Partner Content Archives - San Diego Magazine https://sandiegomagazine.com/category/partner-content/ Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:22:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://sandiegomagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-SDM_favicon-32x32.png Partner Content Archives - San Diego Magazine https://sandiegomagazine.com/category/partner-content/ 32 32 Forget What You Think You Know About Pawn Shops https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/forget-what-you-think-you-know-about-pawn-shops/ Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=96204 There is a new class of pawn shops that are popping up in larger cities like San Diego that are turning the industry on its head. Forget the dingy spaces full of tools and think upscale, bright, classy showrooms with service that rivals Nordstrom.  Instead of tools, this new breed of stores are dealing in Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and luxury watches like […]

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There is a new class of pawn shops that are popping up in larger cities like San Diego that are turning the industry on its head. Forget the dingy spaces full of tools and think upscale, bright, classy showrooms with service that rivals Nordstrom. 

Instead of tools, this new breed of stores are dealing in Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and luxury watches like Rolex. On any given day at Posh Pawn, a dozen designer bags will be either bought, sold, or pledged for a loan. 

Beyond the online pawn shops, the industry is seeing a change in the level of service and sophistication at the local stores. Just take a look at the pictures below. Do these look like pawn shops? 

Handbags at Posh Pawn 

In New York, Beauty & Essex also serves as a hidden entrance to a happening restaurant/lounge. 

Here’s the deal: These new, upscale pawn shops are targeting a middle and upper class demographic. These customers looking to sell their luxury goods are finding they can sell their items at very competitive prices without having to suffer waiting for a consignment store to call them back. With a quick text of some pictures and information they are getting quotes to buy their items the same day for cash. 

Now they can walk into a clean, beautiful store and are treated by professional staff who are well versed in all things luxury. In minutes, they walk out with cash. More importantly, they leave feeling great about the experience.   

Why are these new stores so successful? 

  1. By providing an upscale environment to sell old jewelry, designer bags or other luxury items sitting around collecting dust. Within a few minutes you can turn these items into cash to buy something you really want.  
  2. They are providing a mix of NEW and pre-owned jewelry at severely discounted prices. Need a gift for that “difficult to buy for someone”? You can never go wrong giving someone gold. 
  3. Even wealthy people can find themselves in a position of a cash shortage. These stores offer quick solutions with a level of service with which they are accustomed.

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5 Attractions You Have to Explore on Your Visit to San Diego https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/area-attractions/ Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:00:00 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=95524 Don’t leave SD without stopping by these sites of history, culture, and wonder Building the ideal San Diego itinerary? We’ve got you covered. These five iconic institutions offer ways to wander through the city’s rich history on sea and land, spend time with the work of iconic and up-and-coming artists and musicians, and soak in […]

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Don’t leave SD without stopping by these sites of history, culture, and wonder

Building the ideal San Diego itinerary? We’ve got you covered. These five iconic institutions offer ways to wander through the city’s rich history on sea and land, spend time with the work of iconic and up-and-coming artists and musicians, and soak in beautiful nature and our area’s spectacular weather. Don’t leave the city without checking out these unmissable attractions.


Maritime Museum of San Diego

History doesn’t just sit behind glass at the Maritime Museum—it floats. Docked along the waterfront, this fleet of historic vessels lets you climb aboard and time travel. The Star of India, an iron-hulled beauty built in 1863, is still seaworthy and occasionally sets sail, making her the oldest active ship on the planet. Then there’s the Berkeley, an 1898 steam ferry with stained-glass windows, and HMS Surprise, a movie star in its own right (you might recognize it from Master and Commander). If you’re feeling adventurous, squeeze into the USS Dolphin, the deepest-diving submarine in history. More into Cold War history? The Soviet B-39 attack sub offers a tight, claustrophobic lesson in naval warfare.

And it’s not just a static museum—the Maritime Museum keeps things moving with bay cruises on the San Salvador, a replica of the first European ship to sail the California coast. Whether you’re a history buff or a boat lover or just looking for a unique way to experience the bay, this place delivers. Plus, there’s nothing like the scent of salt air mixed with old wood and diesel to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different era—preferably one where you’re the captain.

1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego CA 92101
sdmaritime.org


San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art sits like a grand dame in Balboa Park, its Spanish Renaissance facade adorned with carved figures that seem to whisper, “Come inside; we have masterpieces.” And they do—Goya, El Greco, O’Keeffe, Rubens, Rivera. The collection spans centuries, continents, and mediums, from gilded altarpieces to modern sculpture. But the rotating exhibitions are where SDMA really shines, bringing in everything from Japanese ukiyo-e prints to contemporary Latin American works that challenge, provoke, and sometimes dazzle.

Its Art After Hours series transforms the galleries into a cultured cocktail party, where you can sip wine and pretend you deeply understand Picasso’s Blue Period. The Sculpture Garden is a serene spot to contemplate art or just eavesdrop on deep conversations if you need fresh air. The museum also plays well with others, partnering with the San Diego Symphony for Art of Elan, a chamber music series where each performance riffs off the works hanging on the walls. Come here for the classics, the cutting-edge, or simply a refined date night. And if all else fails? The gift shop is stacked with artsy treasures you never knew you needed.

1450 El Prado, Balboa Park,
San Diego, CA 92101
sdmart.org


Japanese Friendship Garden

If Balboa Park is San Diego’s backyard, the Japanese Friendship Garden is its hidden sanctuary. Tucked behind the Organ Pavilion, the garden unfolds in tranquil, meticulously designed landscapes, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with Southern California’s natural beauty. Meandering paths lead you past koi ponds, waterfalls, wisteria-covered bridges, and cherry blossom trees that burst into pink clouds every spring. It’s a living, breathing Kyoto postcard—minus the jet lag. 

Beyond its beauty, the garden centers Japanese culture and history, hosting tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower-arranging) workshops, and rotating exhibits in its museum space. Whether you’re here to admire a 200-year-old bonsai, meditate by the cascading stream, or just take a breather from modern life, the garden offers instant zen. If you time it right, the moon-viewing festival or Tanabata (Star Festival) adds an extra layer of magic.

And for those who like their tranquility with a kick of caffeine, the Tea Pavilion serves up matcha and mochi, best enjoyed with a view of the koi gliding lazily through the water. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to experience a city is to slow down and listen to the rustling bamboo.

2215 Pan American Road. E.
San Diego, CA 92101
niwa.org


La Jolla Music Society

At The Conrad, classical music gets a glow-up. This state-of-the-art venue, home to the La Jolla Music Society, delivers world-class performances in an intimate, acoustically perfect setting that makes every seat feel like the best in the house. 

If you think chamber music is stuffy, think again—the society’s lineup spans orchestras, jazz legends, flamenco dancers, and avant-garde experimentalists who use pianos in ways Bach never imagined. The SummerFest series is a highlight, drawing top-tier musicians for weeks of concerts that feel like an upscale Coachella for classical lovers. But the LJMS isn’t just about big names; it’s deeply committed to music education, offering programs that bring the arts to students and aspiring musicians across San Diego. 

And the venue itself? A sleek, modern masterpiece with a lobby that’s basically a gallery of contemporary art, setting the tone before the first note even plays. For lifelong classical fans, jazz aficionados, and newbies looking to get cultured up, the La Jolla Music Society offers an experience that lingers long after the final bow. Bonus: You’re in La Jolla, so pre-show cocktails or a post-concert oceanfront nightcap are practically mandatory.

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, California 92037
theconrad.org


Forever Balboa Park: Balboa Park Botanical Building

After a 32-month, $28 million restoration, the Botanical Building in Balboa Park is back—and looking better than ever. Originally built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, this historic landmark has undergone a serious glow-up, blending old-world charm with modern enhancements. The iconic lath structure has been meticulously restored, its wooden ribs now gleaming in the sun, while newly rebuilt arcades reclaim the grandeur of the original design. It’s the same beloved landmark, just sharper, stronger, and ready for its next century. 

Inside, the plant collection is thriving thanks to a cutting-edge reverse-osmosis irrigation system, ensuring every orchid, fern, and bromeliad gets its VIP treatment. State-of-the-art lighting now extends the magic into the evening, letting visitors soak in the lush beauty long after sunset. And the renovations didn’t stop at the building—the surrounding gardens are also getting a revival, bringing back the splendor that once made this place a horticultural wonderland. 

For plant lovers, history buffs, and anyone who needs a breather, the new-and-improved Botanical Building is a green oasis in the city, now with even more reasons to stop and smell the flowers.

foreverbalboapark.org

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4 Ways to Elevate Your Health and Wellness Routine in 2025  https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/healthwellness/ Sat, 18 Jan 2025 03:12:28 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=95517 Feel your best this year with local and international businesses offering sauna sessions, innovative workouts, thoughtful aesthetic services, and tropical escapes 2025 is going to be your year—especially if you stick to that resolution to move your body and invest in self-care. Luckily, San Diego County and the wider world are flush with businesses that […]

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Feel your best this year with local and international businesses offering sauna sessions, innovative workouts, thoughtful aesthetic services, and tropical escapes

2025 is going to be your year—especially if you stick to that resolution to move your body and invest in self-care. Luckily, San Diego County and the wider world are flush with businesses that make it easy to meet your goals. Seeking holistic solutions to aches and pains? Drop by Pure Infrared Sauna Studio. Filled your 2025 vision board with photos of flawless skin? Cara Studios can make that dream a reality. Have “work out more” on your list this year, but aren’t sure how you’ll find the time? Coastal Fit can tone you up with a once-weekly, 20-minute session. And if you want to combine wellness and wanderlust, The Kayon Resort Ubud is a Balinese escape for anyone who prefers a vacation spot that supports their fitness goals instead of throwing them off. Here’s how to upgrade your health and beauty routine this year.


Sweat It Out with Pure Infrared Sauna Studio  

Sweat and reset at Pure Infrared Sauna Studio’s downtown San Diego and Solana Beach locations. This studio combines the latest in innovative wellness recovery modalities and state-of-the-art equipment in a serene atmosphere to help you reset both your body and your mind.

Owner Matt Stewart is a certified health coach and nutritionist and an athlete who has tried it all—from pain killers and cortisone to CBD and stem cells—to treat and manage injuries and pain and maintain his active lifestyle. He founded Pure to give others access to the holistic tools he’s found most effective—especially infrared saunas.

In contrast to traditional steam saunas, infrared technology uses full-spectrum light to generate heat within the body in a cooler—and more comfortable—environment. It’s designed to induce a deep sweat that soothes achy muscles and joints (making it ideal for athletes or anyone with chronic discomfort), improves circulation, reduces inflammation, boosts your immune system, and helps you flush out environmental pollutants and unwind from daily anxieties. Studies have shown that regular sauna use can lower elevated blood pressure, improve asthma symptoms, and reduce pain associated with conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Each private sauna suite is meticulously designed for comfort, equipped with amenities like calming music and TVs for meditation or entertainment, as well as attentive staff members well-versed in guiding first-timers. Additionally, every sauna sesh comes with medical-grade chromotherapy, which employs colored light to relief stress, boost energy, smooth skin, drive cell renewal, support a more youthful visage, and even whiten teeth.

And that’s not the only way to lighten up at Pure. Clients can book a 10-minute session in a powerful and safe 360-degree red-light bed for a health and beauty double-whammy—the therapy can strengthen cell health and improve skin tone and texture, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and promoting a radiant glow.

If you’re looking to enhance your wellness routine even further, Pure offers more holistic recovery tools in one comfortable studio. Admittedly, not all are as cozy as the saunas—the studio’s cold plunge pools maintain a bracing 50-degree temperature, but immersing yourself in frigid H2O is worth it for benefits like reduced inflammation; lowered levels of cortisol, the stress hormone; and a mood-boosting rush of endorphins. Clients can book contrast therapy sessions to take advantage of both the sauna and cold plunge amenities and maximize the results of each.

Other available modalities include compression boots (ideal for runners and other athletes working to improve their circulation and relieve soreness), a pulsed electromagnetic frequency mat (designed to help with pain and inflammation), and salt therapy with a halotherapy generator that produces salt particles to turn the studio space into the equivalent of a healing salt cave. It’s all at Pure, so you can leave pain, sluggishness, and stress in 2024.

Pure Infrared Studios:
2665 5th Avenue Suite 103
San Diego, CA 92103

437 S. Hwy 101 Suite 107
Solana Beach, CA 90275

pureinfraredsaunastudio.com


Tone Up with Coastal Fit 

Let’s say your goal for 2025 is to get stronger and leaner. You could hire a trainer, scour the internet for workout plans, bump sweaty shoulders in crowded fitness classes, take up jogging, and dedicate hours a day to bicep curls and sumo squats in the gym. Or you could spend 20 minutes a week at Coastal Fit in Encinitas, San Diego County’s largest studio specializing in Whole Body Electro Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS).  

Originating from long-used physical therapy practices, EMS is an FDA-approved technology aimed at delivering maximum results in minimal time. At every EMS session, you’ll don a specialized suit that lines all of your major muscle groups with electrodes. Once the suit gets hooked up to an EMS machine, you’ll feel tiny pulses throughout your body—that’s those electrodes causing 98 percent of your muscle fibers to contract 85 times per second (for context, you’re looking at about one to two contractions in a single muscle group for every second you spend doing a traditional gym workout).   

While the machine does its thing, a Certified EMS Trainer will guide you through a 20-minute workout consisting of low-impact functional movements, including lunges, squats, and light-weight exercises suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. After a cool-down stretch, you’re done—really! Thanks to all those muscle contractions, the session is equivalent to two-and-a-half hours of conventional strength training (in less time than it takes to cook a Rachael Ray recipe). 

Coastal Fit combines this innovative technology with ultra-personalized coaching. The studio’s trainers will spend time during your first visit learning about your health history and current fitness capabilities and goals to create the perfect workout plan for you. They’ll use that info to calibrate the EMS machine to your specific needs, so you can exercise knowing an expert has your back. 

After only a few weeks, you’ll start to feel stronger. By the end of your first month, you may begin to see changes in your body, including reduced fat and toned muscles (plus, that newfound muscle mass may speed up your metabolic rate and help you burn more calories all day long). Because EMS contracts almost 100 percent of your muscles at once, you may notice more symmetry. And EMS’s low-impact methods will limit the strain and pain that may come with traditional training, and the contractions will boost your circulation, improving your immune system and reducing muscle fatigue and tension.  

You’ll get to achieve all these results in Coastal Fit’s peaceful North County studio equipped with handy locker rooms and a roomy stretching space, under the guidance of dedicated coaches, so you can consider your New Year’s resolution as good as met.  

Coastal Fit EMS Studio
613 Westlake Street, Suite 126
Encinitas, CA 92024
coastalfit.com


Level Up Your Beauty Routine with Cara Studios

Want to step fresh-faced into the new year? Head to Cara Studios. Founded by Cara Paymaster, an esthetician and brow artist with nearly two decades of experience, the La Jolla–based studio focuses on safe and effective skincare for all—including those who are often underrepresented in the beauty industry or have a difficult time finding providers with expertise in their needs.

In addition to certifications to treat acne-prone and aging skin, Paymaster has training in scar revision and cancer-safe oncology skincare. She worked with JoElle Lee—known for her role as former first lady Michelle Obama’s esthetician—to learn how to provide services for people of all ethnic backgrounds. Want buccal or myofacial release massage? Paymaster’s got you. Looking for a hands-on, holistic alternative to Botox and fillers or a surgical face lift? She’s trained in Yakov Gershkovich’s popular massage technique.

So, no matter your skin type or concern, you can keep that commitment to regular self-care at Cara Studios. Newbies can start by booking The Facial, a 75-minute treatment that includes cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, and hydration, plus relaxing massages for your face, hands, arms, feet, and scalp. From there, you can work with Cara Studios’ team to determine which services best suit your needs and skin goals, whether that’s a sculpting massage, smoothing hydrodermabrasion, a microcurrent treatment to boost the efficacy of serums and other products, or dermaplaning to tackle acne scars.

If you’re ready to take your facial care routine to the next level, Cara Studios offers a number of acid peels—from the zero-downtime CoolPeel to the powerful BioRePeel—to even out your skin tone and texture, slough off any signs of aging (including fine lines), and brighten your complexion. And skincare doesn’t stop at the neck at Cara Studios. Clients can schedule a clear skin back treatment intended to help bid bacne adieu.

Once your skin is aglow, ensure your brows are as beautiful as your complexion with the studio’s brow waxing, shaping, and tinting services. Or book a brow lamination for a gelled-down look that lasts up to two months. The experienced team at Cara Studios tints lashes and performs lip and chin waxes, too.

With even more treatments available at Cara Studios—including tension-relieving reflexology and a red and blue light therapy lounge with activities designed to help you destress and get in touch with yourself while pampering your skin—it’s easy to find your bliss and give your complexion everything it needs to thrive in 2025.

Cara Studios
909 Prospect St., Ste 100E
La Jolla, CA 92037
carapaymaster.com


Unwind at The Kayon Resort Ubud 

The best way to kickstart a new wellness routine? A full reset. To get centered for a beautiful beginning to 2025, book a stay at The Kayon Resort Ubud. Nestled in the lush rainforests on the island of Bali and perched atop sprawling hills, the resort embodies the art of wellness, offering a gorgeous setting, luxurious rooms, an unmissable spa, a spectacular pool, and a suite of yoga classes to help you slow down and unwind. 

To begin your stay on a relaxing note, the Serayu Spa At The Kayon Resort has a range of services geared toward nurturing your body and soothing any aches and pains. Choose from restorative body, foot, and head massages; nourishing scrubs, baths, and body wraps; and facials, manicures, pedicures, and hair treatments. Time at the Serayu Spa comes with complimentary drinks and bites, and guests can book services individually or in pairs.  

For fitness-focused guests, The Kayon Resort Ubud’s yoga facility provides a diverse lineup of classes, with experienced Balinese yoga instructors teaching strengthening poses and postures, breathwork, and meditation to people of all ages, levels, and abilities. The daily morning yoga lesson at the Yoga Pavilion offers guests a chance to practice at sunrise, facing the lush forest and pool below, with the soft rush of the river as the soundtrack to your stretch. Yoga classes and other fun cultural activities—including Balinese dance classes; cooking lessons; and the chance to experience a Balinese offering ceremony, wear traditional Balinese clothing, or learn how to play the rindik, a set of Balinese instruments similar to xylophones of various sizes—are all complimentary for guests, though you can request a private yoga lesson for a fee to dig deeper into your practice.

Of course, make sure you leave time to recoup by The Kayon Resort Ubud’s spectacular pool. Perched steps away from the resort’s restaurant, above rice fields and the jungle valley, the sparkling, fish-shaped swimming pool offers ample space to swim, lounge, and relax with greenery all around.  

When it’s time to head to bed, The Kayon Resort Ubud has ample options to suit any kind of stay you’re seeking. Guests hoping to experience aquatic ambiance can opt for the River Edge Pool Villa, a contemporary Balinese-style escape built with local stone, bamboo, and woven rattan furniture. Roosting near the river and pool, as its name implies, the villa is surrounded by waterfalls and ravines. Want canyon views? Book the The Kayon River Suite, which comes with incredible vistas thanks to its seat on the cliff overlooking the river. And in the Valley Deluxe Room, you’ll look out at gorgeous tropical jungle views. No matter which room you choose, you’ll be waking up in paradise. 

Book now: thekayonresort.com

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Netting a Win Over Lung Cancer https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/netting-a-win-over-lung-cancer/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 22:22:44 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=95699 How screenings and early detection led to a lifesaving diagnosis

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Dennis Higginbottom smoked cigarettes for nearly 50 years. Though those days are behind him, the 76-year-old remained aware that his habit put him at higher risk for developing lung cancer. Last year, he received the dreaded diagnosis. However, thanks to Scripps’ comprehensive lung cancer screening program, the cancer was found at a relatively early stage. He underwent robotic-assisted, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and today, Higginbottom is healthy and is grateful for the lifesaving care he received. Read more of Higginbottom’s story and about Scripps’ Jana Oliphant Hackett Lung Cancer Screening Program here.

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

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‘Tis the Season for Sleep Troubles https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/tis-the-season-for-sleep-troubles/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:18:17 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=95454 Trouble sleeping during the winter is common. Here’s what to do about it.

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Like clockwork, winter brings shorter, darker days. If you’re someone who struggles to get a good night’s sleep during winter months, know that you’re not alone. When the sun rises later in the winter, it can throw off our sleep schedules. Reduced sunlight could be the reason—the sun is one of the major contributors to keeping our circadian rhythm in check. Fortunately, there are ways we can trick our brains into not giving into the effects of winter’s reduced light. Click here to find out how. 

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

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Get Outside and Seize 2025 on Catalina Island https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/get-outside-and-seize-2025-on-catalina-island/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:31:18 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=94896 Embrace the pace of Catalina Island this season with Bellanca’s Go & Play Winter Getawayoffering discounted ferry tickets aboard the Catalina Express and a room or suite of your choice.

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Embrace the pace of Catalina Island this season with Bellanca’s Go & Play Winter Getawayoffering discounted ferry tickets aboard the Catalina Express and a room or suite of your choice. What’s even sweeter is a welcoming bottle of champagne to toast all the good decisions that led you to this vacation moment.

Departing seven days a week from both Long Beach and Dana Point, the Catalina Express is your ticket to SoCal paradise. Sit back and relax and in just under 90 minutes (and potentially a cocktail and a few magical dolphin pod sightings later) you’ll arrive at an island beaming with possibility. 

Situated just footsteps from the sand of the Avalon Harbor, Bellanca Hotel is blushing with an all-white façade and pops of blue details that give this recently remodeled hotel a vintage European charm while appealing with modern comforts. Sink into your cozy digs featuring a memory foam mattress with the option of quaint courtyard views or stunning ones of the sea. No matter which you choose, all guests are invited to enjoy the hotel’s private sundeck, the perfect place to lounge while marveling at the sailboats swaying in the harbor and the surrounding mountain-scapes.

With package rates starting at just $309, this perfect pair of lodging and transportation are simple click away. And now that you’ve done all the planning, you’ve freed up time to dream about the outdoor activities you’ll participate in once the ferry ports in Avalon. Catalina Island is the ultimate way to keep your 2025 resolution of upping your vitamin D intake by making the most of the great outdoors.

Biking

Explore the island on two wheels with complimentary beach cruisers offered during your stay at Bellanca Hotel. Or if you want to go electric (boogie woogie woogie), e-bikes offer a speedy, gas-free option that are great at traversing hills. Whichever you choose, both come happily equipped with baskets for hauling beach gear or fun shopping finds.

Hiking

By foot the Trans Catalina hiking trail provides over 38 miles of exploration and sweeping views from its highest peak. Become immersed in the nature all around you and perhaps even experience the magic of spotting some of the signature wildlife including bison, bald eagles, or the island’s native foxes, to which the Naughty Fox (Bellanca’s on-site restaurant) was cheekily named after. 

Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Get out on the water via kayaks or paddleboards and enjoy the unique opportunity to view abundant marine life through the area’s crystal-clear waters. While gliding along at your own pace, admire the spectacular reef and kelp forests stunning just off the shore. 

Whisk yourself away this winter by booking the discounted Go & Play Winter Weekday Getaway at Bellanca Hotel available now through March 14th, 2025.

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Hope Starts Here https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/hope-starts-here/ Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:39:24 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=94666 Gillian stood in the kitchen, the soft clink of the knife against the cutting board creating a rhythm they hadn’t known in years. But today, it felt familiar. For over a decade, Gillian had dedicated their life to caring for others. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. They lost their job—and soon after, their […]

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Gillian stood in the kitchen, the soft clink of the knife against the cutting board creating a rhythm they hadn’t known in years. But today, it felt familiar.

For over a decade, Gillian had dedicated their life to caring for others. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. They lost their job—and soon after, their home. The upheaval that followed was swift and brutal.

Gillian lived in their car with their dog, Kaboose, for over a year. They found solace in each other’s company, but there was little else to hold onto. That was until they found Father Joe’s Villages. It was like a lifeline. The staff welcomed them with open arms, offering a bed, warm meals, and, most importantly, a sense of security.

It was at Father Joe’s Villages that Gillian found a new path. They enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program, a 12-week course designed to help individuals in need rebuild their lives. The program not only taught valuable skills but also reignited a long-lost passion.

“Having been away from the industry for a few years, returning to this space has been incredible. Being in the kitchen feels like coming home,” Gillian shared.

Over time, Chef Helen became a guiding force in Gillian’s journey. She helped them regain their confidence, revisiting old techniques while teaching new ones. The bond between Chef Helen and Gillian was undeniable. When Gillian spoke about Chef Helen, they were overcome with emotion.

“I can’t say enough about Chef Helen. She’s incredibly supportive and always anticipating what I need. She’s just amazing.”

In December, Gillian proudly graduated from the Culinary Arts Program, marking not an end but the beginning of a new chapter. With Kaboose by their side, Gillian has the tools to prosper and regain independence, one step at a time.

You can change more lives like Gillian’s with a gift to Father Joe’s Villages today. Visit my.neighbor.org to learn more. Hope starts here.

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Faces of San Diego 2025 https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/faces-of-san-diego-2025/ Fri, 03 Jan 2025 17:41:38 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=94135 What makes San Diego more than just a sun-soaked beach town? Our people. From groundbreaking entrepreneurs to industry-shaping experts, this city thrives on the talent and vision of those who dare to dream big. These innovators are rewriting the rules in health care, finance, real estate, fitness, and beyond, proving why San Diego truly earns […]

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What makes San Diego more than just a sun-soaked beach town? Our people. From groundbreaking entrepreneurs to industry-shaping experts, this city thrives on the talent and vision of those who dare to dream big. These innovators are rewriting the rules in health care, finance, real estate, fitness, and beyond, proving why San Diego truly earns its title as America’s Finest City. Meet the 2025 Faces of San Diego—the trailblazers shaping our future.

The Face of Aesthetic Rejuvenation

Margo Aura Emami, AURAE MD Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine

The Face of Personal Injury Law

James P. Frantz, Frantz Law Group APLC

The Faces of Storytelling

San Diego Magazine/SDM Studios

The Faces of Eminent Domain

James C. Allen, David Semelsberger, George H. Kaelin III

The Face of Biotechnology Development

Krithi Rao Bindal, PhD, MBA, Aroga Biosciences Inc.

The Face of Personalized Healthcare

Karanbir Brar, MD, A Personal Physician

The Face of Dental Implants

Aldo Espinosa, DDS, Bonita Del Rey Dental Care

The Face of Cosmetic & General Dentistry

Sarah Elghor, DDS, Elghor Dental Studio

The Face of Gen AI/ML (LLM) Clinical Trial Automation Software

Nate Hughes, MPH, MPP, M.Phil, Icarus Therapeutics

The Face of Pscyhiatry and Psychology

Ankur Bindal, MD, MPH, FAPA, KAB Medical Group Inc (KMG Psychiatry)

The Face of Family-Focused Law

David Beavans, The Law Offices of David C. Beavans

The Face of Better Hearing

Linda Oliver, AuD, Oliver Audiology & Hearing Aid Services

The Face of Island-Inspired Indulgence

Elizabeth Spencer, Roy’s Restaurant

The Face of Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Srinivas S. Iyengar, MD, FACS, San Diego Eyelid Specialists

The Face of Animal Welfare

Dr. Gary Weitzman, San Diego Humane Society

The Face of Divorce Law

Christopher J. Sunnen, Esq., CFLS, Sunnen Law

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Six Tips to Boost Your Immune System https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/six-tips-to-boost-your-immune-system/ Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:00:43 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=94039 Stay healthy through the holiday season and beyond

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There’s a lot of hype on how to stay healthy, but how do you know what really works. Store shelves are lined with supplements claiming to help your body ward off colds, flu and other common viruses, but health experts say the vast majority aren’t beneficial. Click here for commonsense tips to support immune health from a Scripps physician.

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

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Help Shape San Diego’s Clean Energy Future https://sandiegomagazine.com/partner-content/help-shape-san-diegos-clean-energy-future/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 19:24:12 +0000 https://sandiegomagazine.com/?p=93936 Take San Diego Community Power’s Customer Feedback Survey for a Chance to Win $500!

The post Help Shape San Diego’s Clean Energy Future appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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As part of San Diego Community Power’s ongoing efforts to ensure that it’s meeting the needs of our communities, the local clean energy provider has launched a customer feedback survey. Community Power invites customers to share their insights and priorities to help shape the future of energy in our region — and for the chance to win one of three $500 Home Depot gift cards!

The survey is open to residents and businesses in the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa and National City, as well as unincorporated communities in San Diego County. 

Participating in this survey gives you the opportunity to:

Voice Your Insights

Share what matters most to you about energy services and future innovations.

Make an Impact 

Your insights will play a crucial role in directing the development of clean energy and energy-efficiency programs that align with local priorities.

Win a Prize

As a thank you for your input, you could win one of three $500 Home Depot gift cards available to survey participants!

Visit https://sdcommunitypower.org/customer-feedback-survey to share your thoughts today.

Who is San Diego Community Power? 

As your community-driven, not-for-profit clean energy provider, San Diego Community Power exists to serve you with reliable and renewable electricity. Community Power is focused on what you need and want most when it comes to your energy — whether it’s saving money, conserving energy or learning how to reduce your carbon footprint. Learn more on their website, SDCommunityPower.org.

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