Another fun fact? Dave Eggers loves San Diego.

“I mean, it’s one of my favorite places just because you can’t swing a cat without hitting the beach,” Eggers admits. Eggers digs beaches and us (and his two cats at home, who, he promises, he doesn’t swing). On the evening of October 9, Eggers is in our city for at the San Diego Public Library to discuss his latest novel The Eyes & The Impossible.

Take it in, SD. We’re cool. The reason may not be highfalutin’, but our sandy shores sealed in our je n’ai sais quoi.

Eggers’ love of California runs in his blood. “My dad’s side is all from California going back to 1860 … But the rest of us are from Boston,” Eggers says. “For some reason, I grew up in Chicago. So, none of it makes any sense.”

What does make sense is Eggers’ insatiable curiosity, a driving force in why he’s drawn to so many different genres and styles of writing (case in point: The Eyes & The Impossible is written from the perspective of a roving park dog). 

Though his career is steeped in fiction, journalism is his foundation. He studied it at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. “As a reporter, I always just kind of start out with a personal interest and see what’s going on and using that journalism degree as an entry point or as a bridge,” he says. “I was trained as a journalist, so I always had that sense that, every so often, there might be a way that I could explain things that haven’t been explained.”

He flexed those skills during his reporting on former President Trump’s campaign in The Guardian. “I would say 80 to 90 percent of the people I interviewed were shockingly normal,” he says. 

He preffered to talk with rally attendees who looked dressed for a major league baseball game versus the red-washed ones carrying effigies of Biden. “I always come out thinking that people are a little bit more swayable than you think and thinking things through, to some extent, with open eyes,” he adds.

Commonality can be found if you go looking for it, no matter what party you prefer. That sense of seeking finds its way into his works of fiction, as well. 

“I do toggle [or] pivot pretty hard between the two forms, because journalism is so rewarding and, you know, you have this excuse to ask questions and this way to get answers,” Eggers says. “And you can get very deep very quickly by asking the most knowledgeable people, but then, at the same time, writing up what you found out is a whole different task and sometimes very laborious and kind of a grind.” 

On the other hand, he says, “Writing fiction … is just when you get to make everything up. It is far more liberating.”

Eggers has found the ultimate liberation in his latest book, The Eyes & The Impossible, where the narrator assumes an entirely different species: a dog called Johannes. But this isn’t the first time Eggers has shape-shifted for literary purposes. In 2002, he wrote a short story called After I Was Thrown In The River And Before I Drowned, in which his narrator was also canine. “That was the most fun I ever had to that moment [in] writing,” he says. “It’s just totally untethered. And I think that you could sort of get away with a more sort of liberated kind of train of thought, and that I think a lot of us humans would be diagnosed with having some kind of, I don’t know, cognitive issue, I guess, now.”

The Eyes & The Impossible has other quirks lending it a fantastical bend. Seeing the book’s Flemish-inspired illustrations by Shawn Harris, you’d be tempted to wonder if this is Eggers dipping his quill into the YA market. Think again.

“I think there was a time when there was a lot more leeway between what was written for you know, one audience or another. There was a lot more in the way of fables and kind of classic storytelling that didn’t really have an audience of one age group or another and everybody could sort of come to it from a different place. And that was my hope with this,” Eggers says. “There are themes in it that kids might not pick up on as readily as adults and there [are] different ways you could read it, but I didn’t write any of it for any one age group at all. I sort of tried to kind of go back to a kind of, I don’t know, age-agnostic kind of storytelling.”

So, mark your calendars. Bring the whole age-agnostic family. Call your local bookstore for an inventory check. As Eggers says of these events, “the best thing is to get to meet people and chat with folks in person.” Who knows? You may get to be the person who tells Dave the best beach for swinging a cat.

This post contains affiliate links to products and services. We may receive compensation when you click on links.

The post Dave Eggers Loves San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

These are words Jeffrey Mastro, co-founder and CEO of Steak 48, never wants to hear you say. So, what’s he going to do about it? He’s opening another one. This time, aiming to quell the yawns, eye rolls, and wallet-clenching associated with this white tablecloth dining trope.

This newest Steak 48 location will open its doors in Del Mar October 13, replacing the long-shuttered space that formerly housed Searsucker and two other businesses in the Del Mar Highlands. Taking up 12,500-square-feet, the space can host 487 guests, has an in-house butcher shop, a 3,000-bottle wine vault, and eight private dining options. 

Mastro is doubling down on the historic appeal of this venerable gastro-genre, while giving it a modern glow-up that speaks to the community of Del Mar.

Oliver Badgio, the group’s chief brand officer, admits, “This was as an industry a little asleep at the wheel for a lot of years.” Steakhouse is as steakhouse does. After selling the successful chain of Mastro’s restaurants in 2007, Badgio and Mastro wanted to create something fresh. And the Steak 48 concept was born. “With Steak 48, the DNA changed,” says Badgio. But don’t worry. Not fundamentally.

There are white tablecloths. Voluminous, V-shaped martinis. Steaks are served on volcanic 500-degree plates. And, somehow, those cascading crab legs on seafood towers don’t topple over. 

The standards are there but there’s a buzz through the building that belies all the staid traditions of a classic steakhouse. Portraits of surfers adorn the walls, a buoyant soundtrack sways from Dusty Springfield to Joe Strummer, and the staff is as unpretentious as they come (entering this space without being said “hello” to by at least 14 different people is impossible).

Think Peter Luger cosplaying as Taylor Swift. It’s fastidious without being fussy. It’s fancy and fun.

“We don’t want to be stuffy,” says Mastro. “We want to be approachable.”

The food and beverage program speaks to the playful streak of the Steak 48 brand. Though anchor dishes like Tomahawks, A5 Wagyu, and three different grades of caviar are stationed on the menu, so are more whimsical dishes like the Maine Lobster “Escargot” and Crispy Shrimp Deviled Eggs. 

While the wine list maintains classics from Napa (yes, you can get Screaming Eagle if you’d like to forgo paying rent all year), the by-the-glass options are well-appointed with reasonably priced Pinots alongside lesser-known gems like Domaine des Baumard’s 2016 Savennières. At Steak 48, the classic and contemporary co-mingle.

Guided by interior design expertise from Testani Design Troupe and the team at Nelson Architects, the space is cavernous but welcoming, with buttery leather and geometrically patterned wood floors guiding you through the sprawl of meticulously set tables. The main dining room hums with energy from its centered, horseshoe bar, while the kitchen is encased in floor-to-ceiling glass and offers a chic, voyeuristic quality that’s grounded in literal and figurative transparency. 

You can wave at chefs on the line as you ogle the impressive raw bar display and drool over the delicate confections from the pastry department. Set back in the cozier, corner realms of the restaurant is the Del Mar Room, which features a more intimate setting along with a reservation-only bar.

“The ultimate goal that Jeff has always wanted us to have is that you sit down and you say to yourself, ‘I am in the right place,’” says Badgio. The sense of place is a huge theme for the group, which has nine other properties established throughout the country. Each location has its own personality to fit their clientele and community.

“Not being a corporation but being a sophisticated family business allows you to do those interesting things and allows you to be available for your neighborhood, because you’re not designing a Steak 48 that fits every single [place]. We’re designing Steak 48 Del Mar. This is just for this community,” says Badgio.

The company intends to not only invest in the community but help give back. Before opening its doors to the public, Steak 48 Del Mar will be hosting five nights of charitable giving, working with local foundations like the San Diego Opera, Voices for Children, and Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund. “When you have the opportunity to give back, it’s a privilege and one that we don’t take lightly,” says Badgio.

Not another steakhouse indeed.

The post First Look: Steak 48 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

“It’s always such a fun adventure going in there. You know, even if you’re not looking for anything, you’re like, ‘I can find you something and it’s gonna be cool,’” says Celeste Shoop-Cohen, who runs an online thrifting sales company, @thift_joyy on Instagram. 

A native of Los Angeles County, Shoop-Cohen found her way to San Diego after years spent in Santa Cruz and never looked back. She started selling in 2020 as a way to help donate to Black Lives Matter and it took off; so much so, that she was able to quit her job. Thrift Joy became her full-time gig.

Fellow re-seller Michelle Gonzalez, who owns @percy__vibes and peddles her thrifted garb at Kobey’s Swap Meet every Saturday and Sunday, has a similar ethos. 

“I don’t shop in the mall at all, and I encourage people to not do it either,” she says. “It’s fun, you know, to go [thrifting] and see what you find—you have a more open mind for developing your style,” says Gonzalez. Hailing from Spain and now based in Mission Beach, Gonzalez has a unique blend of European-meets-San Diego style, spanning vintage finds with everyday staples.

At thrift stores, you’re the maker of your own sartorial destiny. Zara and its heavy-handed, seasonal trend mandate has no hold on you here.

If you’re searching for affordable, pre-loved threads, take advice from these seasoned second-hand specialists for the best tips on where to go, what to look for, and how to get a deal at thrift stores in San Diego.

What To Look For When Thrifting

Trust your intuition but remember what lasts. “I go off just like what catches my eye, but the material matters a lot, like things that are cotton or linen or leather or silk. They’re usually made with a little bit better quality,” says Shoop-Cohen. 

Of course, there are also tricks of the trade that you can learn along the way, such as how to find the perfect vintage tee. “Look for things that are single stitch [on the sleeve],” says Shoop-Cohen. These days, modern shirts have a double stitch on the sleeve. “If it just has one line, there’s a good chance it’s from the ‘70s.”

Another t-shirt tip? Forget gender. “You have a blank canvas on style right now, and I love that it doesn’t matter if it’s [labeled] for a woman or a man. It doesn’t matter anymore,” says Gonzalez. “So that’s the beauty of it, for me. People sometimes ask me, ‘Oh, is this women’s or men’s?’ And honestly, I’m like, ‘Does it look good? Then perfect.”

Where To Go Thrifting

Though Gonzalez keeps her thrifting go-to’s close to her vest, she does offer up this: be consistent and be early. If you’re going to markets like the San Diego Vintage Flea Market or Kobey’s Swap Meet, get there early and make a connection with the sellers you like. Oftentimes they’ll keep return customers in mind when on their shopping outings. 

Also, these sellers always want the product to be new, so they’ll give deep discounts on the items that have hung around a bit too long. Gonzales says, “They do a lot of piles of sometimes they don’t sell something in a couple of weeks. They’re like, ‘Oh, $5 or $10.’ They just have to keep [the inventory] moving.”

She will also tell you where not to spend your time. “I don’t go to Goodwills anymore because they became super expensive, and they already are picking out the best vintage.”

Don’t write off Goodwill just yet, though. Shoop-Cohen digs deep. Literally. The Goodwill Outlet in Escondido is Shoop-Cohen’s top shopping destination—and where she found her best vintage find (a handmade velvet patchwork vest). 

“It’s open from, like, 8 or 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. And people go really early and they wait in line. Then it’s just these ginormous bins that you dig through. Nothing is hung up. But everything is $2, no matter what it is.” Patience is a virtue and a pay-off in thrifting.

Shoop-Cohen has some other hot takes around the city. “I really like Plato’s closet. There’s one in Claremont. There’s one in Chula Vista and there’s one in Escondido,” says Shoop-Cohen. She offers that they’ll often have 50-90 percent off sales that many don’t know about.  

What To Wear While Thrifting

Thrifting can mean you find yourself at a garage sale, an estate sale at someone’s home, or at a second-hand store with no dressing rooms. So, planning your shopping outfit strategically is a must. And comfort is king when searching in bins and piles.

“I often wear leggings or biking shorts [with] a tank top… something comfy. Something that you could try a shirt on over, like [wearing] a camisole underneath,” Shoop-Cohen says. “And biker shorts so you can just slip a skirt on, slip pants on, or slip a dress over.” 

“I always say if you wear leggings or leggings shorts, it’s worth it because you can try [items] right there,” says Gonzalez.

Why You Should Thrift

As of August 2023, Earth.org reports that, “The average US consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes every year. In America alone, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste—equivalent to 85 percent of all textiles—ends up in landfills on a yearly basis.”

Thrifting allows you to circumvent this consumerism by shopping sustainably. With fast-fashion retailers like H&M selling more than three billion garments a year, there is plenty of fashion to go around, on the clothing’s second time around, which is why both sustainable shopping–or,  thrifting–and donating are key. But don’t think you’re only getting Shein cast-offs. Racks of thrift stores are a mash-up of quickly-made goods as well as vintage finds from a bygone era where craftsmanship was one’s calling card. 

Going thrift shopping is an easy way to help minimize the burden of discarded clothing and goods, where you can build a wardrobe with timeless pieces (coats and the occasional designer find), basics, and funky, on-era trends.

“Clothing will last so long if you just wear it. And I understand that something might not be your style anymore, but you don’t need to throw it away,” says Shoop-cohen. “Somebody else will wear it.”

Bonus Tips

Cleanlines is next to thriftiness. A cardinal rule of thrifting? Wash your clothes after you buy them. Shoop-Cohen says, “I always wash them immediately. Even if they look really new because you don’t know who belong to or like how long it’s been there. Even if I buy something new I like to wash it.”

Don’t judge a hanger by its lack of curb appeal. “If you pass through a booth or something at a swap meet, even if you think that there’s not going to be anything there, just do it. You will be surprised.”

Buy in bulk. “If you buy multiple [items], they make you bundles,” says Gonzalez. Bundles usually mean they’ll take a few dollars off the asking price for each individual item.

Enjoy the ride. “You just have to dig—for a long time,” says Shoop-Cohen. But there’s a solution to the beta-mode boredom that can come from continued browsing. Shoop-Cohen suggests to “put some cool music on or call somebody while you’re there. It can be a really fun experience.”

The post How & Where to Score the Best Deals at Thrift Stores in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Architect Drew Hubbell equipped this home with green features like natural ventilation and photovoltaic panels—plus Fibonacci spirals inspired by its mathematician owner

Photo Credit: Arnel Garcia

Green is what the San Diego of 2023 aspires to be: ambitious, growth-oriented, and planet-forward. But you wouldn’t know it from our existing housing crop. Despite new homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) popping up on seemingly every block, few are considered green builds.

San Diego’s history with green building practices might well have started with James Hubbell and his sculptural, organic-looking structures crafted from local, low-impact materials. The visionary architect is widely considered the original vanguard of the movement here in San Diego. But while Hubbell and his son Drew helped lead California towards more environmentally friendly construction (see “Sticks and Stones”), San Diego overall has been slow to join the green building renaissance.

The city claims its landmark 2022 Climate Action Plan “takes bold steps” towards a more sustainable San Diego. And while that may be true in certain categories, in terms of building, the plan mainly focuses on phasing out natural gas and converting new projects to electric. “Bold” might be a bold choice of words. It’ll take a lot more than swapping out gas stoves for induction burners to get the city where it needs to be.

Irons and Fins, ECOhouse’s current project in Coronado, features overhangs that will help cool the home in summer. BELOW Irons and Fins maximizes space by spreading 11,000 square feet across three floors, including a basement. 

Courtesy of Irons and Fins

“A green building is much more comprehensive,” says Colleen FitzSimons, executive director of the San Diego chapter of the US Green Building Council.

Green building advocates look toward more holistic criteria like LEED certification, a sustainability rating system that awards architectural projects with points for reducing carbon, energy, water use, and waste; utilizing renewable materials; and more. That might include the use of reclaimed wood, rain-catching, and greywater irrigation systems. LEED-inspired architects consider how to place structures in such a way that they gain more sun for natural heating, or they implement passive cooling systems to keep interior temps low with less energy. Projects need to meet a minimum environmental threshold to qualify as LEED-certified, with additional tiers for higher-scoring buildings, from silver through platinum.

Irons and Fins maximizes space by spreading 11,000 square feet across three floors, including a basement

 

The city of San Diego maintains several LEED-certified buildings—but don’t be surprised if none of them are on your residential block. Because green projects cost more upfront to construct but have reduced maintenance costs over time, sustainable approaches are often used for big, industrial buildings, says Lauren Cook, executive director of the San Diego Architectural Foundation.

In SD county, that includes a LEED gold–certified senior center, a silver-certified recreation center, and three fire stations ranging from silver to gold. Snapdragon Stadium and many structures at UCSD also employ green building approaches, because they are “a long-term investment for [institutions] to save money,” Cook adds.

In the residential realm, Cook concedes, green buildings are generally going to be luxury homes.

FitzSimons echoes this, adding, “People who can afford to design and build their own home typically have more resources”—meaning that they can shoulder the weightier construction costs sometimes associated with greener builds.

ADUs, like this one designed by Prismática, are secondary housing units built on a single- family residential lot

 

And because developers and homeowners may not be cognizant of the money they can save long-term with tactics like solar power and natural heating, they sometimes dismiss greener building methods off-the-bat. “There’s this perceived idea that it’s going to cost more, and so a lot of developers won’t go the extra steps beyond the Green Building Code,” FitzSimons emphasizes. (The California Green Building Standards Code is the first-in-the-nation mandatory green building code, which San Diego builders must abide by. In other parts of the state, even more strict regulations are in place.)Nevertheless, the city of San Diego is increasingly committed to investing in sustainable construction. As of April 2022, San Diego has its own chief sustainability officer in Shelby Rust Busó, who has worked with the US Green Building Council, the national entity that awards LEED certifications. According to Sustainability and Mobility Department director Alyssa Muto, Busó will “lead the city’s work on the long-term planning and implementation for decarbonizing buildings and neighborhoods.”“I definitely am super excited about where we’re heading, but, at the moment, we’re not there,” FitzSimons says. But, she continues, larger policies from the county of San Diego and the San Diego Association of Governments are “going to help push our region to be a forerunner in green building.”As it stands, San Diego does have its share of architects and firms helping move the city toward a greener future. That includes Elizabeth J. Carmichael, owner and principal architect of ECOhouse and president of the San Diego Green Building Council. Though 95 percent of her clients are developers, she has seen the shift in priorities from businesses and homeowners alike.

Prismática Design Shower LEED Home Design Climate Change San Diego

 

“We get clients that really want to do as much sustainability as possible,” Carmichael says. “They come in and tell me, ‘We want to be green. We want to make it sustainable.’ Whereas before … we were kind of pushing our philosophy on the client. Now it’s almost the opposite.”ECOhouse has a current project in Coronado that is emblematic of their holistic approach to integrating sustainability and functional design. Nicknamed “Irons and Fins,” the house encompasses 11,000 square feet. Rather than building out, however, the blueprint saves space by moving up (and down) with a three-story floor plan, including a basement.The luxury property also boasts a coveted list of green amenities and functionality, with a roof entirely covered in solar panels, alongside solar water heating and a separate solar-powered battery should going off the grid ever be necessary. The house is outfitted with two giant tanks for rainwater harvesting, and the LED-efficient residence also benefits from a basement design with a passive cooling system, where sliders open up to bring in cool air which passes to the first floor.The top floor features a similar system for hot air to escape. South-facing with overhangs, the house is designed to capture the sun in the winter for passive heating, while the overhangs protect and cool during the heat of the summer. Two-hundred-year-old juniper trees that were harvested while preparing the property for the build were later thrown in a kiln and are now being used to create furniture and fixtures for the new home.

But what about building green with more modest funds? American Institute of Architects award–winning, Barrio Logan– based architecture firm Prismática may have some answers. “We try to make the building as efficient as possible,” says co-founder and principal architect Jesús Fernando Limón.

And while clients’ options for sustainable techniques vary according to their budget, “the biggest things you can do that are accessible to everyone are the types of things that we do,” adds Pristmática co-founder José F. “Pancho” García. That includes strategically maximizing natural light, employing cross-ventilation, and using construction tactics that produce less waste.

Prismática equipped this ADU with passive cooling and rainwater- catching systems. The massive windows invite in natural light, reducing daily energy use

 

This year, the firm finished an ADU with energy-efficient elements in Oak Park. It opens up to a lush courtyard that has the capacity for passive cooling, ample natural light sources, and rainwater-catching to irrigate the garden.

Prismática wants to offer these sustainable techniques all over the county and beyond. They work across San Diego from North County to Paradise Hills, with designs on projects in our Baja backyard of Tijuana, where García calls home.

Another way to move towards sustainability while saving cash is to think small. Density and urban infill—maximizing the residential or commercial potential of a plot of land—can help contain urban sprawl and reduce the amount of travel required to access goods and services, preserving resources and natural spaces.

“Micro units are hot,” Cook quips. They’re also a way to increase density in combination with de-carbonization and other targets of green proponents. National City’s Parco, for example, designed by the architects at Miller Hull Partnership, is a mixed-use building spanning 131,000 square feet with energy-efficient micro units. The development achieved a carbon offset of 950 tons, the equivalent of more than 1,900 trips between San Diego and Seattle (where Miller Hull calls home). Not a bad start.

San Diego still has a ways to go in hitting the goals imposed not only by the city but by the culture of its residents. The city’s dwellers are already demanding more bike lanes and public transit. We’re ready for more energy-efficient ways to live our lives, including in the places we call home.“There are a lot of people really active and interested in getting us to where we want to be, climate-wise, equity-wise, [and] health-wise,” FitzSimons says.

San Diego may not be leading the green building charge, but there are plenty of people here working to push the city in a more sustainable direction. The green housing wave is upon us. You just have to squint a little harder to see it around here.

The post Following the LEEDers appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Splash Rosarito Baja California Restaurant Mexico

Courtesy of Splash Baja Restaurant

We all have that friend who was there first, who knows the spots before the influencers, before the Michelin Guide furtively dines, who lives like locals do, and seem to make friends at each coveted location.You annoyingly see a gorgeously arranged plate sans filter on Instagram at a restaurant that doesn’t even have a geotag. Then, a story from a hotel with views that aren’t out-of-this-world in another country—like say, Mexico.With so many exciting new things coming out of Baja these days, we looked to those people—the region’s tastemakers, local experts, and even a few of our San Diego friends—to give us the inside scoop on new, noteworthy, trendy, or hidden gems across the border.Here are 12 places to go in Baja right now as recommended by Monica Arreola, co-owner of Arte Contemporaneo in TJ; Dang Nguyen, consultant for Coyote Projects hospitality group in Baja; Hank Morton (founder and president) and Geoff Hill (director of brand & marketing) of Baja Bound; and our friends at the tourism authority on the latest developments.

Where to Go in Tijuana

Nook Hotel Tijuana Baja California Mexico

Courtesy of Nook Hotel

Nook Hotel

A block away from the much-more famous—though slightly dustier—Caesar’s Hotel, is this boutique gem. With pastel, Mondrian-like paintings hung over their gallery walls and chic, nouveau furnishings throughout, it gives more Downtown L.A. than Zona Central. It’s also open 24 hours for your carousing convenience.

Midnight Cowboy

Less Jon Voight, more Juan Voight. This caballero-inspired border saloon is so new, you won’t even be able to find the address without a DM. Reach out for a reservation, snag the code, and find yourself in a glow-up version of every ranch hand’s dream home (on the range), with marble countertops, ornamental horseshoes, and leather coasters. Try tipples like the Desperado, a concoction of agave spirits, Benedictine, and Fernet Branca.

Casa Tijuana Restaurant Baja California Mexico

Courtesy of Casa Tijuana

Casa Tijuana 

Don’t have friends in Tijuana who can invite you over for a home-cooked meal? Think again. Chef Juan Cabrera Barrón would like to welcome you into his. Enter Casa Tijuana, a restaurant in an actual house, in a thriving neighborhood on the outskirts of town, where the dining room is every room. Bedecked with personal effects from Barrón’s own life, the cozy, abuelita décor style belies the food’s modern edge. Labeling itself as Mexican comfort food, this local eatery has a bite to satisfy every palette. Pro Tip: Work up an appetite perusing local, modern artists’ work at 206 Arte Contemporaneo then take a five-minute drive here to dish on all your favorite pieces—and dishes.

Where to Go in Rosarito

Splash Baja California Rosarito Restaurant Mexico

Courtesy of Splash Baja Restaurant

Splash

Seemingly carved out of the cliffs, this old casita-turned-restaurant is a classic spot to post up on your way to Valle, or before hitting traffic on the way back home. Though erring a little toward the Americanized palate, “El Cielito Lindo” is on heavy mariachi rotation for some traditional fun and their margaritas don’t disappoint.

Marea Alta

Winner of 2023’s “Best Seafood Restaurant” from Galardón Gastronómica, this unassuming Puerto Nuevo eatery highlights the region’s freshest seafood with modern techniques, plus all the al fresco, the-UV-index-is-peaking-but-that’s-what-sunscreen-is-for, summer vibes.

Colectivo Surf Tasting Room

K41 (also known as the Mexican mile marker, Kilometer 41) is the X marking the spot for finding some of the region’s best sushi alongside a much-need, post-surf sesh brew in Playas de Rosarito. A restaurant focusing on fresh catches from its shores and four in-house brands under the collective: Cerveza Surf, Colectivo Sagrado Mezcal, Amor del Mar Vino, and Kaffiso 100 percent Café Orgánico.

Where to Go in Valle de Guadalupe

Bloodlust Restaurant Valle de Guadalupe Baja California Mexico

Courtesy of Bloodlust

Bloodlust

Mimetic architecture never tasted so good. Shaped like an entire bulb of ajo (garlic), this wine and vermouth bar specializes in natural wine and sophisticated plates without the pretense of some other Valle notables. Be sure to check their ‘gram so you can coordinate your visit with a live band playing in their amphitheater or a vinyl selector manning the decks indoors for a meal fit for an audiophile.

Decantos Vinicola

Villa vibes with Mexican cultura and terroir. Celebrating eight years this summer, winemaker Alonso Granados has kept his vision alive with constant innovation. Geoff explains some of the ingenuity behind Granados’ winemaking, “Everything is gravity fed. There’s no pumps because they don’t want it to disturb the molecular structure.” As the son of the artist Gina Romo, creativity is in his blood. After learning winemaking in Spain, he took his vision to the sprawling landscape of Valle de Guadalupe and prepared to conquer Mexico’s wine market. With 20,000 cases sold per year—running the gamut from refreshing “joven” wines and dessert options like a tokaji—he’s on track to keeping his top spot.

Where to Go in Ensenada

Cerveceria Transpeninsular Ensenada Baja California Mexico

Courtesy of Cerveceria Transpeninsular

Cerveceria Transpeninsular

Though Valle can lean adult with its 21+ restrictions, there are many places that are kid friendly, where you can still partake in local microbrews. Since 2016, Cerveceria Transpenisular has been that spot. Each beer is named for a local point of interest alongside the winding roadways of this Baja region, like the Km 5.5 milk stout and the La Curva double IPA. So, grab a pint while the pint-sized ones run amok.

La Morocha

Ensenada’s favorite culinary son and Fauna chef, David Castro Hussong, is back with another concept. This time he’s settled in the winery of Santo Tomás in Ensenada with his bar and restaurant that’s named after slang for a pretty Latina, La Morocha. Their Instagram and website are taunting us with lack of details but they say they’re warming the pans as we salivate and expect an August open. We do know this, on July 29, they had a pop-up for the anniversary at Decantos Vinicola, which featured a dish of Wagyu rib flautas with truffle potato. So, don’t mind us, we’ll just sit here hitting refresh on our browser until we finally can make a reservation…

Muelle Tres

Pierside dining? Yes, please. This excellent seafood outpost was featured in last year’s Valle Food & Wine Festival for good reason. Try the featured dish, Marisquite, a mashup of elote, octopus, and shrimp. Street corn never had it so good. 

La Bête Noir

This self-proclaimed “hi fi-gastro” in Zona Centro wants you to be aware that it is not a club. There are no memberships and no reservations, which keeps space for all to hear the sounds and take in the culinary morsels this Ensenada pseudo-speakeasy provides. Repping McIntosh speaker gear, the sounds will be as smooth as cocktail creator Alexandra Purcaru’s cardamom-infused gin and tonic, known as “La Bete Gin.”

The post Best Things to Do in Baja Right Now, According to Local Experts appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Lahaina wildfire relief efforts

There is a song that the aunties and uncles, garnished with leis, play on ukulele with venerable vibrato as they roam through beachside restaurants while tourists sip Mai Tais and locals cash in on a kama’aina discount with a sunset view that’s not from their home lanai. It’s called “Lahainaluna,” and it goes like this: “I am going to the island of the valley / To Lahaina / Lahainaluna / They say that Maui nō ka ‘oi and I agree / Maui nō ka ‘oi is the only place for me / Maui nō ka ‘oi.”This is the Hawaiian motto of the Valley Isle, which translates to “Maui is the best.” These words to this simple song could not hit harder now that the historic town of Lahaina is gone, its people displaced, homes lost, and life tragically cut short.If you’re looking for ways to help those affected by the wildfire, here are 13 San Diego-based events and ongoing fundraisers to help aid those across Maui, ranging from Lahaina to Kihei and Kula.

Cohn Restaurant Group Maui Lahaina Wildfire Relief

Courtesy of Cohn Restaurant Group

San Diego Restaurants & Groups Supporting to the Maui Wildfire Relief

Cohn Restaurant Group

With two locations on the west side of Maui, Cohn Restaurant Group is giving funds directly to their displaced employees. To assist their employees, they have created a GoFundMe page, where 100 percent of the donations will go directly to CRG Maui staff. The Cohn family themselves will be matching the donations up to $100,000.

TS Restaurants – Duke’s La Jolla & Jake’s Del Mar

This 46-year-old restaurant group started with a humble, waterfront restaurant that took place in a former Lahaina gas station. They called it Kimo’s. Sadly, this Lahaina institution did not survive the fire, but the restaurants’ more than 700 employees are safe and accounted for, despite several losing their homes.The group behind Kimo’s, TS Restaurants, has two San Diego locations in Duke’s La Jolla and Jake’s Del Mar. They are accepting donations for their 501c3 nonprofit Legacy of Aloha, which will give grants to the employees of Kimo’s, Hula Grill, Leilani’s, Duke’s, and Maui Brewing Co., all of whom have been affected by the fire, with some losing their homes or being displaced. The fundraiser will also donate any remaining funds to other accredited nonprofits benefiting Maui residents.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

Jimmy’s knew they wanted to help a Maui family. After contacting friends on island, the owners learned the story of Josh Gruber, a father and husband, has been working tirelessly as a Lahaina firefighter to help the community in this time of crisis. To help him and his family, Jimmy’s in Point Loma will be donating 10 percent of its restaurant sales for the remaining Wednesdays in August: 23 and 30 (and previously August 16) to the Gruber family.

Bend The Elbow For Lahaina Event Maui Fundraising

Courtesy of Eventbrite

Upcoming San Diego Fundraisers & Events for Maui Wildfire Relief

Thursday, August 17

Raising Cane’s

At its four San Diego locations, along with every store nationwide, Raising Cane’s will donate 15 percent of their profits to Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center (KHAKO), a Maui-based shelter located in Lahaina supporting those displaced by the wildfires. The funds will also be used in the rebuilding efforts of the shelter’s Westside Center, a 78-unit housing center that was completely lost in the fire.

Saturday, August 19

SD Art Advisory – Hearts of Hope for Hawai’i

SD Art Advisory is hosting a silent auction on the first floor at their Mission Hills gallery, featuring local artists. Any artists looking to be involved must submit their application to the AD Art Advisory Facebook or Instagram page by Thursday, August 17. In solidarity with the Hawai’i Community Foundation, 100 percent of proceeds will go to the Maui Strong Fund.

Bar One Maui Relief Fundraiser

Bar One, Little Italy’s oldest watering hole will be bringing the aloha to India Street, hosting featured cocktails and a $5 raffle doling out rare bottles, gift cards from local restaurants (such as CH Projects), and a $25 raffle for two sets of tickets to a Padres game—one of which is all-inclusive with free parking, drinks, and seat in the visitors dugout. Sponsored by El Silencio, Campari, Remy Cointreau, and Elijah Craig, all proceeds will go to Maui Rapid Response.

Board & Brew

Board & Brew’s 12 locations (except for Petco Park) will be donating 10 percent of all sales—whether that’s dine-in, pick-up, or delivery—directly to Maui Strong Fund. They’re hoping to achieve a goal of $50,000 and the fundraiser goes from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 20.

Sunday, August 20

Rawmana Fitness Benefit Concert

Local MMA fighter and former Hawai’i resident, Ilima-Lei MacFarlane, has been helping secure donations and is now organizing a benefit concert to aid Maui residents. There will be food and drink, vendors, DJs, and live music from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Rawmana Fitness. There will also be several direct Venmo QR codes for donations to specific, affected families.

Whiskey & Burlap

From 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., local band Whiskey & Burlap will be holding a benefit show to help raise funds. The show will take place at The Garten, an outdoor, multi-vendor event space in Bay Park that includes Lost Cause Meadery, Deft Brewing, Pizza Cassette and Oddish Wine. 100% of Whiskey & Burlaps proceeds will go to the Maui Strong Foundation. In addition, Lost Cause Meadery has a special sparkling mead made with Lehua Blossom honey from Hawai’i and they will be donating 100 percent of proceeds from that mead to the Maui Strong Foundation, as well.

Monday, August 21

Kingfisher – Spirit of Kokua Maui Fundraiser

Supporting Maui’s displaced and affected hospitality workers, Kingfisher will be serving a special poke dish and Starward Whisky cocktails with proceeds going directly to Legacy of Aloha. To-go orders can be placed in advance through Tock for pick-up from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the poke will also be available at dinner service. A late-night version, sans rice will also be available after 9:30 p.m.In addition to sending 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit restaurant employees, Starward Whisky will be matching cocktail proceeds. A raffle for special bottles starts at 11 p.m.

Monday, August 28

Campestre Productions – Bend the Elbow for Lahaina

Campestre Productions presents “Bend the Elbow for Lahaina,” an event that aims to support hospitality workers affected by the Lahaina fires. $50 of every ticket sold will go directly to Legacy of Aloha. Natural wines will be poured while Janina Garay, the culinary director at Be Saha, will be providing passed bites. There will also be a raffle featuring curated experiences, art, and gift cards to local establishments. Tickets are $75 per person. Raffle tickets are sold separately.

Thursday, August 31

Maui Fires Fundraiser at The Cork and Craft

The Asian Business Association Foundation along with San Diego City Councilmember Kent Lee, Pacific Arts Movement and the San Diego API Coalition is inviting you to help support Maui residents affected by the devastating fires with this event at The Cork and Craft. Tickets are $50 and include a drink ticket and appetizers.Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) Maui Strong Fund will get 100 percent of the proceeds. Funding will address evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance and other services as they are identified by on-the-ground partners doing critical work on Maui.

Monday, September 4

False Idol – Mandatory Maui Monday

False Idol is turning its Mandatory Mug Monday into Mandatory Maui Monday, with a fundraiser that will send half of the night’s sales to Legacy of Aloha. Campari and Kuleana Rum will be sponsoring the event featuring specialty cocktails as well as a silent auction for exclusive tiki mugs.

The post How to Help Raise Money for Maui Fire Relief in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Pleasure Pill San Diego Indie Band

Photo Credit: Andrew Howard

We’re sitting on the patio of Shakespeare Pub on an overcast, late afternoon. It looks more like Manchester than Mid-City San Diego.“It’s pretty fucking religious, you know? I mean, like, I live by it. It’s all I ever think about,” says a shades-laden, younger, more symmetrical version of Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream. He takes a sip of his Guinness that’s as black as his perfectly trimmed locks.

This 23-year-old rock-siren-by-night and substitute-teacher-by-day is Jonah Paz, lead singer of Chula Vista’s ’60s-via-’90s, indie-rock five-piece Pleasure Pill. What’s his denomination? Himself. His band. The goddamn redemption of rock and roll.

Sitting next to Paz is lead guitarist, Luke Blake, bedecked in denim and pulling it off the way only an artist can. “We can’t be bothered with whoever else is doing [things] in LA or New York,” Blake says.

“We’re kind of just marching to the beat of our own drum, which I think is really beneficial for us in a way.” Being from San Diego, rather than the more saturated markets up north, actually helps them stand out.

Pleasure Pill San Diego Indie Band Staircase

Photo Credit: Andrew Howard

Yet their own beat does have a familiar ring to it. The band’s impish, nasally facsimile of my favorite Britpop familiars fuels a narcissistic nostalgia for my own early aughts glory days spent lusting in dark clubs, dancing out my 20-something strife to the likes of the Stone Roses, Pulp, and Blur.

“Rock and roll has its history and its traditions,” Paz says, like a monk revering rituals of the past. “Obviously, [in our music], you’re gonna hear some ’60s and you’re gonna hear some ’90s and you’re gonna hear some late ’70s punk.”

At the fulcrum of parody and pop idol, Pleasure Pill look like extras who just hopped off their Vespas on the set of Quadrophenia. Their style is matched by their substance: They name-check Alan McGee’s Creations Records roster as if every band on it were a household name, from the “wall of sound” fuzz of The Jesus and Mary Chain to the very obvious influence of Oasis and their crossover mega-appeal. They take equal joy in ripping off acid house acts like the Happy Mondays. Who doesn’t love some maracas? (Bad people.)

But that’s not to say their brand of snarling, anthemic pop is derivative or unpatriotic. Call it honorific cribbing similar to what The Beatles did to Little Richard and what the brothers Gallagher did to Lennon-McCartney. With every new generation comes a chance to cannibalize your idols (or at least have the same haircuts). Thankfully, the members of Pleasure Pill have the musical chops to match their Gallagher crops. They can play their instruments—and the part of Gen Z rock and roll heroes, if their generation will have them.

The band is comprised of Jonah and his younger brother Ethan, who plays rhythm guitar, rounded out by Blake on lead guitar and friends Ivan Delgado (bass) and Dom Friedly (drums). They’ve been slowly doling out singles since the pandemic era. Now, they have a set of fifteen songs that they recorded in LA in November. They will eventually release them as their debut record. Paz is angling for Oasis’ Definitely Maybe status. “This has the potential to literally be, like, the biggest thing ever,” Paz says.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pleasure Pill (@pleasurepillusa)

Pleasure Pill is a welcome pastiche for the weary, seeking that new rock savior. Who’s tired of always hearing “Seven Nation Army” at Petco Park? It’s time to give these South Bay boys a chance.

But many bands these days are at the mercy of numbers—of followers. Gone is the main pressure of moving units. Now, labels are focused on bands being their own mini-marketing team, complete with fully fleshed followings on Instagram and the dreaded TikTok, before ever getting signed.

For reference, Pleasure Pill has 1,901 followers on Instagram, and its members couldn’t care less. Perhaps that’s why there’s no groundswell of guitar groups making it big. Perhaps they’re all old fashioned like Pleasure Pill, hoping their talent is enough for an advance.

“I think a band like Oasis or the Strokes or Nirvana, where they take over the whole fucking world and everyone can agree on [them], it’s a folktale for our generation. I mean, it doesn’t exist,” Paz says. Clearly, the modern music landscape is wide enough for newcomers to find footholds to stardom, but will their ambition be enough? For now, it doesn’t matter.

“You’re not going to come from San Diego and, like, skyrocket,” Paz admits. “It’s gonna be fucking hard but, you know, we all believe in it enough to do it.”

Not giving up, indeed.

The post Pleasure Pill Prescribes Indie Pop for Gen Z Ennui appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

SDM past covers

Over the span of 75 years, San Diego Magazine has produced more than 800 covers. From early illustrated classics of the ’40s and ’50s to fever-dream Photoshop nightmares of the early ’00s, we’ve run the gamut from timeless to outright cringe.Our editors have spent a lot of time in the archives as we celebrate three-quarters of a century of SDM, and looking back at old covers has become a favorite pastime in the office. Some we love so much we might use them as tattoo inspiration, and some we’re downright embarrassed by. But good or bad, all of them are a part of the long, strange, dynamic history of this magazine and this city. And they’re really fun to explore.So in an effort to show our blemishes and our beauty over the years, we asked our editorial staff to name a high and a low from our cover archives.

San Diego Magazine Cover September 1963 

Chosen By: Amelia Rodriguez, Associate Editor

September 1963 

The early ’60s brought a spate of beautiful, stylistically experimental illustrated covers at SDM. This one stamped bold, sketchy lines over a reproduction of, according to the cover blurb, a “delicious, bouncy nude” (oof) by François Boucher. Fascinatingly, I can’t find this particular Boucher anywhere. Cue the research rabbit hole.

October 1968 San Diego Magazine Cover

October 1968

Surely all our milestone years were commemorated with the same jubilant decadence captured on our current cover, right? Uh, no. We rang in two decades of SDM with the excitement of eating dry toast while perusing a microwave user guide. Lots of blank space, some dudes’ names… yippee, I guess. Could’ve at least added a balloon.

November 1949 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Cole Novak, Web Content Editor

November 1949

I have a soft spot in my heart for illustrated magazine covers. I love this style of line art—it reminds me of hand-made drawings by John Lennon and Kurt Vonnegut, among others. This cover by Enid Miller from the magazine’s second year features bold colors paired with serene illustrations. Makes me want to plan my next trip to Mexico.

November 1984 San Diego Magazine Cover

Of all of the San Diego Magazine covers, this is certainly one of them. “New fashions for spirited males.” Huh? If the “spirited males” in question are fairground carnies, taxi drivers, or weird uncles, this cover nailed it.

January 1955 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Nicolle Monico, Digital Editor

January 1955

I love this cover because it is so random and makes me laugh to wonder what was going through the art director’s mind as they were concepting it. A Christmas issue. In a summery-looking backyard. A woman in a bathing suit posing… on a trampoline. Happy holidays! Don’t miss the illustrated ornament, lest you forget what we’re celebrating.

January 1967 San Diego Magazine Cover

January 1967

I don’t think I really need to say anything, but here we go. It’s a large two-toned circle smack dead in the center of the mag. And one of the coverlines teases pragmatism. How sexy. You know someone checked out during the holidays and decided to draft this up from some lounge chair in Cabo in between piña coladas.

September 1968 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Jennifer Ianni, Acting Managing Editor

September 1968

This cover epitomizes ’60s glam, which made it stand out to me. I was drawn to the women’s sparkly gowns, their hairstyles, and even the expressions on their faces as they exited the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. But what delighted me even more is that, when I read about the cover in the San Diego Magazine archives, I discovered that the red-headed model’s name is Ceviche, which is a name I’ve never heard given to a person. The ’60s really were a different time.

August 1970 San Diego Magazine Cover

August 1970

Three shadowy figures surrounded by water… Seems more like the stuff of horror movies than a regional lifestyle magazine cover. The photo is dark and it’s unclear what is happening, which is the antithesis of what a cover should be. The cover lines claim it’s a “Special Summer Guide,” but I’m genuinely concerned for these kids and hope they made it out of that water safely.

July 1984 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Troy Johnson, Content Chief

July 1984

 Fairly certain this is a Whitesnake album cover or a lost member of Mötley Crüe. The stylist senses this is their MTV moment and makes this woman complicit in it. Her eyes pounce. Her hair is depleting ozones. She is the Aquanet queen. The cheetah’s dead stare suggests a plea for help. I feel both empowered and endangered.

February 2012 San Diego Magazine Cover

February 2012

My weird vendetta against this cover is pretty well-known around here. Growing up in San Diego, I saw us typecast as tanned and taco’d people whose intellectual hobbies include polishing our watercraft and staring at the sun. Us locals know a far more complex, gritty, modern, artful, creative, interesting culture. My rage against reducing San Diego to a one-dimensional water-sun-woohoo! society has eased, but drawing a heart emoji in a boat wake still feels like being stabbed in the eye with a “Live, Laugh, Love” poster.

June-July 1952 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Danielle Allaire, Staff Writer

June/July 1952

We were ahead of our time. We were auteurs before the auteurs. Is this not a missing still from a long-lost Godard film, with a little Fellini thrown in for good measure? It is. It’s called Le Soleil d’Amour and it was shot exclusively in San Diego. Okay, it’s not. But, in all its “nouvelle vague” glory, this cover uses effortless youth and nonchalant sex appeal to evoke a vignette of the potentially perfect summer day, to which we all aspire.

October 1971 San Diego Magazine Cover

October 1971

Ah, the age-old question: how to find witches? Apparently, if you shine a black light on them, they glow. The fact that we devoted not only an article, but an entire cover, to this witch-hunt (had to) makes me proud to be on the staff of a magazine that truly embraces diversity. But we all know that witches live in LA these days.

August 1973 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Mateo Hoke, Executive Editor

August 1973

I’m on record saying I want this pipe-smoking fellow out of the archives and onto contemporary covers, like SDM’s very-own Eustace Tilley, looking different each time. The pipe could be a vape or a taco, the tennis racquet a vinyl record or a skateboard. The potential is endless. And how bad do we all want this Mona Lisa–smiling sun illustration festooned on a t-shirt?

June 2004 San Diego Magazine Cover

June 2004

Before social media, magazines basically sold themselves, so covers were just icing on an already desirable cake. Laziness reigned. But this one is a head-scratcher even when considering the era. I want to go back in time to the edit meeting where the ’04 team was hyped up throwing out ideas like, “I’ve got it! A guitar. ON A BEACH.” It does visually scream San Diego, though. I’ll give them that.

July 1961 San Diego Magazine Cover

Chosen By: Samantha Lacy, Art Director

July 1961

What a strange and mysterious scene we have here. I’m a sucker for full-bleed art on a cover and a huge fan of Phillip Kirkland’s work. Many of Kirkland’s illustrations for SDM were elegantly artful but edgy in their own way. There’s something oddly sinister about these beings—the lack of pupils, the fish teeth, the restless paint strokes. I’m falling for their siren song nonetheless.

May 1996 San Diego Magazine Cover

May 1996

Which is the bigger offender: Creepy, toothy, stalker-vibes Joseph Wambaugh imminently poised to flash you his latest hardcover from beneath his trench? Or the fact that this cover uses no less than six type colors in one paragraph?

The post The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous Covers of SDM’s Past appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

1940s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

Balboa Park may not be Bryant Park, but that doesn’t mean that San Diegans haven’t made a sartorial splash. Sure, San Diego’s unofficial wardrobe includes surf brand–issued shades and flip-flops. After a quick beach dip, though, we can clean up rather nicely. In our archives, we found some epic examples of San Diego fashion through each decade of our history.

The 1940s

In our debut decade, we embraced the dapper trends of the day, which were basically Katharine Hepburn’s Mid-Atlantic accent slapped on a dress form. At locales like the Del Mar racetrack and the Hotel Del, women were draped in slinky suit dresses and nary seen without a hat, while men sported a proud G.I. fit or the ever-flattering high-waisted slacks and ties as wide as Cary Grant’s grin. My, you’d look yar on the deck of the Point Loma Yacht Club.

1950s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 1950s

Advertising! Post-war materialism! Jell-O! The economic boom of the ’50s led us to off-the-rack bliss (more Nordstrom than Shein) as the number of styles kept up with increased amounts of disposable income. Barbie waists and slimming suits were de rigueur and essential in completing the era’s picket-fence chic, which would fit perfectly in any Rancho Bernardo front yard.

1960s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 1960s

Miniskirts. Paisleys. Surfers, bikinis, and beach-blanket bingo at Black’s. Welcome to the ’60s—quite possibly the most fashion-dense era. Mods and rockers were the early-era trendsetters, while hippies upset the apple cart by trading hyper-sophistication for casual, print-heavy chaos (and turning said apples into pipes). But San Diego Mag keeps it classy with a nod to the glamor of the decade’s early years, hinting at the emergence of James Bond and “it girls.”

1970s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 1970s

We could have given you halter tops and sequins, but our city has a subversive side, offering more Annie Hall and less Saturday Night Fever. Don’t get us wrong—no one was safe from wide lapels, gold chains, and chest hair, but this androgynous get-up proves the decade was more than the sum of its disco.

1980s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 1980s

Ah, the ten-year span of excess, where the Gordon Gekko manifesto, perms, and Magnum P.I. lookalikes ruled the decade. Love it or hate it, folks in the ’80s made statements. Menswear was split between rolled-up blazer sleeves in a pastel Miami Vice palette and the neon skate-scene garb seen on the likes of Tony Hawk. And, ladies, if you didn’t have on shoulder pads or pantyhose, well, you might as well be naked. Omigawd, like, run to Fashion Valley to rectify that.

1990s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 1990s

It was a fashion-driven era of many trends—and it’s back. It bedecked the dudes in an ’80s hangover of boxy suits and outlandish ties before giving way to the grungy flannels of rock gods that would be right at home at the Casbah. Womenswear ran the gamut from tapered power suits to femme-forward surf gear that would score you cred at Fletcher Cove.

2000s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 2000s

Three words: Going-out top. As a city, we watched Paris Hilton and Britney Spears parlay their privilege into a blur of paparazzi pics that had young women aspiring to find the perfect bejeweled tank to wear for a night out in the Gaslamp. One more word: Metrosexual. Some guys embraced their feminine energy and opted for a more manicured take on casual menswear, while others went full emo and rocked the shaggy ’dos we’d later dub a Bieber haircut.

2010s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 2010s

The 2010s were a time when fedoras were the socially acceptable headwear of choice among middle-aged dads and frat bros alike, worn without shame to many a barbecue or PB bar. For women, statement necklaces reigned supreme, along with ankle boots and moto jackets, taking you anywhere from a UTC shopping spree to a La Jolla sunset.

2020s Fashion Trends History San Diego Magazine

The 2020s

The dawn of a new decade brought with it a global pandemic that forced us indoors (and into sweats) for a few years. Athleisure became our daily uniform and masks were our main accessory. Even now that we’re donning pants again, we’re still snuggling into sherpa jackets and wearing sneakers with jeans.

The post Seven Decades of San Diego Style appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

San Diego Tijuana World Design Capital Friends of San Diego Architecture

Courtesy of Friends of San Diego Architecture

It’s a tale of two cities, but not how you think. In place of Dickensian polarization, civic solidarity and fashionable functionality. Every two years, the World Design Organization offers a distinction to one city to act as the global ambassador for design innovations. This year’s bid has broken the mold with both San Diego and Tijuana jointly receiving the distinction of 2024’s World Design Capital. The WDC promises a showcase of international designs and designers throughout the year, with six major events to punctuate the calendar.

The man in charge of producing this year-long celebration of our region’s potential is Carlos de la Mora, the CEO of WDC 2024, the enthusiastic and stylish maestro of this worldwide representation. It’s his task to conduct an orchestra of designers to find solutions to our regions dissonate design issues—whether that be in the field of arts, transportation, or housing.

For those hankering to know what kinds of new edifices will grace our city, they may have to wait. “The purpose of World Design Capital is not to build projects. It’s to showcase what is happening already in the region, and it’s to connect these players yours in the region so that we can do more together,” says De la Mora.

It’s about blueprints, but in a future tense. As De la Mora puts it, “It’s about identifying our habits and our behaviors to this present moment of opportunity, so that we create a new identity for the region.”

World Design Organization

Courtesy of the World Design Organization

San Diego is the first city in the US to receive this honor while Tijuana is the second in Mexico, after Mexico City’s 2018 tenure.

Past cities who have received the WDC distinction have displayed several forward-thinking programs, both physical and social. Valencia was the most recent design capital, reigning in 2022. They offered up social and art-based programs like “Lo Por Venir”, an art therapy series that brings together those on the social fringe a chance for interaction, and “Greetings From…” a harkening back to vintage vacation postcards promoting the national parks. While more esoteric projects combine disciplines, like “Erotica techno in Valencian architecture”, which explores the links between techno music and the city’s buildings.

De la Mora acknowledges the legacy of the program and what we can learn from former WDC’s past partnerships and projects. “We want to be part of the WDC legacy. The past WDC is connected to the current one and strengthens this network of cities that the WDO has already created. Because there’s a lot to learn from each other,” he says. At the WDC signing ceremony in May, Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the potential of the union of San Diego and Tijuana. “This partnership between the design communities in San Diego and Tijuana is such an awesome demonstration of the connectivity and the interdependence of our two cities, especially when it comes to our position in the global economy,” said Mayor Gloria. “While we are separated by an international border, we are truly two cities that are tightly connected socially, economically.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 (@wdcsandiegotijuana2024)

Economics are an important angle, as the bi-annual event is looking to raise $10 million in financial support. There are five major players in the World Design Capital programming: The Burnham Center for Community Advancement; UCSD; Design Forward Alliance; the city of Tijuana; and the city of San Diego. Each will be offering financial support for this alliance, mainly through grants and donations. According to De la Mora, 40 percent of funding has already been achieved. In mid-June, the San Diego city council voted unanimously to offer $3 million in funding specifically for WDC.

The programming also includes community involvement. As of June 1, designers and citizens alike have been able to “submit ideas for projects, exhibitions, events, activations and more to be included in the year-long program,” according to WDC. Official events that have been set to include the WDC Design Festival in April 2024, WDC Design Experience in September 2024, WDC Design Policy Conference and WDC Network of Cities Meeting in November 2024, and year-long exhibits at various venues across both cities. More will be added to this line-up once all submissions have been evaluated.

Seda Evis, a board member of the Design Forward Alliance and design professor at University of San Diego, as well as designer-in-residence at the UCSD Design Lab, is enthusiastic about the WDC distinction for San Diego and Tijuana. Though behemoths like the city government are partners, so are DFA, which is “a small yet mighty non-profit with a mission to connect, promote and advocate for a human-centered design community.” Evis hopes that the region will acknowledge the importance of design by installing a Chief Design Officer to the city’s roster after the WDC festivities are over to keep forward motion the WDC will offer.

Mayor Gloria is looking forward, as well, saying, “design solutions large and small can help us tackle some of our biggest challenges and improve the quality of life for our residents, and we’re excited to spend next year showing to the entire world how we can do this in the San Diego Tijuana region. And then, of course, export that all around the world.”

The post Designing the Future of San Diego and Tijuana appeared first on San Diego Magazine.