Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Month

Pucks & Pints

March 29

Watch brewers play hockey for bragging rights, savor craft beer collabs at Bay City Brewing, and catch a San Diego Gulls game—all in one philanthropic day—with Pucks & Pints.

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month

ShamROCK Festival

March 15

Don emerald garb, raise your glass, and revel in the craic at the 29th annual ShamROCK festival in the Gaslamp, where Irish music, foot stomping dancers, and even a Taylor Swift tribute band play across three stages. You’ll find green beer, whiskey cocktails, and delicious Irish bites, too.

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Motown: The Groove that Changed America at California Center for the Arts, Escondido

March 7-8

With dynamic singers and a propulsive 20-piece orchestra, CCAE Theatricals pays tribute to the Motor City’s soul music legacy in Motown: The Groove that Changed America at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month

San Diego Theatre Month

March 1-31

See shows on a dime throughout San Diego Theatre Month. You can nab $15, $30, and $45 tickets for a broad selection of spectacular theater, music, and dance performances.

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Circle of Art in Borrego Springs

March 15-16

Head to Borrego Springs to browse eye-catching artwork from around 70 exhibitors at the 2025 Circle of Art. This year’s event benefits the area’s Soroptimist International chapter.

St. Patrick’s Cabaret at Lamb’s Players Theatre

March 16-17

Lamb’s Players Theatre’s annual St. Patrick’s Cabaret is a musical ode to Ireland for a St. Paddy’s Day treat that will get you dancing in your seat in Coronado.

An Artful Life at MCASD

March 20-August 3

In La Jolla, explore the archives of renowned contemporary art collectors and philanthropists Iris and Matthew Strauss with the new Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego exhibition An Artful Life, featuring 22 pieces from the Strauss Family Trust.

Teechers at Patio Playhouse

March 21-April 6

Teechers, John Harry Godber’s side-splitting play within a play at the Patio Playhouse in Escondido, was inspired by the popular writer’s own experiences as a drama teacher in England in the early 1980s.

Psychology of a Murderer at The Magnolia

March 25

Dr. Rachel Toles will lead a true-crime lesson in notorious killers at The Magnolia in El Cajon
as she analyzes the deadly mindsets that fuel the Psychology of a Murderer.

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month

San Diego FC’s First Home Match

March 1

Major League Soccer’s newest franchise debuts at Snapdragon Stadium when San Diego FC takes on St. Louis City SC in the team’s first-ever home match.

February 7, 2025

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Oddities Flea Market

March 29-30

Oddities Flea Market arrives in San Diego at downtown’s Julep venue, bringing taxidermy treasures, abnormal specimens, morose artwork, and other peculiar finds.

The post The Best Things to Do in San Diego This Month: Mar. 2025 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The college kids who used to hotbox their buddy’s van with weed they bought illegally are now professionals who microdose gummies from government-licensed retailers. Retirees reach for tinctures to soothe aging knees. Surfers and golfers spark up after—or before, if anecdotes are to be trusted—a challenging set or round. And for the cannabis-curious? Today’s market is sleek, labeled, and often as polished as any other crave-worthy, Insta-pretty product you’d see online.

Perhaps the biggest surprise? It’s older adults leading the way. According to federal surveys, cannabis use among those 65 and older has doubled in the last seven years. In 2021 and 2022 surveys of adults 60 and older, 9.9 percent reported using it in the previous year. This makes seniors the fastest-growing group of cannabis consumers—more than Gen Z, even.

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Dr. Igor Grant, director of UCSD’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, credits this shift to the cultural permission that legalization provided. “Older people aren’t going to hang out near a high school to buy weed,” he adds. “Once cannabis became legal, it allowed them to try it—usually for medical reasons,” which he says are overwhelmingly “sleep and arthritic pain–related.”

Medical needs are what brought Lia Hunter back into the fold. The 61-year-old cofounder of Barrio Logan restaurant Lia’s Lumpia, Hunter was diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis, a debilitating condition that left her bedridden with nausea and pain, about a decade ago.

“I was throwing up nonstop, and nothing worked,” she recalls, saying she was prescribed Zofran as well as Dilaudid and other opioids. “Then, my [sons] came in and said, ‘Smoke this.’” It was cannabis that finally provided relief, though she hadn’t used it in years and only considered herself a “recreational” cannabis user.

That kind of access wasn’t always possible. Spencer Hunter, Hunter’s son, remembers what he calls the Wild West days of medical dispensaries before Prop 64. “You’d see trap houses in trailers—places with a hitch ready to roll if they got raided,” he says, laughing.

He’d know—he and his brother, Pierce, who remains a budtender at a legal dispensary, worked a delivery service during that time. While there were plenty of so-called recreational customers, Spencer says, it was clear to him that most of them were patients, who he felt honored to serve. Today, dispensaries look more like Apple stores than street-level operations. They tend to be less personalized, and people are showing up to buy simply because they can.

Things have been rolling along at The Cake House, an Encinitas dispensary perched right on the 101. The Cake House is one of her best-selling accounts, says Encinitas-based Heather Williams, who reps Humo, a popular cannabis brand available in shops across the county. “Value eighths and pre-rolls are flying off the shelves,” she adds, referring, respectively, to lower-priced jars of cannabis buds weighing an eighth of an ounce and already-assembled joints. The brand’s top seller, a jar of small pre-rolls, costs $15.

Across the board, dispensaries in San Diego report strong edibles sales, too, but buds and joints are still king. Williams says they’re out the door as fast as staff can stock them, indicating smoking is still en vogue and convenience and value remain key. This matches up with national trends, too; cannabis data company New Frontier Data reports that cannabis flower and pre-rolls are the top-selling product combinations across the country.

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Dispensaries’ most popular products, like affordable eighths, full-flower prerolls, vapes, and gummies, reflect cannabis’s democratization. It’s accessible, functional, and far more reliable than the mystery bags of the pre-Prop-64 days. Spencer remembers those years when he and his brother delivered high-quality cannabis to medical patients. It was tested for pesticides and heavy metals even though there were no laws requiring it, but that was far from the norm. “We saw how much it helped people—cancer patients, seniors with Parkinson’s,” he says. “We knew it was medicine.”

That shift in perception—cannabis as medicine, or at least a less-harmful intoxicant—has paved the way for trends like the “Cali sober” phenomenon, where people ditch alcohol in favor of THC. Some consider it a healthier choice and appreciate the more leisurely mornings-after. “I’ve seen more people give up drinking and pick up cannabis than ever before,” Dr. Grant says. Unlike alcohol, he explains, cannabis users tend to remain aware of their impairment. “It doesn’t disinhibit you in the same way.”

Still, combining the two can intensify the effects of each, particularly when it comes to driving. “We’ve seen many emergency room admissions involving seniors who weren’t prepared for that interaction,” Dr. Grant adds, echoing a UC San Diego study that reported cannabis-related emergency room visits rose 1,804 percent among people 65 and older from 2005 to 2019.

The reality is that today’s cannabis isn’t the same as it was at Woodstock. Cannabis flower routinely tests at 25 to 30 percent THC, whereas, “a decade ago, cannabis products commonly had THC levels of about seven to 10 percent,” Dr. Grant explains.

That higher potency is a double-edged sword: It provides better relief for chronic pain, but it can also cause more intense intoxication, interact poorly with medications or alcohol, and, in rare cases, lead to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome—a condition characterized by cyclical vomiting in heavy, long-term users. “It’s the flip side of what we’re talking about as benefits,” Dr. Grant says. “People need to be aware of what they’re consuming.”

Fortunately, legal dispensaries have made the process of buying cannabis safer and more transparent. Everything is tested, labeled, and (mostly) appropriately dosed—though concerns about label accuracy remain an industry-wide issue. Budtenders, like cannabis sommeliers, guide customers to the right product for their needs. Certain dispensaries, including Sorrento Valley’s Torrey Holistics, opened during the medical-only years and still prioritize medical patients.

Torrey Holistics offers compassionate-use programs under SB-34, which allows gifting cannabis to low-income patients and providing discounts for veterans, some of whom use it to treat symptoms of PTSD. “It’s about knowing what you’re getting and where it comes from,” Spencer says.

The Hunters, now industry veterans and activists, envision pushing that further. They dream of starting a nonprofit serving as an educational and political advocacy hub that, in contrast to existing cannabis organizations, bridges the gap for populations not commonly exposed to weed.

“We’re telling people, ‘Look at the testing label, not the box. Know what you’re getting,’” Spencer says. Their experience delivering to patients, many of whom were elderly, sick, or in chronic pain, left a lasting impression. So did joining their ranks. For the Hunters, cannabis is about care and accountability, two pillars they believe the industry still needs to improve upon.

But even in the post-legalization era, access isn’t perfect. Hunter relies on the brand Level’s high-dose THC pills, known as Protabs, to manage her gastroparesis and avoid trips to the emergency room. “A pack costs $79, and I might need three [packs] in a day, depending on how I feel,” she says. Hunter is fortunate—her family’s industry connections mean she gets discounts—but for many medical users, it’s an untenable financial burden, particularly because the human body develops tolerance to THC very quickly, meaning that medical patients often need increasingly high-dose edibles over time.

Despite cannabis being legal and widely accepted as medicine, insurance doesn’t cover it, and there is no longer any distinction between medical and “adult-use” or recreational markets in California since Prop 64 became the law of the land.

The industry’s future is evolving quickly, with federal legalization or the Drug Enforcement Administration’s potential rescheduling of cannabis—that is, moving it to a less restricted category on the controlled substances list—both looming. Experts like Dr. Grant predict that pharmaceutical companies will step in when the time comes, funding research and scaling production.

“Cannabis will look very different,” he says. Whether that’s a positive or negative change depends on who you ask. For many, it could mean more consistency and accessibility; for others, it’s a looming sign of a corporate takeover.

For now, San Diego’s cannabis scene is active, diverse, and quietly ahead of the curve. It’s parents managing stress, seniors easing arthritis pain, and professionals swapping out cocktails for something lighter. “It’s everybody,” Hunter says. “And that’s the point.”

The post The State of Cannabis in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Chocolate

Valle

Chocolate Metate

Lovingly prepared on a Oaxacan metate stone, this velvety, rich cacao radiates BDE (big dessert energy). Chocolate ganache is warmly spiced with cardamom and star anise, dipped in cacao butter, and pressed into a custom mold. Let a forkful melt a little on your tongue.

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Wolf in the Woods

Kakawa Chocolate Pot

Wolf in the Woods elevates the classic pot de crème with Hatch chile chocolate, cake crumbles, raspberry coulis, vanilla crème fraîche, New Mexican pinon brittle, and Kakawa almond cocoa. The touch of spice infused in the chocolate may surprise your date while leaving them with a lingering sweet impression.

Tony’s Jacal

Chicken Mole

A menu staple since the 1960s, the mole at Tony’s Jacal is simmered with cocoa, chiles, nuts, and a long list of spices. A hint of chocolate gets you in the mood, and the cozy sauce makes you want to cuddle.

Nine-Ten

Half-Baked Chocolate Cake

A cakey exterior houses a decadent center of flowing, warm dark chocolate. Drizzled with caramel sauce and served with silky whipped cream or smooth vanilla ice cream, this shareable dessert at Nine-Ten has been on the menu for two decades. “We’d be banished if it were ever removed,” says marketing director Leslie Araiza-Lorenzo. Two spoons, please!

Pacific Point

Chocolate Experience

Round all four bases with a plate of different chocolate delicacies: dense flourless chocolate cake, light almond mousse, blanc satin for a smooth white chocolate touch, and yuzu chocolate bark for a refreshing citrus note. Strawberry-peach preserves add extra sweetness to whatever strikes your fancy.

Oysters

Rare Society

Rare Society Gold Oyster

Rare Society partnered with Clausen Oysters in Coos Bay, Oregon to develop the restaurant’s signature slurpable. Made to be enjoyed raw, the oyster has a firm shell with a deep cup, boasting sweet meat, clean-crisp minerality, and salty sea flavors with a smooth, clean finish.

Mille Fleurs

Pink Moon Oysters

Pink Moon oysters, from Prince Edward Island, are known for their nuanced brininess and exceptional texture. At Mille Fleurs, they’re poached in butter, bathed in Champagne (another alleged aphrodisiac!) and herbs de Provence, and finished with Black Sea caviar. Pretty hot-pink, beet-dyed salt sprinkled on the platter plays on the name and punches up the passion.

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Soichi Sushi

Oyster 1/2 Shell

Start with a pair of Pacific oysters from British Columbia, adorned with Michelin-starred chef and owner Soichi Kadoya’s ponzu—a citrusy, vinegary, sweet-sour sauce that enhances the mollusk’s salty essence—along with a dainty dollop of daikon and slivered scallions. Order two more special oysters topped with luminescent ikura and uni from Hokkaido.

The Fishery

Poached Oysters

A gentle way to cook the tender meat, poaching retains the texture and seaside salinity of the oyster. The Fishery pairs theirs with Champagne butter, crème fraîche, and Kaluga caviar which can elevate the experience, making you smack your lips after sucking one down.

TJ Oyster Bar

Oyster Taco

A hole in the wall with a line out the door, the original TJ Oyster Bar on Bonita Road has been slinging mariscos since 2002. That’s also how long the oyster taco—hand-breaded, deep-fried bivalves on a corn tortilla with cabbage, tomato, and spicy mayo—has been on the menu. The oysters come in fresh daily from Baja or Washington state.

Chiles

Lionfish

Spicy Grilled Octopus

Passion-inspiring oranges and reds invite a dive into this popular dish’s pleasantly piquant flavors: fermented chile and crispy garlic and potatoes on a bed of cilantro aioli.

Dao Fu

Mango Chicken

Chef Eric Tao’s secret spices will flush your cheeks and blur your vision, if that’s what you’re into. Dial down the spice knob for that good all-over tingle. Ripe, juicy mango tempers the heat and gives this dish its warm glow.

The Marine Room

Peruvian Crudo

This is the Marine Room’s tuna-centric take on aguachile. Aji amarillo, a yellow Peruvian chile pepper that is sweet, tropical, and spicy, gives this dish its color and mild heat. Puffed purple boba pearls balance the texture atop the luscious pink fish.

Roma Norte

Habanero Margarita

Roma Norte vapor-infuses El Velo Blanco tequila with fresh habaneros brings out a sweet, floral flavor without too much capsaicin-fueled burn. The zhoozed-up tequila is mixed with mezcal, cherry tomato, lime, and peach and served with a dropper bottle of habanero infusion for extra warmth.

Salt & Butter Bakery by Okayama Kobo, Rising Sun Collective

Spicy Curry Pan

Sample something spicy in a tight little package. Fluffy shio pan, made with flour imported from Hokkaido and flecked with chili flakes, surrounds the Japanese-style curried veggie filling. Grab these hot buns to go for a picnic or pop ’em right in your mouth and chase with a Japanese craft beer on tap.

The post 15 Aphrodisiac Dishes to Spice Up Your Next Date appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

“I train everyday and work my ass off to chase these waves, and [when the swell comes], I don’t want to miss a thing,” Roper says.

The son of local surf legend Joe Roper, Roper grew up in his dad’s Kearny Mesa surf shop, catching his first wave at age 3. Fourteen years later, a trip to Puerto Escondido, Mexico ignited his obsession with big wave surfing. At 18, he was ready to take on Northern California’s big-wave mecca, Mavericks.

Now, from Nazaré, Portugal to Oahu’s North Shore, Roper’s journey is relentless. His team studies NOAA buoy readings, boards overnight boat rides, and hops international flights—all in pursuit of the planet’s biggest waves.

Last March, while surfing dreamy, crystal-blue barrels in Fiji, Roper was summoned by a swell alert to the frigid, churning waves of Mavericks. A quick 36 hours later, he was dropping into a 50-footer that would nab him Surfer Magazine’s 2024 Biggest Paddle-In Wave of the Year award.

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But, make no mistake, these are treacherous waters. At six feet, waves are considered “overhead” and deter most average surfers. At 20 feet, paddle-outs become tests of endurance, and boards snap like matchsticks. At 30 feet, the force of a wipeout can rupture eardrums and drag surfers hundreds of feet along the ocean floor. At 50 feet, the crashing whitewater hits with the force of an avalanche, tossing humans like ragdolls in a washing machine.

“It’s like being in a major car accident that keeps going for 15 to 40 seconds—while trying to hold your breath,” Roper says. “Your limbs are flying in every direction since the violence is so radical.”

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Today, the record for the largest wave ever paddled into stands at 63 feet, but, dangerous or not, Roper is determined to top it.

“My mission is to paddle into the biggest wave ever surfed,” he says.

The post Chasing Giants with Big-Wave Surfer Jojo Roper appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

I decided to nestle myself for the weekend in the Wasatch Front of the Beehive State, hoping to leave my brain buzz there forever. The dream of a quiet ski vacation still remains in existence in the area’s powdered mountains, somehow, for now. Luckily, getting there couldn’t be easier. I hopped on a breezy two-hour flight from SD to Salt Lake City, where the airport was recently remodeled to the tune of more than $5 billion. I grabbed my little rental car and within 15 minutes was in downtown Salt Lake, just in time for lunch.

A frothy pint and French onion soup at White Horse Spirits and Kitchen helped temper my San Diego blood to the 35-degree atmosphere. I got steak salad, too, peppery and perfectly seared, with candied walnuts, apples, and goat cheese. I was tempted to try one of the digestifs (White Horse boasts the largest selection of aperitifs and digestifs in Utah) but refrained to brave the icy roads ahead clear-eyed.

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I made my way to Huntsville, about an hour from Salt Lake, passing idyllic snow-covered hilltops and rocky cliff sides and spotting the chairlifts of Snowbasin Resort winking at me under the golden sun setting below the Wasatch Mountains.

Wrapping around the Pineview Reservoir, Huntsville is tucked behind willows and pines, a charming little Christmas village home to less than 600. I pulled into the Compass Rose Lodge, a 2018 project founded by ski-industry vets. It’s also the closest accommodation to Snowbasin, only a 15-minute drive to the base of the chairlift. Running about $300 a night, the lodge is family-owned and rustic-industrial-chic with a communal hearth and coffee shop downstairs that makes a decent egg sandwich for pre-slope fuel. There’s an observatory for stargazing on clear nights, should the mood strike. Huntsville also offers a plethora of Airbnbs and Vrbos for larger groups or those looking to stay an extended stint in ski country.

Once unpacked and settled, I took a stroll through the neighborhood, past quaint farmhouses and luxury estates snuggled together under the blanket of snow. Black-capped chickadees guided me down to the reservoir’s rocky shore, where I picked my way to the water’s edge and breathed in the solitude. The sky was still; nothing in the landscape moved except the rhythm of the shoreline. I could feel ease creeping its way back into my neuro-circuitry, the lazy lapping of icy water reminding me that all moments pass, but nature is eternal.

My stomach growled, and I decided to make my way through the narrow canyon into Ogden in search of the evening’s distractions. I followed the many rippling turns of the Ogden River for a half-hour before the city appeared, a sprawling college town set against the mountain’s shoulders. Prairie and Art Deco architecture mixed with small mid-century and Colonial homes as I moved into Ogden’s heart. Its downtown strip on 25th Street sloped gently downhill, culminating at the old train station.

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The town arose in the late 1800s as a major rail transfer hub from east to west, becoming the closest city to the Golden Spike of Promontory Summit. It still exists today as a center for rail freight. With the rail came workers, booze, and brothels. Ogden’s reputation for sin and dereliction remains against the religiosity of greater Utah, which means a vibrant nightlife scene persists here like an oasis. Young people flock here on weekends, and with the influence of the college, the town feels like a refuge for artists and dreamers and weirdos amid a largely homogenous cultural landscape. Walk down Electric Alley and you can still see windows and balconies of the parlors and cat houses run by the madams of the day.

The town was largely ignored until the mid-1990s or so, when new business started to take residence to turn Ogden into more of a travel destination. The old brick façades remain in elegy to their lurid former lives. Enterprising locals transformed these decomposing old fixtures into new community hubs. The Mercantile took residence in the city’s former bus depot to create a stylish and bustling coffee shop in the heart of the downtown strip. The Monarch, built in 1929 as a parking garage, is now a collective arts center.

I stepped off the snow-blustered street into Hearth on 25th for dinner. The restaurant is wood-oven driven with a surprisingly inventive chef’s tasting menu. Highlights included a leek-ash pasta with tallow-roasted kale chips, duck breast with mushrooms and hazelnuts, and lavender granita. Overstuffed but hungry for my date with the slopes the next day, I followed the river back to Huntsville.

I awoke early in the still-grey morning, grabbed my coffee and sandwich downstairs, and scraped the ice off my windshield. In 14 minutes, I was pulling into a spot at Snowbasin. With hardly a car in front of me and free parking for all, it felt as if I had rolled out of my comforter and onto the mountain slope.

A short line later, I was on the express gondola, which drops off at Needles Lodge and Snowbasin’s primary runs. The jagged, exposed peaks of the summit caught my sightline on the ascent. But halfway up, I turned to take in the view of the valley stretching out for miles beneath me. I grabbed my snowboard at the top, blinking at the glittering trails awaiting. Snowbasin’s runs are generous and diverse. Wide, sweeping catwalks and tricky little tree-lined sections abound throughout the 104 runs and three terrain parks over three main peaks. You can even ski the Olympic downhill track—it’s been maintained since 2002 and will remain through the 2034 Olympic Winter games.

Snowbasin is run by the Holding family, who also own Sun Valley Resort in Idaho (and Sinclair Oil Corporation). As an independent operator, the resort feels somewhat less corporate—and is worlds less busy—than competitors like Park City or Deer Valley nearby. The décor is extravagant, with giant Venetian glass chandeliers, stone inlay, and gold finishings throughout the multiple lodges on the property. The Cinnabar lounge’s Après program features fondue and cocktails under the striking red chandeliers of the main dining room.

With the small-town vibe, locals clearly feel a sense of ownership to the slopes, and you may run into some gentle ribbing on the chairlift should a resident realize where you’re coming from, but it’s all in good fun. After all, the fact that a ski resort this large still exists with this much local influence is astounding. February is arguably the time to go for the best snow after the holiday crowds have dissipated. The season lasts until mid-April.

Enjoying the ease of moving about the mountain, I explored Snowbasin’s terrain. I whipped and s-curved until my knees shook and my shins bruised into my bindings and I could take no more. One more gondola ride took me back up to Needles Lodge for flatbread, clam chowder, and a sweeping view from the bar as fresh snow began to descend on the mountain. I was fed and happy-sore, with snowflakes filling my eyes—mission accomplished. I felt the weight of the last few months slough off of me, like I was a pine branch flinging itself free from inches of built-up snowpack.

That evening, I celebrated my success at Shooting Star Saloon—famed as America’s oldest bar west of the Mississippi and conveniently located only a block from the Compass Rose. Winter ale cooled my sun-chapped cheeks. The mounted carapace of the Guinness Book’s once-largest recorded St. Bernard, Buck, gazed down on me with approval.

On my way out of Utah, I enjoyed the hospitality of the Holding family one more time at The Grand America Hotel. Also bedecked in glass chandeliers and gleaming Carrara marble splendor, the 24-floor hotel—Salt Lake’s largest—is glitzed to the nines. But after all my backcountry woodsiness, who’s to blame a sore girl for wanting a bubble bath in a pink-wallpapered powder room? I sunk into the hot water and realized my bees had flown away somewhere in between runs four and six yesterday. A proper solo trip helps remind you who you are and maybe even how to ask for what you need. This weekend I needed Utah, and she obliged.

The post A Guide to Visiting Utah’s Less-Crowded Ski Country appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Inside, it’s a fanciful emporium packed with fun-size furnishings and diminutive doodads: toast-shaped Colonial four-poster beds, lentil-sized cantaloupes sliced on a cutting board, rice-length pickles in a jar, copper pans no bigger than blueberries.

There are Pop Tart–sized Turkish rugs, marshmallow-ish pillows, and shoe-shine boxes with the dimensions of a foil-wrapped pat of butter, plus scaled-down crown moldings, staircases, tiles, carpeting, bedding, light fixtures, faucets, appliances, picture frames, cribbage boards, and bowling trophies. It’s dizzying. But for the meticulous mini home–maker, it’s all part of the allure.

“People come in saying, ‘I want to live in an old Victorian or create my dream house,’” says owner Michael Sue Nanos, who took over the shop from the original Ms. Peggie 22 years ago. “It’s a way for people to live out their dreams.”

And while the items are small, the prices sometimes aren’t. Furniture sets can go for hundreds. A grand piano is $350.

“This is highly addictive,” Nanos admits. “When people get started, they look at the prices and say, ‘I didn’t pay that much for my real couch!’ Then, six months later, they’re saying, ‘Oh, that’s not too bad.’”

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Dollhouses date back hundreds of years, but their popularity has grown or shrunk depending on the decade. “At one time, San Diego had nine miniature shops,” Nanos says of the dollhouse-building frenzy of the 1970s. Today, Ms. Peggie’s is one of just four such stores left on the West Coast, though its charm remains larger than life.

Ms. Peggie’s feels like much more than a store. It’s a community hub and classroom built around model-making, interior design, and imagination. Nanos is the glue that holds it all together.

“I walked into my first miniature show 50 years ago and broke out in a sweat,” Nanos recalls. “I couldn’t believe so many people loved little things.”

The post Inside San Diego’s Only Miniatures Shop appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Did I feel liberated? More free? Not exactly—mostly just cold. But was it worth it? Hell, yes. Whether you strip down or not, the BB Experience is something every San Diegan ought to enjoy at one time or another.

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At least, that was my takeaway, after visiting on a sunny and windy winter afternoon.

The beach itself is immaculate: a long, wide strip of firm pebble sand that appears tailor-made by God for casual strolls along the Pacific. Dozens of people, clothed and unclothed, did just that, including one middle-aged man dressed in nothing more than black Hokas, black sunglasses, and black mittens—an odd item to see at the beach, but then again, that breeze was chilly. The relatively frigid conditions seemed to put an extra pep in his step.

I was not feeling as active, especially after taking the “easiest” path to Black’s Beach: a 308-foot descent down a rocky and sandy path next to Torrey Pines Gliderport. The trek is tough, but the view is incredible—you’re sandwiched between brown cliffs that loom over the four-foot waves slowly collapsing into the shore. There are worse places in the world to trip and die.

When you reach safety, you can gaze up at the sky and see a handful of hang gliders hovering above you. Look ahead, and you’ll come face-to-face with “a bunch of bare-ass naked dudes,” as one Phoenix tourist told me while we passed one another on the trail. He wasn’t lying. (“Dudes” is the keyword here, considering I only saw one woman sunbathing nude during my visit. Still, my head stayed on a swivel all afternoon, just in case the future Mrs. Burch happened to stroll by in her birthday suit—it’d be a fun “how we met” story to tell the grandkids one day, I figured.)

It was time for me to join them. I shed my clothes and plopped down on my striped beach towel to soak in the modest sunlight—and the ambiance. My plan for the day was to be part anthropologist, part exhibitionsist.

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I did not feel nervous, necessarily, but I was aware of my current situation; my brain seemed to have a constant “your clothes are now off” alert buzzing, like the iPhone alarm you hit snooze on 20 times every morning.

Even as I ignored the mental alert, I found myself hyper-in-tune with my senses. Each shift on my towel reminded me that small pebbles were grazing parts of my upper thigh that normally weren’t exposed. The unsavory thought of sand making its way into other, usually covered parts of my body crossed my mind, too, so I moved gingerly.

Nudity also complicated the ordinarily mindless act of flopping out to tan. I didn’t want to give the dudes on the beach too much of an unsolicited eyeful as they walked by, so I opted for a cross-legged sitting position as I read my book.

The beach’s hippie vibe seemed to embolden my unclad brethren, though. Chilling on a towel wasn’t an option for most of the dozen naked guys I saw. They had to be doing something while in the buff.

One 30-something man worked on perfecting his handstand while wearing only sunglasses. Another fellow who looked like he’d been a roadie for Crosby, Stills, and Nash in 1969 snuck off to the shrubs to fill his pipe with sativa. And another dude in his 20s, the boldest of the bunch, ripped off his clothes and sprinted into the ocean. He must be a big cold-plunge guy, I thought. I considered joining him, but that Seinfeld episode about what happens to dudes in frigid water raced to the front of my mind. I decided I’d hit my adventurous quota for the day. I’ll follow in his footsteps next time I visit—during the summer.

The post I Tried It: Going Nude at Black’s Beach appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Whether you’ve just said your vows or are simply seeking a sexy space to connect with your beloved, these local stays will charm you with spectacular views, seductive design, and dreamy amenities.

The LaFayette Hotel & Club

Penthouse

Starting at $500 per night

Longing to live in a Baz Luhrmann movie? Book a few nights in this recently revived epicenter of North Park nightlife. The maximalism of the hotel’s six food and drink concepts carries over into the Penthouse above, between the four-poster king bed dressed in House of Hackney linens and the hand-drawn wallpaper, a collage of Victorian-esque illustrations by artist Dane Danner. The protagonist is a vintage clawfoot tub, situated next to a black-tiled fireplace for cozy, clothing-free cuddles.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Diamond Rock Star Suite

Starting at $1,500 per night

If your courting phase involved trading Spotify playlists (or mix tapes) packed with classic rock, you’ll want to make sweet music here. With two bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private patio Jacuzzi overlooking the Gaslamp, this 1,200-square-foot suite is a Hollywoody take on a rock star’s apartment, with red leather, a massive Jimi Hendrix portrait, and the chance to scream “I am a golden god” to barhoppers below.

Alila Marea Beach Resort

Grandview Suite

Starting at $5,000 per night

Don’t stay out too late. This airy Encinitas escape is at its most stunning at dusk, when you can snuggle up and watch the sun sink into the Pacific through its glass walls, which offer a 270-degree view of the coast. The scene might inspire you to go for a dip of your own in the standalone soaking tub—or in the sea itself, as the Grandview is the resort’s closest room to Ponto State Beach, with stone steps to the shore just outside the door.

Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel

Casitas

Starting at $400 per night

Find peak privacy at this already-secluded bastion of sexy, rustic desert design by booking one of the hotel’s early-20th-century Spanish Revival–style casitas, decked out in Moroccan brass fixtures and hand-painted Mexican tiles. From the front porch, watch musicians play by candlelight at the bathhouse across the way. On the back patio, dim the lights and sink into a soaking tub full of mineral-rich waters from the property’s titular hot spring. Trees rustle overhead and a private outdoor shower awaits nearby.

May 3, 2024

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The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Gamble Suite

Starting at $3,200 per night

Honey, you’re home. There’s a comfortingly retro flair to this 2,500-square-foot suite, a California Craftsman–style stay with hardwood Stickley furnishings (including a full-length dining table in the capacious parlor), a tiled fireplace, and daily newspaper delivery. The resort’s iconic golf courses sit scant feet from the room’s brick patio, with ocean views beyond.

The Westgate Hotel

Governor’s Suite

Starting at $1,500 per night

Downtown’s Westgate Hotel imported pieces from Europe to furnish its Buckingham-chic 19th-floor suites. Two king bedrooms, Italian marble, crown molding, a fancy fireplace, and a sumptuous sitting room with panoramic views of the city bring all the romance of Bridgerton (without the buzz-killing rules about propriety).

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Spa House

Starting at $6,100 per night

There are adults-only pools—and then there are you-only pools. Situated on Rancho Valencia’s 45 verdant, wellness-focused acres about half an hour from downtown, the four-bedroom Spa House comes equipped with its own natatorium in a lushly landscaped private backyard. Inside the house are custom furnishings, vintage tiling, and a full kitchen pre-stocked to your preference (so even opposites-attract couples can have their favorites). Need a private chef to cook it all for you? The resort can arrange that, too.

The post 7 of the Most Luxurious Suites at San Diego Hotels appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

To give Cupid’s arrow some tailwinds, we’ve devised 20 stellar ideas to get you and your boo(or bestie, if you prefer to enjoy the city without sweaty palms and will-we-won’t-we pressure) out and about all over the county. All we ask for in return is an invite to the wedding—or at least some kiss-and-tell intel on that first smooch.

So, go for it. Ask them out. We’ve got you covered with everything from first-dates to anniversary adventures. All you gotta do is bring the charm.

Encinitas

The sparks of creativity won’t be the only ones you feel tonight. Begin your date at the Institute of Contemporary Art North, a living laboratory of up-and-coming, often experimental fine artists. Spy soon-to-be classics and roam the halls of this North County museum to learn a little more about your partner’s tastes (you may be sharing an art collection, after all).

Then, swing by Leucadia’s The Mudd House. At this pottery studio, you can reserve a wheel and go for it or sign up for group or private lessons for a tutorial if you haven’t held clay since 9th grade. (Warning: Any Demi-Moore-Patrick-Swayze moments will amp up the chemistry but end up killing whatever you’ve thrown on the wheel.) End the night at Échale, the chicest little SoCal-inspired bistro in town, with a plethora of organic wines and a menu that offers bites like gambas al ajillo and local sea bass.

Barrio Logan

Every second Saturday brings the perfect excuse to hit the streets of one of San Diego’s coolest neighborhoods, Barrio Logan. Running from noon to 8 p.m., the Barrio Art Crawl is a monthly self-guided tour of the area’s 15 or so galleries. Check out what’s on the walls at the lynchpin art space Bread & Salt—its micro-galleries like Best Practice support some of the most innovative cross-border art in the county. Then, head up from Julian Avenue onto Logan Avenue to stop at spots like the Logan Ave Galeria de Arte and Galeria Mestizaje, home of the Aztlan Youth Brigade, which has been helping update the murals at Chicano Park.

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After working up an appetite from all that strolling and being insightful, try a cult-classic fish sando at Fish Guts, the charming shack run by renowned chef Pablo Becker. From there, amble along to Jaguar Paw for a nightcap that won’t set you back tomorrow, thanks to a robust menu of low-ABV offerings and mocktails. The bar also offers organic wines, kombucha, and the stronger stuff should you need it, all set to live music and a swinging scene, perfect for impromptu dancing and whispering sweet nothings. May we suggest, “You’re the best artwork I saw tonight?”

Point Loma & Ocean Beach

Great dates don’t just happen—they’re thought out ahead of time. And Point Loma is a layup when it comes to planning to spoil your date with pretty things to look at while stuffing your face with delicious eats. So, how do a little tide-pooling and a sunset picnic sound? Start off at Cabrillo National Monument, where you can spend your afternoon peering at ocean critters and traversing trails or exploring the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which, at more than 440 feet above sea level, is considered the highest lighthouse in the US.

Then bring things down to earth in OB and hit up the iconic, family-run Little Lion Café, where you can grab some to-go grub with options ranging from croissant sandos to cobb salads. (Pro tip: There’s a gas station across the street for drinks.) Then, lay down a blanket for a sunset snuggle on the nearby Sunset Cliffs, where you can tally up all the romantic brownie points you just scored.

If the date is going well once the sun sets at the cliffs, OB is where it’s at for late-night live music, drinks, and good kinds of trouble.

The Holding Company: With a rooftop bar offering a mix of modern Asian-inspired food and crafty drinks, plus two live music venues with wildly diverse lineups downstairs, THC is a solid choice for both the cocktail-inclined and the musically adventurous. So, if you’re looking for a show, this is a safe place to roll the dice.

Winstons Beach Club: There’s not a frill to be found at this laidback venue known for hosting an eclectic mix of local reggae, jam bands, and comedy nights. Unpretentious and OB to the core, Winstons is a favorite local hang. Hemp hoodies welcome.

The Harp: Recently purchased by Miles Doughty, the frontman of OB-based band Slightly Stoopid, The Harp is the revitalized beating heart of the Newport Avenue live music and beer (and early-morning European soccer) scene. Bands play loud here, so popping in for a show is less about conversation and more about seeing how your date dances to reggae-rock.

Convoy District

Ahead of “til death do us part,” give “for richer, for poorer” a test run with a high-low night in Convoy. Omakase spot Hidden Fish’s 12-seat sushi gallery boasts offerings from Japan’s world-renowned Toyosu Fish Market. During your 90-minute slot, you’ll nibble 18 delectable morsels of silky sashimi, and what’s sexier than that? If you said a pitchy performance of “Take On Me,” you’re in luck—Carriage House Cocktails & Karaoke is only a five-minute walk away. You’ll know you’re there by the blackout windows and sole, flickering Budweiser sign.

Inside is a dive to win all dives. Darts whiz past your barstool and the sand on the shuffleboard table hasn’t been changed, well, ever, but everyone who follows the bouncing ball here gets a healthy round of applause. Once you’ve heard all the forced vibrato you can stomach, trade “loudly sung” for a “Softly Spoken”—a gentle elixir of Diplomatico rum, Michter’s bourbon, Pedro Ximenez sherry, mango, coconut cream, Chinese five spice, orange, lime, and angostura bitters—at Realm of The 52 Remedies, a favorite amongst San Diego’s bar industry elite.

Mission Bay

Ah, young love. Is it the best kind? Find out by channeling your inner teenager and spending a day in Mission Bay. Enter the gates of Belmont Park and walk down the midway full of the aromas of funnel cakes and pheromones as you attempt to win your paramour a gigantic stuffie with your dart-throwing or water-gun accuracy skills.

If the thrill of riding the 100-year-old Giant Dipper roller coaster didn’t get you in the mood, maybe snuggling up on a Sea-Doo will. Head to Mission Bay Sportcenter and hold tight to your own bae for a jet ski excursion. Bring a change of duds (something a little fancier) to end the evening with a meal at Dockside 1953. This nautical-leaning eatery at the Bahia Resort boasts unbridled views of the water and options like seafood towers and braised lamb.

Fallbrook

The key to a successful first out-of-towner? Keep it low-pressure by escaping only an hour from downtown SD to Fallbrook. Make it an early morning mission and head up the 15 to Monserate Mountain Trail Loop, a hike that takes you up 1,400 feet. At the summit, you’ll be greeted with views of the Peninsular Range and hopefully a sweaty hug.

This is proof that you can weather the ups and downs together should be all you need to get them a rock—a semi-precious one, anyway. At the nearby Oceanview Mine, you can pick and pry for gems (tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, and more) with local company Dig for Gems. Finally, wind down with a visit to Monserate Winery. Go through a guided tasting with the resident oenophiles; it includes six of the winery’s estate-grown vinos, plus some welcome bubbles to tickle your palate.

Coronado

Time for your own personal Love Island—with fewer camera crews, bare midriffs, and (hopefully) shouting matches and more adorable architecture, charming shops, and sea breezes. Coronado’s Flagship Ferry launches near the Convention Center or the Broadway Pier to take you to the idyllic peninsula. After a quick sprint across the bay with epic views of the Coronado Bridge, get your land legs and then head to the Coronado Municipal Golf Course for a bucket of balls.

Neither of you know how to play? Even better. Forge your bond in the fire of open self-mockery and a pact to forever avoid anything but putt-putt. Give yourselves a congratulatory quiet clap, then show them your true grip with a cutesy handhold as you mosey over to The Henry to split a plate of short rib potstickers and people-watch below charming striped umbrellas.

La Jolla

San Diego is a destination for millions of visitors each year—so why not play tourist in your own backyard for a carefree day of staycation stylings? Begin with brunch at Sea & Sky, Hotel La Jolla’s penthouse perch with panoramic views of the Pacific. Get energized with pancakes that play with the flavors of pink lady apples, cinnamon anglaise, and a pecan-oat crunch.

More of a savory character? Try the green egg shakshuka. Then, strap on your life vest, stretch your arms, and climb into a boat built for two to explore the coast’s famous sea caves on a guided tour with La Jolla Kayak. Once you’ve saluted the sea lions, say hi to other marine life at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which houses tiny penguins almost as cute as your boo.

Downtown

If music be the food of love, a musical is a veritable buffet—but first, treat them to an actual meal at Saint James French Diner. Sit two-by-two at the très mignon bar or head upstairs to the roof to see the expanse of the Gaslamp in all its historically debaucherous glory. Try the steak or moules frites (they both come with fries, so how can you go wrong?) and sip a vert-hued cocktail in anticipation of your seats at the San Diego Civic Theatre’s live production of Wicked. (We suggest the absinthe frappe to stay on-brand emerald.)

Stroll a few blocks to the theater and follow the love story of two not-so-different friends. After the show, head towards 8&G, the compound that houses Youngblood, a minuscule, Parisian-style, gem-in-the-wall cocktail speakeasy with a mere 16 seats. Once inside, try not to stare at the genitalia-print carpet and only into your date’s eyes.

A splash of bubbles greets you as the bartenders begin to whip, shake, and stir an intoxicating, three-course, liquid trip based wholly on your preferences. Taking a paramour someplace where the mixologists can turn their favorite dessert into a digestif is sure to make you, well, popular.

South Bay

Tired of taking yet another pedicab-dodging Tinder stroll through the Gaslamp? Show your date the underrated charms of South Bay instead. Begin at Chula Vista Bicycles, where you can rent a pair of two-wheelers for a half-hour ride (just under six miles via Broadway and the Bayshore Bikeway) to Market on 8th for a food cruise—but be sure to call ahead for bike availability.

After your self-guided tour of the food hall’s wares (perhaps Sushi National for some Japanese-Mexican mash-up or an espresso sweet treat from Alessie Café?), swap the bikes for your whip and roll into the South Bay Drive-In for a flick. May we recommend ditching the front seat for the back to ensure ample cuddling space? You’ll thank us when you come up for air as the credits roll.

Torrey Pines

The craggy and majestic Torrey Pines cliffs are romantic enough, but when you add the peril of paragliding and hang gliding at the Gliderport, intimacy is sure to take flight. Unless you’ve gone through glider school, you’ll have to break away from your babe to do a tandem soar with some of North America’s best glider pilots. But the views of the rolling, watery corduroy below are worth it. Once you’re back in the safety of terra firma, head up to The Lodge at Torrey Pines and sneak onto the croquet court, perched above the greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course with a spectacular view of the horizon.

A mallet in hand always gives Heathers, so find your inner Christian and Winona as you compete in this very civilized sport (just leave the chainsaws and TNT at home). Finish up your hang by patronizing yet another hotel down the road. Estancia La Jolla’s Mustangs & Burros offers open-air dining and a central fireplace to amp up the cozy factor—just in case your margarita (or your date) doesn’t do the trick.

Shelter Island

When was the last time you ventured over to Shelter Island? If you’re local, we’re willing to bet it’s time to revisit, if only for the food at nearby Old Venice, where we suggest opening with what restaurant critic Troy Johnson called “the little black dress of apps”—baked triple-cream brie served with a hulking bulb of roasted garlic—then moseying into the rigatoni bolognese. If you scored the two-top that’s fireside, linger over dessert. If not, ditch the sweets in lieu of something fortified at Bali Hai.

Swing hand-in-hand to this Shelter Island institution. Order the mai tai and do your best Lady and the Tramp impression with two straws. Once you’re thoroughly tipsy (which won’t take much at Bali Hai), it’s time for the main event: a show at Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, with seats that boast a great view of the stage and the ships beyond.

Old Town

Exploring the city’s spine-tingling heritage in Old Town will jump-scare your date straight into your arms. Start at Cas Wet Plate Collodion Photography for an old-timey tin-type snap. Holed up at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant on the weekends, this father-daughter film duo brings the 19th century to the now, one flash at a time. Next, steel yourself with something strong enough to keep the demons at bay at Oculto 477, San Diego’s only speakeasy settled next to a graveyard.

Stashed inside Tahona, the bar serves sinful sips like the Gluttony, a blend of Japanese whisky, rhubarb amaro, sweet vermouth, and mole. Then it’s on to the only kind of ghosting you should be doing tonight: Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours offers evening slots to saunter through the unseemly sites of San Diego lore, from Heritage Park to the Whaley House—all fraught with sagas that will scintillate any true-crime podcast obsessive.

North Park

North Park has run up the ranks as the top contender for SD’s best food neighborhood, thanks to recent additions like Finca and Flora, mainstays like Black Radish, and upcoming attractions like Brad Wise’s A’L’ouest. To satisfy your Bourdain itch, get your mollusk on with the hip staff of Mabel’s Gone Fishing. The restaurant’s “Oyster Hour” kicks off at 4 p.m. Pair discounted oysters and Iberian-inspired snacks with a porrón (your personal wine funnel) full of garnatxa from Catalonia and test your trust and target skills by having your date pour the wine straight into your mouth—glasses are so passé (but available if you’re feeling coy).

Head a few blocks down University Avenue to 31ThirtyOne’s urban rooftop overlooking the North Park skyline to sup on refined, tweezer-tamed dishes from the Michelin-starred mind of Drew Deckman. Then, call a ride share to The LaFayette Hotel (trust us, you don’t want to battle for parking) to see a concert at CH Projects’ venue du jour, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, with an illuminated, vintage shell stage and a calendar of artists curated by local music maestro Tim Mays.

January 30, 2025

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Not ready for the night to end? Grab a lift back to North Park’s main drag for a last sip at one of the neighborhood’s many watering holes.

Redwing Bar & Grill: The concert’s not over yet. Tuesdays through Sundays at this always-packed, LGBTQ-friendly joint on 30th Street, boozed-up regulars provide free entertainment in the form of enthusiastic karaoke. Here’s your chance to serenade your date yourself.

Coin-Op Game Room: The best way to round out a rendezvous? Mortal Kombat. Drop a few quarters at Coin-Op, a temple of themed pinball machines and cocktails more creative and delicious than an arcade bar demands.

Seven Grand: Still swanky but not stuffy (there’s pool!), this University Avenue bar houses one of San Diego’s most robust whiskey selections. Candlelight and a cozy back room keep things romantic—though things get hopping after 10 p.m., so expect your sweet nothings to be shared at a shout.

Oceanside

Is Oceanside the next Silver Lake? Twosomes who secretly envy LA and have any Supreme or Rodarte in your wardrobes, this date’s for you. Start out at the swanky, newly opened Merenda to snap the perfect hard-launch pic. Natural wine list? Check. Small plates? Check. Dim lighting that makes you look almost more stunning than you naturally are? Obvi. Have the rockfish carpaccio with a glass of pineau d’aunis from Loire Valley and talk about how hard it is to be the coolest one in your friend group.

Then, pop over to Frontwave Arena to see the San Diego Clippers shoot their shots. Ideally, you splurged on floor seats, but, if not, make it fun and place some playful bets on three-pointers from the cheap seats (drinks on you at the next spot?). Cash in on those odds at Frankie’s for a soothing nightcap fixed by some of SD’s most artful bartenders in a subtly trendy O-side setting.

City Heights

There’s nothing steamier than proving you’ve got your finger on the pulse of our progressive, grassroots arts scene—except maybe a hot bowl of phở at Phở Hòa on El Cajon Boulevard. Squirt sriracha to your heart’s content to show your date how spicy you want things to go. Then, head to the Azalea Park enclave of City Heights to check out a show at The Brown Building on Poplar Street, a creative haven led by trans artists and activists.

Peep the site’s IG stories (@thebrownbuildingarts) for the latest upcoming events, whether that’s a suite of local bands, like the dreamy, watercolor-pop stylings of Kan Kan; a vision board–making workshop; or DJ school. Then, finish off the night at Soda Bar, one of the city’s top venues for emerging and local bands, so you can say you saw them before they made it to The Sound.

Little Italy

Play posh for the night in Little Italy, starting in the gilded halls of Born and Raised. With its neo-Gatsby architecture and artful homage to rap superstars, it’s the perfect spot to eschew pretense but love it all the same. Ball out and ask for an off-the-menu caviar bump to kick off the night’s festivities and pair it with something off the Champagne cart. Continue the indulgence and share some uni pasta made with local Assenti’s spaghetti and a sunset-hued sauce that rivals the richness of your 401K.

Split a bone-in, dry-aged ribeye while you’re at it—you’re at a steakhouse, after all. Then swing by Bobboi on Kettner Boulevard for more decadence, this time in the form of a little charcoal vanilla gelato. Round things out with a quick jaunt to Vino Carta, San Diego’s flagship natural wine shop and bar. A glass of biodynamic vino is sure to bring the feels—figuratively, of course.

Balboa Park

Low on funds but high on love? Take your date to the iconic Balboa Park for a slew of gratis activities. If things are blooming between you, start at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden for some delightful sniffs and winsome snaps for the ’gram. Cross into the park and stroll by the fountain, then start museum-hopping. If it’s not a Tuesday (when some museums are free for locals), you can still hit up the cultural institutions with complimentary or give-what-you-can admission. Drop by the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art to see celluloid stunners.

If window shopping is your thing, head over to the Mingei, our local folk-arts museum, to browse the lobby’s impeccably curated gift shop and sample the art on the entry level (you’ll need to shell out $15 each to ogle the rest of the exhibitions). The Timken Museum is always free—read up on your European masters, American art, and Russian icons ahead of time to drop some historical facts and impress your boo. To rest your eyes but keep the cultural feast going, make your way to Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Check out their calendar of events for specific shows, or roll up on Sunday for a free concert starting at 2 p.m.

East County

Though us city slickers fancy ourselves Kendrick Lamar types, head 20 minutes east of our city core and it’s all Tim McGraw. So, hop in your Ford F-150, crank the AM to some Hank Williams, and drive to East County for a night of cowboy moonlighting. Kick things off at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs, where the meat just tastes smokier when you eat it while wearing cowboy boots. Get a spread of brisket, slaw, and some bacon-laden beans to share with your buckle bunny.

Now hike up those daisy dukes for a night on the dance floor at Renegade Country, where you can spin your sweetie in a Texas two-step or line dance to your heart’s content. After you’ve worked off your hearty meal honky tonking, shuffle down to Neon Moon in Lakeside for the signature Rattlesnake Margarita. It just might make you want to sink your teeth into something—or someone.

Julian

This date is a perfect barometer of your compatibility for one reason: You get to see how they drive. Make the true commitment of spending an hour in the car with someone before you even get to the first official hang at the California Wolf Center animal reserve, just outside Julian’s main drag. Opt for the Enrichment Tour to watch packs of Mexican gray wolves as handlers offer them food and scents to really get them (and you?) on the prowl.

Try to quell that animalistic energy as you head into Julian with its bucolic vibes and all-around PG rating. Bop around the quaint Main Street and stumble into shops like Antique Boutique to find tchotchkes of yore and Julian Book House to search for romantic inscriptions on the flyleaf of used novels. Before you settle back in for another long ride down State Highway 78, stop by Julian Beer Co. to bring the howl back with a pint of the award-winning and aptly titled “Carnal Intent” black IPA.

The post 20 Hot Date Ideas to Try Across San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Deviled Eggs | Grilled Oysters A La Rockefeller | Jidori Chicken Kiev

I want a deviled egg shop. I would only visit that shop once a year, because deviled eggs are a deeply enjoyable food that bring a flood of best memories and briefly resuscitate your long-gone grandma, then, after one full serving—like a candy corn—you need to not see again for another 364-and-a-half days. But life would be better knowing this bistro existed (even if it was forced to become a money-laundering drug front to survive), because a solid deviled egg is a big bang of American happiness.

December 24, 2024

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In absence of that, I’ll take Ponyboy. It’s less a restaurant than a poolside dinner party and R&D space at The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma. And it’s the debut of what could be the city’s next great restaurant group: Service Animals, from longtime San Diego drinks man Ian Ward (hailing from three-Michelin-starred Addison) and chef Danny Romero (also ex-Addison, plus opening chef at Wormwood and a guy with a great pop-up dinner concept, Two Ducks, with his brother Dante). They launched Ponyboy with chef Josh Reynolds (Wormwood), former Addison sommelier Kyle South, and hospitality expert Patrick Virata.

The heart of the concept is neo riffs on 1950s-era, moon-landing Cold War food and drink: TV dinners and stroganoffs and ambrosia and an absolutely remarkable chicken Kiev. It’s the cuisine of greasers, socs, Julia Child, MFK Fisher, duck-and-cover drills, low-grade nuclear paranoia, and Jell-O proliferation.

Cured in beets and hibiscus, Ponyboy’s deviled eggs (served on a bird’s nest of dried noodles) are the color of Crown Royal bags. Inside is a light, dreamy payload of traditional deviled-egg mousse whipped with pistachio praline, then topped with candied pistachios and a sprig of watercress. The flavors are incredible, and it’s a visual treat that looks like Easter around Salvador Dalí’s pool. The eggs do lose something with the psychedelic prettifying, though; either due to the curing liquid (salt dehydrates and hardens proteins) or because they’re a tad overboiled, the egg whites are vaguely rubbery. That said, if the ass-end of pencils tasted this good, I’d eat them with enthusiasm.

The drinks menu belongs at a backyard pool party to celebrate dad’s promotion to General Motors middle manager. It’s filled with dreamy tropicalism, which dominated cocktails in the ’60s because that’s when commercial air travel in the US took off.

People came back from trips to Hawai‘i and tried to replicate that mystical wonder through happy hours. Boozy tiki culture escapism was a guiding social light. So Ponyboy has banana daiquiris, Mexican Firing Squads, Singapore Slings, Bahama Mamas, and Pink Squirrels. Ian Ward is one of the most thoughtful, accomplished drinksmen in the country, so this ranks as one of the best poolside bars in the city now.

The team pilfers the Great Receptacle of Unduly Ignored Wedding Gifts and brings fondue for two tableside—a large ceramic pot painted with grandmotherly love and burbling with gruyère, aged white cheddar, Parmesan, wine, and a touch of sodium citrate (science’s great contribution to cheese society, it helps fromage stay smooth), served with roast vegetable crudo and bread from the fantastic upstart Companion Bakery. It’s exactly as you think it might be. “Pot of cheese” is the culinary precursor to Xanax; it eases all moods (even if staring at the nutritional realities of that much burbling dairy does sting the Pilates part of you).

Ponyboy serves an ambrosia salad. The lack of fruit salads in modern America continues to be a gross injustice. Remember when we discovered fruit in the 1980s? Every self-respecting potluck and party had a fruit salad. Not having one was like not having a carving station at your brunch buffet or low-key disappointment at your gender reveal party.

Ambrosia’s a classic Southern dish that showed up in the late 1800s when stores realized people would buy fruit despite the fact that it grows on trees. The original recipes were pretty much just three layers: orange slices, coconut, and sugar. In Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food that gave the gods their immortality. Without it, they became weak, and mortals would allegedly die if they ate the gods’ ambrosia. Old gods are brutal. Over the years, ambrosia got a bad rap because people made it like the lovably malevolent “fruit” “salad” that my mom brought to every party in the ’80s—just a bunch of fruit-in-corn-syrup cans dumped into a bowl with tiny, multicolored marshmallows… one part nature, six parts prediabetes.

January 23, 2025

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Not in the business of slow-murdering my whole youth soccer team and their parents, Ponyboy’s recipe is different. The restaurant gives mandarins, fig, pomegranate, and coconut a light tossing in lime zest, melted marshmallows, Tajin, and mint. The fruit is in-season, with hints of chiles and herbs. What a treat.

If you’re going to do astronaut-glory-day food, Jell-O is required. It shows up as the centerpiece of the fisherman’s-catch ceviche (Ponyboy is one street over from the sportfishing docks, and star fishmonger Tommy Gomes brings over fresh arrivals from the dock behind his fish shop, Tunaville).

Admittedly, “seafood Jell-O” sounds like something they’ll serve on the last boat remaining after sea levels swallow life as we know it and the last chef standing is just trying to bring a little joy to the sopping-wet final bow of humanity (and managed to evade the aquapocalypse with some agar agar in tow). But it is excellent. The local catch of the day (rockfish, sometimes, or vermillion) is brined and cured in lime juice and tossed with pickled onions, avocado-chive oil, and borage flowers (a cucumber-esque edible). In the middle, molded in a canelé, is Clamato Jell-O (seasoned with charred shallots and cilantro). It doesn’t eat like a gimmick; it adds a fresh acidity and that famous texture. If you’re experiencing fear, think of it like the shrimp in your loaded bloody mary or remember the tons of other seafood dishes throughout history that have included a gelée.

The oysters “Rockefeller” should be called “Rajafeller.” They’re grilled, then loaded with Mexican rajas—roasted and stripped poblano peppers and crema with spinach, lemon, and crispy leeks. With all due respect to the iconic dish, this is far better and perfectly Californian.

Not all is flawless. Getting to the root of why the local tuna “casserole” unsettles me may require light therapy. Sashimi-size medallions of raw local tuna are seared and crusted with potato flour and plated with hot Parmesan tagliatelle and a tomato-tuna sauce (which is traditionally served in vitello tonnato). Maybe it’s because I was expecting a true casserole (which is dumb, given the playfulness of the group), and my disappointment about not getting a misshapen square of molten Betty Crocker doesn’t allow me to appreciate its deconstructed charms. Or perhaps the problem simply lies with this dish’s base phrase: “hot noodles, cold fish.”

The Baja riffing also takes the stroganoff into a wildly different planet than the classic dish.

The word “stroganoff” sparks a simian craving for meat, mushrooms, booze, broth, cream, and carbs—all hearty, bass-note flavors. At Ponyboy, a barbacoa rub brings sweet baking spices such as allspice and cinnamon to the party. It’s like expecting an everything bagel and only realizing it’s cinnamon raisin after you bite it: not bad, just jarringly misaligned with the dish you remember accidentally dripping onto Grandma’s crocheted tablecloth.

The undisputed star of Ponyboy’s show is the chicken Kiev, a dish once so popular that it was manhandled and reputationally destroyed by every cut-rate, dull-knifed diner cook. Ponyboy brines Jidori chicken breasts, pounds them out, then makes a truffle butter with real Perigord truffles. The chicken is wrapped around that compound butter to form a roulade, then it’s dredged in egg, flour, Dijon, and panko; deep-fried to a perfect golden brown; and topped with chives and a pipette of reduced chicken jus. It’s served over Robuchon potatoes with roasted veggies. It’s gotta be up for dish of the year.

If you’re going to lean into retro kitsch, lean hard. Get the tattoo. Ponyboy does, and the result is a hell of a good time, backed by some of the top food and drink minds in the game.

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