The east side of San Diego County has never been hotter, both literally and figuratively. Tennis enthusiasts and photogenic influencers started flocking to Borrego Springs in 2018 to see (and be seen at) The Courts, a stylish desert tennis club. Melissa Strukel, Corbin Winters, and Jeff Osborne poured every bit of bohemian magic they could muster (along with a few million dollars) to reopen the fabled Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel in 2023. Now, it’s humble Dulzura’s turn.
The unincorporated community along CA-94 sits about halfway between downtown San Diego and Jacumba, once home to the early 20th-century treat Clark’s “Pickelized” Figs and now to a couple hundred residents. Today, it’s home to Wild Seeds Ranch.
Established in 2020 by Jordan Hammond, Wild Seeds Ranch is a rural coliving community where residents and guests can work, create, and exist outside the pressure of today’s hustle culture. It’s also a small business accelerator, nurturing coworking space, and campsite, according to event coordinator and permanent resident Nicole Staples.
“People forget about connecting to each other,” she says. “If you live in an apartment, you might not even know the person next to you.” But at Wild Seeds, your “neighbor” can become your roommate, creative partner, or simply a like-minded friend who shares a passion for solar energy or organic gardening.
The four-acre property can hold up to 20(ish) residents at a time, but people can stay anywhere from one day up to three months as guests or prospective residents. Once a prospect is approved for full-time residency, they’re expected to complete around three hours a week of property maintenance in order to minimize costs and save income from workshops, events, or the campground. The collective runs a community food program and buys bulk essentials like paper towels, but residents are responsible for their own purchases as they would be in any private living situation.
It’s not all work, though. A creek runs through the property (when it’s not a drought year) and there’s a koi pond, organic garden, art room, event venue, and media studio for creative endeavors. Residents gather for a family-style dinner on Wednesdays, and there’s an open mic night every month. Educational workshops are open to the public, such as Introduction to Organic Gardening and Regenerative Agriculture and How to Create Off-Grid Water Systems, as well as more immersive residencies like Earth Labs, a three-week, on-site course on skills like self-sufficiency, herbal first aid, wilderness survival training, fermentation, and community building.
Those curious about what it’s like to live in a coliving community can fill out an inquiry form, or simply stop by, says Staples. “The property is magical,” she promises. “Get out of the city—come check us out and see what it’s like to live in community.”
Wild Seeds Ranch is located at 1373 Marron Valley Rd., Dulzura.
Courtesy of Busalacchi Restaurants
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beth’s Bites
Fireball Pizzeria is the latest successful pop-up to permanent location success story. The metal music-themed, wood-fired pizza company has been popping up around North County for a few years, but now plans to open their first brick and mortar at 823 W San Marcos Blvd. (just a hop and a skip away from Copper Kings Burgers) in the next few months.
If that news gets your Italian tastebuds tingling, then pencil in October 11 for the inaugural open-air dinner from the people behind the Busalacchi Restaurants (Nonna, Lala, Barbusa). From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on India Street, The Feast will bring diners under the night sky for a four-course dinner with proceeds going to Positive Movement Foundation (supporting underserved and at-risk San Diego youth) and Convivio (an Italian-American cultural preservation organization). Tasty and philanthropic!
For those who want to get a jump start on trick-or-treating, here’s one way to get your sugar fix: starting at noon on October 31, over a dozen local bakers and crafters will descend on Kairoa Brewing Company for the first Spooky Bake Club Halloween bake sale. Expect Mon Chourie’s signature Korean cream puffs, goodies from Matcha y Miel, and a special gift for the first 20 attendees. Kids and dogs are allowed, costumes are encouraged, and a sweet tooth is basically required.
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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.
