I wanted a dog for over 20 years. I dreamed about having a dog, cried about not having a dog, studied dog encyclopedias, and read dog training manuals. I was obsessed. But I also knew to wait for the right time and city before making it a reality. College in Chicago wasn’t it, and I learned during my postgrad years in New York City that Manhattan’s cramped apartments and unimpressive dog parks (if you could call them that) weren’t right either.
But then came a move to San Diego in 2013—San Diego with its dozens of parks and multiple beaches just for dogs; hiking, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding that include a four-legged friend; restaurants with liberal treat policies and even dog menus; and a blissful climate that means never having to walk a dog in snow, hail, or even much rain. True, the rental market doesn’t make it easy to live with a dog, especially larger breeds, but when you tally the number of things to do with your pooch (you’ll read about them in this story), you realize that San Diego takes “dog friendly” to the next level.
So three months after moving here, I welcomed my golden retriever, Teddy. At the time I was a newbie with no local friends or family, but Teddy forced me to get outside and, in the process, make friends. (News flash: People love puppies.) Even on the days when I felt completely friendless, he still needed to go outside, so I went, too. He kept me going, and I owe a lot of my acclimation to him.
We arrived in San Diego—him a native, me a transplant—around the same time, so all our San Diego experiences have revolved around each other. And Teddy and I do everything together: We enjoy Saturday mornings at coffee shops, kayaking in Mission Bay, and long walks on the beach. For us, like many dog owners, it’s all about the outdoors. And fortunately, the outdoors here just happen to be some of the most friendly, engaging, and accommodating places to hang with your dog. San Diego, you’re pawsome!
At this casual, dog-friendly counterpart to Herb & Wood, Executive Pastry Chef Adrian Mendoza has created two dog treat varieties—one with flaxseed, short rib, and bone broth, and another with peanut butter and seasonal ingredients, like pumpkin.
2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
The Quartyard
Dogs are welcome in the East Village lot-turned-community-park composed of a beer bar, coffee shop, and canteen, but they can also clock in some off-leash fun at the dog run.
1301 Market Street, East Village
The Wine Pub
Beyond a dog menu on the patio, the Point Loma wine bar hosts Woofer Wednesdays, where diners who bring their pups get 10 percent of their bill donated to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
2907 Shelter Island Drive, Point Loma
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
The Patio on Goldfinch
Landini’s Pizzeria
The Little Italy restaurant hosts its Doggies on the Deck Yappy Hour every first Tuesday of the month with complimentary dog treats, as well as pizza, beer, and wine (for humans). Proceeds from each Yappy Hour raffle benefit a different local dog welfare organization each month.
1827 India Street, Little Italy
In-N-Out Burger
When you order a Double-Double Animal Style, don’t forget about your own animal. Ask for the unsalted Puppy Patty—a secret menu item!—for your pooch. Doggy bags are encouraged.
Various Locations
Sprinkles Cupcakes
The dessert pros are sweet on dogs, too. They offer mini sugar-free “pupcakes” topped with yogurt frosting and a bone-shaped sprinkle.
8855 Villa La Jolla Drive, UTC
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
Sally’s Fish House & Bar
The Patio on Goldfinch
Pooches aren’t relegated to the outdoor patio at this Mission Hills restaurant; dogs and their parents are welcome in the front half of the building. Waiters promptly bring dog treats made in-house from beef trimmings, peanut butter, eggs, and water.
4020 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills
The Patio on Lamont
Bring your dog to The Patio’s original outpost in PB, and you’ll receive half off “dogtails,” like the Bloodhound or Pomeranian.
4445 Lamont Street, Pacific Beach
Pardon My French
Hillcrest’s new French restaurant is très dog friendly, with a pup menu that includes eggs, bacon, and chicken breast.
3797 Park Boulevard, Hillcrest
Claire’s on Cedros
While you brunch on their Benedicts and “Clairecakes,” your dog is treated to house-made biscuits on the breezy patio.
246 North Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Sally’s Fish House & Bar
Dogs can sit, stay, and play at this Manchester Grand Hyatt restaurant, where they’ll nibble on treats like carrot peanut-butter muffins and also receive a complimentary tennis ball.
One Market Place, Marina District
Backyard Kitchen & Tap
Sure, they make their own dog treats in house, but the PB eatery also hosts quarterly dog adoption parties with raffle prizes, drink specials (for humans), and goody bags for Fido.
832 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
The Brew Project
Woof ’n Rose Winery
The vintners behind this family-owned Ramona winery pay homage to their beloved shepherd-husky and lab in the dog-themed decor and a few of the vintage names, like the 2013 Happy Tails (a merlot–cabernet sauvignon) and the 2012 Puppy Love (a grenache noir–cabernet sauvignon). And unlike most wineries, Woof ’n Rose allows dogs on property.
17073 Garjan Lane, Ramona
The Brew Project
What’s better than beer? Puppies and beer! Brew Project’s Puppies and Pints event, held on the last Saturday of every month, includes gift basket raffles with puppy toys and treats, beer raffles, and even “pawdicures.”
3683 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest
Encontro North Park
Their new dog offerings read like a pooch’s dream menu, including the Mutt Melt (a beef patty with cheese), hot dogs, peanut butter cheddar biscuits, and Pooch Pops, a frozen blend of shredded ice and chicken. Trust us, they’ll love it.
3001 University Avenue, North Park
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
Crack Shack
La Jolla Brewing Company
There’s the kids’ menu (fish and chips, grilled cheese, etc.), and then there’s the fur kids’ menu. Dogs can dine on burger patties, grilled chicken, and biscuits.
4536 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
The name is a dead giveaway—this place is more than just accommodating to four-legged friends. The menu includes an entire set of dishes for dogs, including brown rice, grilled chicken, and a hamburger patty.
1202 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley
Slater’s 50/50
You won’t be the only one indulging in carnivorous eats. Slater’s dog menu turns out the signature 50/50 patty, as well as chicken or bacon strips.
2750 Dewey Road, Liberty Station; 110 Knoll Road, San Marcos
Anthony’s Fish Grotto
Sit on the peaceful lakeside patio, where pooches can choose from a menu that includes a protein-packed mix of salmon, white fish, and rice.
9530 Murray Drive, La Mesa
Crack Shack
With an all-outdoor space, dogs are allowed anywhere at the chicken- and egg-centric eatery, preferably while munching on one of the house-made treats: a blend of rolled oats, carrot, peanut butter, and agave.
2266 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Starbucks
The omnipresent coffee shop may be a part of your daily routine, but it can be a special occasion treat for your dog thanks to the Puppuccino, an espresso-cup-size dollop of whipped cream.
Various Locations
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
Yappy Hour at Hotel Del
Yappy Hour at Hotel Del
Life is anything but ruff for dogs at The Del. Their long-standing Yappy Hour holds court Sundays on the Sun Deck with “dogtail” cocktails for humans (like a Greyhound), and free Evian water and organic treats for dogs.
Last year the ballpark unveiled six semiprivate, dog-friendly viewing booths in left-center field for up to four people and two dogs. The $100 price tag includes four tickets, a pet relief area, umbrellas for sun protection, a complimentary treat for each dog, and a concierge to escort guests and their pups to their seats. Or look for Petco Park’s annual Dog Days of Summer event (typically in June or July) when pooches are allowed inside for a tail-gate party and pet parade.
The local health food store has a 20-year legacy thanks to founder Tori Rosay, who realized early on the connection between pet health and nutrition. She stocks her three locations with raw food, natural brands, and the store’s eponymous line of healthy biscuits baked in Oceanside.
2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad; 1229 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar; 3773 30th Street, North Park
Westfield UTC
After you work out your wallet, you can work out Rover at Westfield’s on-site Bark Park, which includes a pergola for shade.
The heated pool is available year-round for rehabilitation, private swims, and pool parties for up to five dogs. The resort also offers dog parties in their yard with toys, decor, and pool access.
4393 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley; markimpet.com
Urban Wolf
The new East Village pet boutique is a proponent of organic, all-natural pet diets. They sell raw meals, grass-fed bones, and organic frozen yogurt made from raw goat’s milk, as well as pet blankets, beds, and leashes.
475 10th Avenue, East Village
Animals Talk
Animal communicator Jerri Carroll has been breaking down the language barrier between pets and their owners since 2000. During hour-long sessions—conducted either in person or via photograph—Carroll gives the animal a chance to “talk” and owners an opportunity to ask questions, and all conversation between Carroll and the pets are done in silence. Noise fear? Separation anxiety? End of life woes? She’s heard it all. Results vary from the pet pinpointing a specific need (“can my human leave the music on when she’s gone?”) to helping the pet understand the owner’s concerns. She also offers homeopathic remedies.
$150/hour and $100/hour prorated thereafter, with $35 travel fee; animalstalk.net
Muttropolis
You don’t know high-end doggy fashion until you step into this boutique stocked with plaid dog coats, bejeweled leather collars, a “Chewey Vuitton” plush toy, and yes, even dog strollers.
7755 Girard Avenue, La Jolla; 227 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
The Dog Lover’s Guide to San Diego
Three Dog Bakery
Leeds Dog Supply
The Encinitas-based brand is dedicated to doggy style and do-goodery. Their line of patterned, California-made collars and leashes are durable for indoor and outdoor wear, and 15 percent of every online sale is donated to no-kill rescues and shelters. For fashion that good, it’s the leash you can do.
Lucy Postins—founder of San Diego–based The Honest Kitchen, a natural pet food brand that’s even safe for human consumption—just released Dog Obsessed, a playful guidebook for living with your pooch. It includes 45 recipes (turkey frittata with basil and peaches, anyone?), tips for bringing a new puppy home, health regimens (like a diagram of how to clean dog ears), and essentials for the ultimate dog birthday party. There’s even a forward written by actress Jane Lynch. Pawsome!
Birthdays are a specialty at this North Park pet bakery. They bake custom cakes (even grain-free varieties) and a selection of frosted biscuits, and offer a discount on your pet’s birthday. If Fido really wants to get dolled up for his big day, the bakery is also home to Peticures by Tess.
2818 University Avenue, North Park
Three Dog Bakery
Known for their made-from-scratch ethos, Three Dog has a lineup that includes “pup-kin” spiced latte cookies, peanut butter “beg-als,” and more. The bakery uses the same ingredients we would in our own kitchens, like all-purpose and rice flours.
Dawn Celapino launched her doggy-and-me outdoor workout series in 2005 when she didn’t want to leave her new cairn terrier behind while she was at the gym. The series offers group hikes, boot camps, running clubs, yoga, and more across the county—all with your dog and obedience training woven into each workout. She also lends and sells leashes that tie around your waist for a hands-free workout.
Fitness pro Corey Butts leads a popular boot camp at Liberty Station—and dogs are welcome. Pups can run alongside during ladder drills, hill sprints, and more.
Yoga teacher Marjorie Nass leads Downward Dog Yoga every month at Yogasmoga boutique in La Plaza La Jolla. Once the initial chaos of the canine meet-and-greet subsides—and after a half-hour training session with Dog Zenergy—sun salutations and forward folds follow. Small pups become a part of the routine (e.g. raised with hands in tree pose), larger dogs sit alongside yogis in triangle, and all pooches get a leg stretch that’s been proven to induce tail wagging. Plenty of water and treats are provided, and proceeds from the donation-based class benefit Canine Companions for Independence. The next class is January 10.
Liberty Station–based SUP Connection leads one-hour weekend SUP Pups classes (reservations required) that begin with your life-vest-clad pooch sniffing the board to get comfortable before pushing out into the water, where you’ll paddle under the North Harbor Bridge and spot dolphins at the Navy’s dolphin training facility. They’ve had every breed from German shepherds to wolf-dog hybrids, and the instructor captures all the fun via GoPro.
Aqua Adventures Kayaks & Paddleboards encourages hydrophilic dogs to join their humans for an excursion around Mission Bay and also provides doggy life vests. (Even if your hound knows how to swim, the handle on the jacket makes it easier to pull larger dogs back into the kayak after they inevitably jump out.) Don’t forget the tennis ball for a game of aqua fetch!
With views of Hotel Del and Point Loma, and the iconic gold-flecked sand to frolic on, Coronado is one of the most scenic landscapes, period. The dog-friendly northern section has litter bag posts, as well as a handy hose-equipped washing station so you don’t bring the beach back home with you.
311 Ocean Boulevard, Coronado
OB Dog Beach
This sprawl, often dubbed “The Original Dog Beach,” adopts the nabe’s relaxed vibe and has waves on the ocean side and a strong current (beware!) along the channel.
5156 West Point Loma Boulevard, Ocean Beach
North Beach
The petite half-mile dog beach in Del Mar is off-leash Labor Day through June 15. Street parking is $3 per hour closest to the entrance, but free spots abound just north and south. 29th Street to Solana Beach, Del Mar
Fiesta Island
Recently named America’s best dog park by USA Today, the peninsular park has plenty of space for dogs to run, as well as bonfire rings. It’s also supported by the nonprofit FIDO (Fiesta Island Dog Owners), dedicated to preserving the area as a leash-free zone.
The bright, super-clean East Village spot has separate sections for small and big dogs, further subdivided for calmer and more hyper pups—all cage-free. Staffers ask that you watch your pooch via one-way mirror for 30 minutes during your dog’s first daycare visit as a temperament test. Then you can spy on him via webcam during his stay.
First daycare session free, then $36/day; boarding from $52/night; doozydogclub.com
Dog Days San Diego
Another East Village option. The knowledgable staff at the cage-free Dog Days are one of its best assets (we’ve asked them for training and behavior advice more than a few times). They also have separate rooms for large and small dogs, as well as grooming and walks for an additional fee.
First daycare session free, then $34/day; boarding from $55/day; dogdayssandiego.com
Snug Pet Resort
Amenities at this Sorrento Valley facility include indoor and outdoor play areas, a pool, on-site vet, live pet cam, training, a midday snack, and nap time. Owners who want cage-free boarding must have their dog pass a test beforehand.
First daycare session free, then $30/day; boarding from $49/day; snugpetresort.com
Camp Run-a-Mutt
With seven locations in San Diego County, including Mission Hills, Kearny Mesa, and Chula Vista, there’s likely a CRAM near you. The cage-free facility offers a synthetic lawn, splash pond with waterfall and sun deck, ramps, bridges, dog houses, dog beds, and even a bubble machine. Plus a TV nightcap for those sleeping over.
Rather have your hound stay in a real home? DogVacay’s online interface is similar to Airbnb’s: plug in the location and dates, apply filters like daily budget and whether a yard is a must, and choose from hundreds of local sitters who’ve undergone thorough background checks. There’s 24-hour customer support, daily photos, and insurance with each reservation.
The Northern California–based group trains assistance dogs for the disabled. At their Oceanside outpost, a pressing need is puppy raisers, who foster the animals temporarily, taking financial responsibility and teaching commands. They also need photographers and help preparing lunches for training sessions. (Our cover models are CCI dogs!)
Opportunities at the Rancho Santa Fe nonprofit include delivering meals to pets of disabled citizens, fostering orphaned animals, walking and playing with dogs, and taking your own dog to visit patients in convalescent homes, hospitals, shelters, and mental health facilities.
As part of the Canine Ambassador program, dogs who pass the Canine Good Citizen certification can promote the organization at events, volunteer with Girl Scouts, and partake in a weekly Fur Fix event, when visitors can clock in animal snuggles at the SDHS Morena campus. Other volunteer posts include walking dogs and organizing events.
The folks at Kairoa Brewing Company must never be lonely. It seems like there’s always a local pop-up or event at the University Heights space, from Bincho Taco slinging Japanese coal-fired tacos on the rooftop patio every Tuesday to Yipao Coffee serving coffee from a window on the ground floor. Later this year, the New Zealand-inspired brewery will bring yet another resident into the fold—Mon Chourie is launching its first bakery counter service window along Park Blvd.
Mon Chourie owner and baker Kelly Kim first started selling her Korean-style cream puffs at farmers markets and places like Pizza Kaiju, Pho Ga Go, and Mixed Grounds, collaborating with a myriad of other makers (like Amor ice cream and Ming Oun’s) before nabbing a regular spot at Michi Michi Bakery every Wednesday. San Diego Magazine readers even voted Mon Chourie the Best Pop-Up for 2026.
In French, the word for an airy puff pastry is “choux,” which is pronounced generally the same way as “syu,” the Korean word for the same item. (Both sound like “shoe.”) Mon Chourie plays with both iterations with a dash of whimsy by referencing the song My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder, which translates to “my darling love.”
As long as all the permits and inspections move forward without issue, Mon Chourie should open in Kairoa before the busy holiday season. She’ll continue appearing every Wednesday at Michi Michi and other pop-ups in the meantime. Once open, expect best-selling flavors like the savory potato croquette (a collaboration with Karanchi chili crisp) and a sweet Dubai chocolate choux au craquelin, a version of puff pastry with a delicate cookie crust.
Classic cream puffs are fluffy, softs and often filled with custard cream in the United States. “What makes a difference for us is we use a very light version of diplomat cream, which is my mom’s recipe,” she explains. Diplomat cream is a lighter French pastry cream that uses whipped cream for a lighter, airier end result.
Choux au craquelin’s signature crunchy top comes from adding a thin disc of cookie-like dough on top of the pastry, which crackles as it bakes, leaving a thin layer of crispiness atop the final product. “It contrasts with the creamy, fluffy cream inside, so it gets that better, deeper texture experience,” she says.
Courtesy of Kelly Kim
Along with her popular cream puffs and her bite-sized “mini-choux” options, Kim is also planning on offering more of a newer-to-her item: salt bread, a rich butter pastry topped with sea salt that originated in Japan, but went completely viral in South Korea. There are a few places to get it in Los Angeles and New York, “but I know that a lot of people here are interested in trying out new stuff, or maybe they had it in Korea or Japan, and they came back, but they couldn’t find it anymore,” says Kim. At first, she didn’t really get why it was so popular. Then she tried it in South Korea earlier this year.
“I was in love,” she laughs. “This is what the hype is about.”
Ideally, Mon Chourie will eventually open its own storefront and introduce more events in North County to satisfy demand. “I would also love to have our own drink program that reflects what’s popular in Korea,” she says. And to mark two years of puffy pastry prosperity, Mon Chourie is throwing a two-year anniversary party at Easy Does It (5375 Kearny Villa Rd., Suite 112) on Wednesday, August 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with drink specials like a misugaru latte (a Korean roasted multi-grain powder with espresso), a DJ, photo booths, special ceramic merch created by local ceramicist Whale Tran, and a few other vendors. Get there early.
Mabel’s Gone Fishing has always supported the arts—see their Fishbowl Artist Series—and they’re keeping things going this month with The Studio Table, an immersive dining event on Saturday, August 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barrio Logan-based ceramic studio Tao of Clay. For $160, guests can slurp down oysters and other Spanish-inspired pintxos, Basque ciders, cocktails, and take home a handmade oyster bowl made with reclaimed oyster shells. Gratuity is included for this 21+ event, so be prepared to slow down and enjoy the tangible fruits of nature.
City Tacos keeps moving and shaking, and the restaurant group’s next landing place is Liberty Station. El Punto by City Tacos is slated to open in October in the former El Jardin space (2885 Perry Road, Suite 102). Once destined to become another Lola55 outpost, the space will now become a full-service, family-friendly, and dog-friendly restaurant with seafood, tacos, cocktails, and more.
For as many closings as we’ve seen over the past year, restaurant openings seem to be back on track. The long-awaited Honor Bar finally opened its doors in Del Mar this summer, and Soul Sip in North Park is soft open from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. Still on the way are The Shackhouse by Julian Beer Company (slated to open by Labor Day) and Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open in the former Pancho Villa’s building in North Park this October. (La Mesa is still waiting patiently for Stella Jean’s and Pop Pie to make their debuts.)
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Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
Snacks are the best vacation souvenirs. You get all the novelty of having something to unwrap without any of the burden of keeping random crap around. I’m always game to try some chips from a place I can’t find on a map with ingredients I can’t identify by taste. Gimme that spice mix from that Southern barbecue pit whose wine list consists of light beers from lesser-known appellations. Don’t think I won’t lick the inside wrapper of some chocolate bar homemade by a grandma at a farmers market you stumbled upon in a small Midwestern town best known for giant yarn balls.
Even though San Diego is best known for our thigh-sized burritos, fish tacos, and craft beers, those travel about as well as room-temp mayo. So we gathered some of the city’s best food souvenirs: snacks, spices, and sauces worth sliding into your carry-on or gifting to a lucky out-of-towner.
Inside Bread & Salt—Barrio Logan’s old Weber Bread Factory turned into one of the city’s most vibrant art, culture, and community spaces—there’s a cafe in front of a giant, now-defunct bread mixer. Mexican-owned specialty brew shop and roastery Provecho! Coffee started as a pop-up in 2020, but its success quickly bricked-and-mortared. Although Provecho! specializes in sourcing and roasting Mexican coffees, its consistency is variety: The lineup changes regularly as Provecho! finds new sources around the world. Get a to-go taste via the coffee bags that range between 250 g and 2 kg.
Courtesy of Superlova!
Sesame Sauce
Superlova!
Superlova!’s Chinese-inspired, seed oil–free sauces are grocery list mainstays for San Diegans. The sesame sauces (Dan Dan is spicy, May May is tame) pair with noodles, dumplings, or any meal that could use a little more oomph. They don’t have tahini, which is de-hulled; they have Chinese sesame paste, which is dark-roasted for a nuttier flavor and packed with fiber and calcium.
Courtesy of JuneShine
Hard Kombucha
JuneShine
San Diego is known for beer, sure. But real locals pour from a different tap. JuneShine’s low-sugar, yet still refreshingly sweet, hard kombucha is an SD favorite. The brand has joined the canned cocktail tidal wave and now sells vodka mules, tequila palomas, and vodka sodas—all with about two shots per can, real juice, and sparkling water. But for a classic food gift, get a variety pack of the booch. Fit it into your checked bag. It’s worth it.
Double entendre is key to hot sauce brand Down To Ferment, aka DTF. (Popular sauces have flavor names like CornHub, Smokin’ Hot Date, and Ghosted.) But it’s no gimmick. The homemade, kombucha-based sauce is seriously good: DTF’s That’s What Shishito Said made it onto Season 30’s lineup on Internet-famous interview show Hot Ones.
Courtesy of Tortilleria Los Reyes
Fresh Tortillas
As discussed, carne asada burritos travel about as well as a toddler with emotional-regulation issues. But the soul of a truly great, San Diego burrito? It’s not the fillings. It’s the tortilla. You can’t go wrong from any locally owned spots, but our favorites are Tortilleria Los Reyes in Vista, Windmill Farms Market in Del Cerro (which uses Pancho Villa’s old tortilla press), Esperanza’s Tortilleria in Escondido, and Tortilleria Lily in City Heights.
Courtesy of Karanchi
Chili Crisp
Karanchi
Handcrafted in small batches, Karanchi’s Sichuan peppercorn–packed chili oil comes in two varieties: original and spicy. The original warms your palate and adds depth to your meal, and the spicy is a form of mealtime masochism. Founder Nguyen Le’s favorite way to eat his garlic-studded chili crisp is on avocado toast—which makes an already San Diego meal even more San Diegan—but it’d make old shoes taste pretty good.
Fresh fish ranks low on society’s acceptable realms of carry-on items. But canned fresh fish straight from local fishermen? You’re the best part of a bruschetta. Every Saturday at the docks behind Seaport Village, fishermen step off their boats and sell what they caught as recently as that morning. While getting yourself some fresh sea urchin and squid, grab a couple cans of locally caught albacore tuna for the tinned-fish lover in your life.
Photo Credit: Salsa Digital Agency
Conchas
Tus Chefs Favoritas
Started as a pandemic baking hobby for BFFs Natalie Rodriguez and Lesly Mendoza, Tus Chefs is now a South County favorite spot for conchas with a twist. The menu is expansive enough to get over a baker’s dozen without any repeats—why not get one of each, anyway?—but if you only have enough space in your carry-on for a few, start with popular “chocolate abuelita,” churro, mazapan, horchata, and brownie conchas.
Emma Veidt is an editor at San Diego Magazine. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism. She loves running, hiking, and rock climbing, but really, she mostly loves encounters with the street cats around North Park.
Films, concerts and an exorbitant amount of lemons comprise this week’s most entertaining events in San Diego. Those looking to beat the heat can find shelter and cinematic gold with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre at Digital Gym Cinema, or check out a cult classic at the Balboa Theatre’s 40th anniversary screening of Little Shop of Horrors. From South Bay to La Jolla, concertgoers can catch collaborative tours from the likes of Santana & the Doobie Brothers, Helado Negro & Reyna Tropical and Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan. This weekend also marks the return of the two-day San Diego Made Summer Market and the yearly Lemon Festival, both of which are ripe for shopping unique local vendors.
SeaWorld San Diego’s beer and barbeque party is back with a live music component and an extra ‘B’ in its name. Every Friday-Sunday (and Labor Day) through Sept. 7, the Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ festival will feature 60+ locally crafted beers and bites like pork belly tater tots, root beer baked beans and s’mores pie. SeaWorld visitors can also check out rock concerts featuring Saliva (Saturday), Uncle Kracker (Aug. 22) and Skillet (Aug. 29) in the Bayside Amphitheater. Park entry starts at $74 for Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ dates, and includes festival admission.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
Lemon Festival
August 15
Seize the day, or squeeze the day—whichever your preference—at the Downtown Chula Vista Association’s free Lemon Festival. This annual event celebrates lemons in all their citrusy glory and ensures the city’s lemon legacy still bears fruit for years to come. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy a lemony menu, two live music stages, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities at Memorial Park and photos with the festival’s mascot, Tarty the Lemon. And be sure to save room for the lemon pie eating contest, with registration still open to those ages 12-99.
Third Avenue, Chula Vista
Courtesy of Jason Aldean
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Santana & the Doobie Brothers at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 11
Few regions have birthed as many iconic bands as the Bay Area, with Santana (San Francisco) and the Doobie Brothers (San Jose) among the area’s most influential. Though they’ve mastered different variations of rock n’ roll—with Santana championing Latin rock and the Doobie Brothers masters of breezy yacht rock—both groups understand the importance of a good groove. This Tuesday (7 p.m.), the two bands will run through their greatest hits at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, and showcase their shared roots. Tickets start at $28 for this concert.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Helado Negro & Reyna Tropical at Esptein Family Ampitheater
August 12
One of the year’s best musical teamups—combining the talents of Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro) and Fabi Reyna (Reyna Tropical)—produced Helado Tropical, a subtle yet audacious daliance with Latin pop and wavy soundscapes. This Wednesday (7 p.m.) at Epstein Family Amphitheater, Lange and Reyna will pull from their respective catalogs and play their collaborative album in full. Ticket options include youth admission for ages 2-18 ($25-$28) and adults ($35-$50).
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
An Evening with Goose at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
August 13
The defining quality that makes a jam band truly so is a willingness to improvise, keeping audiences, and even their most dedicated fans, waiting with bated breath for their next move. As with pioneers of the practice like the Grateful Dead, Connecticut rock group Goose treat concerts as a nightly display for their vast musical chemistry. When Goose performs this Thursday (7 p.m.) at Cal Coast Credit Union Theatre, don’t be surprised if a familiar track is extended by an extra five, ten or thirty minutes into a new cosmic space. Tickets start at $55 for this concert.
5500 Campanile Drive, College Area
Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan at Petco Park
August 16
Georgians Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan both began their rise to country music stardom in the 2000s, and have since become two of the genre’s revered elder statesmen. After a sold-out one-off show at the University of Georgia in April, the pair decided to take the Peach State experience nationwide with co-headlining stops in Missoula, Montana, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and San Diego’s Petco Park. This Sunday (4 p.m.), country fans can catch the two stars, as well as a slew of up-and-coming talent, with openers Gavin Adcock, Chase Matthew, Dee Jay Silver and DJ Rock. Tickets start at $74 for this concert.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
If magazines are like the adultier eldest daughters who know exactly how much anarchy they can get away with, zines are the far less predictable younger siblings going on whim and instinct. Those who draw on the walls around the house, DIY their own piercings, and experiment with different emo/straight-edge/back to emo phases (or not-phases). Boundaries and routines are what zines were created to rail against.
Walk into Verbatim Books’ zine corner, and this rebellion is immediately clear. Zines have no singular form, no clean category or definition. Vintage magazine scraps are collaged into new meaning alongside mini fandom zines. Single sheets of plain white printer paper are covered in nothing but black ballpoint pen. Repurposed hardback book covers are folded into something entirely new. Some are duct-taped together, others stapled. Some glossy, others matte. There are guides to anything and everything, comic panels, photography, hand-drawn cartoons, poetry, recipes, diaries, and ramblings that only make sense to the person who made them—and that’s on purpose.
Zines are creative magic. And with no rules, they’re incredibly accessible. Anyone can zine and have a voice, regardless of artistic training or work life experience.
You are your own Anna Wintour, Graydon Carter, Ruth Whitney.
San Diego–based zine creator Lyssette Williams specializes in mini zines—often limited to eight pages, they’re meditations in abbreviation. Outlining, thumbnailing, and revision all move quickly from idea to page. Larger projects, including Williams’ long-form graphic novel thesis, move at a slower pace. For those, she often returns to pen and ink, a choice that resists the over-editability of digital work.
Raised by a single mother and navigating mixed-race identity in a predominantly white town, she finds a home for processing it all in zines. Her work deals in identity, belonging, self-definition, and punk-rock childhood. But it isn’t always heavy; Williams creates a mini duck-themed zine called Backyard Duck Propaganda that’s hard not to love. “When I create, I think about what would have helped me find the words back then, what my younger self would’ve needed,” Williams says. “[Zines] put the tools in your hands and democratize art. They’re translations of memories and identities.”
Courtesy of Lyssette Williams
For Williams, a big reason she keeps creating is being surrounded by other creatives—a scene that extends across the border. She points to Verbatim and Comicbook Artists of San Diego, plus events like Zine Fest (October 17–18 this year at Woo in Barrio Logan) and Black Comix Day at the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
Zines have always been a road for subcultures. During the Harlem Renaissance, Black creatives like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston self-published one issue of Fire!!, which inspired other Black authors. In the 1930s, zines (then called fanzines) were hubs for sci-fi nerds to write fanfiction, address the fandom, and create new characters. Superman actually made his public debut in a fanzine called Science Fiction (he was originally cast as a villain with a fully receded hairline). A couple decades later, zines about feminism and riot grrrl became subculture de rigueur.
The internet nearly killed zines, of course. But now, people tired of the algorithm’s firehose are finding comfort and renewed inspiration in analog. Zines, a salve for digital fatigue.
Courtesy of Duophobia
A giant figure in San Diego zine culture is Burn All Books. Founded by Amanda and Nick Bernal, BAB started as a risograph (digital screen printing) studio and turned into one of those places that keeps expanding the whole scene around it, even forming its own archive group, SCANNNERS. Since opening in January 2023, it has published over 35 works and collaborated with more than 100 artists, writers, and zinesters.
For Duophobia, the pseudonym for local twin sisters Alora and Kiani Dotson (affectionately known as the “possum twins”), zines make room for experimentation and play that doesn’t fit anywhere else. Room for eclectic cartoons and dirty jokes. For sticker-covered sketchbooks.
It’s that same brand of nostalgia you might feel when, say, you walk past the carcass of an abandoned mall and see a faded cartoon mural. Their work lives somewhere between childhood and adulthood, where being unserious is taken very, very seriously.
“We’re born and raised in San Diego, and the community of artists here is a main reason we started publishing,” Kiani Dotson says. “There are people here like Trixxie Land who run open art gatherings. Show up, and you’re part of it.”
Land, a zinester herself (she made 250 single-page zines during 2020’s lockdown), is all about storytelling over hierarchy. Art shouldn’t be about gatekeeping or intimidation, she says. So she holds open-invite arts shows at Subterranean Coffee.
Courtesy of Lyssette Williams
Duophobia regularly share their work at local galleries like Subterranean, filling that lowbrow space with pieces that answer: “What would’ve made us laugh as kids?” Children are often the first to pick up their zines, unfolding them in every direction while parents briefly panic at the impulsive destruction. The twins always step in. “No, no, it’s okay,” they say, before showing how one sheet of paper folds into an entire little book. “It’s like magic.” More often than not, the kids leave with a tiny zine tucked under a tiny arm, future San Diego zinesters in the making.
When asked what a zine really is, Alora Dotson’s response was simple: “It’s anything. Literally anything. The more genuine you are, the more people are going to hear what you have to say. Your voice matters, even if it’s just a silly joke or story. People want to hear about it.”
Not a perfect definition? Exactly. Zines inherently resist categories. Want to turn a single playing card into a storybook? Do it. What about your favorite graffiti artist’s signature tag at Prince Memorial Skatepark? Turn it into a zine.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
It’s August. Corn season—that hallowed dental flossian time—is upon us. Peak summer means the fruits from local farms are downright NC-17. It’s also hot-adjacent, so we search out top-notch sashimi and interesting fruit punches. And because we’re contrarians, we also find ourselves tucking into a warm lobster roll in North Park, vying for a father’s love. Anyway, these are the stories behind the best things we found this month—things we’d recommend to friends who didn’t owe us money. Salamat.
Chef Ethan Yang grew up folding dumplings in his dad’s San Diego restaurants—such as the former Fortune Cookie in Rancho Bernardo, which drew on the family’s Taiwanese and Chinese roots. So the Taiwanese beef noodle soup on the menu at Glass Box (a lovely glass-enclosed sushi and pan-Asian spot at Sky Deck in Del Mar) is a family pride—the result of Ethan, dad, and his brother tinkering endlessly with various bones (they finally found the perfect bone, only sold by one butcher in LA).
But the dish that shows off his raw fish skills is the albacore—lightly cured in soy, mirin, and toasted sesame oil, flame-torched to caramelize, and finished with smoked shoyu, chive oil, shiso oil, house-pickled sweet peppers, and crispy rice pearls. —Troy Johnson
Luce Bar & Kitchen
Double-Cut Duroc Pork Chop
“Wait, where is it?” I hear this a lot when suggesting Luce for drinks or a bite. The Bay Park restaurant is smack dab in a part of the city that isn’t conventionally attractive: on the side of the 5 freeway, next to a bevy of service-looking storefronts. To be in this area, you either live here (homes here are fairly excellent with that bay view) or are getting a muffler fixed. A better reason to be in Bay Park: An evening at Luce, a locals’ haunt. Get the Duroc pork chop (the chefs’ chop, with darker meat, higher fat content, better marbling) with collard greens, toasted grits (toasting anything results in a better version of that anything), and a mustard glaze that makes you feel like you’re in the South enjoying sweet tea with friends. —Nicolle Monico
Courtesy of Sipwell Wine Co.
Sipwell Wine Co.
Tiny Victories
Ever walk into your kitchen during the afternoon feeling recklessly free and decide the time is exactly right for a glass of Champagne? Maybe you crushed a work project or navigated a 4-year-old’s meltdown with the elegance of a global diplomat. You ever then pour that glass and are immediately pulled away by other demanding life errata—and by the time you eventually return to celebrating being alive, you find the remaining victory-juice sits in the popped bottle, losing its steam, and serving you a metaphor for your day?
Hilary Cocalis solved this for me with Carlsbad-based Sipwell. Tiny Victories is a Champagne-style sparkling white in a 250ml can (a glass and a half—the correct amount), the first can-conditioned sparkling wine on the market, fermented with true Champagne yeast. Crisp apple, a little citrus, that biscuity thing good bubbles do, zero sugar. It’s also the first canned wine to crack Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100, so now there’s no excuse not to celebrate all of life’s tiny victories. —Claire Johnson
Courtesy of Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich
Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich
Warmed Lobster Roll
If my dad were to rank his favorite things, I think I’d make the podium, but there’s no way I’m outperforming this lobster roll. And why would I? We went to Pete’s on Father’s Day, and Peter DeCoste brought out 5 ounces of Maine lobster smothered in warm butter, tucked haphazardly into a grilled New England–style roll, served with a simple coleslaw and basic fries (no need to overshadow the star). Pete’s has a cold version with mayo, too, but there’s something about warm lobster that really wins over dads and their lobster-jealous daughters. –Lili Kim
Valerio’s 1979
Turon
Valerio’s 1979 is a quintessential San Diego family story. In the 1950s, the grandparents opened their first bakery in the historic Philippines city, Cavite. Their son, Jimmy, would bake and sell bread before school. After enlisting in the Navy and being stationed in San Diego, Jimmy and his wife, Gloria, opened his own version of the family bakery in National City in 1979—a huge hit and home-away-from-home spot for the city’s massive Filipino community.
Four-plus decades later, with four locations across SoCal, it’s on the third-gen of Valerios. The new blood is reviving the name and place with all kinds of Filipino comfort food, and the turon is a star. The classic Filipino treat is a ripe, sweet saba banana and jackfruit, rolled in lumpia wrapper, deep-fried, and covered in sticky, caramelized brown sugar. “Dessert lumpia” is a phrase to live a life by. —Troy Johnson
Nearly everyone experiences a sleepless night once in a while. But for those with a circadian sleep disorder, being well-rested can feel out of reach. A circadian sleep disorder occurs when a person’s internal clock doesn’t align with their desired or socially required sleep schedule. This can significantly impact quality of life, mental health and physical well-being. Scripps Circadian Sleep Disorders Clinic, launched in 2019, was the first of its kind in the state. Its specialists diagnose and treat conditions like delayed sleep phase disorder, shift work sleep disorder and non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder. Many patients have spent years—or even decade —thinking there was no hope for their sleep behavior. A solution can be life-changing. Read more about the Scripps Circadian Sleep Disorders Clinic here.
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