At San Diego Magazine, we strive to be the definitive guide to our region, in all its diversity, drama, and deliciousness. To that note, 2024 was a big year for our reporting. We covered this region with sensitivity, flair, and a love of all things SD. We explored big issues, famous houses, and great food and introduced our readers to some of their most interesting neighbors. We went inside classic restaurants, a very special Tijuana orphanage, and famous nuclear boobs—and we did it all with some of the best writing you’ll find in the state. Below are 25 of our favorite stories from a very big year.
These reader-submitted vignettes are full of heart and SD flavor: bagels in North Park, love notes at Gossip Grill, karaoke in PB. The city itself feels like a romantic lead, nudging each relationship toward destiny—kindergarten photos found after a fire, dates aligning with parents’ anniversaries, and even a chance airport seatmate who becomes a soulmate. San Diego is an iconic rom com setting waiting to happen.
A spinning story of grace, grit, and gorgeous tradition, escaramuza is pure poetry on horseback, with twirling mares, cobalt skirts, and a side of danger that keeps it thrilling. SDM Associate Editor Amelia Rodriguez’s story of Las Reynas del Sol is an intimate look at identity, community, and chasing something bigger than yourself, all wrapped up in one wild, beautiful ride.
A damn good burger and the nostalgic rebellion of a cash-only, sticky-note system. Hell, yes; sign us up. Rocky’s is more than a burger joint—it’s a time capsule of authenticity in a world obsessed with reinvention. Troy Johnson takes us inside the cloud of meaty aroma and reminds us that great food is sometimes about resisting the noise of modern life and savoring something unchanging, messy, and gloriously real.
With a blend of science, creativity, and hilarity, writer Mara Altman gives us the skinny on SoCal’s most famous bulbous nuclear landmarks, while proving that these domes aren’t just punchlines—they’re engineering marvels, blending form, function, and funny.
Photo Credit: Cole Novak
What Your Favorite San Diego Surf Spot Says About You
Well? Is Coronado part of South Bay? Or a bougie island—ahem, peninsula—all its own? Coronado joins South Bay in certain official capacities, but is it really South Bay proud? We talk to experts, including Coronado’s mayor, to answer the question once and for all. Sort of.
Writer and Maui local Danielle Allaire traveled back to her hometown neighborhood of Lahaina one year after fires devastated the area. The result is an intimate, tender, and honest look at the complexity of rebuilding a beloved place after tragedy.
It isn’t easy out there for SD’s artists. Rising rents and a stagnating collector market spell trouble for small San Diego galleries and the art artists they support—but SDM Associate Editor Amelia Rodriguez’s reporting offers glimpses of hope. This story is a window into what goes into keeping SD’s arts scenes alive. Gallerist Melody Jean Moulton flipping pandemic lemons into creative lemonade, leaning on community, and refusing to let skyrocketing rents snuff out her spark? That’s art.
We love a story that punches through stereotypes. SDM’s own Nicolle Monico goes inside the ring with SD local Ann “Mitt Queen” Najjar to better understand how grit, talent, and a dash of sibling rivalry can rewrite the rules. Najjar is carving out space for women in a male-dominated sport and inspiring a new generation.
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Meet the Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Only Permanent Guest
We loved introducing our readers to Claude Rosinsky, and our readers loved learning about her. Her story did number on our social channels. Mrs. Rosinsky is a true character in SD. The 82-year-old has lived all over the world, but when she found herself needing specialized medical care, she found home in a very unique place. Simply a great, punchy magazine story.
Dating is hard out there. Not just for you—for everyone. In 2024, Managing Digital Editor Nicolle Monico explored SD’s dating scene in-depth through her column Unhinged. Week after week, Monico gave readers an inside look at her own dating journey, as well as context for why it’s so strange trying to find love in a digital, app-based world. Dating can be lonely, but Monico’s column provided solace, humor, vulnerability, and information for thousands of readers. And she found love through her writing—what a journey.
Writer Mara Altman takes us to the top of SoCal’s iconic palms to investigate what’s eating them and introduces readers to the beetle-killers fighting to keep them alive. Her narrative takes a serious subject and makes it fun and interesting, while not forgetting that this is an economics story as much as it’s environmental.
Photo Credit: James Tran
Inside the SD Restaurant with a Year-Long Waitlist
Food critic Troy Johnson introduces us to the SD family who built themselves a must-visit backyard restaurant in a 100-year-old Indonesian hut, helping change state regulations in the process.
For years, Israel “Iz” Castillo has been shooting fun and funky medium-format portraits in the middle of the street in Little Italy. For our November issue, we spoke with some of his subjects to hear what makes them tick while offering our readers a look at Iz’s one-of-a-kind collection.
SD is full of iconic houses, but few rise to the level of the Yen house from legendary local architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg. With stunning photos and voices from those who grew up in the house, this story speaks to what makes this structure sing.
Joan Jacobs transformed SD’s cultural scene through philanthropy. Shortly after her death, we sat down with her husband of 70 years, Irwin Jacobs, at the table where they shared their coffee every morning. It’s an intimate look at an iconic local couple.
Punjabi Tandoor isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a community haven where homesick diners find comfort and the Saini family helps redefine what it means to belong. Writer Madhushree Ghosh’s story is about more than food—it’s a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community.
Babs Fry is a real-life superhero armed with chicken broth, cameras, and a singular, relentless drive. Writer Sean Burch takes us inside her truck as she works to help San Diegans reconnect with their fluffy lost loved ones. The story shows that Fry’s work is about hope and purpose as much as it is about finding lost pets.
Our readers loved this story because it takes us inside a subtle dance between legacy and individuality. Jakob Nowell isn’t merely carrying the torch for Sublime—he’s bringing his own light. Nowell’s reflections on music, family, and finding his own rhythm in his father’s shadow resonate deeply while showing that San Diego’s vibe is as timeless as Sublime’s music.
Quite simply, we love this story. Juana Ortiz’s Eunime Por Tijuana orphanage is a sanctuary where children with HIV find laughter, hope, and belonging. Lilly Corcoran’s story highlights resilience in the face of stigma and the immense capacity of one woman’s heart to ensure every child knows they’re cherished. Plus, sneaking 20 dogs into an orphanage? Pure, chaotic joy. This story radiates an unshakable belief in brighter tomorrows.
Tens of millions of people know Jordan Howlett (@jordan_the_stallion8) from his viral videos, but few knew he’s an Oceanside kid. This profile gives readers an inside look at how Howlett went from a shy kid to one of the internet’s biggest stars.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters
CA Birth Center Closures Deepen an Existing Maternity Care Crisis
California’s maternity system is in peril, so, for our September California issue, we partnered with CalMatters to bring readers this story about protecting spaces where lives begin with care and intention. A heartbreaking, important story.
We love this story from writer Randy Dotinga because it captures the joyous and rebellious spirit of San Diego Pride while honoring hard-won progress for a community that has journeyed from hidden “fairy dives” to the mayor’s office. SD’s parade isn’t just a celebration—it’s a vibrant and unapologetic declaration that love and identity deserve to shine, and it’s been going for five decades. Iconic.
For our October STEM issue, writer Claire Trageser explored AI’s potential to revolutionize healthcare while wrestling with the balance between innovation and ethics. AI might predict diseases and fix errors, but it’s the story’s human heartbeat—cautioning against unchecked progress—that stuck with us.
One of the coolest things SDM did in 2024 was dedicate a full issue to South Bay, something that had never been done before in the 75-year history of this magazine. The project turned out to be our best-selling print issue in years, and it highlights that SD is so much more than North County beaches and North Park restaurants. Our South Bay issue featured a photo essay from the 619 Gurlz, a creative collective of women photographers using film to capture the essence of their community. The results are a beautiful and intimate look at one of SD’s most dynamic areas, told by some of the people who know it best.
