We all know the turf meets the surf at Del Mar—sing it with us! But did you know the famous racetrack is celebrating its 80th season this year? As we trot into opening day on July 17, impress your friends with factoids about the iconic oval.
1. Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner first met at the track.
In 1973, 17-year-old Kris crossed paths with 28-year-old Robert, forever changing the history of lip kits and reality TV.
2. The $25,000 winner-take-all prize of the event that put Del Mar on the map—a storied 1938 race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti—now equates to some $445,000.
Seabiscuit bested Ligaroti by a snout.
3. The nation’s only seaside racetrack was founded by crooner Bing Crosby.
4. Del Mar became the leading track in the country in 1989.
It saw an average of more than $7 million a day, according to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club—more than $15 million in 2019 dollars.
5. The rarefied environs of the track have served as an aesthetically pleasing set for many TV shows.
None other than The Bachelor, Entourage, Little People, Housewives of Orange County, and—look who made their way back to Del Mar—Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
6. The track went from real dirt to synthetic dirt to real dirt again.
In 2007, synthetic racing surface Polytrack was installed to help reduce injuries to horses and jockeys. However, dirt made its comeback eight years later after a debate over the effectiveness of the controversial synthetic material.
7. CEO Joe Harper received the thoroughbred industry’s highest honor, the Eclipse Award of Merit, this past January.
He won for his outstanding lifelong achievement and contributions to the field. “It’s got my name on it, but it’s got Del Mar’s soul in it,” he said in his speech.
8. The track took on a new slogan in the 2000s: “Cool as Ever.”
As the Instagram Era scrolls on, Del Mar is becoming less about the horses and more about the social scene, fashion, and of course, that photo finish for your feed.
9. With new types of bets added last season, there are now 17 ways to wager.
When you’re thinking of wagering in the classic Win, Place, Show routine, try the recently-added early Pick Four or late Pick Five bets.
10. The annual Opening Day Hat Contest has five categories, and a Michelin-starred grand prize.
Categories include Best Racing Theme, Most Glamorous, Most Outrageous, Best Fascinator, and Best Flowers. The grand prize winner earns a one-night stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar with a dinner for two at Michelin-starred Addison.
11. Opening day averages more than 40,000 attendees each year.
Grab your flowery hats and cigars, folks! This year’s extravaganza is only a few strides or—excuse us—furlongs away.
11 Things You Didn’t Know About the Del Mar Racetrack
Mark your calendars for October 2–7, 2024, and prepare to indulge in a week-long celebration of San Diego’s vibrant food and wine scene at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival!
Now in its second year, San Diego’s premier food and wine event will feature a diverse array of bites, sips, and experiences. Attendees can look forward to sampling world-class cuisine from local restaurants, mingling with celebrity chefs, and savoring some of California’s finest wines and craft beverages.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival offers something for everyone—from casual tastings to high-end dining experiences. Not sure where to start? Click the links below each question for more details, including event schedules, participating chefs, where to see celebs, and ticket information:
Listen: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Chefs on Happy Half Hour
Last year’s exclusive lineup featured some of our favorite chefs and food people. This year, some of our faves return for the big event. Learn more about a few of those returning guests on Happy Half Hour with host Troy Johnson:
Returning for its second year, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival is back to make a splash in the San Diego food scene once again. Get in on some of the best restaurants and wine in the area, with faces both new and familiar to the festival. Check out our list or the DMWFF website for all to know about this quintessentially San Diegan affair.
When is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival takes place October 2-7, 2024, with the Grand Tasting October 5-6. Doors open for VIP ticket holders and early entry at noon, general admission opening at 1 p.m.
Where is the festival located?
The event is held at Surf Sports Park, formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields, at 14989 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014.
What are the different ticket options?
General Admission
One-day general admission tickets are priced at $165, while the two-day pass goes for $265. Both options grant you unlimited food and drink during the Grand Tasting from the festival’s selection.
Early Entry General Admission
Get in ahead of everyone while still having all the wide selection offered at general admission using the early admission tickets. Priced at $225 for one-day tickets and $375 for two-day passes, you gain an extra hour for first dibs and to meander the grounds before the crowds come.
VIP Tickets
At $425 for a one-day ticket and $775 for a two-day pass, the VIP tickets offer access to a special VIP-only area, as well as more food and drink vendors to choose from. More details on the VIP experience will be announced closer to the date of the festival.
What food vendors will be there?
With a multitude of vendors and options for tasting, many top restaurants in San Diego will be featured at this event, including Civico 1845, Deckman’s Restaurant Group, Finca, Jolie, Kingfisher, Little Frenchie, Lola 55, the Marine Room, Marisi, Nolita Hall, Rosemarie’s Burgers, Tacos 1986, and many more. See the complete list here.
VIP Exclusive Food Vendors
Amalfi Llama
Ambrogio by Acquerello
Azuki Sushi
Crudo
Deckman’s
Kinme
Marisi
Puesto
The Fishery
Warung Rie Rie
What wineries and drink vendors will be there?
No day in a field by the sea is complete without the perfect selection of fine wines right at your fingertips. DMWFF will be featuring several wineries and breweries, including Adobe Road Winery, Bianchi, Calera, Doffo Winery, Domaines Ott, Hahn, Henebery Spirits, Library Collection Wine, Melograno, Solento Organic Tequila, Tap Truck, and many more. See the complete list here.
VIP Exclusive Wineries
Austin Hope Wines
Booker
Caymus Vineyards
Cuvaison
Daou
Fraiche Wine Group
J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine
Ramey Wine Cellars
Whispering Angel
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
What VIP experiences are available for purchase?
There are 12 VIP experiences for purchase that are separate from the Grand Tasting. Tickets for these events range from $125 to $600.
Wednesday, October 2
San Diego FC Hosts Tacos, Tortas + Tequila at Monarch Ocean Pub
Are the same food vendors and wineries available both days?
Most food vendors and wineries will be at the Grand Tasting on both days. However, we do recommend you check the event’s itinerary online for more information on vendor schedules.
What to eat, see, and do in the beachside neighborhood filled with labradoodle-owning joggers and surfers on a first-name basis with their kombucha dealer
Del Mar is a small beach town—just one where Bill Gates is your neighbor. The 2.2-square-mile stretch of hilly coastline boasts multi-generational families with weighty last names, clusters of cottages set on tree-lined streets, mom-and-pop shops with diehard patrons, the local pride that comes with a population of less than 5,000… and the looming specter of new development.
Even though its list of famous residents can sometimes read like an Illuminati roster, Del Mar has always been a classic coastal community at heart. No matter how many celebrities call it their summer home, the town’s tapestry—a mix of early-bird surfers, college professors, rooted families, retired inventors, rare Torrey pines, and lots of dogs—remains tightly woven. This town has been booming, thanks in part to Monarch Ocean Pub helping transform Del Mar Plaza from a sleepy shopping mall to a full-on scene. It’s where residents have gathered together again since the pandemic.
Del Mar Historical Society president Larry Brooks says that because half of the town’s residents are part-time, many of the million-dollar homes sit empty. But with new billion-dollar development, affordable housing requirements, and more short-term rentals on the way, a vibe shift is on the horizon, troubling local groups determined to hold onto Del Mar’s provincial spirit.
Photo Credit: Becka Vance
Things to Do in Del Mar
Meatballs at Beeside Balcony
While Vafiadis can’t resist breakfast at the beloved Harry’s Coffee Shop, she likes to venture off the beaten path for lunch. The meatballs at the Mediterranean-inspired Beeside Balcony are her current go-to. “It’s a shareable plate,” she says. “But I don’t share.”
Beach Walks to Torrey Pines
Surfboards are as common as cars in Del Mar, but Vafiadis prefers to explore on land via a nice, long beach walk. She starts on 17th Street and makes her way down to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a pleasant route for people-watching and seashell-hunting.
Sunset Drinks at Monarch Ocean Pub
While there are no bad views in Del Mar, Monarch Ocean Pub’s third-story vantage is hard to beat. “I credit Monarch with really reviving this town more than anything,” Vafiadis says. “The energy up there is so wonderful.” She likes their grapefruit slushies—and that she can see Stratford Square from where she’s sitting.
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
Debuting in 2023, the annual Del Mar Wine + Food festival taking place in October brings together some of the best chefs and food and drink makers in southern California for a six-day event featuring immersive culinary experiences and sold-out dinners across San Diego. From celebrity chefs to TV personalities and exclusive VIP events during the week, it’s one of the best culinary events of the year.
Photo Credit: Becka Vance
Facts About Del Mar
Start saving for that seaside abode—luxury real estate agent Mike Cady says that the average cost of a 1,200-square-foot home near the beach in Del Mar is between $3 and $5 million.
In their infamous 1963 bop “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” Del Mar is the first stop on the Beach Boys’ rundown of all the top surfing locales in Californ-I-A.
Sunday mass at St. James Catholic Church was like a red carpet event in the 1960s. Jimmy Durante, Desi Arnaz, and Lucille Ball often attended, while Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien served as ushers.
Tony Robbins once lived in Del Mar’s only castle. Designed by local architect Richard Requa, the five-bedroom home was built in 1927 for $150,000 (almost $3 million today) and features six fireplaces and a lookout tower.
To make ocean swimming safer, wealthy cattleman Colonel Jacob Taylor built a 198-foot pool at the bluffs’ base in the 1880s that filled with seawater at high tide. Some original pylons are still visible at low tide near 11th Street.
Photo Credit: Becka Vance
Local Tips for Del Mar
For as physically small as it is, Del Mar offers a surprisingly full itinerary—especially if you’re betting on the next Seabiscuit or taking a fried food tour through the fairgrounds. But you don’t need to wait for a major event to visit. The residents’ dedication to maintaining their town’s idyllic topography and coastal charm makes even the most mundane pastimes feel like something out of a movie montage.
One of those residents is KC Vafiadis, chairman of the Del Mar Village Association and daughter of longtime developer Jim Watkins. She grew up watching her dad bring the local economy back to life with projects like the L’Auberge Del Mar. While she’s understandably biased toward the spots steeped in her own family history (particularly the historic Stratford Square that she now runs), she has more than enough love for the rest of Del Mar to go around.
Courtesy Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
What’s Next for Del Mar
Several projects that will reshape the town’s landscape are in the works, with some replacing timeless favorites. Hillstone Restaurant Group (HRG) is constructing a 3,300-square-foot spot on Camino del Mar in the former site of the beloved Bully’s North. A rep from HRG confirmed it’s slated to open as a new Honor Bar location in early 2025. Valley Farm Market and The Cottage should also soon arrive on the town’s local business scene.
Jen Grove, executive director of the Del Mar Village Association, hopes that by continuing to attract San Diego–grown businesses, Del Mar can stay true to its small-town roots. “We’ve had a lot of change,” she says. “I think what people would like to see is just continuing to support what we have. Because what we have is really good.”
But the most controversial modification to the community’s landscape isn’t happening at the street level. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is working to relocate the rail line from Del Mar’s coast (which is threatened by eroding cliffs) onto a more stable inland route via a tunnel with a $4 billion– plus price tag that would potentially run underneath the town’s main thoroughfare. Residents are concerned about construction disruption and potential impacts on property values. But Brooks, who’s also a retired engineer, believes that as long as SANDAG doesn’t dig up the main drag of Camino del Mar, locals’ fears are mostly (though not totally) unfounded.
“It’s going to impact a couple of people on the north end, probably,” he says. “But the south end is a piece of cake. They’ve got all kinds of places [the train] can come out and not bother anybody.”
Though longtime residents can be resistant to change, 93-year-old Watkins views these new developments as the culmination of the vision he originally outlined in his 1969 economic report titled Why Del Mar.
“Del Mar is where it should be,” he says. “My focus was on business revitalization, and essentially that’s done. Now the idea is just keeping the character of the community.”
Emily Blackwood is a freelance journalist based in San Diego, CA. She covers entertainment, wellness, travel, home, food, culture—all the things that make life interesting, tantalizing, and just the right amount of weird. Her work has been published in SELF, HuffPost, and YourTango. You can learn more at emily-blackwood.com.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Matt Furman Photography
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Matt Furman Photography
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
Join this virtual series for a special viewing and discussion about Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Learn about Disney’s great love for trains and hear from two volunteers at Walt’s Barn on the story behind the amusement park’s mine train. The series is part of the museum’s 40th anniversary campaign, raising money to commemorate its grand opening in 1981.
Watch the reggae rock band Iration perform music from their latest album, Coastin’, which debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The live show, Coastin’ at the Drive-In, will be the band’s first in-person, socially distanced concert.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Salt Hot Pilates instructor and owner Betsy Blumenfeld teaches at the Intercontinental Hotel
The Intercontinental Hotel’s on-site restaurant, Vistal, is hosting a Pilates and happy hour combo from 3 to 5 p.m. on December 5. The event is complimentary (the ticket price is only to cover Eventbrite fees) to celebrate the restaurant’s new happy hour menu. But first, get your sweat on with Salt Hot Pilates instructor and owner Betsy Blumenfeld on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the bay. Then, reward yourself with $7 happy hour specials and White Claws to sip. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be enforced.
Mission Fed ArtWalk’s 36th annual show is going virtual. The monthlong celebration of the arts will feature nearly 100 local, national, and international artists; discussions; activities for the little ones; and plenty of opportunities to purchase original works for your own personal art collection. The activities will be hosted by ArtReach San Diego, a nonprofit dedicated to providing workshops and classes to schools without an arts program.
Shop gifts from San Diego’s community of over 80 vintage and handmade vendors at Liberty Station’s Art District. The collective’s very first event will host guests with a California Dreamin’ theme and plenty of unique finds to shop for you and your loved ones. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be enforced.
Head to the drive-in at Cal State San Marcos for an evening celebrating the works of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The live performances, accompanied by bands like the D. Ben-jamin’ Horns, will cover the Rat Pack’s most notable hits, like “The Best Is Yet to Come” and “My Funny Valentine.”
This coastal city has a small-town feel with big-name chefs, shopping, and views
This Month in Del Mar
Racing season runs Wednesdays through Sundays, with events like the chili cook-off on August 3 and Pacific Classic on August 25. Pacifica Del Mar and Prepkitchen Del Mar will throw Del Mar Plaza’s first dinner under the stars, August 29.
NEW: Sublime Tavern
Open since July, the menu by exec chef Josh Richard—fresh from Roppongi—specializes in gourmet comfort food and offers 55 craft beers on tap, plus 27 wines by the glass. 3790 Via de la Valle
NEW: El Agave
This #1 king-of-the-hill spot formerly occupied by Epazote, then Flavor Del Mar, will be El Agave in September, with 1,000-plus tequilas available for tasting. 1555 Camino Del Mar
NEW: Secret Pantry
The Peruvian market from Café Secret specializes in gourmet fare like vegan tamales and Peruvian tamales, plus foods from all over South America. 1416 Camino Del Mar
Whole Foods at Flower Hill Promenade
Whole Foods at Flower Hill Promenade
NEW: Flower Hill Promenade
This strip mall is getting a major foodie upgrade with Cucina Urbana spinoff Cucina Enoteca, Matt Gordon’s Sea & Smoke, the new Whole Foods in-store bar Trifecta Tavern serving 24 craft beers on tap, and cheese paradise Venissimo now offering wine. 2720 Via De La Valle
Armstrong Garden Centers
For tonight’s dinner party, pick up a $15 color bowl that includes various flowers like the pink and white vincas, at their peak right now. 2840 Via de la Valle
Rusty Del Mar Surf Shop
This native SD brand has its own surf classic. Pick up a hat or tee on your way to the beach. 20115th Street
Powerhouse Park
Powerhouse Park
Powerhouse and Seagrove Parks
These adjacent greens are popular for birthday parties and also host a twilight concerts series (August 13, September 8). Pre-order a ready-made picnic dinner from Pacifica. Coast Boulevard
Spa L’Auberge
Spa L’Auberge
Sbicca cocktail
Sbicca
Spa L’Auberge
This month’s special is the 80-minute Moor Mud Wrap for aching muscles ($165; regularly $185); next month’s is a couple’s treatment that involves Chardonnay and an al fresco bubble bath ($360 per person). 1540 Camino Del Mar
Sbicca
Everyone from Wine Spectator to Trip Advisor has bestowed awards on this humble classic specializing in California cuisine. 215 15th Street
Gerhard
In the Plaza, this is one of the only boutiques in SD that carries high-end designer names like Nina Ricci, Lanvin, L’wren Scott, and Sonia Rykiel. 1555 Camino Del Mar
Board & Brew
Board & Brew
Board & Brew
Local favorites at this beloved neighborhood sandwich place include the Turkado and Tom’s Choice. 1212 Camino Del Mar
Crêpes and Corks
The Swiss-Italian owner presents sweet, savory, and gluten-free crêpes for low-key Euro-style sidewalk dining. 1328 Camino Del Mar
San Diego is home to world-class aestheticians, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists who can help turn back the hands of time and revitalize tired, damaged skin. Enhancing your look is a spectrum. Treatments range from noninvasive procedures like lasers or injectables to the big guns, like a deep-plane facelift—many with better results and less downtime than ever thanks to advanced techniques and technology. Whether you’re a Botox beginner or an aesthetic medical care veteran, San Diego aestheticians and aesthetic medicine providers can help you look and feel like the best version of yourself.
Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa
Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa is San Diego’s premier destination for aesthetic surgery, led by world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Rossi. Celebrated for his artistry, precision, and natural-looking results, Dr. Rossi is known for creating customized Mommy Makeovers that help women restore confidence and reclaim their bodies after pregnancy. His expertise also extends to comprehensive post-weight loss body contouring, addressing excess skin and skin laxity with sophisticated surgical techniques tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals. From breast and body rejuvenation to deep plane facelifts and eyelid surgery, every treatment plan reflects Dr. Rossi’s commitment to surgical excellence, personalized care, and transformative results that look as beautiful as they feel.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, the board-certified, internationally acclaimed team has the power to erase 10+ years of aging in a single treatment. The center’s 60+ laser, light, and energy devices do it all—refining texture and tone, calming acne, minimizing pores, and erasing that ill-advised spring break tattoo of yesteryear. Their dermatologists take it further by stacking multiple devices in one session for synergistic results—the philosophy behind their signature Take5 and Take10 treatments, the latter capable of removing a decade-plus of aging in just one visit. Add a full suite of injectables, body sculpting, and vein treatments for every skin type and tone, and it’s no wonder the practice’s medical director was named the #1 cosmetic dermatologist in America by Newsweek two years running.
Cultivé Medical Aesthetic
If it’s subtle, lasting results you’re after, Cultivé Medical Aesthetics has you covered. Cultivé purposely combines aesthetics and wellness. The Bankers Hill practice offers a full menu of services designed to improve skin health and support the three pillars of aesthetic aging: skin tone and texture, volume loss, and laxity. Cultivé offers a wide range of aesthetic treatments, including collagen boosting powerhouse Morpheus8, biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse, PRP therapy, laser hair removal, VI peels, and regenerative skincare treatments. They also provide wellness-focused services such as hormone replacement therapy, IV therapy, and medical weight management programs.
Starlite Aesthetics and Wellness
Starlite Aesthetics and Wellness focuses on enhancing natural beauty through science-backed treatments tailored to each client’s goals. Michelle Langston, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, founded Starlite on the principle that aesthetic medicine should be precise, personal, and rooted in wellness. The boutique aesthetic practice in La Jolla combines modern medical aesthetics with holistic wellness principles for refined results personalized to each patient. Langston has spent more than a decade honing her skills in advanced injectables, regenerative therapies, and anti-aging care. Starlite offers regenerative therapies rooted in science, promoting skin rejuvenation using a multiple modality approach. Service offerings include RF microneedling, wrinkle relaxers, facial balancing and more.
The “It” List
In the rapidly advancing field of aesthetic medicine, it can be hard to tell what’s worth the hype. Here are some of the latest, most advanced, and most popular options out there.
Morpheus8: This combination of microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy activates your skin’s own collagen and elastin without the downtime associated with some laser treatments. It can be used to reduce wrinkles, tighten skin, improve skin tone, contour the jawline, and minimize acne scars.
Exosome Therapy: This cutting-edge treatment uses protein-packed nanoparticles to trigger repair and rejuvenation at the cellular level. Often used post-microneedling or lasers, exosomes penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate collagen production.
Post-GLP-1 Skin Removal: Rapid fat loss prompted by GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide, can leave users with sagging skin. Skilled surgeons can remove excess skin and reshape the figure.
Treatment Stacking: Sometimes it’s the more the merrier when it comes to aesthetic procedures. Combining multiple non-surgical treatments in a single session allows users to address several issues efficiently, with less downtime.
