The post Where to Get Gluten-Free Pastries in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Thankfully, I’m back to enjoying any and all treats, but I know some of my friends aren’t so lucky. So, with November being Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month, what better time to share the best gluten-free dessert spots in San Diego? Here are six bakeries worth visiting for mouthwatering gluten-free pastries.
Gluten-Free Baking Co.
Truthfully, GF baked goods don’t have the best rep. They’re usually small and not as flavorful as their gluten-filled counterparts. So Gluten-Free Baking Co. owner Roana took things into her own hands, starting her sensitivity-friendly baking journey after her son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies.
I discovered Gluten-Free Baking Co.’s two locations (North Park and Clairemont) during the pandemic, and after a bite of their vegan chocolate chip cookie, I forgot the snack in my hand was even gluten-free. I have zero willpower when it comes to sweets, so after scarfing down the cookie, I dove into my assorted GF box, sampling donuts, cheesecake, and brioche bread. All delicious, whether you face allergies or not.
Address: 2647 Ariane Dr, Bay Ho
Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Nectarine Grove
Locals with dietary restrictions love Encinitas’ Nectarine Grove for its 100-percent gluten-free and primarily organic offerings. While I could go on about my favorites on the breakfast menu, the real stars of the show here are the gluten-free baked goods. It’s nearly impossible for me to say no to Nectarine’s famous cinnamon rolls—the sweet icing and gooey center make for an unreal end cap to a savory brunch.
When the eatery opened a second location in Del Mar’s Flower Hill a few years ago, it introduced a close second on my favorite pastry list: the gluten-free croissant. Dare I say, they’re better than the ones in Europe.
Address: 2720 Via De La Valle E110, Del Mar | 948 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Hours: Del Mar – Daily 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | Encinitas – Sunday–Thursday 8 a.m.–7 p.m
Gluten Freedom Baking Co.
Any eater with a gluten allergy knows what a joke gluten-free bread can be. Generally, you receive a cardboard-like square too small to be classified as a slice. Gluten Freedom Baking Company in Sorrento Valley fights the depressing stereotype with tasty sandwich breads and dinner rolls. Their loaves are two-pound behemoths (that freeze well, in case it’s just you chowing down on them). No more sad gluten-free avocado toast for breakfast.
Another crowd favorite is the phenomenal chocolate chunk cookie. Gluten Freedom sells dough balls so you can bake them at home—though, unfortunately, mine rarely reach the cookie stage after I accidentally polish off a dozen hunks of delicious dough.
Address: 8597 Spectrum Ln, Sorrento Valley
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 4:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Saturday 4:00 a.m.–3 p.m.; Monday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.; Closed Sundays
Starry Lane Bakery
My constant craving for a treat is at constant war with my desire to save money on eating out, but Starry Lane Bakery in Hillcrest makes it possible for me to enjoy sweets without the crazy price tag (a wild concept for gluten-free products). You can buy a sugar cookie for only $1.25 at Starry Lane. In this economy, that feels free.
Aside from the incredible price, their holiday cookies taste as good, if not better, than the preservative- and gluten-filled cookies we grew up eating around the holidays. Starry Lane also sells baking mixes so you can re-create your own in the comfort of your kitchen.
If sugar cookies aren’t your vibe, don’t sleep on the pretzel roll. I’d make a trip to the bakery just to secure one of these flaky, salty buns.
Address: 3925 Fourth Ave, Hillcrest
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday
Phatties Bake Shop
I’m an OG Krispy Kreme stan, so it’s not every day I find a gluten-free donut that can compete. Phatties Bake Shop in Point Loma serves up some of the best in the county.
These aren’t your average glazed flavor either—think s’mores, maple bacon, and cookie dough.
For more formal occasions, Phatties offers vegan and gluten-free cakes, which, to my surprise, don’t at all taste like they’re lacking standard ingredients like eggs and all-purpose flour. The shop won’t customize your cake, but the incredible flavors and adorable cake toppers make up for it.
Address: 4143 Voltaire St, Ocean Beach
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
Paleo Treats
I still find it shocking when something healthy tastes really, really good, but Paleo Treats makes it happen. Paleo Treats serves gluten- and dairy-free treats (plus vegan and keto options) out of a Normal Heights storefront. I’m a huge chocolate lover, so my go-tos are the brownie bomb and the Bandito, a keto version of a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
Even better: Paleo Treats delivers via Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash, so you don’t even have to step outside to satisfy that sugar craving.
Address: 3275 Adams Ave # A, Normal Heights
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Chani’s Donuts
Chani’s Donuts (pronounced Shaw-nee’s) is a Kearny Mesa gem with sweet treats for everyone. Known for its adorable mini donuts, this bakery specializes in gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-free creations that taste as good as they look. Fan favorites include the churro donut dusted with cinnamon sugar, the apple pie flavor that tastes like a slice of nostalgia, and the indulgent raspberry truffle. With its whimsical, circus-inspired interior, picking up a dozen feels like a celebration all its own.
Address: 5250 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 118, Kearny Mesa
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 7:00 a.m–8:00 p.m.; Closed Sunday
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]]>We all know San Diego is top-tier in countless categories: cuisine, location, beaches, you name it, yet one area that we tend to lack in is fashion. Van De Vort saw the perfect opportunity to change this. After a massive pivot from a bio-chem major to business, the fashion entrepreneur made her way from Arizona to Los Angeles, and finally to San Diego to open her first fashion boutique store, Van De Vort, in 2013.
Van De Vort’s most recent expansion, and third brick-and-mortar shop at The Forum Carlsbad, is set to inspire even more fashion lovers through accessible and statement-making clothes and accessories, inspired by cutting-edge trends from Australian brands.
Following the Carlsbad grand opening on November 15, we chatted with Van De Vort to learn more about the growth of her business, balancing CEO and family life, and her personal style and advice.
San Diego Magazine (SDM): Can you share more about the essence of Van De Vort stores and what kind of experience you want customers to have when they walk in?
Andrea Van De Vort (AVDV): We specialize in a very personalized, neighborhood company. We bring people of all walks and all phases of life into one location and bond over our love of fashion. The best times are when random people are in the store, like a 60-year-old and a 20-year-old, and everyone ends up having just a fun bonding experience. It makes a big neighborhood feel small.
Bringing all these brands to San Diego that you can only get from us and helping women push their limits, that’s always my favorite to do. Most people are a bit apprehensive to stand out in a crowd and always tend to go toward jeans and a t-shirt, but it’s our favorite thing when they walk out [of the store] with styles outside of their comfort zone.
SDM: The grand opening looked like a major success. What was the most rewarding part of that day?
AVDV: Just being done with the construction. There’s so much that goes into building a store and there’s so many moving parts, so I do all of that. Just having it all done was a huge weight off my shoulders and it was a relief to get it open and move on with my life. And then just having my friends, my family, and people at the shop with us since day one when they’re there to celebrate.
SDM: How would you describe your personal style and are there any specific designers, eras, or trends that have influenced your aesthetic over the years?
AVDV: I would say it’s kind of all over the place. Some days I am mom-ing and I’m just wearing baggy jeans and sneakers, but I also love dressing up and having a reason to dress up. But you’ll never catch me without accessories—my layered necklace, six earrings on, my fingers full of rings. Even if I am in my sweats, I still have my jewelry on.
Australian labels have definitely had an influence on my personal style. They are always one season ahead in fashion, so I think I have always been inspired by Australian style. It’s a bit more funky and not your everyday kind of vibe. Also my employees, they are 15 years younger and very “in the know” so I get inspired by them when they come into work and they’re dressed in something from the store.
SDM: How do you balance having three kids and a family with this very successful business? What do you do to make it all work?
AVDV: It’s very hard. I have many panic attacks everyday. No, I’m just kidding. I have a lot of help. We have a really amazing nanny for the babies. And my employees, I have such a good team who are all young and excited and willing to pick up any kind of tasks that I might have to pass off to them. So it’s really just teamwork and taking each day at a time. I also want to give my husband a shout-out. He does help a lot.
SDM: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the fashion industry?
AVDV: Getting experience in all parts of the industry helps. My first job was working for a denim company. It was a really big corporate company, so I got to see all the different roles that go into making a brand work. Just getting experience and weighing out your options and seeing exactly what you like. And then of course reaching out to mentors or anyone in the community. I feel like most people, most entrepreneurs at least, are willing to offer up advice for people trying to get into it.
SDM: What are your goals for Van De Vort as you enter the next year of your business?
AVDV: I definitely want to open a couple more locations. We will most likely stay in San Diego, just because it’s easy to reach and traveling isn’t really an option for me right now. And then we are also launching our new in-house label next Spring. One of the private label designers from Revolve is helping us get that line developed, so that will be fun.
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Ride a Rollercoaster in Mission Bay
The century-old Belmont Park is essentially a year-round carnival right on the Mission Beach boardwalk. Thrill seekers will enjoy the adrenaline-boosting—and iconic—Giant Dipper roller coaster as it hits speeds up to 48 miles per hour as well as the views from the top of Zero Gravity before it plunges from the sky. Those looking for less thrill and more chill can climb the rock wall or play a round of Tiki Town mini golf or laser tag. No carnival-type experience is complete without the food, and Belmont delivers exactly what you’re looking for. Salty carbs? Wetzel’s Pretzels will satisfy that craving. Need something sweet? Head to the Sweet Shoppe for Moo Time Creamery ice cream.
3146 Mission Blvd, Mission Beach
Join a Local Sports League
Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Consider joining Volo Sports, San Diego’s largest co-ed adult sports organization featuring volleyball, soccer, kickball, and softball leagues. Or, for the less-athletic among us, challenge other locals to lawn games like cornhole and skeeball. Volo’s leagues are organized by skill level and day of the week, making it easy to find one that fits your busy schedule. Many leagues meet after work hours, providing a convenient way to stay active and social. Membership fees start at around $25 per person or $133 per team.
Sleep Near Lions in Escondido
If you spend the night at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Roar & Snore, you’re in for an action-packed adventure all the way till nighttime. Each sleepover includes after-hours peeks at wildlife, guided walks, meals and, of course, campfire s’mores. Accommodations range from classic tents with sleeping pads to better situated “Vista” tents with a view and cots, to full-on glamping tents with queen beds and wood floors. The Roar & Snore nights are themed to accommodate specific groups, such as adults only or families. Upgrade your visit to also include a zipline ride, a night vision safari and a wildlife ambassador meeting. Located within sight of the lion camp, you’ll likely get a lion wake-up call, er, roar.
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido
Take the Ferry to Coronado
Gain a new perspective on the San Diego skyline by taking the passenger ferry across the bay to Coronado Island. Catch the ferry from either 5th Avenue (behind the Convention Center) or the Broadway Pier just north of the USS Midway. Ferries depart hourly. Then walk along the waterfront to Centennial Park for a stunning panorama of downtown. Grab dinner at one of the local bay-facing restaurants—Little Frenchie for upscale dining; Village Pizzeria Bayside for a less formal bite. Afterward, snag a seasonal latte from Coronado Coffee Company or a made-from-scratch macaron at Parfait Paris French bakery. Just don’t miss the last ferry back to San Diego—9:30 or 10:30 p.m., depending on the day of the week.
1201 1st St, Coronado
Get Spooked in an Old Town Haunted House
Take a guided evening tour of the legendary Whaley House, touted as “the most haunted house in America” and as seen on the Travel, SyFy and Discovery channels. This 1857 home is said to have been destined to be haunted, as it was built on the site of the original Old Town gallows where the infamous thief James “Yankee Jim” Robinson was hanged. Later, several members of the Whaley family died in the house.
On the 30- to 40-minute guided tour, you’ll hear all about the legacy and legends of the Whaley family, and you might even experience the paranormal (recommended for ages 13 and up). Even if you don’t believe in the paranormal, you can still appreciate this California Historical Landmark for its Greek Revival architecture and fine mahogany furnishings.
2476 San Diego Ave, Old Town
Stargaze with the San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA)
The 60-year-old SDAA is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching people about astronomy. As part of its mission, it hosts regular stargazing opportunities around the county that are free and open to anyone eager to learn. The SDAA hosts public sky viewing events outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of the month, as well as sky observing sessions (“star parties”) at its 10-acre site in East County. On the third Wednesday of the month, you’ll find them giving a lecture at Mission Trails Regional Park. Check the events calendar to find the latest info on an event (some are canceled due to inclement weather), then grab some hot cocoa and a warm jacket to enjoy some time under the stars.
Catch a Show at The Old Globe
Balboa Park’s Old Globe is California’s oldest professional theater and San Diego’s largest theater organization. Its theater complex, located right behind the Museum of Us, features three stages that host 15 productions and 600 performances annually. You can view anything from Broadway hits and musicals straight from London to modern plays and Shakespearean classics. The Globe was originally built for Shakespearean productions as part of the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, and it honors that history with a Shakespearean Festival each summer, showcasing two of the Bard’s plays under the night sky.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
Cheer for the Padres at Petco Park
Will this be our year? Join thousands of hopeful Pads fans at a home game in what we will confidently declare America’s most picturesque ballpark. Enjoy the views of the Coronado Bridge, the San Diego Bay and downtown skyline from the upper decks, then enjoy some tasty local flavor from regionally based favorites. Chow down on a burger from Hodad’s, loaded fries from Carnitas’ Snack Shack or a shrimp taco from Blue Water Seafood. On Saturdays before first pitch, you can arrive early to hear the Padres House Band play a mix of country, pop and oldies in Gallagher Square, then take your seats to cheer among the Friar Faithful.
100 Park Blvd, East Village
View Open-Air Live Entertainment at Moonlight Amphitheatre
Expect more than community theater–level performances: Moonlight Stage Productions brings high-quality musical theater to Vista’s Brengle Terrace Park by utilizing regional Broadway and professional on-stage talent, pro designers and crews, and a full orchestra. This outdoor venue has staged more than 200 shows in its four-plus decades of existence, and every summer you can expect a lineup of Broadway musical hits under the stars.
Take your pick of lawn seating (with provided lawn chairs) or stadium-style seating, and you can bring food and nonalcoholic beverages with you for your own picnic. Or opt for a gourmet grilled cheese and a bowl of coconut curry tomato soup at the Bread & Cheese Eatery concessionaire on-site. In between musical theater performances, the stage hosts live music entertainment year-round, ranging from tribute bands to contemporary favorites.
1250 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista
Watch a Movie at the South Bay Drive-in Theater
Head south to Imperial Beach to enjoy a film at San Diego County’s last operating drive-in theater, which has been in operation since 1958. You can catch any genre, from kid-friendly animation to comedies to sci-fi, on one of the three screens. The drive-in is an affordable family entertainment option, or it can be a great way to change up your date night routine. Grab some popcorn or carne asada nachos from the snack bar (or BYO snacks and non-alcoholic drinks), tune in through your FM radio, and enjoy the show. Depending on the movie, you might even get to catch a double feature. The theater is open seven days a week year-round, rain or shine.
2170 Coronado Ave, Imperial Beach
Listen to Live Jazz
Bop to bebop in live weekly jazz sessions hosted in a studio in Barrio Logan, adjacent to Chicano Park. And the best part? The Future Is Color Studio Sessions are free to attend, open to all ages. The “experience series” explores the power of music and art to break down barriers. Opened in 2020, the sessions have grown to support emerging artists and connect communities. Both indoor and outdoor seating are offered, and an RSVP is suggested. Select wine and drinks are available to purchase but are not central to the experience.
2060 Logan Ave, Barrio Logan
Roam the Oceanside Sunset Market
Part street fair, part farmers’ market and part live entertainment venue, this market has been a favorite evening activity for locals since 2007. With more than 200 vendors spread across four city blocks, there is something for everyone. Grab dinner at the international food court, which provides options from American classics to European fare and Latin-American specialties. If you brought the family, then swing by Dorothy’s KidZone for some children’s activities. Arts and crafts vendors offer unique gifts while you enjoy the live musical entertainment.
401 Pier View Wy, Oceanside
Grab a Non-Alcoholic Beverage
San Diego’s non-alcoholic beverage scene is expanding with a few new options on the horizon. Good News bar, set to open in early 2025 in University Heights, has already generated buzz as “San Diego’s first non-alcoholic bar and bottle shop.” But, until then, check out spots like Maya Moon Collective in Normal Heights, which specializes in cacao-based, alcohol-free drinks. Open until 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, this cozy venue doubles as a “third space,” offering weekly events like sound healing sessions, art exhibits, and cooking classes. Or Monday Morning, an alcohol-free bottle shop and tasting room in Pacific Beach to try some of the best NA beverages in town.
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]]>Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Ramen Festival
November 21
What better way to fight off the brutal SoCal cold than with a piping hot bowl of ramen? The San Diego Ramen Festival will offer a menu of 12-ounce selections to slurp. The festival takes place at the Handlery Hotel this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. It also features live entertainment, local pop culture vendors, and ramen-inspired artwork. Ticket options include general admission passes ($44.52) with three ramen servings and VIP ($129.89) with perks like unlimited beer and sake samples, six ramen servings and an extra hour of admission (5 to 6 p.m.).
950 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley
Parfait Paris 10-Year Anniversary Party
November 23
Parfait Paris is saluting a decade of decadence in San Diego by throwing a street festival packed with sweets. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Parisian bakery will offer an assortment of French goodies, along with bites from The Sushi Stand and drinks courtesy of Understory Bar and Hopnonymous Brewing Co. RSVPs are required for this anniversary event, with $5 admission for adults (redeemable for food and drinks) and free entry for children and teens under the age of 15.
3555 India Street, Middletown
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Cyndi Lauper at Viejas Arena
November 20
Cyndi Lauper sang some of the defining hits of the 1980s and composed the beloved musical adaption of Kinky Boots. Now, on her final arena tour, Lauper is here to remind us all that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Tickets are on sale for $55.10 for Wednesday’s concert at Viejas Arena.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, Rolando
San Diego Live Aid
November 21
Many San Diego families were affected by the devastating rain storms that hit the city in early January. To raise proceeds for them, three local tribute groups—All Fired Up, Supreme Legacy, and The Mamas & The Papas Experience—are throwing a special charity concert. This Thursday evening at Humphreys Backstage Live, guests will hear timeless renditions of nostalgic hits. Tickets range from $23.60 to $39.10
2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again at La Jolla Playhouse
November 19–December 15
In Your Local Theater Presents…, Julliard grad Eddie can’t escape a local production of A Christmas Carol. There will be six preview performances of this world-premiere play at the La Jolla Playhouse now through Nov. 23, with tickets ranging from $30 to $72 before the show officially opens on Nov. 26.
2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Just Like Us at Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre
November 21–23
Based on Helen Thorpe’s nonfiction book of the same name, Just Like Us follows four Latina teenagers who, as the children of undocumented immigrants, are impacted by the heated national debate on immigration. There will be four performances of Just Like This, as well as additional shows Dec. 5–7. Tickets for the general public are $18. This Grossmont College production will also have performances on December 5–7.
8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon
Tres minutos at Jacobs Music Center
November 22
Composer Nicolás Lell Benavides and librettist Marella Martin Koch’s poignant chamber opera, Tres minutos, reckons with the devastation of sudden deportation. The title of the program is inspired by Border Angels’ initiative that grants families three minutes of reunification at the border. The Border Angels documentary Love Has No Borders will be screened before the performance, and ticket-holders can attend an artist talkback after the show. Tickets to this musical program presented by the San Diego Symphony at Jacobs Music Center Friday night can be purchased for $35 here.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater’s joyUS justUS at Mandeville Auditorium
November 22 & 23
Created and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez, joyUS justUS is a collaborative effort between communities of color in South Los Angeles, who aim to demonstrate joy as a form of resistance. General admission is $40 and can be purchased here.
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Spreckels Performing Arts Center
November 22–December 15
Beginning this Friday, the Spreckels Performing Arts Center will host an audio-centric take on a beloved holiday film, presenting It’s a Wonderful Life as a vintage radio play à la Orson Welles’ The War of The Worlds. There will be evening showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $32 and can be purchased here.
5409 Snyder Rohnert Park, Rohnert Park
PST ART Weekend: San Diego & La Jolla
November 22-24
Free interactive events are popping up all over San Diego this weekend as part of Getty’s PST ART initiative. PST ART Weekend: San Diego & La Jolla will include a festive art party at MCASD in La Jolla (Nov. 23), a hands-on art workshop in Oceanside (Nov. 24), the premiere of five new musical compositions derived from weather data at C You Saturday! (Nov. 23) at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Balboa Park, and much more. Best of all, most of the 20 events are free and only require an RSVP.
Citywide
German Expressionism at San Diego Museum of Art
Opens November 23
Starting this Saturday, visitors to the San Diego Museum of Art can explore the museum’s German Expressionism exhibition, which documents a transformative period in the early 20th century when German and Austrian artists began to rail against tradition. The show will feature paintings, drawings, and prints endowed to SDMA’s permanent collection in 2011 from the estate of collector Vance E. Kondon.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Coin-Op Game Room 11th Anniversary
November 19
Coin-Op Game Room is taking it totally retro for its 11th anniversary bash, with an ’80s-centric, neon-themed gathering this Tuesday from 8 p.m. to midnight at its North Park location. The celebration features tunes from DJ KC Dalton, tattooing from American Gypsy Tattoo artist Sebastian Garcia, caricature art from Dianna Colina, and classic cocktails, from piña coladas to Midori sours.
3926 30th Street, North Park
Rady Children’s Ice Rink at ARTS DISTRICT
November 21–January 5
Liberty Station’s Central Promenade will once again play host to the outdoor Rady Children’s Ice Rink, with net proceeds going towards Rady Children’s Hospital’s Thriving After Cancer program. Guests can lace up their skates through January 5, beginning with this Thursday’s opening day from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children, and you can purchase them in advance here.
2875 Dewey Road, Point Loma
Santee Holiday Lighting
November 22
The city of Santee offers a plethora of family-friendly activities from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. this Friday at the Santee Holiday Lighting. Held at Santee Trolley Square, this free event will feature live music by the Bayou Brothers, photos with Santa, face painting, sledding, arts and crafts activities, and of course, the tree-lighting ceremony.
9884 Mission Gorge Road, Santee
Encinitas Holiday Street Fair
November 24
Explore more than 450 local arts, craft, and retail vendors at the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free community event also includes kids’ rides, two live entertainment stages with local musicians and dancers, and a dog zone.
Coast Highway 101 between D and J streets, Encinitas
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]]>Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Chefsgiving at Pendry San Diego
November 14
Several of the city’s finest chefs will serve up an early Thanksgiving feast this Thursday at Pendry San Diego’s Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile from 6 to 9 p.m. NBC San Diego reporters Joe Little and Audra Stafford host Chefsgiving, an event in which local chefs will prepare dishes like duck carnitas, lobster mac n’ cheese, and dark chocolate truffle torte (see the full menu here) with wine pairings from The Prisoner Wine Company. Tickets for this 21-plus dinner are $150 per person, which includes a $30 donation to the San Diego Food Bank.
425 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Bikes & Beers San Diego
November 16
This Saturday, push your pedals to the max for an ice-cold reward at AleSmith Brewing Company. At Bikes & Beers, cyclists can take a GPS-guided tour of San Diego, with a choice of a 15-, 30- or 45-mile race out and back with refreshments and rest stops along the way. Upon their return, riders can enjoy an afterparty featuring live music, games, raffles, and pint glasses full of beer. Ticket options range from $30 to $85 for Bikes & Beers.
9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar
World Naan Festival
November 16
The Encore Event Center hosts the second annual World Naan Festival from 12 to 4 p.m. this Saturday. Attendees can enjoy six naan tastings and several samples from each food vendor, along with cooking demonstrations and competitions, live music, henna design, and cultural dance performances. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3 to 12 years old.
8253 Ronson Road, Kearny Mesa
Fall Artisan Market & Wine Tasting Fest
November 16
This Saturday, the Mission Bay Beach Club will welcome local retail and artisan vendors and winemakers for the Fall Artisan Market & Wine Tasting Fest. The free market will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music and plenty of chances for holiday shopping. The wine fest takes place from 2 to 5 p.m., and a $40 ticket gets you samples of 15 wines.
2688 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Rainbow Kitten Surprise at the Rady Shell
November 12
At a Tuesday night show at the Rady Shell, alt rockers Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform tracks from Love Hate Music Box, the band’s latest album. Madi Diaz, whose new album Weird Faith features the countrified banger “Don’t Do Me Good” with Kacey Musgraves, will open. Tickets for Tuesday’s concert start at $74.60 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Valley Arts Festival
November 16
Celebrate Oceanside’s indigenous community at the annual Valley Arts Festival at Heritage Park, put on by the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians of the Luiseño Nation from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday. This year’s festival features an educational kíicha, the traditional dome-shaped shelter of the Luiseño people. Friday’s entertainment will include Native American drumming, blues, and storytelling, as well as interactive community murals, dancing demonstrations, and activities like rock and gourd painting, basket weaving, and jewelry making.
220 Peyri Drive, Oceanside
Cowboy Bebop LIVE
November 15
Despite running for just over two dozen episodes at the turn of the century, Cowboy Bebop is one of the most enduring anime series of all time, with an international fan base, widespread acclaim, and even a live-action Netflix adaptation. Now, the intergalactic journeys of the Bebop’s bounty hunter crew will be soundtracked live by the 14-piece Bebop Bounty Big Band. As the animated adventures play out on the big screen at The Magnolia this Friday, the jazz ensemble will breathe even more life and love into a franchise that’s somehow still on the rise. Tickets start at $59 for this performance.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
Concerts at Gallagher Square at Petco Park
November 15 & 17
Though the nights are getting a bit frostier, outdoor concert season is still in full swing at Gallagher Square. On Friday night, rock bands Thrice and Manchester Orchestra will revisit their classics. Then, Sunday evening, Becky G will warm up the night with her Latin pop hits. Tickets for Friday’s show are on sale for $63.70 while tickets to Sunday’s performance will cost you at least $104.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Punk in the Park
November 16
Spend your Saturday jamming out to SoCal punk rockers at Snapdragon Stadium’s Punk in the Park. Several regional bands will take the stage throughout the day, including Streetlight Manifesto, Manic Hispanic, and headliners The Offspring and Pennywise. VIP festivalgoers will enjoy prime stage views, plus exclusive food, bars, and access to a seated lounge. Tickets for Punk in the Park range from $88.50 to $753.15.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
Painting by Roberto R. Pozos
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Misery at Tenth Avenue Arts Center
November 14–December 7
In this stage adaptation of Misery, one of Stepen King’s most unsettling stories, an author finds himself in the clutches of a superfan who “rescues” him from a bad car wreck and sequesters him in her remote cabin. The Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company will preview the show through Nov. 22, followed by opening night on Nov. 23 at Tenth Avenue Arts Center. Tickets are $40.
930 Tenth Avenue, East Village
Trans Diaries at Diversionary Theatre
November 15–16
For two nights at the Diversionary Theatre, a group of five trans and nonbinary artists will share personal stories on stage for Trans Diaries. Joshua Gershick and director Shakina Nayfack lead a cast of returning and debut performers for the production’s fifth year. See Trans Diaries this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; you can make your free reservation to attend here.
4545 Park Boulevard, University Heights
Tiny Beautiful Things at Scripps Ranch Theatre
November 15–December 8
Based on Cheryl Strayed’s real-life “Dear Sugar” anonymous advice column, Tiny Beautiful Things is a tearjerker about grief, trauma, and making it through tough times. This production, originally adapted by Nia Vardalos from Strayed’s book of the same name, will run for 13 shows. Tickets range from $29 to $35.
9783 Avenue of Nations, Scripps Ranch
Roberto R. Pozos at Centro Cultural de la Raza
November 15–December 22
Tepatitlan native and longtime San Diego resident Roberto R. Pozos’s newest painting exhibition will grace the walls of Centro Cultural de la Raza beginning this Friday. Pozos is known for his vibrant logo designs, as well as his contributions to the murals of Chicano Park. The opening reception for his exhibition is this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
2004 Park Boulevard, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Under the Stars: A Festive Autumn Evening at the SD Air & Space Museum
November 14
Guests at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s “Under the Stars” evening will get an exclusive look after-hours this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature access to the museum’s Above and Beyond exhibit with space artifacts, private docent tours, live music from Gladish Night, and a buffet dinner. Tickets are $55.20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden
November 15–January 5, 2025
Every year, the San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual Lightscape installation creates an illuminated winter wonderland amid the usual natural flora. Those who want to see the installation will have the choice between value, off-peak and peak days, each with different ticket prices. This weekend, value tickets for non-members are available for $26 (adults) and $16 (children ages 3 to 12 years old).
300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
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]]>The post Meet Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Only Permanent Guest appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Then, Rosinsky came to roost in San Diego in 2012, building her nest in a most unusual location: the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.
Following a health scare in San Miguel de Allende, where she’d briefly moved after the death of her husband 15 years ago, Rosinsky was diagnosed with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a condition that can cause excessive bleeding. Doctors at UC San Diego Health were among the top experts on the disease, so Rosinsky traveled here for treatment, taking a room at the Fairmont. Initially, she says, physicians gave her four months to live—but seven months on a lung medication that kept her virtually immobile dramatically extended that prognosis. The treatment has since saved others. “God gave me work to do in San Diego: to find the cure for HHT,” she adds.
Somewhere along the way, Rosinsky realized she’d need more long-term housing. But when she informed the Fairmont she’d be checking out, she recalls, a receptionist asked, “Why? We love you here.”
“My dear,” she replied, “I can’t afford you.”
The general manager, however, suggested she make a deal—and then accepted her offer. “Welcome,” she recalls him saying. “This is your home now.”
As the hotel’s only permanent guest, she spends her days practicing pilates in her room; writing her memoirs; and dining at the resort’s onsite restaurant, Amaya, where the staff members all know her by name. “I’m the grandmother of everyone here,” she says.
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]]>The post La Tiendita Highlights Latina Chefs & Bakers Through Pop-Ups appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>A bunch of San Diego’s most innovative Latina bakers and other makers have banded together to form a culinary collective called La Tiendita, throwing pop-up events at places like Home Ec and Friends of Friends (two business which also operate in shared spaces—I’m sensing a pattern here). Organizer Veronica Enriquez says she first got the idea in 2022, when Carynn Pinckney, owner of Home Ec, invited her to provide baked goods to a fundraiser for abortion access.
“The vibe of all these people getting together and doing something that was important to all of us—it was like a high,” Enriquez says. She’s worked in restaurants and kitchens for years, currently as the pastry lead at Born & Raised. But she didn’t have an outlet for her own creations, and she knew plenty of other Latinas in the same situation. So, riding that high of the first event, she asked Pinckney to provide space for her and eight other Latinas to showcase their stuff. La Tiendita was born in 2023.
The goal of La Tiendita is to cultivate community and connect like-minded Latinas who tend to be outnumbered in male-dominated kitchens. Even the name reflects the tight-knit nature of the group. “It literally translates to the little shop … but it also means your family-owned neighborhood corner store,” she explains. “Everyone goes to that corner store to pick up their milk for the day. It’s very family-oriented, community-oriented.”
And the family is definitely growing. “Every single time, it gets bigger and bigger,” Enriquez laughs. Makers like Vanessa Corrales (SPLIT Bakehouse Vegan Bakery), Arely Chavez (Michimichi), Helena Quesada (Hell Yeah Helena), and Yajaira Cody (Badu Eats) make up the current roster of 14 creators who now have five events under their belts. The next one isn’t slated until October, but Enriquez they’ll do them as often as they can squeeze them in between their full-time jobs. But for now, her goal is twofold: keep growing and keep inspiring.
“I just want to keep giving Latinas a space and the opportunity to showcase what they can do,” she says. “It can usually be a male-dominated industry, [so] I just want to keep putting it out there and show women, You have the support. You can join in if you want. You can do this, too.”
Photo credit: Jeremy Sazon
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Vino Carta To Host J. Brix Wines on Thursday, August 29
Can’t wait for local winemakers Jody and Emily Towe to open their forthcoming wine tasting room? You don’t have to—just head to Vino Carta (2161 India Street) this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. for a Winemaker Tasting with J. Brix. Twenty dollars gets you four wines and sparkling (okay, at least bubbling) conversation. The next day is Vino Carta’s weekly Friday pizza night, with OMG-F Pizza as this week’s featured pizzeria. (It’s gluten-free. Get it?)
Ponyboy at The Pearl Hotel Launches Dive-In Movie Nights
Every Wednesday, hop in The Pearl’s pool for themed drink and bite specials from onsite restaurant Ponyboy to go with the throwback movie of the night. (Think Blue Hawaiians during The Endless Summer.) Upcoming movies include The Graduate, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Godzilla, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon—which, hilariously, will feature a “killer seafood” special of linguini and clams. Check out all the hotel happenings right here.
Beth’s Bites
- Two San Diegans are finalists in the 2024 Next Wave Awards, hosted by drinks industry media company VinePair. Erick Castro (Gilly’s House of Cocktails) is up for Drinks Professional of the Year, while Derek Gallanosa (GOAL Brewing) is in the running for Brewer of the Year. Best of luck to them both!
- I love Korean food more than any other type of cuisine—in fact, I’m eating some tonight—so I’m very much looking forward to Solsot’s arrival at 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 103. It’s hot pot, not Korean barbecue, a nice addition to the already stellar lineup of Korean restaurants we’re spoiled with here in SD.
- Two new restaurants are coming to Westfield UTC. Coconut-centric dessert shop Melo Melo will join the mall munchie roster in October, while we’ll have to wait until November for Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. (I’m quite content making do with SomiSomi until then.)
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
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]]>The post Restaurant Review: Cellar Hand appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Sure, when starting any venture—business, family, cult—many would prefer a lovingly restored Victorian home, nuzzled between always-blooming jacarandas and a pint-sized lending library. We want our dream restaurant in a structure that makes people say, “I can’t believe this is a restaurant and not the home of a great person (possibly Tom Hanks) who teaches kids to read.” It’s preferable if the house is as old as possible without triggering the “historical building” designation, which causes all kinds of permitting snafus (your proposal of adding a patio will require approval from all active and former presidents of the historical preservation society and at least two Jesuses).
Or we want the opposite: a hole in the wall that turns us into a Rudy-level inspirational story, people slow-clapping and fighting back single tears with each dish we manage to serve (see Little Lion Cafe or Banh Thai). Or an industrial warehouse whose years as an auto shop or meth lab gives it a “once gritty, now liver-moussed” je nes sais quoi (Juniper and Ivy, Ironside Fish & Oyster).
Cellar Hand is the rare spot where you can close your eyes and point at a menu item and still end up happy.
What few of us put on our dream boards is the middle ground—the largely uniform pockets of micro-retail that harbor America’s vital nail salons and burner-phone entrepreneurs. Yet, as commercial space in San Diego becomes scarce and gougey, strip malls are the future and saving grace of our restaurant culture. Fresh out of investor war chests or a strong WhatsApp connection with gods, most of us are going to find a reasonable box and put some oomph into it.
For fans, strip-mall restaurants have a few advantages over those perched on stilts overlooking famed surf breaks, or old barns retrofitted into charcuterie journeys. And that is: For a few months after opening, a strip mall gem will be ours and only ours. The buzz tends to be slow-burn. The first people who discover it will be a more desirable brand of food seekers, immune to the virus of glitz. Less-shiny roads bring better travelers.
The restaurant is from the family behind Pali Wine Co., which specializes in low-intervention wines from Lompoc.
Though we associate strip malls with Quiznos-tier culinary might, San Diego has a more optimistic history. Convoy District is the paragon. Mira Mesa’s Indian and Middle Eastern food scene, too. There is the mighty Sushi Ota in Pacific Beach and, now, Cellar Hand in Hillcrest.
Adjacent the DMV and across from the 7-Eleven, Cellar Hand is the new concept from family-owned, Lompoc-based Pali Wine Co. and chef Logan Kendall. There is something poetic about a restaurant next to a chiropractor’s office, since the human back is no match for kitchen work.
Cellar Hand is not unsexy. They blew out the walls on this corner of University Avenue, added woods and metal, and cordoned the indoor-outdoor patio experience off from the parking lot with planters.
Berkshire pork from the local pasture with huge chef fans: Thompson Heritage Ranch.
As for the food, I haven’t come across something this good since Callie opened. It blew away my expectations, but I’m not shocked—Kendall’s got a deft hand with herby sauces and has been stalking farmers and local boats and bakers in San Diego for a good while now. Though people go to Pali’s first tasting room in Little Italy for low-intervention wines, his small, simple bites there were always better than they needed to be.
But Cellar Hand is something more. And that more is ingredients. At this point the “farm-to-table” movement has been co-opted, mocked, pantsed, and wet-willied. I often wonder if some of the restaurants claiming “farm” think the back of every commercial-food semi truck is filled with a biodynamic greenhouse tilled by Wendell Berry.
These tomatoes taste like tomatoes, not red-flavored water.
But I’ve been around this food scene long enough to know that most of Kendall’s friends smell like vines and hot soil. He shadows them, riding around in their ATVs, and they reward his loitering. Sure, he and sous chef Ashley McBrady are cooking at Cellar Hand. But they mostly get the best damn ingredients you’re going to find—the apple you ate off a tree that blew your mind, the tomato you grew that tasted like every “tomato” before was a sham—and build them an A-list supporting cast.
It’s farm-to-table as an extreme sport or benevolent obsession, possibly a reaction to all the half-assing and straight-up fraud. The apex of this movement was when Alice Waters served a single raw peach as a dessert at Chez Panisse. Esoteric, sure. And I’d be a little pissed if I ponied up Panisse money to be offered a piece of fruit. But her point was made: When you start with food grown in healthy soil, picked ripe in the season it was supposed to be picked in, its base charms are pretty incredible. If we look at a great dish as a 100-yard dash, using the best ingredients is like beginning that race on the 60-yard line.
Next-level strip mall restaurants are the future as space in San Diego gets rarer.
Start a meal at Cellar Hand with the bluefin nduja toast. Instead of cured pork, it’s cubes of raw bluefin caught in San Diego, tossed in nduja spices (usually sweet smoked paprika and Calabrian chiles), white soy, and Meyer lemon. A hillock of it comes piled on charred housemade toast with dill aioli and local chives.
From the dipping section of the menu, get the baba ganoush, eggplants from Chino and D’Acquisto Farms charred in the pita oven then blended with tahini and spiked with Meyer lemon. It’s the lemon balm harissa— pulverized with arugula and cilantro (Hukama Produce), then topped with pomegranate seeds and dukkah (toasted sesame, cumin, and smoky coriander)—that sets it off. The whipped tahini is decent, but high acid bullies the seedy, nutty depth—although the warm, airy, house-fermented and wood-fired pita makes anything taste better.
Chicken liver pate with orange wine Jell-O shots on brown butter toast.
The chicken liver pate looks like a frat trick: a fluffy, creamy pile of mousse topped with Jell-O shots. Hillcrest has a formidable and enduring Jell-O shot tradition, so this feels like a sign of respect—except these ’80s jiggle-party cubes are made of Pali’s orange wine (a tannic white that gets its Cointreau-bottle hue from resting the wine with skins). Put on sesame bread cooked in brown butter and topped with sumac and local grapefruit oil, it’s a fairly incredible, Gatsbian bite.
Kendall and McBrady’s favorite thing seems to be Simon & Garfunkeling local dirt candy. Farm duets. The tomato dish pairs D’Acquisto tomatoes with R&L Farms stone fruit (white peaches and plums).
They’re dressed in a simple, intoxicant sauce made of arugula and fermented red wine and garnished with Chino Farm radish greens and salt.
To the left of those hedges are a couple of Hondas, but you’d never know it.
For the phenomenal melon dish, they use Weiser Family Farms’ Rocky Sweet melons, JR Organics’ watermelon, and Chino Farm cucumbers (compressed with lemon juice and cinnamon basil). It’s tossed in urfa biber (a complex, moody Turkish chile that’s got a hint of dark raisin and gives the dish a rarely tasted flavor profile). They ferment cantaloupe in salt and Beylik Family Farms chiles, blend it into a gel-like kosho, and drizzle it atop the whole deal, then add Bulgarian feta and melon seeds they dehydrate and puff. The star is the cool, sweetened lemon-basil broth at the bottom (left over from compressing the cukes).
The Chino Farm squash is a meal in itself: trimmed and vacuum-sealed with dill, then charred with balm harissa and fattened up with herbed ricotta made from Thompson Heritage Ranch milk. The team makes their own za’atar (thyme, sesame, urfa biber, aleppo, sumac), then pours hot oil over it for a riff on salsa macha.
For dessert, an ice cream sandwich with brown butter toast and a scoop from Chino Farm’s new creamery, Aisu.
I try two entrees, one hit and one miss. The miss is the whole local rockfish, which gets overwhelmed in a too-acidic housemade labneh. The hit is the Berkshire pork—from the rapidly chef-famous Thompson Heritage Ranch in Ramona—that is simply seared in its own fat, basted in brown butter and pineapple sage, deglazed in Pali’s Tower 15 “Swell” wine (a mix of Bordeaux reds), and garnished with candy grapes from R&L Farms, toasted almonds, and jus. This pork redefines the genre.
It makes sense that winemakers would go this obsessive about peak agriculture—especially in San Diego, with its obscenely fertile soils (Waters would come to Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe for her produce), nearly year-round growing climate, and the most small farms per capita of any county in the US. Our produce is land caviar. Not all restaurant operators can afford to use it this extensively, and there’s no shame in that. But Kendall and McBrady get to, and they do it with just the right balance of tweak and restraint.
You don’t fingerpaint on Picassos.
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]]>The post The Local’s Guide to Barrio Logan appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Barrio Logan’s population is 80 percent Hispanic. Up until the 1950s, the area was mostly a residential neighborhood housing almost half of the city’s Spanish speakers. But rezoning laws brought in junkyards, and, in 1963, the I-5 was built, bisecting the community. It was in the late ’60s, after the Coronado Bridge opened, that the barrio assumed its character, with residents fighting for the construction of Chicano Park and the maintenance of public green spaces in the area.
Since then, Barrio Logan has remained an activism stronghold, with community groups coming to the mat time and again against threats like gentrification and bad air quality. Today, the area is a hotbed of culture and a growing destination for food and shopping amid lowrider shows and street festivals.
Things to Do in Barrio Logan, San Diego
Eighty-three-year-old Barrio Station Executive Director Rachel Ortiz grew up within a few blocks of Chicano Park, with her parents and sister working in the fish canneries before the I-5 highway arrived. “I remember after work [the employees] had that fish smell on them, and everybody embraced it—people could buy homes or buy a new car. [They could] support their families,” Ortiz says.
At the nonprofit youth center Barrio Station, she provides a physical space where neighborhood kids can gather after school to exercise, box, use computers, and find support and mentorship. “That way, they are not on the street,” Ortiz adds. When she’s not at the center, here’s where she likes to hang out in the neighborhood.
Breakfast with a Side of History at Las Cuatro Milpas
Founded in 1933, Barrio institution Las Cuatro Milpas has “been there since I was a girl,” Ortiz recalls. “My parents would go in there and buy fresh-made corn and harina tortillas.” Nowadays, she orders chorizo with eggs, rice, and beans off the taco shop’s letterboard menu. Counter-serve and cash only, the restaurant has remained immune to the tug of trends and tech in its near-century of operation—but Ortiz isn’t complaining. “I would not want them to change a thing there,” she says.
Fresh Tamales at Northgate Market
Northgate Market is a community hub in Barrio Logan. The supermarket’s hot food stand slings beef, corn, and cheese tamales with beans. “They are always fresh, soft, steamy, and juicy,” Ortiz says. “The flavors are all delicious, but I favor the beef.”
Chow Down Near Chicano Park
Because of the restaurant’s proximity to Chicano Park, Ortiz feels right at home at casual Chinese eatery Imperial Express, located on the corner of Logan Avenue and Cesar E. Chavez Park Way. Her order of choice is the fried fish with vegetables, but “their vegetables with beef and white rice are also excellent,” she says.
Facts About Barrio Logan
- Barrio Logan’s Chicano heritage began with an influx of refugees during the 1910 Mexican Revolution.
- Chicano Park, with its massive murals painted on the Coronado Bridge support pillars, was designated as a historic landmark in 2016.
- The average price of a single-family home in Barrio Logan is $653,488.
- Barrio Logan residents had direct beach access to the bay until World War II, when the San Diego naval base expanded.
- Famous Mexican-American muralist Salvador Torres, who many consider the conceptual father of Chicano Park’s murals, grew up in Barrio Logan.
What’s Next for Barrio Logan
Taco institution ¡Salud! and adjoining Mexican-Japanese restaurant La Bamba Room closed after owner Ernie Becerra’s negotiations to renew the lease failed. The nationally acclaimed ¡Salud! opened in 2015 and anchored a vital corner of Logan Avenue, helping draw visitors to the area. Becerra will continue to offer catering services, but it’s unknown whether he will reopen in another location.
While the shuttering of ¡Salud! will certainly bring changes to Barrio Logan, the community looks to the future with a hopeful new blueprint. Barrio Logan residents had direct beach access to the bay until World War II, when the San Diego naval base expanded.
Concerns over bad air quality and its effects on public health have long plagued Barrio Logan and its residents, who experience one of the highest rates of asthma in California. The area’s new community plan finally passed late last year following approval by local authorities and the California Coastal Commission. Chief among its wins is the sought-after buffer zone between the commercial and residential zones to prevent air pollution.
The document will also help secure increased green spaces, better public transportation, and affordable housing, with the intention of ensuring that longtime residents are able to remain in the neighborhood despite the quickly gentrifying housing market.
But that’s not the only victory of the grassroots Chicano community’s efforts. The Port of San Diego has agreed to double their annual funding for combatting industrial effects within their area of influence, chiefly Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, and National City. A total of $1.5 million per year will be dedicated to environmental justice programs.
Where to Eat in Barrio Logan
Where to Shop in Barrio Logan
More Things to Do in Barrio Logan
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]]>The post The Local’s Guide to La Mesa appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Just over 61,000 people reside in La Mesa, which stretches between San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood to the west and El Cajon to the east. Known as “the Jewel of the Hills,” La Mesa officially became a city in 1912, but the area was Kumeyaay land before natural springs and citrus farming brought the San Diego and Cuyamaca Eastern Railroad smack through the center of town. In fact, the MTS Orange trolley line follows part of the original railroad tracks through La Mesa Village, the downtown area that hosts community events: the La Mesa Classic Car Show every Thursday in the summer, trick-or-treating each Halloween, and the county’s largest Oktoberfest every fall.
It may no longer be a movie mecca or hipster haven, but La Mesa’s understated vibes tend to surprise visitors. Yes, it’s technically East County. Yes, it’s only 9.1 square miles. But with some good schools and a lingering quaintness alongside ever-expanding amenities, it may not be long before the Jewel of the Hills’ glitter catches people’s eyes.
Things to Do in La Mesa, San Diego
Billy Beltz, who co-owns Lost Cause Meadery and Oddish Wine with his wife Suzanna, has dwelt in La Mesa for the past three years. “We live in the Highlands neighborhood and absolutely love it,” Beltz says. “All the winding streets filled with old homes, mature trees, and friendly neighbors give it a wonderful small-town feel. La Mesa has soul and character, which is not always easy to find in SoCal neighborhoods, and we’re still just a short drive to Balboa Park or the beach.” He has more than a few favorite places around town, but here are a couple of his regular haunts.
Muffins and Coffee in the Village
It’s always a good idea to arrive at Sheldon’s Service Station as early as possible or risk a lack of seating or baked goods. But Beltz says they plan ahead to make sure his son’s favorite blueberry muffin is available. “The outdoor space serves as a great weekend hub to catch up with neighbors,” Beltz says. Afterward, stroll down the block to Public Square Coffee House for what Beltz thinks is the top coffee in the Village.
Date Nights at Antica Trattoria
“Don’t let the shopping center location fool you,” Beltz warns. “Italian dinners aren’t meant to be stuffy, and this place captures everything we loved about Italy—delicious Italian food in a lovely little space with friendly service and a warm vibe, without being overpriced. Whatʼs not to love?”
Burgers at The Hills Pub
Controversial opinion alert: Beltz claims The Hills Pub’s namesake Hills burger with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and chipotle on a brioche bun might be the best burger in San Diego. “[It] holds its own against any other neighborhood burger spot in San Diego,” he promises.
Facts About La Mesa
- In 2024, the Climate Action Campaign ranked La Mesa the number-one city in the county addressing climate change through efforts like infill housing, investment in public transportation, and using clean energy.
- Originally launched in 1973, La Mesa Oktoberfest is the largest Oktoberfest in the county, attracting 100,000 visitors over three days.
- Lots of things in La Mesa are named Helix—a mountain, a high school, streets. That’s because of a local species of snail: the helix aspersa. There’s even a statue of the famed critter, Felix the Helix, on the east end of La Mesa Boulevard.
- Notable former La Mesa residents include at least three astronauts, Metallica and Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, pro basketball player Bill Walton, and Academy Award nominee and actor Dennis Hopper.
- La Mesa has plenty of wild parrots, but did you know there are also wild peacocks on and around Mount Helix? Legend has it that, around 1980, a local resident purchased two peacocks from the Wild Animal Park in Escondido. One thing led to another, and now their feathery descendents roam the lands.
What’s Next for La Mesa
Unlike some other cities across the county falling behind on their affordable housing goals, La Mesa
is actively developing multiple infill projects near transit stations to meet demand and lower carbon emissions. One such project is Cantera, which features 32 homes priced from the high $600,000s to around $850,000. Considering La Mesa’s median home price hovers around $914,000 while the county’s is nearly $1 million, that’s a screamin’ deal for regular folks. Another development is at 8181 Allison Avenue, with 100 percent affordable housing across 147 units.
Once folks set down roots, they’re going to want to eat and shop, as well. Luckily, plenty of stores and restaurants have already started to take advantage of the area’s potential. Mastiff Kitchen opened its first brick-and-mortar there in 2023, followed by Shawarma Guys earlier this year. There are even rumors of a new communal Oddish Wine tasting room (à la The Garten in Bay Park) floating around. The old-timey Village is getting a facelift later this year or early next, with a new Downtown District sign scheduled for installation. Plus, Grossmont Center is poised for a complete overhaul starting as soon as 2025, with over 25 million square feet prime for mixed use.
Where to Eat in La Mesa
Where to Shop in La Mesa
More Things to Do in La Mesa
Lamplighters Community Theatre
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