What’s Next for Arts and Culture in San Diego?
Artists and advocates are building a more sustainable creative future through public funding, political organization, and cross-border collaboration
How San Diego Became a City of Art and Culture
The history, communities, and creative movements behind a cultural scene that extends far beyond the city’s postcard image
San Diego Restored Arts Funding—But the Crisis Isn’t Over
The city’s cultural sector regained millions after a proposed 85 percent cut, yet nonprofits, youth programs and major institutions still face painful losses
31 People Shaping San Diego’s Creative Scene
Meet the artists, makers, and advocates whose work shapes how the city looks, sounds, gathers, and connects
Guest Publisher’s Note, September 2026: The Arts Edition
For Jonathon Glus, San Diego’s next chapter begins with the artists who help us understand where we’ve been
He Saved an Encinitas Landmark Then Built a New One
After Captain Keno’s closed, pro surfer Benji Weatherley gave its tables, dishes, and memories a second life at Breakers Cafe Bar & Grill
How Scrojo Became One of Rock’s Most Prolific Poster Artists
The San Diego designer has created more than 3,000 concert posters over nearly 40 years for artists including the Rolling Stones and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Editor’s Note, July 2026: Hello Again
New editor Emma Veidt gives an introduction and her ode to the once-sleepy, now slept-on North County
The Fireworks Disaster That Made San Diego a Legend
Eighteen seconds, one unforgettable mistake, and a Fourth of July story that somehow gets better with age
5 Unsung Heroes of the San Diego Culinary World
From dedicated line cooks to seasoned bartenders, these are the people making magic happen in city’s top restaurants
Editor’s Note: Restaurants Are People, June 2026
SDM owner and food critic Troy Johnson identifies some standout stars in SD’s food scene
The Eight Architects Who Defined Modernism In San Diego
“The Distinct Modernism of San Diego” tells the story of how some architects pioneered their own style in 20th-century San Diego
Publisher’s Note: 101 Reasons to Be Human, May 2026
CEO Claire Johnson introduces the May 2026 issue by reflecting on the necessity of creating a deeply human, non-AI guide to San Diego
The Most Expensive Mistake a City Can Make
CEO Claire Johnson dives into the danger of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts to arts and culture in the city
An Ode to Horton Plaza’s Architectural Insanity
Its M.C. Escher-esque chaos put San Diego at the
epicenter of pop art and
capitalism, changing the
world of mall design forever
Preserving San Diego’s Historical Properties
How “invisible architects” restore some of San Diego’s most iconic buildings—despite financial and policy challenges
Photo Essay: Way, Shape & Form with Maha Bazzari
Inside the angular, detail-oriented world of San Diego architectural photographer Maha Bazzari
Publisher’s Note: Savor the Details, April 2026
CEO Claire Johnson previews San Diego Magazine’s April 2026 issue exploring the latest trends in home and design
The History of Jackass Mail, San Diego’s First Mail Route
Delivering mail in the 1850s came at a price: desert heat, exhausted mules, Comanche raids, a six-figure loss, and one shipwreck
What to Expect in San Diego Sports This Year
We breakdown the upcoming seasons for the Padres, San Diego FC, and the Wave FC with insights from coaches to give us an insider’s sneak peek
Editor’s Note: Desperately Seeking Serendipity, March 2026
Amelia Rodriguez reflects on wandering the neighborhood of Hillcrest and finding pockets of serendipity.
Home Tour: Inside Escondido’s Stunning Net-Zero Sanctuary
Designed by architect Drew Hubbell, this energy-efficient residence built around ancient boulders honors terrain rather than reshaping it
Editor’s Note: The Desert in Bloom, February 2026
Senior Editor Amelia Rodriguez shares what she learned returning to the desert that raised her
Escondido’s Rising Parkour Star Plans a Last All-In Season
A decade after discovering parkour online, Luke Mizel is closing one chapter while keeping the Olympics firmly in view
Matthew Quirk’s Unlikely Path From Journalist to Netflix Hitmaker
The bestselling local author dishes on deranged brainstorm strolls, hiring people to kidnap him, and the hit TV adaptation of his novel “The Night Agent”
Modern Architecture Meets Agriculture in a Fallbrook Vineyard Estate
Built from the ground up, this North County home pairs minimalist architecture with a working vineyard shaped by climate, soil, and intention
