at their back toward success. 

With top notes of pineapple, bergamot, and blackcurrant leaves, this fragrance is bursting with fruity goodness. Middle notes of birch, pink berries, and patchouli give it a rich depth, while base notes of ambergris, sandalwood, oakmoss, and vanilla make it irresistibly luxurious. Best of all, this scent is created through Creed’s unique infusion process for an added sense of luxury. 

So if you’re ready to live life on the edge and step into the spotlight like a true champion, reach for Creed Aventus.

8. Fahrenheit Eau de Toilette by Dior

Fahrenheit Eau de Toilette by Dior is inspired by the fire that burns in the heart of every man. With top notes of nutmeg flower, lavender, cedar, chamomile, mandarin orange, hawthorn, bergamot, and lemon; middle notes of violet leaf, nutmeg, cedar, sandalwood, carnation, honeysuckle, jasmine, and Lily-of-the-Valley; and base notes of leather, vetiver, musk, amber patchouli and tonka bean, this scent will make you unforgettable. 

Its contrasting olfactory signature with a powerful trail is perfect for the man who wants to make an alluring impression everywhere he goes. 

9. Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Eau de Parfum by Chanel

With a warm, woody aromatic fragrance, Allure Homme Sport Cologne is perfect for men who thrive on extreme sensations. The top notes are refreshing and invigorating, with mandarin orange, mint, cypress, and sage. The middle note is spicy and aromatic, with pepper. And the base notes are masculine and intense, with tonka bean, musk sandalwood, and cedar. 

This cologne can be sprayed in a cloud onto clothes and skin for a more intense fragrance experience. Allure Homme Sport Cologne will get you noticed wherever you go—it’s the perfect scent for an adventure or a night out on the town. 

10. Azzaro Wanted by Night 

The halfway point on our list of the 20 best colognes to get laid in 2022 goes to Azzaro Wanted by Night because of its seductive and luxurious scent. 

Azzaro Wanted by Night is the perfect fragrance for the modern-day Gatsby. It’s elegant, bold, and magnetic with a seductive intensity that is irresistible. 

The cinnamon essential oil provides an exhilarating rush, while the red cedar aromas of incense and cumin create a vibrant, mysterious accord. The tobacco absolute gives a masculine, animalistic sensuality that is intensified by the cypress and essence of cedar. 

It’s the perfect fragrance for those nights when you want to feel your most seductive and dazzling. The Azzaro man is mysterious and disappears in the blink of an eye, but his fragrance will last all night long. 

11. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men

Dolce & Gabbana’s The One for Men is a seductive, masculine scent that will make you feel confident and irresistible. This natural, masculine scent has top notes of grapefruit, coriander, and basil, heart notes of cardamom and ginger driving the strong sensual signature, and base notes of tobacco and ambery notes along with cedarwood. 

With its warm, woody, and spicy aroma, Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men is perfect for charismatic, seductive, and sophisticated men who want to make a refined statement.

12. Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford

Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford is a magnificent fragrance that will make you feel like a king. It features top notes of tobacco leaf and spicy notes, middle notes of vanilla, cacao, tonka bean, and tobacco blossom, and base notes of dried fruits and woody notes. 

This scent is perfect for making an impression and will give you a confident, powerful feeling. This is a classic fragrance that is sure to turn heads wherever you go. 

13. Armani Code Absolu Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani

Armani Code Absolu Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani is an alluring and sophisticated fragrance that will make you irresistible. This limited-edition scent is made with a rum accord, vanilla, and tonka bean, giving it a warm and sweet gourmand aroma that is sure to please. 

The iris accord and saffron accord also add depth and complexity, making this scent perfect for the modern man who wants to feel confident and attractive. So get it while you can—this intoxicating fragrance won’t be around forever!

14. Coach for Men Eau de Toilette 

Coach for Men is the perfect fragrance for the modern man. Its keynotes of nashi pear, cardamom, and vetiver create a woody fragrance that will transport you on a journey of endless possibilities. It evokes a sense of freedom that comes from the energy and spontaneity of New York City. 

For best results, spray it on your pulse points and on your chest for an instant confidence boost that will help you get laid.

15. Vintage Black For Him Eau de Toilette 

Vintage Black is the perfect scent for the self-assured man who wants to get laid. The top notes of lime, grapefruit and heart notes of tequila, lavender, and pepper give it a unique and unforgettable flavor, while the base notes of oak and sandalwood create a masculine aroma that will last all day long. Whether you’re heading to the office or going out on the town, this fragrance is sure to make an impression.

16. Jimmy Choo Man

Jimmy Choo Man is a powerfully fresh and modern fragrance created for a confident and refined man. With top notes of lavender and honeydew melon, this scent is refreshing and sophisticated. 

The heart note is pink pepper, giving it a rebellious spirit that captures the independent attitude of the dynamic and urban man. Combined with woody base notes of patchouli, this fragrance is powerfully fresh and modern. It’s perfect for making an impression at work or on a date night. Trust us, this scent will help you get laid.

17. Versace Eros

Versace Eros is the fragrance for a man who is his own master. Inspired by and deeply connected with Greek mythology, it embodies love, passion, beauty, and desire. This cool and spicy scent features top notes of mint, green apple, and lemon; heart notes of tonka bean, ambroxan, and geranium; and base notes of Madagascar vanilla, Virginian cedar, atlas cedar, and vetiver oakmoss. What better cologne to help you get laid than one that was inspired by the Greek God of love and passion?

18. Burberry Brit Rhythm for Men

Burberry Brit Rhythm for Men is a vibrant woody aromatic fragrance that will give you a boost of energy. With its sharp yet sensual notes of juniper berries, cardamom, verbena, and basil, this cologne is perfect for the man who likes to live life on the edge. 

The adrenalized leather note is sure to turn heads, while the base notes of tonka beans, cedar, and incense provide a lasting impression. So if you’re looking for a scent that’s both fresh and stylish, look no further than British Rhythm for Men. This scent will stay in someone’s head long after you leave, encouraging the chase. 

19. Amouage Reflection Man

Amouage Reflection Man is an undeniably masculine scent that is sure to make a statement. This compelling fragrance embodies the spirit of refinement and is composed of only the highest quality, rare ingredients sourced from around the world. 

Captivating top notes of rosemary, red pepper berries, and bitter orange leaves give way to heart notes of neroli, orris, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. Base notes of vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and cedarwood create a woody floral musk that is sure to impress. 

20. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Infrared

The last cologne on our list of the best colognes to get laid is a new scent by Viktor & Rolf. 

With Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Infrared, you’ll get a spicy cologne that’s intensified by the warmth of your own body. Apply it in the creases of your knees and elbows for a longer-lasting, stronger scent. 

Spicebomb Infrared is inspired by the intense heat of a red habanero chili pepper and features a sharp, piercing burn. The spicy cologne explodes with woody spices and intense tobacco accord, drawing in those who dare to be bold.

So, what’s the best cologne to get laid in 2022? Well, it really depends on what type of woman you want to attract. No matter which scent family you choose, if you choose a cologne from our list of the 20 best colognes to get laid, you are sure to turn heads. And who knows? You might just leave with a date for later that night.

 

Best Colognes

.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Studio S OCTOBER 22, 2026

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence

The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence
Courtesy of Milan Design

Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.

“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”

Courtesy of Milan Design

Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.

The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.

At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.

Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.

Courtesy of Milan Design

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 10, 2026

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign

The Campaign for La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) will fuel scientific innovation and medical advances

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign
Courtesy of La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Philanthropists and Scientists Join Forces for a Bold $55 Million Campaign

La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is going public with a bold bet: a $55 million campaign to propel medical research into a new era. The Campaign for LJI will fuel discovery, empower scientific innovation, and expand the impact of immunology on human health. 

The Institute quietly kicked things off in 2023, guided by its Board, campaign volunteers, and early believers. Nearly 80% of the $55 million goal is already in hand. Now LJI is opening the doors and inviting the whole community to carry their visions across the finish line and back discoveries that change how LJI researchers understand, treat, and prevent disease. 

And there’s a bonus. To mark the public launch, LJI Board member and Campaign Honorary Chair Anthony R. Carr is offering a special matching gift so new donors can double their impact. Full details are here. 

The Promise of Immunology

Immunology has already rewritten human history. Advances in immune science helped wipe out smallpox, pushed polio to the brink of elimination, and revolutionized how we prevent and treat infectious disease. Today, immune-based therapies are opening doors for patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other serious illnesses once considered untreatable. 

For nearly four decades, LJI scientists have stood on the front lines, driven by one insight: the immune system shapes disease in virtually every organ in the body. By decoding how the immune system works and how to harness it to prevent and treat disease, LJI researchers are chasing the Institute’s ultimate mission: Life Without Disease®. 

To make that mission real, the Institute pairs world-class scientists with cutting-edge technology, speeding up breakthroughs and turning discoveries into transformative new therapies that ease suffering worldwide. 

The Campaign for LJI supercharges that momentum, uniting the vision of the Institute’s scientists with a community that believes in research. Focused on advancing LJI’s most promising areas of study, the campaign aims to help build a future free from the burden of disease, a goal that demands bold ideas, lasting partnerships, and generous philanthropic support.

The Campaign for LJI will advance research across three critical pillars: 

1. President’s Priority Fund. Flexible, unrestricted dollars let big ideas move now, not later. Scientists can launch high-risk, high-reward projects, bring experts together across disciplines, build transformative technologies, and train tomorrow’s scientific leaders. 

2. Center for Sex-Based Differences in the Immune System. Male and female immune systems don’t respond the same way, and LJI researchers are tracing the fundamental differences down to individual cells and molecular pathways. The Campaign will speed up this pioneering work, revealing hidden drivers of disease and paving the way for more precise, biologically informed therapies for autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, and beyond. 

3. Center for Vaccine Innovation. Immunologists, bioengineers, and vaccine experts are teaming up to design the next generation of vaccines and immune-based therapies. With donor support, LJI scientists can engineer longer-lasting and more personalized vaccines, pinpoint the cellular mechanisms driving protective immunity, and refine delivery methods to prevent autoimmune disease and treat cancer. 

A Lasting Impact

As the campaign enters its public phase, LJI welcomes new partners and supporters to join this landmark initiative. Community support is essential to accelerating scientific discovery, and there are many meaningful ways to help shape the future of immunology. Donors may direct their gifts to any campaign priority or other area of interest. As a comprehensive campaign, all gifts to LJI count toward the campaign goal, regardless of designation. Join the campaign, and multiply your impact with our limited-time matching opportunity. 

To explore the campaign, visit imagine.lji.org.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments

Scripps orthopedic surgeons are investigating stem cells as an alternative to joint replacement

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments
Courtesy of Scripps Health

Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic recently received a $12.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to investigate whether they can transform stem cells into tissue that can repair some types of knee injuries. Currently, if a patient has lost most, if not all, of the cartilage in their knee, then their doctor will recommend a total joint replacement. Joint replacement is safe and effective, but patients who’ve only lost part of their cartilage often don’t qualify. A stem cell-based treatment would provide these patients an option that doesn’t involve donor tissue. Click here for more on the preclinical trial process. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Healing by Design

Artwork throughout the Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas promotes hope and healing

Healing by Design
Courtesy of Scripps Health

The recently opened Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is a state-of-the-art addition to the hospital staffed by dedicated team members who’ve helped make Scripps one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems. Complementary to that medical excellence, the Lusardi Tower also represents the latest expansion of the Scripps Arts for Healing Program. The philanthropic initiative strategically places nature- and community-based artwork throughout the hospital to support health and well-being. Both Scripps Encinitas and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla have healing arts programs as part of new building projects and growth on the campuses. Click here to read more about the Healing Arts Program and how residents from a nearby retirement community showed their support. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 4, 2026

A Guide to South Park

From century-old Craftsman homes to vegan fantasy bars, dive bars, and a tiki room built for exactly two people, this is one of San Diego’s great little neighborhoods

You may not realize it, but Balboa Park is bigger than Central Park (in fact, 1.5 times larger). Pressed right up against its southeastern edge is a little architecture farm built on old trolley bones, where houses look like someone was collecting architectural styles and local businesses are still run by people who seem personally invested in keeping this place interesting.

This is South Park. 

To understand why it feels the way it does today—less like one commercial strip and more like a handful of tiny villages—you have to go back to the trolley.

How the Trolley Built South Park

The land that became the original South Park Addition (the subdivision’s original name) was surveyed in 1870 and officially filed in 1890, but the neighborhood really started becoming a neighborhood in the early 1900s. The Bartlett Estate Company began developing and marketing the tract in earnest around 1906, pairing lots and new homes with something extremely useful if you lived outside Downtown in the horse-and-buggy era: an electric streetcar.

On May 1, 1906, the South Park and East Side Railway made its first trip. Developers didn’t just build near transportation; they helped pay for the transportation, then used it to sell the dream. Downtown had industry, noise, and congestion. Out here were palms, sidewalks, utilities, room to breathe and a four-cent ride back to the city.

It worked. Homes began filling in around the streetcar route, and little commercial clusters grew around the places where people got on and off. That transportation pattern is still written into South Park’s geography. Some of the neighborhood’s odd street geometry is also due in part to the trolley—the old line cut across parcels instead of politely obeying the grid, leaving behind pieces of land that later businesses learned to build around. Places like Station Tavern sit on the former easement and station site of San Diego’s No. 2 trolley line.

Then San Diego went big for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in neighboring Balboa Park. The exposition transformed much of the park and helped push the city through another burst of building and growth. South Park was right there to absorb some of that momentum.

And the people building houses here had taste.

Walk the residential streets now and it can feel like somebody planted an architectural sample garden: Craftsman, Prairie, Mission Revival, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival. Creedence Clearwater Revival. All the revivals. The neighborhood includes work by Irving Gill, one of the defining architects of early modern California; Gill-designed Prairie homes still stand along Granada Avenue.

The city formally designated the South Park Historic District in 2017, recognizing roughly 400 properties and a period of significance stretching from 1906 through 1949. In other words, a lot of what makes the place feel old is actually old.

South Park Today

While the trolley eventually disappeared, the basic idea behind it didn’t. South Park is still a neighborhood organized around little pockets of human activity: a couple blocks where you can buy a record, drink a beer, find a 60-year-old lamp, eat a vegan burger beneath gothic beasts, browse a bookstore, and walk home past a century-old Craftsman.

The 30th-and-Fern area may be the clearest example. Several surviving buildings there date to South Park’s early development, including the old Fire Station No. 9, Rose Grocery building, and Burlingame Garage. What began as infrastructure for a young streetcar suburb became the neighborhood’s commercial heart.

That history is also partly why buying a house here can be competitive. There isn’t some endless supply of vacant land waiting around the corner for another subdivision. Much of the neighborhood filled in generations ago, and the architecture itself is part of the appeal.

San Diego Mag’s been documenting the city for 78 years. And we’ve been looking for a partner who loved the city enough to help us tell its stories. Redfin is that partner. They’re helping us tell the story of some of the city’s most unique neighborhoods. They launched Redfin Early Access this year to get their people in first and to see certain coming-soon and exclusive listings on Redfin before they appear on other major real-estate sites.

First up: South Park.

Here are some of the people and places worth knowing here:

Whistle Stop Bar

Big Kitchen Cafe

Start with Judy “the Beauty” Forman, because it’s difficult to explain South Park without her. The former social worker bought Big Kitchen in 1980 and turned a neighborhood breakfast joint into a gathering place for artists, musicians, activists, politicians, eccentrics, and pretty much anyone who needed somewhere to belong. As Judy puts it, “I built this for people who others passed over.”

One of those people was a young single mom named Whoopi Goldberg, who worked as a dishwasher here before the Whoopi Goldberg part of her career happened. Today Big Kitchen still serves breakfast and lunch Thursday through Monday.

3003 Grape Street

Whistle Stop Bar

Whistle Stop reopened in 2001, right as South Park’s little independent-business ecosystem was finding a new generation. Owner Sam Chammas—also connected to Live Wire and, later, Station Tavern—helped turn it into the kind of neighborhood bar where the calendar can jump from a DJ night to live bands to some strange communal event nobody at a normal sports bar would propose.

The room still has that laid-back, slightly sweaty house-party quality. Check what’s happening before you go, because Whistle Stop changes personality depending on the night: sometimes neighborhood beer, sometimes everyone dancing beneath the disco ball like work tomorrow was canceled.

2236 Fern Street

Station Tavern

Station Tavern may be the most literal example of old South Park becoming new South Park. It opened in 2009 on land once crossed diagonally by the No. 2 trolley line, and architect Lloyd Russell incorporated that history into the design rather than pretending the weirdly shaped lot wasn’t weirdly shaped. The project won the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s Grand Orchid Award the same year it opened.

Sam Chammas built the place as an open-air burger-and-beer spot with big communal tables, a backyard, room for kids, and room for dogs. It still works exactly that way: get a burger, get the tots, let everybody spread out, stay awhile.

2204 Fern Street

Kindred + Throne Room

Kindred arrived in late 2015 looking nothing like the beige-and-leafy vegan restaurant stereotype. The place went full gothic fever dream—heavy music, wild cocktails, decadent plant-based food—and eventually collected national vegan accolades plus local Restaurant of the Year and design honors.

And in 2026, it got even weirder. Hidden behind a chain-mail passage inside Kindred is Throne Room, a medieval-fantasy cocktail chamber whose mythology grew out of a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired map the Kindred team created for a 2017 Coachella pop-up. The 90-minute experience has scroll menus, plant-based mezze, cocktails and zero interest in pretending restaurants need to behave normally.

1503 30th Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack

Vinyl Junkies has good music-scene DNA. Founder Eric Howarth previously ran indie label Hi-Speed Soul, whose roster included acts like Nada Surf and Swervedriver, then teamed with Casbah owner Tim Mays after the pair had spent years putting on Vinyl Junkies record swaps.

They opened the South Park brick-and-mortar shop in 2017, and it remains a buy-sell-trade temple for people who understand that owning music on a physical object is irrational in exactly the right way. Go flip through the new arrivals. Leave holding something you had absolutely no intention of buying.

2235 Fern Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Bad Madge is what happens when “vintage store” doesn’t quite explain the situation. Owner Tanya McAnear and her team fill the shop with furniture, clothing, barware, records, art, jewelry, collectibles, and various objects that seem like they may know things about their previous owners. The shop opened in 2011 and has made reuse and upcycling part of its identity ever since. Go in without looking for anything specific—specificity will only slow you down.

2205 Fern Street

Thread + Seed

Across the neighborhood’s vintage-and-vinyl universe sits Thread + Seed, a local boutique built around clothing, denim, gifts, and personal styling. Its South Park shop has an especially deep denim program—petite, tall, wide-leg, straight, flare—and the store also offers one-on-one styling built around color and body type. In other words, this is where you go after deciding the jeans currently on your body have betrayed you. South Park understands that sometimes personal renewal begins with pants.

2220 Fern Street

The Book Catapult

Seth Marko started The Book Catapult as a book blog in 2006. In 2017, he and his wife, Jennifer Powell, turned it into an actual bookstore in South Park, specializing loosely in fiction, local interest, and children’s books while maintaining the more important bookseller skill: putting something into your hands that you didn’t know you needed.

There are staff picks, author events, signed books, and the dangerous possibility of walking in for one title and emerging with four. Because no one ever died thinking, “I shoulda read less.”

3010-B Juniper Street

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle
E-SDM—Valle-2026—Tastemakers_WEB

Roberto Alcocer, Chef

Chef Roberto Alcocer showcases all that Mexican cuisine and culture has to offer at Oceanside’s Valle. The Michelin-guide recommended restaurant takes inspiration and techniques from all over Mexico—with a heavy Baja influence—and blends them with local San Diego ingredients to create original and delectable contemporary Mexican cuisine. The seasonal tasting menu allows Chef Alcocer to experiment with the freshest available ingredients, creating dishes that defy guests’ expectations, while the wine list features more than 100 labels from Mexican artisans. Even the restaurant’s walls are a celebration of Mexican culture, all decorated with work from artists of Baja.

“My favorite part of being a chef of Valle is being able to showcase the Mexico that I know to everyone who visits,” Chef Alococer says. “Not only through the food, but with the design, culture, and welcoming service.”  

Try This!

Lobster Taco: Flour sourdough tortilla with lobster shell bisque and local red spiny lobster

Valle

222 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, California 92054
866-723-8906  | valleoceanside.com

Partner Content

Thousands of savvy locals already get it.

San Diego's best restaurants, experiences, and events—handpicked and delivered to your inbox weekly. You in?

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA