Try all the best workout classes without a gym membership.Get happy hour prices all night long. Eat an ice cream sandwich when the cookie part is freshly baked and still warm. Have a car ready for you at any time without having to buy it. Have a bike ready for you at any time without having to buy it. Drink Champagne from a bathtub. Listen to really good jazz and order your kid a perfect Shirley Temple. Kayak to new corners. It’s that time again, San Diego. That once-a-year occasion when we remind you why you love this city, why we all pay the taxes, sit through the traffic, root for the home team, and race towards the water at sunset. It’s a happy, healthy list of good stuff designed to get you out and about. And of course, it all starts with…
Hot waffle ice cream sandwich at Lighthouse
Luis :Garcia Luis Garcia
Sara Elizabeth Skincare
Ramon C Purcell Photography
Circle Circle Dot Dot
Rich Soublet II
Splash Landing Pools and water play area at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Maybe it was when Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul drank mezcal with chefs from San Diego and Food Network on the cliffs over Blacks Beach. Or the dinner outside under lights with Alex Morgan, celebrating some of the country’s most badass women chefs. Or the celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees, where the star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia made thwacking sounds with locals. Or when Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan commandeered (some say “stole”) a golf cart and delivered drinks and ice to chefs.
Whatever it is, Del Mar Wine & Food seems to have become the food and wine festival for people who don’t usually like food and wine festivals. The most San Diego thing.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Two years ago, Thrillist named it one of the best food festivals in the country. Last year, 10,000 people came out to experience it, including Guy Fieri. Afterward, the founders spent a couple days trying to put their finger on why it felt so special. They had to name it, lean into whatever that was.
“It all came back to play,” says one of those founders, SDM co-owner Troy Johnson, a longtime San Diego food writer and Food Network judge. “Making world-class bread is serious, but breaking bread shouldn’t be. We gather all these incredibly talented people who take their craft very, very seriously—work their butts off all year to make some of the best food and drink in the country—and then we all just kinda play in the grass. We believe it’s possible to create something of incredible value and make the experience of that thing a laidback, easygoing, unpretentious experience. That’s what this is, and who we are in San Diego. The whole reason we did this was to shine a national spotlight on the people who make our food and drink culture hum.”
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
The festival dropped its 2026 lineup today.
Headlining the fest are Food Network chefs Jet Tila, Maneet Chauhan, and Aarti Sequeira; Top Chef winner and Michelin-starred Buddha Lo; Iron Chef alum Beau MacMillan; MasterChef winner Kelsey Murphy; MasterChef Latinos winner Michelle Mathelin, chef and Guy’s Grocery Games judge Catherine McCord, chef and former Masterchef Mexico judge Benito Molina, Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman, Michelin-starred chef Javier Plascencia, James Beard award-winning chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, and James Beard-nominated chef Mawa McQueen.
The party kicks off on Wednesday, September 30 at Monarch Ocean Pub with Signature San Diego, a walk-around tasting of the city’s greatest bites, from Baja seafood to bold Mexican flavors. From there, the energy carries into a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees at Barnes Tennis Center on October 2, pairing friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience in support of Feeding San Diego.
The main event is the two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park on Oct. 3 and 4. The city’s top chefs, food people from TV lands, and local tastemakers gather on the weirdly perfect grass to serve up everything from juicy Wagyu burgers and beef tallow fries to yellowtail tuna tostadas and veggies dressed up in their Sunday best. Wine and cocktail pairings are designed to round out the whole experience, including activations from Aperol Spritz, Hendrick’s Gin, Tequila Ocho, Mezcal Vago, Rioja wines, and Temecula producers.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
A VIP lounge offers exclusive access to curated small plates from Michelin-level chefs and pour from some of SoCal and Napa’s finest wineries and drink makers. The Official After Party at Guesthouse La Valle on October 3, a spirited walk-around tasting just steps from the Grand Tasting, where cocktails take center stage through imaginative bites inspired by the smoky, citrus-forward, and bittersweet flavors of classic drinks.
Zones return with activations including the Big Queer Food Fest celebrating queer chefs and queer-owned businesses; the Wellness Zone led by Novo Dia offering a built-in reset with non-alcoholic mocktails, movement-driven activations, and wellness-forward moments. Coastal lifestyle and locally made brands are also integrated throughout the festival.
“We are excited for the fourth edition of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival this fall, which has quickly become one of the largest food and wine experiences on the West Coast,” says co-founder Chris Finn. “As the festival continues to grow, we are constantly looking to add events, experiences, and partners that will resonate with our San Diego community, and embody the Southern California way of life.”
Returning as the festival’s partner is local nonprofit Feeding San Diego. To date, Del Mar Wine & Food has raised $100,000 to support their ongoing fight against hunger across the region.
Stay tuned for additional events hosted by festival partners including Rob Machado, San Diego Wave, San Diego FC, Town & Country, and San Diego Mojo.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Del Mar Wine & Food Fest: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
The 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival will take place September 30–October 4 throughout San Diego County.
Where is the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
The week culminates with the Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park (formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields) at 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar.
A wide variety of exclusive dinners, drink tastings, and other lifestyle events will be announced soon and available for purchase individually on Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s website. These festivities include chef-curated dining experiences across San Diego’s hottest restaurants, a celebrity pickleball tournament, wine tastings, and more.
When is the 2026 Grand Tasting?
The Grand Tasting takes place this year on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4.
How much are tickets?
General admission for the single-day Grand Tasting starts at $185. An Early Access option is also available at $235, which includes an extra four hours before general admission to meet, mingle, and feast. For a two-day pass, General Admission starts at $275, while Early Access is $375.
VIP tickets begin at $425 for a single day, offering access to pre-festival experiences, exclusive food vendors, a dedicated VIP area, and more. For the full weekend in VIP, passes are priced at $765.
Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
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.
Consider this your annual reminder that Mother’s Day is not the time to improvise. What’s in: roses, peonies, and a card attempting to summarize a year’s worth of gratitude in three paragraphs or less. What’s out: pretending you “didn’t know it was this weekend.” In a city currently operating at full brunch capacity, San Diego responds as it always does—oceanfront tables, excessive buffet spreads, and sparkling wine refills. Whether it’s waffle stacks, chilled seafood displays, or carving stations doing the most, these San Diego restaurants have you covered.
All moms deserve elegance on Mother’s Day. Celebrate a beachfront with a beautifully timeless and tasteful brunch at the Crown Room in Hotel del Coronado. Indulge in options like lemon vanilla pancakes with berry compote paired with crispy bacon, made-to-order omelets or your very own egg benedict station, shucked oysters, whole in-house smoked brisket, Peach Melba Verrine, and more. Guests over 21 can enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne.
Price: $235 per adult | $125 per child (6 – 10) | Ages 5 and under are free Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado Reservations: Hotel del Coronado
Oceana Coastal Kitchen
Mimosas, marina views, and a Mother’s Day where the only thing on the agenda is enjoying it? We’ll cheers to that. Located at the Catamaran Resort, this Mother’s Day brunch literally has it all, from sushi rolls and nigiri to a charcuterie spread stacked with salumi, prosciutto, cornichons, pepperoncini, cherry peppers, and grainy mustard, plus waffle and omelet stations, cedar-planked salmon, and panko and herb-crusted mac and cheese. Kids can also create a bouquet for Mom that’s just chaotic enough to be adorable.
Price: $120+ per adult | $60+ per child (5 – 12) | Ages 4 and under are free Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last seating at 2 p.m.) Address: 3999 Mission Boulevard, San Diego Reservations: Oceana Coastal Kitchen
Mother’s Day at Arlo transforms into an enchanted garden that’s equal parts lush and indulgent: a raw bar, fresh salads, delicate pastries, 12-hour braised short ribs, roasted prime rib, and Szechuan pepper–crusted swordfish from the Santa Maria grill. Spoil moms, grandmas, aunts, and every beloved mother figure with live music, a roaming mimosa cart, floral bouquets, and of course, a little retail therapy courtesy of the Kendra Scott trunk show—necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or, let’s be real, all of the above.
Price: $99 per adult | $40 per child (5 – 12) | Ages 4 and under are free Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Address: 500 Hotel Circle N, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
Rumorosa
Forget the CVS roses (respectfully). Rumorosa’s Mother’s Day brunch is back for its third year, pairing complimentary flowers with sun-drenched marina views. It’s coastal-modern meets Baja soul, where the food is bright and very much not an afterthought. Last year’s spread leans into Carrot Cake Waffles, a made-to-order omelet station, Café de la Olla French Toast, Roasted Lamb Tostadas, and other “yes, I’ll have everything” moments.
Price: $90 per adult | $40 per child (5 – 12) Hours: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Address: 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
Tidal
A boozy brunch overlooking Mission Bay with Mom? Say less. Celebrated at Tidal with a lavish spread of cheeses and charcuterie, a seafood bar stacked with oysters, shrimp, crab legs, and ahi specialties, and chef-attended carving stations with slow-roasted prime rib. Made-to-order omelets and pancakes, maple-glazed pork belly, roasted Baja grouper, vibrant seasonal salads, and brunch classics round it out, finishing with an abundant mini dessert selection.
Price: $125 per adult | $50 per child (5–12) | Ages 5 and under are free Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Address: 1404 West Vacation Road, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
Animae
Mother’s Day at Animae is anything but expected. Tucked into the Marina District, this world-class steakhouse leans West Coast with a playful Asian twist. This year, treat Mom to a dim sum–style experience: a slightly more elevated, endlessly flowing take on the buffet, where indulgent small plates arrive tableside, perfectly complementing the Art Deco interiors and designed to be picked at, shared, and fully obsessed over. It’s less set menu, more choose-your-own flavor adventure.
Price: $104 per person Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Address: 969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
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.
Imperial Beach may not yet be in the echelons of Malibu or Newport when it comes to tourist-beckoning beach cities, but the southwestern-most town in the United States is working to get there. “Imperial Beach is primed and ready for change,” says chamber of commerce president Sandi Crosby, who has lived in Imperial Beach for 20 years.
While IB is in the process of reinventing itself as a destination city, it’s always lived up to its moniker with sea-centric activities: wide sandy beaches, the Outdoor Surfboard Museum (featuring Surfhenge, an iconic public sculpture that resembles four, massive colorful boards), the traditional 1,500-foot wooden pier, Bayshore Bikeway, the Tijuana Estuary (a great place for shorebird-spotting), epic Pacific sunsets, world-famous surf breaks.
But the ability to safely enjoy those breaks (or any of the coastline) has been IB’s biggest hurdle. Pollution-related beach shutdowns plague the city, often for weeks at a time, due to sewage contamination in the Tijuana River. There is hope: In 2024, the federal government committed $650 million to clean up the Tijuana River Valley, and a 2025 agreement with Mexico addresses plans for wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana. Lawmakers like Supervisor Paloma Aguirre and State Senator Steve Padilla are introducing legislation to distribute air purifiers, regulate factory-created pollution, and remove infrastructure contributing to airborne toxins. Former mayor Serge Dedina founded the conservation-focused nonprofit WildCoast to protect the biodiverse wetland habitat surrounding IB, and community members continue to raise their voices for pollution remediation.
And it’s still a wonderful place to explore. Exit the 5 at Palm Avenue, head west, and turn south on Seacoast Drive to find the heart of the city. Staycation at Pier South Resort, wander through a tchotchke-filled gift shop, linger over a bowl of clam chowder at Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar, peruse public art. Get ice cream at Cow-A-Bunga and walk out on the pier for a classic IB experience. You can’t miss the view of Islas Los Coronados and Playas de Tijuana.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
Facts About Imperial Beach, CA
It’s no coincidence this beach town and San Diego’s neighboring county share a name: Imperial Beach was founded in 1887 as a retreat for Imperial County residents escaping scorching summer temps.
The huge waves at Tijuana Sloughs (up to 20 feet on the right swells) became famous when Dempsey Holder surfed them in 1937.
In the early 1900s, a ferry excursion boat took passengers from downtown San Diego to Imperial Beach for a day at the shore.
In 2025, the average home price in Imperial Beach was $834,000, according to Zillow.
Scenes from Lords of Dogtown, a cult-favorite 2005 film about SoCal surf and skate culture, were shot at Imperial Beach Pier.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
Locals’ Guide to Imperial Beach, CA
“A lot is new in Imperial Beach in the past five or six years, and some of my favorite places aren’t there anymore,” says Charlie Knowles, who grew up in IB and now co-owns the Portuguese café Bica on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. But many of his old haunts remain, like IB Forum Sports Bar & Grill, where you can get a cold local beer and a burger on a hot day. “The Philly cheesesteaks are also really good,” Knowles adds, and Crosby says the wings and salads are just as tasty as the burgers.
Opened in the ’60s, IB’s oldest bar, Ye Olde Plank Inn, is a “good old dive,” Knowles says. Just steps from the sand at the corner of Palm Avenue and Ocean Lane, it’s the place with the pirate on top. “And I don’t think [many] people know that there’s a new restaurant attached to it, Plank Cantina,” Crosby points out.
Like any city worth its salt in San Diego, there’s no shortage of quality tacos in IB. Knowles goes to Victoria’s Mexican Food on the corner of Coronado Avenue and Saturn Boulevard for reliably delicious tacos of all varieties, Baja Oyster and Sushi Bar across the street for the fish version, and Ed Fernandez down the block for birria.
Photo Credit: Jessica Paige Photo Co.
“Trident Coffee is one of the new places,” Knowles says. At the end of 13th Street, where it meets the bay and the Otay River, Trident rewards early risers with colorful dawn vistas—and it’s right off the Bayshore Bikeway for a quick caffeine boost during your ride.
Another new(ish) spot with dreamy ocean views any time of day is Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Grill at Pier South Resort. “That’s where I go for girl lunch: Caesar salad, fries, and wine,” Crosby laughs.
Off the beaten track on 13th Street, she adds, recently opened restaurants bring new experiences to IB—like Millport, which offers curated dining events and gluten- free pastries, and Mangini’s Pizzeria, which serves artisan pizza. Once you venture away from the shore, you can also find local staples like El Tapatio and Star Dust Donut Shop on Palm Avenue, both family-owned and thriving for 40 years or more.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
What’s About to Happen
More beachy fun is coming to Portwood Pier Plaza. Expected in late 2026, a new splashpad will also include fresh landscaping, lighting, artwork, and seating.
Residents and visitors can also look forward to the potential comeback of Imperial Beach’s claim to fame: the Sun & Sea Festival, featuring the world-renowned sandcastle competition. “It depends on funding, so we’re really hoping the public comes through with donations,” Crosby says.
New events are also on IB’s calendar, Crosby adds, like “female founder” gatherings sponsored by the chamber of commerce for women in business, as well as the IB Expo and Tasting Tour that takes place Father’s Day weekend to coincide with the first-time arrival of a NASCAR race in Coronado (the 3.4-mile street race is expected to summon tens of thousands of spectators).
Crosby is excited to see what kinds of businesses will move into empty spots along Seacoast Drive, and she is encouraged by the recent arrival of unique shops like upscale stationery boutique Crafty Paper Co. SunCoast Market, opened in summer 2025, is another fresh concept for the city—a co-op grocery store offering San Diego–grown produce, locally prepared and packaged food, and more organic choices.
Through the decades, Imperial Beach has maintained a reputation as one of San Diego’s more budget-friendly beach towns. But recent years brought precipitous hikes in housing costs, mostly driven up by investors buying and renting out existing units, lack of affordability in other parts of San Diego, and a dearth of economical housing units under construction in IB. So, it’s big news that a new multi-family development with affordable units is coming to Holly Avenue and 14th Street, complete with a public park and green space—the first of its kind in the area.
“Resiliency is on the rise,” Crosby says. “There’s a general consensus that we’re working toward something better.”
Implementing a farm-to-table model hardly deserves acknowledgement these days. It’s not a stretch. It’s not innovative. “It’s the bare f**king minimum,” says Herb & Sea‘s executive chef Aidan Owens.
When I arrive at the Encinitas restaurant, I’m ready to talk sustainability, farm-to-table stuff, with Owens. “Did you see the chin on that?” he says of the extra big jiggly chin on the sheephead that just arrived with the day’s fresh catch. I did. It was Jay Leno adjacent.
I learn quickly that he somehow oozes both charm and stone-cold honesty. Maybe he could construct a new dish with chin goo, like he did when he had a bunch of tuna scraps and voila’d it into a smooth and crowd-pleasing ‘nduja. “I want to know what’s in there,” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The instinct to look closer, to dig into what others might discard, says a lot about the chef’s approach. I guide him back to our topic, but he has something else on his mind. “We’re overcomplicating food—what happened to just cooking good food and having fun with it?”
Owens grew up on a farm in Byron Bay, Australia, where sustainability wasn’t a concept you chat about so much as a way of life. Think dirt roads, backyard chickens, pulling vegetables straight from the ground, and a mother who believed that if you couldn’t pronounce the ingredients on a package, you shouldn’t eat what was inside.
Food wasn’t precious or performative. Making it was what you did because you were hungry and that’s still what inspires Owens today. “I like to cook good food because I like to eat good food,” he says.
His approach to sustainability at Herb & Sea began so naturally that it felt just like instinct. “I was just like, ‘Let’s order food from the people who live and work here,’” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
And why wouldn’t he when lives in San Diego? Cities all over the world vie for our goods. Our tuna is sent overseas. Our spiny lobsters hit dinner plates in China and Japan. Not to mention California’s producing a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.
“Why would we outsource when it’s all here?” Owens asks.
Sustainability, in this context, is about cooking what exists in abundance, nearby, right now. “I love the local fish here. It’s f**king delicious and San Diego citrus, I mean, it is so f**ing good,” he says.
Instead of importing ingredients, Owens also looks for nearby alternatives. “You can find really cool things in the local waters,” he says, pointing out that stingray cheeks taste similar to scallops.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
Whatever he finds in that sheephead chin might just be the next substitute for marrow. But to make this work, it means getting diners amped up about the slightly unfamiliar.
Tasting menus, where diners are completely in his hands, become an opportunity to gently push boundaries. “I’ll serve mackerel, because people think they hate it,” Owens says, noting that the abundant local fish can have some fishiness. “But when it’s fresh, it’s arguably one of the best fish in the ocean.”
He also tweaks the language on the menu so people might feel more compelled to give dishes a try without preconceived notions. He might use “lengua” instead of “tongue.” “Whelk” instead of “snail.” When he puts “stingray throat” on the menu, he disarmingly calls it “skate.”
To reduce waste, scraps aren’t always discarded but rather turned into something new. Sometimes they’re smoked, cured or fermented. Apples going bad turn into apple ponzu. Lemons turn to marmalade, which stretches their usefulness far beyond peak season. “And it’s super tasty on our pizza,” he says.
What makes the food even richer, is the relationships he’s built with farmers. Though it didn’t always feel natural, Owens sought personal connection first. He recalls approaching a fisherman at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. “I was awkward,” he says. “I went up to him and said, ‘I like your fish.’”
Owen’s is now so close to his suppliers—like fishermen Ryan Sebo and Joe Daly—that he gets texted pictures of fresh catches right as they flop on the boat. The messages always ask if he wants first dibs. “I say yes to a lot of fish,” Owens says, noting that Herb & Sea can go through 2,000 pounds of seafood a week.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The next evolution of sustainability, in his view, will be chefs working directly with producers such as his alliance with Sebo, cutting out middlemen and purveyors where possible. “It will put more money in the pockets of the people doing the work,” he says.
It will mean that chefs can’t just know their local farmers and producers, but they’ll choose to work with the ones who have the best practices. Dining and sustainability will become much less about the final plate. “It will be more about the impact that plate has on the Earth,” he says.
Ultimately, he believes sustainability doesn’t need to be loud. It doesn’t need hashtags. It just needs to be honest.
“We aren’t saving lives. We’re feeding people good food,” he says.
And yet, in feeding people well—simply, thoughtfully, responsibly—something meaningful happens. Guests leave satisfied. Ingredients are respected. Local ecosystems are supported and food returns to what it has always been at its core: nourishment, pleasure, and a quiet reflection of the place it comes from.
You don’t have to go far to get your forest fix in San Diego County—just take the 8 East past El Cajon and gain altitude in the Cuyamaca Mountains and you’ll hit Alpine, a quasi-rural community of 15,000 with sweeping views. Surrounded by national forest land and two reservations and perched at 2,000-feet elevation, Alpine is only about 30 miles east of downtown San Diego, perfect for a day trip when you’re in the mood for a small-town outing (or a stop along the way to the desert or Viejas).
The Kumeyaay hunted, gathered, and farmed in what is now Alpine more than 12,000 years ago before Spanish missionaries forced them to convert their villages to rancherias. By the late 1840s, after California and Mexico declared independence from Spain, the rancherias were consolidated into one massive “rancho,” and, in the 1850s, the area became a stopover on the “Jackass Mail,” SoCal’s first regular postal route. Then came the Gold Rush and a road to Julian, followed by another kind of gold: Alpine was California’s leading producer of honey in the late 1800s.
Former historical society president and honorary mayor Bob Ring says that during WWI, Alpine became known for having the “best climate” in the United States—healthy for soldiers’ convalescence or those with respiratory issues. Good weather, agriculture, and deer hunting brought folks to Alpine as it grew from hunting shacks to cottages to family homes.
Nowadays, Alpine is a place where “you have to get in touch with nature—because we have no movie theaters,” jokes real estate broker and former chamber of commerce board member Jeff Campbell, a resident since 1974. Getting outdoors in Alpine might mean joining 4-H or Future Farmers of America; hiking or dog-walking at Wright’s Field or Loveland Reservoir; riding horses, ATVs, and mountain bikes; or hitting the trails to discover seasonal waterfalls like Cedar Creek Falls, which cascades into a swimmable pool. Alpine is also the place to get up close with raptors at Sky Falconry and meet rescued big cats at the animal sanctuary Lions Tigers and Bears.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
Facts About Alpine, CA
Famous Broadway actor William Dalton, who went by the stage name Julian Eltinge and made a fortune playing women’s roles on stage, lived in Alpine in the 1920s. His ranch home still stands.
One of California’s earliest female physicians, Dr. Sophronia Nichols, lived in Alpine. Her 1896 home now houses the Alpine Historical Society Museum.
Former major league pitcher and Padres commentator Mark “Mud” Grant resides in Alpine.
Zillow reports the median home price in Alpine is almost $930,000.
Alpine has hosted its holiday Parade of Lights for 30 years. Thousands attend from all over San Diego County.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
The Locals’ Guide to Alpine, CA
“Here’s how favorites work in Alpine: We all have our preferred menu items at each of our town’s 11 eateries,” Campbell explains. The restaurants are mostly concentrated along Alpine Boulevard right off the 8.
Ring likes the rolled tacos at family-owned Alpine Taco Shop, with extra guac and cheese, while Campbell is partial to the fried fish tacos at Casino Inn Bar & Grill. According to Campbell, Franca’s Italian Kitchen and Bar has the best baked rigatoni not only in Alpine but in all of San Diego County. Ring goes there for family dinners and says he could be satisfied with “just the homemade bread with balsamic and olive oil.” Or head to Mediterraneo (locals call it “the Med”) for vegetarian lasagna. “I’m a keto dude, but it’s that good,” Campbell says.
For coffee, there’s The Well Cafe, where Cecilia Kennedy runs the shop and her husband Alan roasts beans in micro batches at home. Try the dark roast for drip and Mexican mocha for something a little fancier. Breakfast is a must at Janet’s Montana Cafe, which Campbell says serves the fluffiest pancakes, with no syrup needed. “[Janet’s has] homemade everything,” Ring adds, “but try the pies.” Grab supersized treats at Steph’s Donut Hole, and lunch is on the go at Barons Market, where you can pick up soup and salad.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
With two award-winning breweries in town, Alpine has a good beer scene for its size. Campbell gets the Assaulted By Feather Pillows IPA at Mike Hess Brewing and the Apricot Bells Bluff blonde ale at Mcilhenney Brewing Co.
The town also has a healthy populace of gearheads: Locals like to bring out their classic cars, motorcycles, dune buggies, and fifth wheels. Hang out on a Sunday to ogle old Thunderbirds, Mustangs, and Corvettes. For fun, Alpine parents take their kids to Viejas Outlet Center for outdoor ice skating in winter (and roller skating the rest of the year) or games at the center’s big arcade.
Overall, Campbell and Ring agree, you gotta have humor and heart to live in Alpine. “The culture of this community is that people are always willing to help, even in these busy times,” Ring says.
Photo Credit: Ariana Drehsler
What’s About to Happen?
Change in Alpine is incremental. Campbell anticipates Alpine’s mix of historic and suburban-type housing won’t shift dramatically in the near future, but he has seen some movement by the county to rezone some of its land to encourage more affordable units. “It’s my greatest hope for Alpine,” he says. “Nothing is deeded yet, but it’s on the county’s radar.”
Caltrans is also paying attention to the area, with a recent freeway expansion east of Alpine to Pine Valley, which means more road enhancements could be coming to the two-lane stretch of the 8 that leads from El Cajon west to Alpine.
A new state law that took effect in 2026 will certainly bring changes to Alpine’s mountain aesthetic: Homeowners and businesses must remove all combustible materials within five feet of any structure to help prevent fires. Compliance means replacement of existing landscaping with bare soil, rocks, gravel, concrete, or stone. It could be a whole different look for a rugged town with natural smatterings of oaks, bushy sage, and chaparral.
Campbell has recently seen positive growth and possible expansion in the tribal areas, with new housing subdivisions. In Alpine, he’s noticed a gradual ADU trend, gaining momentum but not catching on as quickly as in other parts of San Diego—“because people come out here for elbow room,” he says.
It’s kind of big news that there’s talk of a small grocery store incoming (the first supermarket to arrive in town since Barons in 2015). New businesses in Alpine used to be heralded with ribbon-cuttings by the chamber of commerce, which disbanded last year—but, Campbell has heard, the organization may get revived soon and bring back this charmingly small-town style of welcome. “Alpine has a need for a center to elevate business to a new level,” he says.
Easter is thebrunch of holidays. It’s where warm, jam-filled pastries meet lavender mimosas, pastel table spreads collide with ruffle-filled florals, and jazz playlists hum. Suddenly, it’s not just brunch—it’s a moment to unwind, rejuvenate, and revel in the whimsy of spring. Whether you’re chasing a glamorous buffet, a meticulously curated prix-fixe where every option looks irresistible, or a spot that simply captures your ideal Easter, we’ve got you covered.
If your Easter needs a little historic wow factor, The Prado at Balboa Park delivers. The brunch buffet showcases the best of land and sea—spicy tuna rolls, red wine braised beef short ribs, and smoked ham with orange glaze—all in a space dripping with Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican-inspired details. Trade egg-dyeing for hand-painted stencils, carved beams, and fountains that make every corner a photo op. With a sangria in hand overlooking the lush Casa del Rey Moro Garden, brunch suddenly feels like a mini-vacation.
Price: $89.95 for adults | $19.95 for children 6-12 | Ages 5 and under are free Hours: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Address: 1549 El Prado, Suite 12, San Diego Reservations: call at 619-557-9441
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Hop into Easter at Rancho Valencia for a family celebration that’s equal parts yummy and generous. Feast on a buffet with a raw bar, spring salads, carvings and a dessert spread that’s basically a sweet tooth’s dream. Kids can frolic on the lawn and enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon art, and Easter Egg hunts at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Price: $245+ for adults | $95+ for children 4-12 | Ages 3 and under are free Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Address: 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe Reservations: Call 858-759-6246 or email [email protected]
Take your Easter offshore this year for a springtime celebration on the water. This two-hour cruise pairs a chef-crafted buffet featuring seasonal offerings and brunch classics from a cinnamon-dusted French toast bake to sesame-glazed Atlantic salmon with bottomless mimosas, all while live music plays to the city skyline. Snap family photos with the Coronado Bay Bridge and USS Midway as your backdrop, soak up the spring sunshine on the open-air deck, and enjoy a surprise cameo from the Easter Bunny. With semi-formal attire encouraged, it’s your excuse to twirl in layered florals and crisp polos.
Price: $150 for adults | $123 for children 4-12 | Ages 3 and under are free Hours: Board: 10:30 a.m. | Cruise: 11 a.m – 1 p.m. Address: Pier 1 Hornblower Landing 1800 North Harbor Drive, San Diego Reservations: City Cruises
Rumorosa
This April, brunch like you mean it at Rumorosa: bay views, a brunch buffet, and an Easter egg hunt (led, obviously, by the Easter Bunny) included. Designed for families and friends, guests can indulge in hot toddy french toast, steak & eggs benedict, and more. It’s an experience that truly captures the springtime spirit.
Price: $85 for adults | $35 for children under 12 Hours: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Address: 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
Provisional Kitchen, Café and Mercantile
Who doesn’t love a city-chic brunch upgrade? At Pendry Provisional, Easter is less basket-of-eggs, more stylish spread with mimosas on the side. Enjoy build-your-own parfaits, pesto aioli potatoes, and a chef’s station serving everything from porchetta with chimichurri to strawberry vanilla pancakes, while kids indulge in Peep pancakes and egg-cellent muffin sandwiches. Add a seafood bar, housemade desserts, and an al fresco patio in the heart of the Gaslamp, and you’ve got a holiday brunch that’s effortlessly cool.
Price: $105 for adults | $34 for children ages 12 and under Hours: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Address: 425 5th Avenue, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
Tidal
Make a splash this Easter at Tidal Waterfront Restaurant, where seafood-focused Southern California dining meets an outdoor deck shaded by swaying palm trees overlooking the bay. Start with baked brie, Humboldt Fog, charcuterie, or fresh Greek yogurt parfaits, then move to omelets and pancakes made exactly how you like them. Savory highlights include honey-glazed ham, slow-roasted prime rib, and Scottish salmon, while vegetarian options like Ratatouille à la Provençal and roasted carrot & fennel salad keep things fresh. Finish on a sweet note with seasonal mini cupcakes, tartlets, macarons, or even rainbow Rice Krispy treats.
Price: $115+ for adult | $45 for children 5-12 | Ages 5 and under are free Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Address: 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego Reservations: OpenTable
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.
Torch Heroes: Why San Diego’s Most Trusted Businesses Win by Doing the Right Thing
In a world overflowing with shortcuts, marketing fluff, and “good enough,” there are still companies that choose a different answer. And in San Diego, there are plenty of them.
In a world overflowing with shortcuts, marketing fluff, and “good enough,” there are still companies that choose a different answer.
Integrity guides how they show up every day. They make hard decisions, hold themselves accountable, and build trust the old-fashioned way, one action at a time. At the Better Business Bureau, we call these businesses Torch Heroes: leaders who demonstrate that ethical leadership strengthens businesses and drives long-term success.
And in San Diego, there are plenty of them.
Take House Collective Marketing Solutions, a Carlsbad-based digital agency that won the 2025 Torch Award for Ethics for its people-first approach to marketing. Instead of pushing flashy campaigns, the team often takes a step back to make sure clients’ foundations are strong before going big. Their philosophy? Truth over transaction builds partnerships that last.
Or look at Young Black & N’ Business, where integrity shows up through community action. When a local school lost art funding, founder Roosevelt Williams III and his team stepped in with workshops, mentorship, and hands-on support to help restore creative opportunity. That kind of engagement reflects ethical leadership rooted in real impact.
And in Vista, Lotus Sustainables carried its commitment to ethics all the way to the product line. After discovering defects in a shipment of eco-friendly products, the company issued full refunds and redesigned its offerings at its own expense, a choice that shaped its identity and reinforced to customers that ethics guide every decision.
In North County, Greenway Landscape Design & Build brings integrity into everyday service. When a client’s glass was damaged, likely not by their crew, owner Scott Lawn chose responsibility over blame and covered the repair personally. For Greenway, doing the right thing serves as a north star, guiding every interaction through transparent pricing, accountable partnerships, proactive communication, and follow-through long after the job is done.
Other honorees include At Your Home Familycare, whose leadership turned down a lucrative state contract during the pandemic to protect vulnerable clients and staff, and Bill Howe Family of Companies, where hiring practices, training, and service centers around shared values, every day, on every call.
What connects these diverse businesses, from marketing to nonprofit support to home services, isn’t size, industry, or revenue. It’s something deeper: a commitment to trust as a business strategy.
In San Diego’s competitive marketplace, that trust gives companies an edge. Clients invest in relationships. They refer friends. They stay loyal when others fade.
As one Torch Award winner puts it, integrity isn’t a section in the employee handbook. It’s the operating system of the company, the invisible code that determines every choice, every day.
And that’s exactly the point of the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics: to spotlight companies that dispel the myth that ethics and success are at odds. These businesses show that when leaders choose honesty, fairness, and accountability, especially when it’s hard, they build brands that matter.
At BBB, we see nominations come in from clients, employees, and business partners who have witnessed ethical leadership up close. These submissions aren’t polished promotions. They’re stories of moments when a company chose people over profit, clarity over confusion, and trust over convenience.
The nomination window for the 2026 Torch Awards for Ethics is open through March 31, 2026, and there are more Torch Heroes waiting to be recognized.
Who comes to mind in San Diego’s business community?
A vendor who always delivers — and always explains why.
A competitor who chooses the high road even when shortcuts tempt.
A team within your own company whose day-in, day-out choices reflect deep character.
And yes, businesses can nominate themselves. We encourage it. If you’ve built your business on principles rather than buzzwords, we want to hear your story.
Because in a world full of noise, integrity still deserves the spotlight, and San Diego is full of stories worth telling. Nominate your hero now.
