March For Babies, sponsored by the March of Dimes was held on Apr. 23 in Balboa Park raising $500,000. March for Babies, honors babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. The funds raised help in the fight against premature birth.
The San Diego Foundation, in partnership with The Del Mar Healthcare Fund at The San Diego Foundation, announced the 2016 Age Friendly Communities grants totaling $276,000. The funds will help create communities where older adults can age in place, live affordably, and are fully included and engaged in all aspects of daily life. Grants awarded include County of San Diego ($75,000); Children’s Initiative ($51,000); City of Chula Vista ($50,000); UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging ($25,000); Alliance for Regional Solutions ($25,000); Alzheimer’s San Diego ($25,000); and Interfaith Community Services ($25,000).
Life Sciences Summer Institute, a summer program funded by the San Diego Workforce Partnership, received a $60,000 grant from The San Diego Foundation. LSSI is a summer-long paid research internship for high school students that includes a weeklong “boot camp” covering topics like biotechnology laboratory skills, safety practices and soft skills, and placement at one of San Diego’s world-renowned research institutes. ” With the rising cost of tuition and demand for STEM learning programs, many young adults are not afforded the opportunity to pursue a career in science and technology,” said Kathlyn Mead, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation.
March for Babies Raises $500,000
meet the Chefs
meet the Chefs
The 20th Anniversary of Meet the Chefs was held on Apr. 24 at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar. The event raised $125,000 to benefit Casa de Amparo’s programs that treat and prevent child abuse and neglect throughout San Diego County. San Diego Chargers Brock Hekking was among those in attendance. Two former foster youth, worked alongside chefs Shelly Velez of Pillbox Tavern and Grill and Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille. Signature Chef Sponsors include Datron, Directed Electronics, Inc., DJO Global, Union Bank – The Private Bank, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Grant General Contractors, San Diego Chargers, and Wells Fargo. Pastry Chef Sponsors include Basset, GEICO, John & Carolyn Konecki, and Jenny Craig.
March for Babies Raises $500,000
Wine Women & Shoes
Wine Women & Shoes
The 5th Annual Wine Women & Shoes was held at the Canfield-Wright estate in Del Mar on Apr. 30. The event raised $300,000 for the CASA program and the foster children served by Voices for Children. Sponsors included Cox Communications, California Bank & Trust, California Republic Bank, First American Title, South Coast Plaza and Amy and Jim Wood.
Dream ON 2016 Concert Gala presented by Kevin Prior and ICW Group Employees, a benefit for Promises to Kids, is being chaired by Charo Garcia-Guerra, Abeer Hage, Deborah Marengo, Joan Waitt and May Zawaideh. The event is being held on June 6 at the estate of Joan Waitt in La Jolla. Sponsors include ICW GROUP Insurance Companies, Southwest Airlines, Marc-Aaron Realtors, Gatto, Pope & Walwick and Marengo Martin Architects.
The 4th Annual “Drives for Rides” golf tournament raised $41,000 to help fund Emilio Nares Foundation’s flagship program, “Ride With Emilio”. gap intelligence sponsored the tournament which was held on May 6 at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. “Families using ENF’s services inspire us to always want to do more, raise more money, volunteer more hours,” said Gary Peterson, founder and president of gap intelligence and Emilio Nares Foundation Board Chair.
March for Babies Raises $500,000
HUNTINGTON DISEASE
HUNTINGTON DISEASE
Huntington’s Disease Society of America Hope Walk was held on Apr. 10 at Coronado Tidelands Park, raising $40,000 for the San Diego Chapter of HDSA. The goal of the walk is to honor those living with Huntington’s disease, as well as those who are making a difference in the mission to find a cure. Proceeds from the walk will serve ongoing research and education toward finding a cure, including the work at University of California, San Diego’s HDS Center of Excellence.
For more than five decades, SAY San Diego (Social Advocates for Youth) has been helping local kids, families, and seniors navigate challenges they can’t face alone. The nonprofit serves as a beacon for local residents by offering more than 30 programs that range from youth mentorship and crisis support to increasing access to stable housing and mental health services to substance-use prevention and workforce development.
“For 55 years, SAY’s story has been shaped by listening to the community and being willing to grow with it,” says Louie Nguyen, SAY San Diego’s president and CEO. “Our mission is to partner with youth, adults, families, and communities so they can reach their full potential. That keeps us focused on the whole person, not just one immediate need. As San Diego evolves, we listen, work alongside trusted community partners, and adjust our services so they remain accessible, relevant, and rooted in opportunity, equity, and well-being.”
SAY San Diego started as a grassroots nonprofit with one paid employee and a budget of $1,500. The organization has since evolved from humble beginnings as a youth-focused agency into a comprehensive and far-reaching social services organization.
Several milestones mark SAY San Diego’s success, including partnering with local schools and neighborhoods to expand its child and youth development programs, family resource centers, and school-based mental health services; the creation of the San Diego Military Family Collaborative, one of the largest of its kind in the nation; and the opening of its licensed early childhood center that introduced an employer-supported childcare model.
What underscores SAY San Diego’s programs and opens the doors for lasting change is a willingness to listen and grow in response to emerging needs, says Nguyen.
“Lasting change comes from consistent support, strong relationships, and services that work together,” says Nguyen. “Our school-based programs have an especially broad reach, serving more than 6,500 young people across 57 school sites each day in places families already know and trust. Our mental health programs also stand out, with 72 percent of participants reporting improved emotional well-being. But the real strength of SAY is that a family can connect with early childhood care, parenting support, youth development, mental health services, or community resources as their needs change over time.”
Much of SAY San Diego’s impact is possible thanks to partnerships with individuals and organizations across the county. Nguyen hopes to further expand that community investment through initiatives like its Play 4 SAY fundraiser, which brings together corporate partners, foundations, and other supporters. However, challenges remain in “meeting rising demand while public funding, workforce capacity, and the broader nonprofit environment remain uncertain,” he says.
As economic instability, rising housing and childcare costs, and access to mental health services continue to affect San Diegans, SAY San Diego’s role is more important than ever. The organization hopes to build on the foundation it has built over the past 55 years and continue to help kids, families, and communities thrive.
“Today, we reach more than 45,000 San Diegans each year, but our goal is not simply to grow larger, it is to create a deeper, more lasting impact,” says Nguyen. “Our next chapter is about strengthening what works, expanding access to mental health and family support, investing in our people, and bringing partners together to build a stronger San Diego.”
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.
More than 6,000 ice cream lovers devoured tasty treats at this year’s Scoop Ice Cream Festival for a great cause. The event on June 28 launched an ongoing partnership with Feeding San Diego and raised $60,000, or enough to provide 120,000 meals to San Diegans facing hunger.
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.
Raise money for cancer research while you work out at the Curebound Cancer Challenge. Fundraisers will cycle along the San Diego coastline, run a 10K on the UC San Diego campus, and participate in group spin, yoga, and strength classes.
August 1: Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night
Patrons of the Prado will channel 1950s Havana at this year’s Masterpiece Gala. Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night will raise money for Balboa Park cultural institutions and will include a special honor for philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs.
August 3: CaddyHack Golf Festival
Golfers will tee off to support Boys to Men Mentoring at the CaddyHack Golf Festival. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the charity golf tournament will include golf, music, food, and fun at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club.
August 7: Music By Eras Fundraiser for TERI Campus of Life
Acclaimed San Diego musicians will join together to support TERI’s programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Music By Eras performance at TERI’s Bornemann Theatre will feature artists Whitney Shay, Jesse Ray Smith, Lauren Leigh, and Will Stucky.
August 8: 80th Annual Jewel Ball
Las Patronas will recreate the magic of Venice at its 80th annual Jewel Ball. Las Patronas has spent the entire year preparing for the event, as well as raising money to support nonprofit organizations across San Diego County.
August 14: Shelter to Soldier Be the Light Gala
Help Shelter to Soldier train rescue dogs to be psychiatric service animals for local veterans at the 14th annual Be the Light Gala aboard the USS Midway Museum. The gala will include silent and live auctions, dinner, dessert, and appearances by canine ambassadors and veteran recipients.
August 15: Haute with Heart Fashion Show
St. Madeline Sophie’s Center will celebrate its “hidden diamonds” at its 48th annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show. The lively event at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will include a pre-luncheon reception, live music, a live auction, a stunning fashion show, and surprise entertainment to benefit the nonprofit’s programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
August 15: Symphony at Salk’s Concert Under the Stars
The Bacon Brothers will perform with the San Diego Symphony at this year’s Concert Under the Stars. Now in its 30th year, Symphony at Salk supports research in areas such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, wellness, and agriculture.
August 22: SummerFest Gala 2026
La Jolla Music Society supporters will enjoy an evening of exclusive performances at its SummerFest Gala 2026. The event at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will raise money for La Jolla Music Society’s artistic, learning, and engagement programs.
August 28: 2026 Alpha Project Golf Tournament
Tee off to help San Diegans facing homelessness at Alpha Project’s 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic. The four-person scramble at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa will support the Alpha Project’s housing, employment, recovery, and support services.
August 29: Relay for Life of San Diego
Walkers will join forces to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who lost their fight at the annual Relay for Life of San Diego. The 24-hour relay at Liberty Station NTC Park is part of a global network of similar events that raise money for the American Cancer Society.
August 29: A Night United: Illuminating the Way
United Way of San Diego County will host its A Night United: Illuminating the Way gala at Eve, an event destination on San Diego Bay. The elegant evening will benefit UWSD’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities across the region.
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.
Entrepreneurs typically launch businesses because they’re passionate about a product or service, not because they want to manage its finances. While working to carve out a niche in their respective industries and drive their companies forward, many business owners find themselves bogged down by day-to-day accounting. Their existing accounting tools don’t provide the necessary visibility or insight, and they don’t have the time or resources to hire additional staff or a chief financial officer. That’s where NOW CFO comes in.
For more than 20 years, NOW CFO has been pairing businesses across the country with experienced accounting and finance professionals. Its outsourced model allows clients to customize solutions that match their individual needs, size, and financial challenges, whether that’s fractional or interim support, project-based services, or full-time placement.
NOW CFO’s clients range from startups preparing for rapid growth to established companies that need additional financial leadership without the commitment or expense of building an in-house team. However, many of these companies don’t fully understand their needs until they experience a “trigger” event: preparing for an acquisition or capital raise, navigating a first-time audit, or another period of transition. With a team of over 300 consultants nationwide, NOW CFO can start quickly and match the right expert to the right business.
“It’s important for companies to have financial visibility, and we can help them avoid a lot of the potholes that companies often run into,” says Mariah Block, a partner at NOW CFO’s San Diego branch. “Roughly half of our clients have an in-house finance person or department, and we’re resourced for more bandwidth when they need an extra set of hands at the staff or senior accountant level, or the controller or CFO level. Some clients use this a few hours a month and others use multiple people close to full-time. Our model is solution-based and customizable. We’re like a faucet you can turn on and off.”
With NOW CFO, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Solutions are based on the client’s individual goals, challenges, needs, and budget, meaning a client never pays for more than they need. Whether it’s a few hours of executive-level guidance or a full accounting team to support daily operations, NOW CFO meets businesses where they are and grows alongside them.
“We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the right resources at the right rate and being able to evolve as their needs evolve,” says Block.
And clients appreciate on-demand access to cost-effective support designed to improve performance and profitability.
Luxury car storage service Auto Concierge has partnered with NOW CFO to support growth over the past year. The arrangement began with a staff accountant who covered a leave of absence, but as the client’s needs changed, they also added a controller role. This allowed Auto Concierge to put effective processes in place and navigate operational challenges. Lori Church, Auto Concierge’s chief operating officer, says NOW CFO has been an “outstanding resource” and a “true strategic partner.”
“From the controller to the bookkeeper, every professional they’ve placed has brought a high level of expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism to our organization. Their team took the time to understand our business of high-profile clients and needs, adapted quickly to our fast-paced environment, and became a trusted extension of our team,” she says. “As Auto Concierge continues to grow, having a reliable financial partner like NOW CFO has allowed us to strengthen our financial and business operations while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
Growing up in Carlsbad, I never quite understood why people vacationed there. What, so you want to check out the field where I have soccer practice? Pay my orthodontist a visit? Carlsbad just felt like a town by the beach, no better or worse than any other in the country. It took going to college out of state for me to actually understand just how rare a place like Carlsbad is.
Thanksgiving break my freshman year, my first time coming home after three months in the Midwest, my shoulders dropped. I rolled down the windows and drove to lifeguard tower 37—the hangout magnet for Carlsbad’s youths (and, in the summer, tourists)—and the smells of the ocean woke me right up like smelling salts do. I finally got it.
Carlsbad isn’t just a stopover town on your way to something better. It is the destination. Travel + Leisure named Carlsbad one of the top 50 places around the world to travel in 2026. From the whole globe, the travel magazine picked my home. Sure, we’ve got the Flower Fields and Legoland—but now it’s the smaller ships and indier dreams that are giving it street-level character.
It’s not just Carlsbad, either. People have talked about the “North County bubble” for decades—a force field that prevents its residents from traveling south of the 56. It’s often used derogatorily, and it’s a fairly accurate burn.
For decades, living up in North County meant giving up on culture, or at least culture within close proximity. But now, the main expansion of San Diego culture is happening up north. Central San Diego restaurants have started taking notice and are expanding into the area—spurred no doubt by Oceanside’s food boom and the Jeune et Jolie–Campfire–Wildland–Lilo constellation in Carlsbad. City Heights burger joint Key & Cleaver opened a new spot in Oceanside; the owners of Parc Bistro-Brasserie in Bankers Hill opened Parc Lounge in Rancho Santa Fe. Possibly the strongest market indicator is that Sam Fox—one of the most successful restaurateurs west of the Rockies—has started focusing on North County for his concepts. In 2025, he opened both The Henry in Carlsbad and Culinary Dropout in Del Mar.
For the ultimate insider guide, we found a handful of inspiring people who live and create and truly know six North County neighborhoods—San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, Leucadia, Rancho Santa Fe, and Vista—and asked them how they’d spend a dream day out and about in their town.
Courtesy of North City Farmers Market
San Marcos
San Marcos is in full renaissance mode. The biggest story is that the grand North City vision is starting to peek through the scaffolding. It’s essentially the North County Downtown that’s been written in the tea leaves and discussed whenever someone gets stuck in traffic at the 5/805 merge: a 200-acre, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use face-changer that’s slated for 2,600 homes, 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 250 hotel rooms, and about a million square feet of offices and labs. Its most recent manifestation is 222 North City—a 12-story residential tower with over 450 residences, rooftop garden, pool cabanas, art installations, and almost 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail (Necessity Coffee, Buona Forchetta, Draft Republic, Milonga Empanadas, and a grocery store anchor on its way).
Which means Restaurant Row is no longer burdened with being the primary caregiver for the hungry or the socially inclined. Patricia Prado-Olmos has watched the city morph during her nearly three-decade tenure at CSUSM, having spent the past six years as the school’s chief community engagement officer. She also just announced her forthcoming retirement at the end of the 2026–2027 school year, so she’ll have even more time to haunt local haunts.
Meet the Local: Patricia Prado-Olmos
Those in the know call the university “Cal State StairMaster” from the Sisyphean amount of stairs on the hillside campus. So, any day at or around CSUSM should start with a homestyle carbo-load (biscuits and gravy) from Mama Kat’s.
“There’s something about this breakfast spot that immediately puts me in a good mood,” she says. Mama Kat’s is also known for its pie (strawberry-rhubarb), which is breakfast if you change your perspective.
After a few hours on campus—with a break to pet the university’s official therapy goldendoodle, Frank, who helps ease finals tremors or apprehension of on-campus stairs—Prado-Olmos will wander into North City, just steps away. She says the almond croissant and coffee at Christophe Rull Patisserie rival Parisian cafés: “It feels like the kind of place you’d stumble across in a much bigger city.”
Rull, a Michelin-trained pastry chef who’s done stints on Netflix (Bake Squad) and Food Network (Super Mega Cakes, Halloween Wars), opened his patisserie last fall. The hype hasn’t cooled off yet: Get there early because the crowds do.
Emma Veidt is an editor at San Diego Magazine. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism. She loves running, hiking, and rock climbing, but really, she mostly loves encounters with the street cats around North Park.
Divorce, adjusting to single motherhood or coparenting, and the unexpected adjustments that come with it can turn even the most put-together woman’s life upside down. For many, these shifts trigger a profound loss of identity as that chapter of life officially comes to an end.
While Elena Barbour was navigating a divorce and raising two young children, other women in her circle shared similar experiences—one, a high-powered attorney, said divorce was the hardest thing she’d ever gone through. Barbour realized that women like them who’d gone through divorce, separation, or trauma needed support, but unless they qualified for low-income assistance or could pay top dollar for private services, there weren’t a lot of options. That led to the creation of the Luma Initiative, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect women with the practical resources needed to rebuild after a major life transition. The organization is currently developing its programming and plans to open to its first (already full) three-month cohort of women this fall.
“I consider myself a very strong, competent woman, but what I went through shook me,” Barbour says. “[There were] all these things that I did not expect, and that a lot of people looking from the outside couldn’t see necessarily. It was hard to relate. And I found that after coming out of this divorce, I needed to reshift my community a little bit because the challenges and the life stage of where I was compared to where they were now was just so different—even though I was surrounded by people, I felt very alone.
Courtesy of Luma Initiative
“So [we’re] trying to create that sense of community in this place for women to be like, ‘All these women are going through something similar and when I talk with them, I don’t feel so alone and I can let go of some of the negative feelings I’m feeling, and I can […] start to rebuild.’”
Luma Initiative’s program will include licensed therapist-guided support groups, and support via financial literacy advisors, life coaches who specialize in career building, and family law attorneys, plus therapeutic yoga at sister business Luma Yoga. They’ll also work with other nonprofit organizations as needed to create a “one-stop, well-rounded, holistic approach to supporting women who are going through this really big transition of life,” Barbour explains.
Barbour says Luma Yoga Studio in Little Italy will serve as Luma Initiative’s physical base, transforming into a familiar community-centered home away from home where women can feel safe. She leaned into yoga and the breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness that often come with the practice to get through tough times, and carries those tools with her “off the mat.” She hopes that other women will find that same sense of nervous system regulation. She emphasizes that Luma Initiative and Luma Yoga work as an ecosystem that provides both wellness and tangible support.
“The goal with Luma Initiative will be to help these women come back to themselves and their identity through community, and use community as a platform to rebuild,” she says.
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.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Healcove Chiropractic
There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.
Juice Holler
West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.
Everwell Acupuncture
We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.
