In June of 2020, Vince DiMella’s 28 years of Fletcher Cove surf sessions finally paid off—literally. Those years spent running with his surfboard under the kitsch-meets-classic, hot pink Solana Beach sign that led to the waves below, gave him an idea for a new business venture.
The kind that would sit in homes as plugged-in, mantlepiece décor. With this illuminating idea, the local artist and entrepreneur’s latest company, Category6LED, was born. His new venture would pay homage to San Diego’s iconic neighborhood signs by turning them into miniature, glowing versions of themselves that locals can display in their homes.
With these scaled-down versions (most signs are about half-a-foot by two feet) came the need for a different kind of technology. Neon is breakable and expensive. So, DiMella opted for the more energy-efficient and affordable medium of LED in order to make the right curves and angles to do our city art justice.
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“I didn’t invent or create LED. I just found a different way to use it and utilize it in an artistic way,” DiMella admits. A reasonable price point is also important to DiMella, with the signs ranging from $125 to $160 each.
Before Category6LED, DiMella spent time building brands in the surf industry, working to “put [his] own creative flavor on them.” That kind of creative thinking earned him the epithet of inventor. Prior to the overwhelming popularity of these signs, his most high-profile invention to date was a drink coaster made of neoprene (think koozie but coaster)—a nod to his wetsuit surf uniform—which he sold to Budweiser, Coke, and Pepsi.
“That was my first real experience of taking something that no one has ever done before,” he muses.
And the novelty shows no signs of wearing off. DiMella’s signs, which he designs then are built by outside manufacturers, are sold in a bevy of stores stretching from the Cedros Design District at SOLO to Hillcrest’s DiTorr Local Artists.
If you purchase his products online, though, 15 percent of every sale purchased is given back to the sign’s community. From the San Dieguito school system in North County to Little Italy beautifications and the Normal Heights mural project, DiMella has signed many checks to each of the communities he works with. He’s proud to say, “if you do good things… then, things happen.”
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Starting with the original, and often sold out, Solana Beach sign, Category6LED now has 14 San Diego neighborhood signs in their Iconic Community Collection, ranging from Carlsbad to Kensington. But he won’t stop there.
Custom orders are his latest niche. DiMella gushes that he gets “probably four/five emails from people a week, where people are, like, ‘Do Laramie, Wyoming or […] Massachusetts!” Though he has yet to create those bespoke signs, Park City, Santa Monica, Portland, Oregon and Haleiwa, O’ahu have been added to his arsenal, allowing civic ex-pats and those outside of San Diego to join in on the fun.
“The book is basically a piece of advocacy for better urban design wrapped in a sexy guidebook,” says Megan Groth, author of Places We Love San Diego Tijuana. The book—272 pages of the very best places to visit from North County to Tijuana—is rich with beautiful photography and studded with bilingual essays encouraging new and improved public spaces. It’s a love letter, of sorts. And a call to action.
Inspiration for the book struck Groth—an urbanist, educator, and native San Diegan—after she studied architecture in Helsinki, Finland, just one year before the city was announced as the 2012 World Design Capital. When she returned in 2012 for a conference, Groth picked up a portable, photo-oriented guidebook about Helsinki.
But it wasn’t until years later, when she was back home in San Diego, that she rediscovered the book and really began musing about creating a similar guide for San Diego and Tijuana.
Passion for representation, public spaces, and community has been a consistent theme since those early days. The accumulation of all the places in the guide was the result of, yes, lots of research, but also the snowball effect that came from Groth reaching out to “friends and friends of friends and neighbors and just saying, ‘Hey, I’m writing this book. What do you think?’”
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Downtown San Diego Photo Credit: Jenna Selby
Groth embraced the diversity of locations that came from crowdsourcing. She had just one criterion for inclusion: that each place is free and publicly accessible. “I did make a few exceptions for places like the Mingei and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, because I am an architect and both of those projects have recent amazing, architecturally significant renovations,” she notes. “I felt like it was important that those were celebrated.”
Though your typical guidebook is penned with a visitor’s perspective in mind, Groth hopes to see Places We Love taken up by locals and tourists alike. “I think the goal was not to restrict it, and so not to write it in a way that didn’t feel accessible to everyone,” she says.
Her desire for an inclusive look at the area also drove her decision to make the guide a binational one. “I don’t know of any other book that shows both [Tijuana and San Diego] together as one, and that is the reality of so many people that live here,” she says. Blurbs describing each place—regardless of what side of the border it’s on—are published in English and Spanish, and Groth drew visual connections between the two cities by ensuring that Tijuana and San Diego were photographed “in the same vein.”
Groth and her team commissioned more than 15 photographers to shoot the book’s locations, resulting in a beautiful array of styles, including both digital and analog snaps. Though Groth allotted creative control to the photographers, she did stress the importance of capturing the relationship between people and space, which is why you’ll see locals and visitors hanging out in almost every photo.
A 100-or-so-word blurb packed with history and fun facts accompanies the photograph of each location. Groth also uses this space to urge people to visit and care about these places and to emphasize the importance of public spaces. “We need to further invest in these places and understand how they came to be so that we can make more now and in the future,” she says.
Photo Credit: Jazzmine Taylor
She believes that bringing “more [and] better” public spaces to San Diego and Tijuana requires an equal division of work between top-down and bottom-up policies. “The truth is, you have to have both because, if not, you’ll have communities organizing and working very hard without the support of the city or country, and you’ll have public entities putting resources into policies and plans without community support,” she says. “Neither scenario is effective or sustainable.”
Coincidentally, around the same time that Groth was putting final touches on Places We Love, San Diego and Tijuana were jointly named the 2024 World Design Capital. Groth, however, feels that “it’s not that we are a world design capital as much as I think this is a year that we can really galvanize around [that title] to promote things—you know, move the dial.” And that’s exactly what she aims to do with her book: to guide us not just through the San Diego and Tijuana of today, but to the future of public spaces.
Amanda Parmele is a third year undergraduate student at UCSD and works at SD Magazine as a Photography/Visual Editing intern. She takes photos for her school newspaper, is a writing mentor, and loves surf photography, though she cannot surf to save her life.
Anyone seeking some of San Diego’s best noodles has likely wandered to Convoy, our city’s official Pan-Asian Cultural District. We won’t pretend that beloved cluster of restaurants laying down hot pot, ramen, and bibimbap isn’t a major part of Kearny Mesa’s appeal, but there’s much to do in the neighborhood besides chowing down. You’ll find shops slinging imported goods and adventure-ready active gear here, as well as performance venues, unique date spots, and opportunities to take to the sky or sea.
This Korean supermarket is a one-stop shop for grocery items like marinated meats, kimchi, and banchan (side dishes), plus imported housewares and beauty products. There’s also a food hall onsite with five vendors offering quick-service bites like Korean corn dogs and fried chicken.
7725 Balboa Avenue
Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot
Hot pot restaurant chain Shancheng Lameizi has 20-plus locations in Beijing, but the eatery is harder to find stateside—Convoy’s is one of only three in the US. Here, you’ll cook meats and veggies at your table in two bubbling broths: one spiced with Guizhou peppers, the other more mild.
4225 Convoy Street
O’Brien’s Pub
Surrounded by Asian eateries, this American pub with an Irish name stands out on Convoy Street. O’Brien’s was one of the first craft breweries in San Diego. Emphasizing hoppy beers on tap and Belgian ales in bottles, they also have great pub food, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and housemade soups.
4646 Convoy Street
Realm of the 52 Remedies
This cozy hidden speakeasy in Convoy Street’s Common Theory serves creative, seasonal cocktails and small plates. Guests pass through a stark-white apothecary before emerging into a sexy, dimly lit drinking den slinging mixes inspired by everything from manga and anime to classic Japanese treats.
4805 Convoy Street
Two Hands Corn Dogs
A popular street food in Seoul, Korean corn dogs are fried in a rice flour batter for a crispy exterior with chewiness beneath. Two Hands offers a broad range of batters, seasonings, and fillings, including cheese sticks and plant-based franks for vegetarian diners.
3860 Convoy Street, Suite 100
RakiRaki
RakiRaki is best known for its ramen (get the spicy miso tonkotsu with mochi noodles), but chef Junya Watanabe’s popular local restaurant chain also serves other staples from Japanese cuisine, such as gyoza, curry, sushi, and crispy chicken karaage.
4646 Convoy Street, Suite 102-A
The Butcher Shop
This retro, Chicago-style steakhouse serves all the standards: prime rib, lobster bisque, salt-covered baked potatoes. The Butcher Shop grills all its beef—from dainty steak medallions to a formidable 48-ounce tomahawk—over mesquite wood.
5255 Kearny Villa Road
MNGO Cafe
The moniker says it all. This little sweet shop transforms its namesake fruit into all sorts of desserts, from cakes, ice cream, and kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) to milk teas and lemonades. But you’ll find other flavors here, too, including strawberry-, lychee-, and taro-based treats.
4176 Convoy Street
Zion Market
Seeking pre-made Korean foods or sushi-grade fish to make rolls at home? Stop by this sprawling grocery store. Zion Market also houses counter-serve eateries, a location of the delicious Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette, clothing shops, a travel agency, and more.
7655 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
Cafe Hue
Crepes are king at Cafe Hue, which serves sweet and savory versions of the paper-thin pancakes (the nutella-stuffed is most popular, but don’t sleep on the cookie butter). Guests can also get Belgian waffles, coffee, and rotating flavors of gelato.
3860 Convoy Street
Courtesy of Marukai
Kearny Mesa Shops & Boutiques
BOOKOFF
Bibliophiles should set aside at least an hour to browse through the shelves at this packed-to-the-gills used bookstore. Those searching for hard-to-find manga and older DVDs and TV shows may have particular luck here. BOOKOFF also vends figurines and collectibles and purchases used items to resell.
4240 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite 128
Marukai
This vibrant, mega outpost for Japanese goods sprawls across three buildings, vending groceries, grab-and-go bites, toys, electronics, porcelain dishware, and even furniture. Signs throughout the shelves stocked with food offer suggestions and instructions for popular Japanese dishes.
8151 Balboa Avenue
REI
Kearny Mesa is home to one of San Diego’s two REI locations, a campers’ wonderland slinging activewear and must-haves for backpacking, rock climbing, and other outdoor adventures. REI also offers a bike shop, a ski shop, and used and rental gear.
5556 Copley Drive
Road Runner Sports
Overwhelmed by the deluge of running shoes on the market? Leave it up to science. The staff at Road Runner Sports will create a 3D scan of your feet to determine the best-fitting shoes (and even socks!) and create custom insoles for your trotters. You can also check out their activewear, fitness gear, and nutrition products.
5553 Copley Drive
Sin City Skates
Owned and operated by experienced skaters, Sin City Skates is a great spot for beginners just foraying into roller skating to gear up and get some expert tips. The shop also offers lessons and transforms ordinary shoes—including sneakers and Doc Martens—into tricked-out skates.
8280 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 126
Courtesy of Hendo Studios
Things to Do in Kearny Mesa
Axe Thro Co
Before indulging on Convoy Street, stop by the family-owned Axe Thro Co for a fun workout and personalized instructions for improving your aim. Groups can also pass time at onsite pool tables while waiting for their turn to toss.
4428 Convoy Street, Suite 310
The Golf Bar
Practice your swing at The Golf Bar, where simulation technology allows you to play 18 holes in the great indoors. You can also order beer and bites, catch a game on TV, and try your hand at other simulated sports like baseball and soccer.
5583 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
Mic Drop Comedy
This spacious stand-up venue has welcomed major names like Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, and Emma Willmann. Mic Drop hosts shows nearly every night and occasionally offers classes for aspiring comics.
8878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
The Unlockables Escape Room
Grab your besties and test your mettle against a series of puzzles. Games at The Unlockables’ Kearny Mesa location ask you to create an antidote to end a zombie apocalypse, pull off a pawn shop heist, and figure out whether the high school principal is an extraterrestrial.
7380 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 205
San Diego Sky Tours
Get a birds-eye view of the San Diego skyline with this veteran-owned business’s aerial tours and biplane flights. Former military pilots from San Diego Sky Tours can take you on a thrilling ride full of loops and rolls or offer a more relaxing jaunt over the ocean to catch sight of whales and dolphins.
Executive Airpark, 3717 John J Montgomery Drive
Hendo Studios
Your band’s music video shoot just got an upgrade. Hendo Studios offers 2,000 square feet of studio space complete with makeup stations and an audio recording area for capturing photos, films, commercials, podcasts, and more.
4898 Ronson Court, Suite E
Ocean Enterprises
Take advantage of San Diego’s seaside locale by getting up close and personal with some aquatic critters. Ocean Enterprises offers scuba diving lessons, special courses in subjects like underwater photography, and scuba gear rentals and repairs.
Mimi Le is a web intern at San Diego Magazine. She is currently majoring in Communications at the University of California - San Diego with a minor in Marketing and plans to graduate in spring of 2024. She is always looking for creative and culturally-enriching ways to fill her days.
Ocean Beach is the quintessential laid-back, free-spirited California beach town. While much of its retro culture has persisted through the decades, OB has also welcomed many modern restaurants, bars, and shops, attracting a new generation of food lovers and sandy surfers.
Here’s where to chow down, hang out, and gear up next time you’re wandering Newport Avenue and its nearby streets.
Courtesy of the Wonderland Ocean Pub
Ocean Beach Restaurants & Bars
Mad Munch Grilled Cheezer Co.
If you’re craving some warm, tasty, and cheesy comfort food, stop by Mad Munch Grilled Cheezer Co. Get their original grilled cheese and tomato soup, or mix it up with a breakfast sando, a meaty “cheezer,” or a basket of deep-fried cheddar cubes.
4871-B Newport Avenue
The Template
Zebra print couches, ivy-covered bird cages hanging from the ceiling, a dinosaur skeleton sculpture… this is not your mama’s coffee shop. The Template offers creative lattés, as well as a kava bar, and hosts live music jam sessions on Monday nights.
5032 Niagara Avenue
OB Noodle House
OB Noodle House is a popular local spot for Asian-fusion dishes like steak phở and fried rice. It’s also where the Screwball peanut butter whiskey shot originated, and it was featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If Guy gives his blessing, you know it’s gotta be good.
You know the feeling of sitting in a dark, dull bar, looking around, and thinking… Now what? Well, those days of sipping your beer in boredom are over. At Kilowatt Brewing, you can play giant Jenga, participate in weekly trivia, exercise your creativity on a massive Lite-Brite board, and take down your friends in Battleship, all while enjoying craft brews under neon lights.
1875 Cable Street
Azúcar
For both sweet and savory pastries, visit Azúcar, a Cuban-style patisserie in the heart of OB. There are dozens of options to choose from, but make sure to try the Cubano sandwich, guava and cheese pastry, and meat pies.
4820 Newport Avenue
Blue Water Seafood
Serving only local fish, Blue Water Seafood is a popular spot for locals to come grab a fun cocktail alongside chipotle butter–doused shrimp tacos or yellowtail sashimi. Added bonus: You can enjoy the catch of the day with a view of the waves.
5083 Santa Monica Avenue, Suite 2B
The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro
You get the best of both worlds at The 3rd Corner. The spot is half wine shop and half trendy bistro, so you can explore the store’s extensive vino selection before bringing your bottle over for dinner with a mere $5 corkage fee.
2265 Bacon Street
Lighthouse Ice Cream
Whether you’re 5 or 95, the best way to end a day in the sun is with a massive ice cream cone in hand. Luckily, Lighthouse Ice Cream is only a few steps from the beach and offers a wealth of fun ice cream and sorbet flavors, including a hot waffle ice cream sandwich.
5059 Newport Avenue, Suite 102
Wonderland Ocean Pub
At Wonderland Ocean Pub, you can enjoy delicious tacos, burgers, and cocktails with a perfect view of the waves. On Mondays, the restaurant lays down local mussels in four different sauces for $10 a pound.
5083 Santa Monica Avenue, Suite 2B
It’s Raw Poke Shop
A no-frills, counter-service shop, It’s Raw Poke Shop has made a name in the community for its fresh, delicious fish and edamame and mac salad sides, all served just steps away from the sand. Don’t expect tons of toppings here: It’s Raw serves poke lightly dressed over rice.
4991 Newport Avenue, Suite A
The Holding Company
Located in a three-story building in the heart of OB, The Holding Company is a music venue, restaurant, and rooftop bar all wrapped up in one, ensuring you don’t need to go anywhere else for your night out on the town. You can even come back the next morning for a bloody mary and eggs benny to cure your hangover.
5046 Newport Avenue
Raglan Public House
Head over to Raglan Public House for New Zealand–inspired burgers and craft beers and cocktails. Popular dishes include the wagyu smash burger, seared rare ahi tuna burger, and classic NZ meat pies and chips.
1851 Bacon Street
La Doña
Quality Mexican cuisine? Check. Good vibes? Check. Woman-owned? Check. Head chef and owner Gabby Lopez draws from the flavors of Guadalajara and Baja California. Enjoy a spicy marg and ceviche al fresco on La Doña’s shaded outdoor patio.
1852 Bacon Street
The Olive Tree Market
If you don’t have enough time for a sit-down meal on your way to the shore, stop at The Olive Tree Market, a local spot for craft beer and wine, basic groceries, and legendary deli sandwiches. Seriously. Your beach picnic will never be the same.
Lili Kim is a content coordinator and writer for San Diego Magazine, with experience highlighting local businesses and communities. When not writing or shooting film, she is likely brewing her seventh cup of tea of the day or strolling along Sunset Cliffs.
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
West of downtown San Diego sits Point Loma, a rugged peninsula known for top-notch food and shopping. As the landing place of the first European expedition in California and, later, the US military’s first San Diego foothold, the area has a complex history, much of it on display at Cabrillo National Monument and other local preserves and museums. Next time you’re nearby, check out some of our favorite spots to eat, shop, play, and learn in our Point Loma neighborhood guide.
The oldest house in Point Loma is now a cozy café vending breakfast, salads, and sandwiches (including gluten-free bread and pastries). Out to eat, but up against a work deadline? Rent a desk in their co-working space for 15 percent off your meal.
1018 Rosecrans Street
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Prepare to spend a full afternoon at Stone Brewing’s Liberty Station—in addition to an eclectic menu and a bar with 40 taps, the legendary local brewhouse boasts a bocce ball court, outdoor cinema space, and garden.
A longtime SD institution (it touched down in the city in 1963), Point Loma Seafoods draws on generational recipes to craft the soups and sauces that accompany the restaurant’s fried fish, sushi, tacos, and shellfish cocktails.
2805 Emerson Street
Liberty Public Market
Picky friend groups, you’re in luck. With more than 30 teeny eateries, this popular food hub has a plate for every palate, plus communal seating where you can reconvene. Not much is a miss here, but Filipino spot White Rice and The Mini Donut Company are must-tries.
2820 Historic Decatur Road
Con Pane Rustic Breads and Cafe
Con Pane’s team arrives onsite at 1 a.m. every day to bake levain loaves in a French stone hearth. Pick up a week’s supply of artisanal bread or settle in for a pastry or sandwich with a cup of joe from San Diego roaster Cafe Moto.
2750 Dewey Road, Suite 105
Supannee House of Thai
This laidback lunch and dinner spot serves curries and stir-fries, as well as Thai classics like larb, tom yum, and green papaya salad. Artfully arranged and crowned with flowers, the restaurant’s dishes are almost too pretty to eat.
2907 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 110
Bali Hai
Since its opening in 1954, this famous Shelter Island spot has laid down more than 2.7 million deceptively strong mai tais. Enjoy Polynesian-inspired plates and waterfront views under the watchful eye of “the Goof,” the eatery’s iconic tiki mascot.
2230 Shelter Island Drive
Harbor Town Pub
Drop by this family-friendly pub for generous portions and a surprisingly robust list of craft cocktails, plus weekly BBQ slider nights, trivia, taco Tuesdays, and karaoke. The little ones can drop quarters in the arcade while grown-ups have a pint or two from Harbor Town’s 16 taps.
1125 Rosecrans Street
The Wine Pub
Grab the leash—this spot for light bites and full glasses welcomes pups on its heated patio (and provides a special menu just for them). The Wine Pub also hosts local musicians, trivia nights, and wine-centric trips to Valle de Guadalupe.
2907 Shelter Island Drive, Suit 108
Courtesy of Moniker General
Point Loma Shops & Boutiques
Paru Tea Bar
Paru sells loose-leaf teas, many sourced from small-batch tea gardens in Asia, and mills matcha in-house. Schedule a tea tasting in store, or sign up for a subscription to get three new teas sent to your home each month.
3034 Cañon Street
En Concordia
The staff at plant boutique En Concordia are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to figuring out what leafy new pal best suits your lifestyle and your home’s light. They also offer homewares, toys, and pantry items ideal for gifting.
3028 Cañon Street
Rare Bloom Boutique
The hallmarks of breezy coastal style—lightweight knits, wide-legged pants, flowy sundresses—are available at Rare Bloom. Once you’re outfitted like a lifetime San Diegan, pick up some California-inspired goodies for your home, too.
2841 Cañon Street, Unit G
Sea Hive Station
Buzz by Sea Hive Station to browse gifts, homewares, clothing, and accessories from more than 150 San Diego-based brands and small businesses. On every second Sunday of the month, the store hosts an outdoor vintage market.
2750 Dewey Road, Suite 103
La Playa Books
Searching for a read that’ll keep you turning pages into the wee hours? Head to La Playa, a women-owned shop vending new and used books. Join one of their two book clubs (including one that centers wine) to befriend fellow bibliophiles.
1026 Rosecrans Street
Rekindle Pottery
Hit Rekindle Pottery for wall art, home décor, dinnerware, and more (as well as private pottery lessons for aspiring artists). To shop in person, you’ll have to book an appointment, but you can browse the collection online at any time.
2770 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 208
Shop Moniker
After grabbing a coffee or cocktail at Moniker General, mosey over to the retail side to peruse men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, home goods, and personal care items. Stock up on their hand-poured candles as fail-proof housewarming presents.
2860 Sims Road
Courtesy of the Monsaraz Point Loma
Things to Do in Point Loma
Cabrillo National Monument
In addition to being one of Point Loma’s best scenic viewpoints, Cabrillo National Monument offers visitors the chance to learn about the historic significance of the area, explore the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, take a hike on the Bayside Trail, and spot marine critters in the tide pools.
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
The Pearl Hotel
With 23 rooms lining an oyster-shaped pool, the Robert Platt–designed Pearl Hotel earns its name. On Wednesday nights, tune into a cult classic film poolside as part of the 64-year-old resort’s “dive-in” movie series.
1410 Rosecrans Street
The Monsaraz San Diego
Sitting near Fisherman’s Landing, this Portuguese-influenced, mid-century modern hotel is a pet-friendly Hilton property home to Dark Horse Coffee, a local roaster, and Westley, a coastal-inspired restaurant and bar.
1451 Rosecrans Street
NTC Arts and Culture District
Liberty Station’s former Naval Training Center now houses oodles of artsy opportunities. Galleries, nonprofits, art supply stores, theaters, music studios, and restaurants call the arts and culture district home, hosting local pieces and performances.
2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 201
The Bar Method
Tone up with this boutique fitness studio’s low-impact workout classes, which incorporate elements of pilates, yoga, and ballet to strengthen your muscles, keep your heart pumping, and create community among attendees.
3125 Rosecrans Street, Suite B
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
A favorite date spot among locals, the 68-acre Sunset Cliffs Natural Park affords visitors spectacular sea views and access to tide pools. From mid-December to April, keep an eye on the water for passing gray whales headed toward Alaska.
Ladera Street
New Americans Museum
Liberty Station’s New Americans Museum celebrates and explores America’s immigrant past, present, and future through art exhibitions, verbal history lessons, and social-impact initiatives with a goal of creating connections between cultures and combating racism and intolerance.
Mimi Le is a web intern at San Diego Magazine. She is currently majoring in Communications at the University of California - San Diego with a minor in Marketing and plans to graduate in spring of 2024. She is always looking for creative and culturally-enriching ways to fill her days.
A Michelin-recommended ramen spot. A vintage store for sneakerheads. A natural oasis home to more than 500 species. It’s not solely the population that’s diverse in the inland suburban community of Mira Mesa—it’s the adventures, too.
Here are some of the top spots to eat, drink, shop, and explore in and around Mira Mesa:
Ramen at Menya Ultra Photo Credit: Justin Halbert
Mira Mesa Restaurants & Bars
Loving Hut
Loving Hut dreams up vegan alternatives to some of your most beloved American and multicultural classics. Try plant-based carne asada fries, pad thai, pho, burgers, burritos, and more. The restaurant even offers their own takes on certain chain restaurant favorites, like the McLovin’, an animal-free version of the Egg McMuffin.
9928 Mira Mesa Boulevard
Menya Ultra
Menya Ultra nabbed both critic’s and reader’s choice for Best Ramen in our 2023 Best Restaurants issue, and it scored a spot in the Michelin Guide this year. The business began in Japan in 1994, and SD is the only US city where you can try their housemade noodles and deeply umami-flavored broth.
8141 Mira Mesa Boulevard
Caked
Sweet spot Caked offers more than 30 cookie flavors, including inspired varieties like chocolate-dipped strawberry and milk tea. Dietary restrictions? Go for the vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip.
8680 Miralani Drive, Units 129–130
Little Sakana
Founded by two Mira Mesa locals, Little Sakana specializes in all-you-can-eat sushi. Wash down nonstop nigiri and specialty rolls with shared pitchers of fruity soju cocktails like the Sweet Heart, made with guava, yogurt, and club soda.
8270 Mira Mesa Boulevard
TP Banh Bao 3
Sure, there’s Vietnamese coffee, smoothies, and egg rolls, but the stars of the show at TP Banh Bao 3 are the buns. You’ll find 21 different kinds on the lineup, available à la carte or in boxes of nine. Regulars like the chicken-and-egg and the bacon-filled breakfast bun, plus the sweet taro for dessert.
11271 Camino Ruiz
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood, Inc.
SD-based wholesale fishery Hawaiian Fresh Seafood ships their sashimi-grade catch to restaurants all over the US—including its local own poke shops. Head to their Centerpark Labs location for pre-sauced scoops of ahi, octopus, and more, plus cooked sandwiches, tacos, and plates.
6491 Weathers Place
Golden Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant
Local mixologist Dannika Underhill named Golden Chopsticks’ salt-and-pepper wings part of her perfect local dinner in a 2021 episode of our Happy Half Hour podcast. Chase your order of wings with classic Chinese dishes like chow fun, fried rice, and honey-walnut shrimp.
8155 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Unit 9
Jaunt Coffee Roasters
Jaunt Coffe Roasters serves cold brew and lattes alongside light bites like açai bowls, breakfast burritos, empanadas (try the sweet corn and basil), and baked goods. If you fall in love with their java, sign up for a customizable subscription of ethically sourced coffee, selecting the quantity, frequency, and flavor (including single-origin beans, coffee blends, and a surprise option).
8680 Miralani Drive, Unit 131
Courtesy of Kickback Vintage & Sneakers
Mira Mesa Shops & Boutiques
Haha Fashion
Bursting at the seams with cute, colorful apparel, gifts, stationary, and accessories, Haha Fashion is a great spot to grab gifts for fans of anime, Studio Ghibli, and Hello Kitty. Check out their robust assortment of collectable Sonny Angels.
9460 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Unit C
CSU Thrift
Add sustainable secondhand finds to your closet without spending hours sifting through the racks at Goodwill. The team at CSU Thrift handpicks pre-loved streetwear with a focus on retro band and sports merch and vintage Nike, New Balance, and Adidas.
9460 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Unit N
Kim Long Jewelry
The mother-daughter duo that own Kim Long Jewelry will help fine-jewelry shoppers find the perfect future heirloom. They also fix broken chains, repair watches, and replace lost stones at an accessible cost.
8995 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Suite B
Daiso Japan
The Mira Mesa location of this gift shop chain sources homewares, stationary, toys, and other goodies from Japan, from purely practical buys like toothpaste tube squeezers and exfoliating washcloths to fun stuff like plushies. Many items will set you back a mere $1.75.
9420 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Unit B
Kickback Vintage & Sneaker Store
Sneakerheads know that keeping up with the market for Jordans and other Nike lines is like a sport unto itself. Keep your collection sharp with coveted, fairly priced styles from Kickback Vintage, plus slick secondhand tees, sweatshirts, and hats.
9910 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Unit C
Dasheen Jewelry Studio
Searching for a ring as unique as your beloved? Dasheen Jewelry owner Dikran Nodznaia will work with you to select stones and metals, create molds, and craft the perfect piece. The studio also offers jewelry repairs, restoration, deep cleans, and appraisals.
9823 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite F
Courtesy of Performance Archery
Things to Do in Mira Mesa
Mira Mesa Lanes
Home to one of the country’s largest youth bowling programs, Mira Mesa Lanes hosts leagues for multiple age groups (including grown-ups) and skill levels. In addition to 44 lanes where you can practice your strike shot, they have a full service bar and snack bar, billiards, and an arcade room.
8210 Mira Mesa Boulevard
San Diego Ice Arena
Glide into the San Diego Ice Arena for public skate sessions and ice hockey and figure skating lessons. Kids and adults looking to unleash their inner Wayne Gretzsky can join the rink’s hockey teams, armed with equipment from the onsite pro shop.
11048 Ice Skate Place
Rockin’ Jump
Anyone who’s ever watched American Ninja Warrior and thought, “I can do that” can live that dream at Rockin’ Jump, a trampoline park equipped with a heart-pumping challenge course and a stunt bag arena, plus a climbing wall, a dodgeball court, and more.
8190 Miralani Drive
Performance Archery
This bow-and-arrow wonderland is San Diego’s largest indoor archery range. Beginners nine and older can book classes to learn how to let ’em fly, while more experienced Hawkeye types can stroll into the pro shop for a new bow or hunting gear.
8665 Miralani Drive, Unit 301
Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is paradise for birdwatchers—more than 175 avian species take flight from the area. You’ll also find massive oak trees, a stream hopping with tree frogs and crayfish, and a waterfall cascading through ancient volcanic rock.
Mimi Le is a web intern at San Diego Magazine. She is currently majoring in Communications at the University of California - San Diego with a minor in Marketing and plans to graduate in spring of 2024. She is always looking for creative and culturally-enriching ways to fill her days.
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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