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San Diego Mag’s Top 10 Most-Read Articles in 2023

The very best articles coming out of our 75th year, as chosen by readers
San Diego Magazine's 75th anniversary cover featuring a young man, a dog groomed to be a lion, and a cake with the number 75 on it
Photo Credit: Matt Furman

This year was a milestone for us. We celebrated our 75th birthday, introduced the inaugural Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, partied with readers at our SDM events, debuted a fully revamped website, and covered some of the best stories coming out of our very fine—and very newly minted “most-expensive city in the nation“—home. What an honor.

To celebrate all that 2023 has brought us, we’re taking a look back at some of your favorite stories by our editors and contributors. Here are SDM‘s top 10 most-read articles from this year:

Appetizer from San Diego Magazine Best Restaurants 2023 winner Callie featuring a baked appetizer topped with veggies
Photo Credit: Eric Wolfinger

1: San Diego’s Best Restaurants, 2023

We asked, you answered. And the votes poured in like good, crisp hard kombucha on a sunny San Diego day. Here’s the best of the best in the food world, according to you (and us).

Image from San Diego Magazine article focused on San Diego County Fair food featuring a cinnamon roll food truck owner
Courtesy of the San Diego County Fair

2: 10 Wild, Weird, Damn Good Eats at the SD County Fair

By Troy Johnson

Y’all are weird. And we like it. When we put out a list of the wildest foods to try at this year’s county fair, you grabbed your stretchy pants, coastered up the 5, and chowed down on Hot Cheeto sandwiches and mermaid floats like the youthful folks you are.

Image from San Diego Magazine article focused on the best liquor store sandwiches in San Diego

3: The Best Liquor Store Sandwiches in San Diego

By Emily Blackwood

Forget national chains and sub shops—you devoured our list of local markets with delis inside. From heroes to hoagies, San Diegans proved that they’re just as obsessed with sandwiches as everyone’s favorite pal, Joey Tribbiani.

Image from San Diego Magazine article focused on the renovated Lafayette Hotel in North Park
Photo Credit: Jared Cross

4: The LaFayette Hotel San Diego Reopens Following $31M Renovation

By Jared Cross

Since it was one of the most anticipated openings of the year, we weren’t surprised that this SD icon’s rebirth caught our reader’s attention. Zebra prints, ostentatious furnishings, and velvet everything—The LaFayette returned under Consortium Holdings as an amusement park for the eyes.

Photo Credit: Johanna Siring

5: The Newly Renovated Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel Opens Its Doors

By Mara Altman

This year, Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel made its debut with a huge facelift and a fascinating story that started with a group of friends who wanted to purchase the property and ended up with an entire town instead. It’s a must-read.

Three-Star Michelin chef's new burger restaurant called Tanner's Prime Burgers
Courtesy of Tanner’s Prime Burgers

6: Three-Star Michelin Chef Opens New Burger Joint in San Diego

By Troy Johnson

We love a good burger. So when we heard that Brandon Rodgers of The French Laundry was joining up with Brandt Beef to open Tanner’s Prime Burgers, we were eager to break the news. And you ate it up, too!

The best breweries in San Diego featuring an interior shot of Pure Project
Courtesy of Pure Project

7: 15 of San Diego’s Best Breweries

By Beth Demmon

Honestly, no notes. This one was an obvious choice for a city that loves its craft brews. Beer guru Beth Demmon picked her favorite breweries in San Diego, and you took note. Sharpen your pitchforks—it’s a “best of” list.

Image from San Diego Spa Guide 2023 featuring a large man with a full boy scrub, cocktail, and towel on his head
Photo Credit: Stacey Keck

8: San Diego Mag’s Ultimate Spa Guide, 2023

SDM Staff

One of our most-read pieces each year is always our spa guide. It’s hard assignment for us staffers—we head into the city to check out the newest, best, and most interesting treatments in the spa world, just for you, our readers. Your very own ahhh guide, if you will.

The reopening of Gilly's House of Cocktails under new ownership in North Park
Courtesy of Gilly’s House of Cocktails

9: Incoming: Gilly’s House of Cocktails

By Troy Johnson

When a beloved SD institution goes through a change in ownership, you watch, listen, and pray that it doesn’t lose its heart and soul. The brains behind some of San Diego’s top cocktail bars ushered in a new era for Gilly’s Cocktails recently, promising to keep it nearly the same—save for a few modern touches.

The best family-friendly restaurants in the city featuring an image of milkshakes at Corvette Diner
Courtesy of Corvette Diner

10: 20 Top Family-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

By Beth Demmon

Topping out our top 10 list is a guide for families dining out. From thoughtful kid’s menus to toys and games, these eateries around town are parent- and kid-approved.

By Nicolle Monico

Nicolle Monico is an award-winning writer and the managing digital editor for San Diego Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in media including Outside Run, JustLuxe and The San Francisco Chronicle.

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