A new, all-ages-friendly reason to brave the throngs of little humans at Legoland: Miniland San Diego—a Lego version of America’s finest city—has opened at the park with all of our favorite landmarks depicted in tiny plastic block form. Highlights include the Gaslamp sign, Coronado Bridge, San Diego Public Library, Petco Park, The San Diego Fair, and Santa Fe Depot.
Majorette
Grand Opening in Rolando
The team behind College Area’s beloved Scrimshaw Coffee just opened up a restaurant and bar further down El Cajon Boulevard in Rolando: Majorette. Picture a dog-friendly patio out front and classic bar fare with twists, including shared plates, sandwiches, and milkshakes for dessert. Highlights include the flat-top burger, dad’s beer snacks (tinned fish and saltines), a Cubano with slow-cooked mojo pork, house-made sausage, and sauerkraut.
McGills
Courtesy of Tony Hawk
A Skate Shop Begins Again
After 35 years, legendary Encinitas skate palace McGills Skate Shop has moved locations to 140 Encinitas Boulevard and recently reopened. Guests at the grand reopening included Tony Hawk, skate photographer (and SDM contributor) J. Grant Brittain, Rodney Mullen, and Bryce Wettstein. (In that legend-filled photo are, from left to right, Steve Caballero, Kevin Staab, Christian Hosoi, Stacy Peralta, Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, and Lance Mountain.)
Arawayuu
Photo Credit: Odom Media
Woven Together
Color fiends, rejoice: San Diego accessories brand Arawayuu just released its 2023 spring-summer collection. The local brand, run by founder Maria Salazar, who is originally from Colombia, sells handwoven mochila bags and clutches made by artisan women of the Wayuu tribe in La Guajira, Colombia. The new collection features neon versions of the company’s signature bags, bright tassel earrings, and yoga mat straps.
The tech-assisted meditation tools from San Diego–based inHarmony help practitioners reach whatever higher level they seek. Its mindfulness gadgets, including hooked-up cushions, massage tables, and a brand-new sound lounge (all of the above in one), utilize sound, vibration, and frequency. Each device can be paired with inHarmony’s app featuring music meditations.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
The world lost an icon when the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner, passed away on May 24. The trailblazing singer, actress, and author’s life is celebrated in the new musical, TINA–The Tina Turner Musical, which runs July 25–30 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. From her humble beginnings in Brownsville, TN, to her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner and a triumphant comeback that cemented her reputation as one of the greatest musical acts of our time, Tina was simply the best.
Pickleball Courts Westfield UTC
Pickleball’s In Your Court
The pickleball craze shows no signs of slowing down, and, for a limited time, you can hit the courts at Westfield UTC. Open through July, the mall’s three regulation-size pickleball courts (located above True Food Kitchen) are available on a first-come, first-serve basis—no pun intended. Bring your own gear and show off your skills during regular daylight hours. Use of the courts is complimentary.
Oddish Wine Bay Park Winery
Photo Credit: Danielle Adams
Nothing “Oddish” About It
As co-founders of Lost Cause Meadery, Bill and Suzanna Betz know their way around a fermenter. Recently, the duo opened another drinking establishment: Oddish Wine in Bay Park. Specializing in minimal intervention wines made with Southern California grapes, Oddish also offers an array of ciders, spritzes, vermouth, and amari (gotta catch ’em all). Nestled next to Lost Cause, Oddish is located at the Gärten, a multi-vendor space that also includes Pizza Cassette and Deft Brewing.
Malibu Dream Lounge SDCC 2023 – XLE Productions
Courtesy of XLE Productions
Come On, Barbie, Let’s Go Party
Bring your retro, Barbiecore dreams to life at the Malibu Dream Lounge pop-up during San Diego Comic-Con (July 19–21). To get in on the plastic action—held beneath Parq nightclub—reserve entry into any of XLE Productions’ Comic-Con parties (they all take place at Parq). During the day, reservation-holders can visit the lounge and enjoy themed cocktails (non-alcoholic sips are also available), photo ops, and immersive experiences. After dark, VIP guests can dance the night away to the sounds of DJ Atomic Blonde and get dolled up with glitter and cosmetics from viral TikTok sensation Designer Dust Co. Prices vary.
Jennifer Ianni is a long-time San Diego journalist whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, PACIFIC magazine, Point Loma-OB Monthly, PB Monthly, and more. She’s a native San Diegan who loves puns, pop culture, dive bars, yoga, extra dirty martinis, walks with her dog, Luna, and hanging out with her nephew, Jay, and her niece, Siena.
This month’s hot list celebrates the return of lowriding in National City, a different kind of boozy kombucha, yet another hotel refresh, and some truly gorgeous poetry
Miixt’s new canned vodka-kombucha drinks in flavors Strawberry Lemonade, Peach, Mango, and Tangerine
Turn That Kombucha Up to 11
Kombucha with a kick pops up again in San Diego—this time in a different form. Miixt launched its first-to-market canned vodka-kombucha drinks. They’re low-carb (no added sugar), high in antioxidants, and gluten-free. Initial flavors include strawberry lemonade, peach, mango, and tangerine, and each can holds a mixture of organic, raw kombucha brewed in San Diego, vodka, fruit juice, and sparkling water. The result is an incredibly sessionable drink that’s different from typical hard kombuchas since the alcohol is added rather than fermented. It clocks in at just 4.5% ABV, 110 calories, and five grams of sugar.
lowriders, san diego
Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
Lowriders Cruise Again
Crank up the lowrider jams and rev those engines: Earlier this spring, National City’s city council voted to repeal a ban on cruising that was initially enacted in 1992. In recent years, many California cities lifted their lowriding bans—National City was the last in San Diego County to do so. Expect Highland Avenue to host its legendary vintage car parades again soon.
A Plucked Zither by UCSD Ph.D. student Phuong T. Vuong
Plucked from Memory
UCSD PhD student Phuong T. Vuong just released A Plucked Zither, a beautiful and haunting collection of poems that spans space and time. In particular, she explores the dichotomy of making a home in the United States and Vietnam, two countries that have fraught war-torn histories with one another, and what that legacy means for the people left in the wake. In addition to her own observations of refugee migration and its aftermath, Vuong also leans on the anti-war Vietnamese singer and songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn, teasing out themes of grief, longing, and justice.
Interior of the Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina
Waterfront Upgrade
Located right on the waterfront, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation devised by Boston-based Parker Torres Design. Upgrades to the two-towered hotel include refreshed guest rooms and presidential suites with subtly nautical navy blues and wood; a Top Golf Swing Suite; and a brand- new lobby in the North Tower. Marriott members (and any guest willing to tack on the fee) have access to the lobby’s M Club Lounge, functionally a perk- filled coworking space offering continental breakfast, all-day snacks, and evening hors d’oeuvres and sweets.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
To the delight of anyone consistently underwhelmed by jarred sauces (me), an artisanal brand called Romolo & Remo has sprung up in City Heights. Their Roman-style tomato sauces are fit for pastas, pizzas, and anything else that requires red liquid gold. Chef Nico Del Guidice-Piña was raised in Rome, where his mom is from, returning to the United States in 2007 to live and attend high school in City Heights, where he’s been ever since. The sauces come in four varieties with either a garlic or basil base, each with a spicy option aided by chile de arbol. Hand-jarred (and delicious, I can confirm), the sauces are always vegan and gluten-free, with no added sugars.
SD Museum of Natural History – 50th Anniversary Canyoneers Program
Into the Wilderness
If dating app profiles are to be believed, hiking is easily one of the most popular activities among San Diegans. This month is the San Diego Museum of Natural History’s 50th anniversary of its Canyoneers program, comprised of volunteer naturalists who offer free, expert-guided hikes all over SD County. What began in 1973 as an advocacy group to help preserve Florida Canyon has evolved into a full-fledged program providing natural history interpretation and info on regional flora and fauna. A list of led hikes can be found online.
Nomadic, Presented by The Colony
Desert Dreaming
If you’ve been hearing about new stuff popping up in far East County, you’ve been hearing right. The latest opening is Nomadic, presented by The Colony, an artistic playground-slash-desert-resort with glamping, a geodesic dome, motel rooms, full RV hookups, customized park model homes, and an on-site arts collective. The park model homes are designed by Leslie K. Monroy, a local cannabis florist and installation artist, each with its own color and theme (’60s Sunrise Yellow, ’70s Afternoon Blue, ’80s Sunset Purple, and the others garden-themed). It’s in Jacumba Hot Springs, right past the Golden Acorn Casino.
Pop Up Picnic Co. – Picnic + Flowers
In Full Bloom
Bust out those wide-brimmed hats and floral digs: Pop Up Picnic Co. is hosting Picnics + Flowers through May 14 at Carlsbad’s The Flower Fields. The picnic series includes ranunculus-filled ocean views, a prix-fixe meal, a variety of non-alcoholic drinks like aguas frescas and iced teas, cold towel service, and a Polaroid photo. The picnics are also customizable for guests with accessibility limitations. There’ll be two seatings per day at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tickets available online for $125 per person.
Oh Glory Day Spa, North Park
Glory Be
A brand-new day spa, called Oh Glory, has arrived in North Park. Focusing on holistic treatments that incorporate acupuncture, facials targeting microbiome and cell regeneration, massage treatments that fuse intuitive modalities with traditional techniques, and powerful plant compounds like healing herbs, cold-pressed organic oils, and floral waters, the program is designed to bring peace to both body and mind. Owners (and best friends for 17 years) Jessica Anderson and Serena Kahlen have long careers in spa care: Kahlen, an esthetician for 20 years, owns La Jolla’sZio Skin Spa. Anderson has been a hairstylist for 20 years and owns Salvage Salon and the newly opened Lovesong Coffee next door to the spa.
Palihotel San Diego
Downtown Digs
Adding to the ever-growing list of posh lodgings debuting in the Gaslamp is Palihotel San Diego, a 122-room boutique hotel from the chic Palisociety portfolio. The site was originally built as the St. James Hotel in 1912—the transformed version has stylish, modern updates as well as design features that nod back to the building’s early 20th-century roots. The hotel also boasts a guest-only roof deck and a new restaurant, Saint James French Diner, which melds American diner-style food with French bistro classics.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
Throughout late January and early February, researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography released nontoxic pink dye at the mouth of the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, which turned the surf pink at Torrey Pines State Beach. The experiment, titled Plumes in Nearshore Conditions (PiNC), aims to study how small freshwater outflows interact with the surf zone, a little-understood process that has important implications for how pollutants, sediments, larvae, and other materials spread into the coastal ocean. Preliminary data analysis will be completed soon, with a peer-reviewed publication to follow.
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Luxury Underfoot
Local luxury flooring company Duchateau has released its first designer collection with renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Each design is named after a prominent architect—for example, Niemeyer, Lutyens, Neutra, Napoleon III, Jeanneret, and Palladian—with a corresponding hue and underlying wide plank 9.5-foot European oak.
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Photo Credit: Leah Paquette
Drinks & Kinks
On March 11, ReBru Spirits in Barrio Logan will host Bondage & Brews: Hoe Down. It’s a live rope bondage, BDSM, burlesque, pole, and queer line dance show with an erotic art display featuring a variety of well-known and loved BDSM and burlesque performers, including Gisella Thorn and Ginger N. Whiskey. Tickets are $65 if you buy beforehand, or, if there are any left, $75 day off.
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Photo Credit: Jasmine Fitzwilliam
In The Club
Coffee-turned-wine-and-home-goods shop Communal (locations in Oceanside and North Park, including the newly opened Haven) just released a monthly wine club. Selections focus on biodynamic and natural wines. Memberships start at $165 for three months and include two bottles a month. Club members will also have access to a monthly pick-up party, a “Glass Pass” for free bottles or glasses (depending on the length of subscription), a monthly exclusive gift, and 10 percent off all bottles in shops.
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Safer Streets
When it comes to pedestrian accessibility, little improvements often have big impacts. Recently, Balboa Park access in the Golden Hill area has become much safer and easier thanks to a $380,000 project to restore the pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists along 26th Street. Started in 2019, a makeshift trail created by bicyclists and pedestrians over the years was formalized by California Conservation Corps members who cleared, widened, and stabilized the trail, adding fencing, a small bridge, and 25 baby coast live oak trees.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
Viral and hilarious Instagram sensation (also our January cover star) Sholom Ber Solomon and his wife, Carli, sell children’s pajamas via their label, Tegan and Ollie. Named for the couple’s two daughters, the brand combines Sholom’s hand-drawn designs with hypoallergenic bamboo fabric, with offerings ranging in size from itty bitty babies to big kids, the latter of which is the most recent update to the brand.
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Courtesy of Marrow Fine Jewelry
…Do Us Part
Del Mar-based stackable ring sensation Marrow Fine Jewelry released a white limited edition version of its popular “Til Death” enamel ring, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Meant to be worn alone or stacked alongside other enamel or gemstone rings, this particular piece is intended for the goth-at-heart.
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Courtesy of The Rope Collective
All Tied Up
The Rope Collective—dedicated to practicing the art of bodily rope tying solo or with a partner—is hosting an all-abilities, “Anti-Valentine’s Day” rope class at its new Barrio Logan studio. This class will teach the foundations of rope, basic ties and rope-handling skills, and a flow tie for a chance to get creative and sink into the moment. Couples, friends, and solo flyers are all welcome.
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Courtesy of Lil Bucks
Little Snacks, Big Brand
Tasty-but-healthy buckwheat snack and superfood-topping brand Lil Bucks began in Chicago, but its founder moved to San Diego in 2020, so it’s now HQed in South Park. Since the SD-relocation, the company has duplicated its revenue 20-fold and become a national brand: Look for it locally in Kroger, Whole Foods, Jimbo’s, and, most recently, Ralphs.
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Courtesy of the City of San Diego
What’s in a Name?
The city of San Diego launched an online naming contest for its new, all-electric street sweeper, which was decided this past fall. The public has duly dubbed the roving cleaner Sweep-E, and it debuted in December at Balboa Park to clean up for December Nights. Watch out for it around the city!
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
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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