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Sure, the bike paths through mountain scenery are stunning, and the breweries abundant. But when you brave the strip malls, you'll learn where San Marcos hides its treasures.
Map of San Marcos
1. COMING SOON
Slater’s 50/50
Decadent gourmet burgers (e.g. ground bacon soaked in bone marrow butter) and milkshakes arrive in San Marcos this spring. 110 Knoll Road
2. EXPANDING
Lakehouse Hotel & Resort
The newly renovated, charming lakeside resort and country club is open to the public, and will soon be adding a fine-dining restaurant and glamping sites. 1025 La Bonita Drive
3. NEW
Pizza Port
This top-notch brewery’s newest location features a canning line, 40 taps, a full menu, house-made ice cream, and an arcade for the kids. 2730 Gateway Road
4. NEW
Dos Desperados Brewery
This homebrewing husband and wife craft IPAs and Belgian-style beer. 1241 Linda Vista Drive
5. The Lost Abbey & Port Brewing
The tasting room, which serves some of San Diego’s most significant beers, belongs on every beer tourist’s agenda. 155 Mata Way
6. Rip Current Brewing
This year-old brewery’s saisons, rich stouts, aggressive IPAs, and experimental brews are making their marks on the San Diego scene. 1325 Grand Avenue
March 12
Healing Hearts Mural Art talk on Afghanistan and Pakistan at CSUSM
March 15
Free bicycle maintenance class at Trek Bicycle Superstore
March 23
San Marcos Alive, celebration of the arts at San Marcos Civic Center
7. Churchill’s Pub & Grille
Go for serious beer, a laid-back atmosphere, wing night, and vegan specials. 887 West San Marcos Boulevard
8. Old California Restaurant Row
This 15-resto strip houses spots like Sublime Ale House, San Marcos Brewery & Grill, Fish House Vera Cruz, and Fratelli’s Italian Kitchen. 1080 West San Marcos Boulevard
9. North County Wine Company
A friendly wine shop and bar offering a knowledgeable selection and great prices. 1099 West San Marcos Boulevard
10. Foster’s Family Donuts
Stop at this favorite for soft donuts with quality glazes and fillings. 627 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
11. Trek Bicycle Superstore
Prepare to hit San Marcos’ bike paths and mountain trails with Trek’s huge selection of bicycles, parts, and accessories. 1617 Capalina Road
12. Fortis & Yogalux Fitness Center
Heated yoga, indoor cycling, boot camp, TRX, and more! Whether the close proximity to Pizza Port is a blessing or a curse is up to you. 2712 Gateway Road
Explore restaurants, activities, and shops within this affluent North County community
The inland North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is often associated with wealth. It’s one of San Diego’s most expensive residential markets and is consistently ranked one of the highest-income zip codes in California and the U.S. Rancho Santa Fe is known for its large equestrian community including riding facilities and horse trails, as well as its country club lifestyle and associated golf courses.
At the center of this luxury master-planned community is a small, walkable downtown area referred to as the “village,” with The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe acting as both a landmark and social hub. Much of the community, including the historic Inn, was designed by acclaimed architect Lilian Rice, one of California’s earliest female architects. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture she brought to the village is still one of its defining characteristics today.
Whether you’re coming to Rancho Santa Fe for golf, horseback riding, or pampering at a resort spa, be sure to start with a short walk around the village to take in the neighborhood’s charm. Plan your next visit here with our neighborhood guide to the area’s best restaurants, things to do, and shopping.
Jump To: Restaurants | Things to Do | Shopping
Families congregate at The Pony Room for elevated California ranch-style cuisine. Lamb lollipops, carne asada tacos, burgers, and weekly dinner specials are offered here, alongside an extensive collection of wine and spirits (especially tequila) and sizeable kids menus. As the signature restaurant of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, this all-day eatery is a lively centerpiece of the local social scene.
5921 Valencia Circle
The piano bar at Mille Fleurs is the buzziest spot to be on Friday and Saturday nights in Rancho Santa Fe. French classics like escargot, lobster bisque, duck confit, and steak frites are the main dinner attractions at this local institution that has been around for more than 40 years. Spring for the four-course prix fixe menu before nabbing a coveted bar seat near the piano entertainer.
6009 Paseo Delicias
Nick & G’s is one of the most prominent restaurants in the village, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the main thoroughfare. Enjoy modern Italian food, steaks, and seafood dishes here, including homemade pasta, pizza, wagyu beef, and oysters. Be sure to check their live music schedule and events calendar for the latest happenings.
6106 Paseo Delicias
Named after renowned architect and planner Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s flagship restaurant. Their upscale menus feature sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, local produce, and even sushi rolls during dinner. Outdoor seating provides a bird’s-eye view of the village and an elegant backdrop for weekend brunch. Stop by Bing’s Bar (a nod to Bing Crosby) for craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites in a refined setting.
5951 Linea Del Cielo
Quaint cafe and bakery Thyme in the Ranch serves a small selection of breakfast and lunch items (don’t miss the tarragon chicken salad), but is perhaps best known for its pastries and baked goods. Cakes, pies, muffins, scones, and cookies fly off the shelves here, where locals come for special occasions, parties, and group catering orders.
16905 Avenida De Acacias
Located inside a historic building once home to Rancho Santa Fe’s original schoolhouse, Paseo RSF is one of the village’s newest dining options. The charming American bistro has pasta, salads, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, plus a thoughtfully selected California wine list and new sushi and omakase program. Kids and dogs are both welcome here.
6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C
Grab a quick coffee to go from this walk-up window in the same shopping center as the post office. Cinnamon roll lattes, cold brew, spiced chai, smoothies, protein bowls, and more can be found at Rancho Roasters, where they brew beans from Dark Horse Coffee.
16950 Via De Santa Fe
Casual pizzeria and martini bar Goli is a popular spot for catching the latest sports games. Order one of their unique specialty pizzas like the Casbah with hummus and veggies, build your own pizza or burger, or go with one of their hearty wraps that’s made with an extra thin version of pizza dough.
18021 Calle Ambiente, Suite 403
Find generous portions of Mexican food at Cocina del Rancho, run by the same owners as Carlsbad’s Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Village Kabob. Get classic dishes like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, plus their specialty items including pulpo, carne asada, and fajitas with lobster tail. Don’t skip the margaritas.
16089 San Dieguito Road
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
Where to shop, eat and play in this North County hub
The city of San Marcos, nestled along Highway 78 between Escondido and Vista, has an agricultural heritage dating back to the 1850s centered around wine, honey, poultry and dairy production. While San Marcos still has remnants of those roots (such as the family-run Hollandia Dairy), it has now evolved into the educational hub of San Diego’s North County. It’s not only home to California State University San Marcos and Palomar College, but it also has an award-winning K-12 school district. Combine that with its extensive trails and parks (the city is nicknamed “San Parkos”) and its variety of job opportunities, and San Marcos has grown into a popular location for families, outdoor lovers and professionals.
Here’s where to eat, explore and shop next time you’re passing through this North County town.
Tucked in a strip mall between a taco shop and boba restaurant, you’ll find the surprisingly authentic Italian restaurant Eugenio. The chef—Eugenio himself—was born in Treviso, Italy, and brings decades of experience from LA, Orange County, Honolulu and Carlsbad restaurants. His menu includes such mouth-watering delights as Wagyu beef carpaccio, lobster bisque, and a long list of fresh pastas and pizzas. Don’t miss the osso buco served over saffron risotto, or the short-rib pasta.
679 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
Overlooking the putting green at Lakehouse Resort on Lake San Marcos you’ll find Brickmans, a relaxed resort eatery that offers elevated cuisine and locally sourced beer and wine. You can start the day with breakfast here—try the steak and egg smash, made with a Brandt beef ribeye, avocado salsa and cotija cheese, or the short rib breakfast tacos. For lunch and dinner, try their signature “steak bombs” or buttermilk-fried calamari before a main meal of a stacked burger or fish and chips. Pair it with a local craft brew or signature cocktail.
1025 La Bonita Drive
When you walk into the divey San Marcos mainstay Churchill’s, you can expect more than typical pub food. The English pub-style restaurant offers not only arguably the most extensive beer list in town (250+ bottled beers from all over the world, 20 draft beers), but also a full menu of English and American fare made well. For starters, their dry rub chicken wings have their own cult following. Other popular dishes are the cottage pie, the beer-battered fish, shrimp and chips, and the sticky toffee pudding.
887 West San Marcos Blvd.
Like so many San Diego breweries, Craft Coast’s San Marcos location is in an industrial park, but don’t let that fool you. The second location of the Oceanside-based restaurant pairs a large craft beer list (usually pretty IPA heavy) with authentic Baja-style tacos, which are so good they might be a bigger draw than the beer. Try the birria or al pastor tacos, or the carne asada nachos, and don’t skip the salsa bar.
1325 Grand Avenue, Unit 100
This unassuming little spot attached to a Walmart parking lot delivers fresh sushi, high-value lunch specials, and excellent customer service. Sushi On’s specialty rolls are reasonably priced—try the Nordahl Roll, Lemon Wave or El Fuego—and the premium rolls give some unique options (Truffle Lover Roll). The menu has something for everyone: Sushi skeptics can order from a long list of hot plates (e.g., bulgogi, pork katsu), ramen, and bowls, and children can order a kid-size portion of bulgogi or teriyaki.
751 Center Drive, Unit 110
Inside the charming downtown of the master-planned San Elijo Hills community, you’ll find San Elijo Vine & Tap. This cozy little establishment offers inventive twists on classic foods to pair with your wine and beer. The build-your-own cheese boards are a popular pick, as is the baked brie appetizer and warm loaf of bread served with olive oil and house-made balsamic glaze. You can also try an elevated mac and cheese (like prosciutto bleu cheese) or a buffalo chicken dip. Patrons also love the specials—happy hour, taco Tuesdays and trivia nights.
1231 Elfin Forest Road West, Suite 110
A spin-off location from the original Manna Heaven BBQ on Convoy Street, this all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue eatery is a popular destination among meat lovers. You simply choose from two menu options, one with several more premium cuts of meat, and they’ll keep bringing marinated meat (like bulgogi), non-marinated meat and seafood as long as you’re cooking and eating it. All the food is served with house-made banchan (Korean side dishes), including kimchi, and you can request sides like dumplings and corn cheese to round out your meal.
740 Nordahl Road
Bethany Mavis is a writer, editor and aficionado of hiking, crafting and thrifting. She is an adjunct professor in journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University, and she lives in Escondido with her husband and three daughters.
What to eat, see, and do in the place known for backyard BBQs that deserve a Michelin star and San Diego's Black Arts & Culture District
Nestled between Lemon Grove, Valencia Park, Skyline, and the 94 freeway is the hilly, residential neighborhood of Encanto. Drive around, and you might feel transported to a small town. The chaparral-covered slopes are full of single-family homes and quiet, dead-end streets where locals raise chickens and goats in their backyards. Despite Encanto’s rural charm, the hilltop views of downtown remind you that you’re only 15 minutes away from the city center.
The housing market in the area is on the rise, with the median price of an Encanto home up 13 percent from last year to around $735,000. Beside the trolley tracks, two modern housing developments tower over Imperial Avenue, where nearly all of the neighborhood’s businesses are located. In 2022, the nine-block stretch of Imperial Avenue from 61st Street to 69th Street was designated the San Diego Black Arts & Culture District, part of a plan to revitalize the area and preserve its history. Vibrant murals decorate buildings and electrical boxes.
However, Encanto has faced recent challenges, as well. It was severely impacted by the extreme rainfall in January, which devastated homes and swept cars away in floodwaters. And the local economy is struggling: Interspersed between the taco shops, beauty parlors, and churches are boarded-up storefronts—evidence of what some call a “business desert.” But the area appears to be on the precipice of change.
Encanto is one of San Diego’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods—it was one of the first parts of San Diego where Black and Mexican families were allowed to buy homes, due to discriminatory housing laws in other areas of the city. Local resident David Peña says his grandfather was one of those buyers. He purchased a house in Encanto in 1960 after moving here from Tijuana, and the property has been passed down through the family. “It’s nice how there’s still a lot of land out here,” Peña says. “But it’s crazy how this area is starting to get gentrified.”
Black lowriding culture has been a part of Southeast San Diego since the 1950s, and the Encanto-based Black Lowriders Association of San Diego is keeping the tradition alive. Members meet in Marie Widman Memorial Park to showcase their classic cars and impressive hydraulics. But they aren’t just here to cruise Imperial—part of their mission statement is to be a positive influence in the area. They organize bike giveaways and charity drives. “I love those guys,” Baraka says. “They are giving back 100 percent to the community.”
Decorated with images of palm trees and sunsets, Caribbean Taste in Trolley Stop Plaza draws a constant stream of customers through its doors. It’s been there almost 20 years, Baraka says, and he knows the owner, Frank, by name. “The jerk chicken is the best I’ve had in San Diego,” he asserts, but he also recommends the goat stew, and, of course, the oxtail. “Caribbean Taste is bomb.”
Although not within Encanto’s borders, this nearby BBQ joint in Lemon Grove is one of Baraka’s favorites. “The brisket is off the chain,” he says. Before he had a storefront, owner Brad Cooper would deliver directly to barber shops and beauty parlors in the area. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Brad,” Baraka adds. “Everybody does.” Coop’s only accepts cash, so come prepared.
The exterior of Imperial Avenue’s World Famous Imperial Barbershop is plastered with murals. The inside is steeped in history. Photos of Black leaders and organizers cover the walls. “That’s Marcus Garvey’s only living son,” says owner Tau Baraka, pointing to one of the frames. “All these people used to come to San Diego, to this area, all the time. I want to see that happen again.”
The barbershop has become a cornerstone of the neighborhood, collecting charity donations and hosting potlucks. As the demographics of the area change, Baraka says, he gets customers of all ethnicities in the shop. “And we give them love; we build friendships,” he continues. “We need to have people from all cultures come together.” Here’s where he likes to gather with the community in Encanto.
In 2023, Encanto’s San Diego Black Arts & Culture District announced a partnership with the NewSchool of Architecture & Design in downtown to develop plans for the area’s revitalization. The district, overseen by The San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art, wants to prioritize the arts in these urban development plans by preserving historic buildings and creating spaces for youth creativity, while keeping a focus on the elements of the community that make up the Black experience.
The City of San Diego’s community plan for Encanto, which was adopted in 2015, includes improving the streets and sidewalks, restoring canyon trails, and bringing more businesses back to the area. The new apartment buildings by the trolley tracks are part of that plan—they’re intended to create higher density housing developments along the public transit corridor while maintaining the hillsides full of single-family homes that give the neighborhood its semi-rural character. Marie Widman Memorial Park is due for
a facelift, as well. The city aims to enhance the park with ADA improvements and an upgraded “tot lot.” But these plans are still in the preliminary engineering phase, and funding has yet to be secured.
The changes aren’t limited to Imperial Avenue. In March, a 30,493-square-foot lot at 6353 Broadway sold for $1.35 million. The only building at the address is an abandoned church, but the property is permitted for the development of 11 accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Baraka says that the gentrification in the area is a double-edged sword. “People with businesses may look at it as prosperous, but a lot of people who have been here for years are scared of the change,” he explains. But his vision for the future is optimistic. “I love the people, I know what [Encanto] can become,” he says. “It was once a vibrant cultural place—we can do that again.”
Cora Lee was born and raised in San Diego. More of her work can be found at coralee.net.
NOW CFO provides scalable, on-demand accounting and finance support to companies ranging from pre-revenue startups to billion-dollar businesses
Entrepreneurs typically launch businesses because they’re passionate about a product or service, not because they want to manage its finances. While working to carve out a niche in their respective industries and drive their companies forward, many business owners find themselves bogged down by day-to-day accounting. Their existing accounting tools don’t provide the necessary visibility or insight, and they don’t have the time or resources to hire additional staff or a chief financial officer. That’s where NOW CFO comes in.
For more than 20 years, NOW CFO has been pairing businesses across the country with experienced accounting and finance professionals. Its outsourced model allows clients to customize solutions that match their individual needs, size, and financial challenges, whether that’s fractional or interim support, project-based services, or full-time placement.
NOW CFO’s clients range from startups preparing for rapid growth to established companies that need additional financial leadership without the commitment or expense of building an in-house team. However, many of these companies don’t fully understand their needs until they experience a “trigger” event: preparing for an acquisition or capital raise, navigating a first-time audit, or another period of transition. With a team of over 300 consultants nationwide, NOW CFO can start quickly and match the right expert to the right business.
“It’s important for companies to have financial visibility, and we can help them avoid a lot of the potholes that companies often run into,” says Mariah Block, a partner at NOW CFO’s San Diego branch. “Roughly half of our clients have an in-house finance person or department, and we’re resourced for more bandwidth when they need an extra set of hands at the staff or senior accountant level, or the controller or CFO level. Some clients use this a few hours a month and others use multiple people close to full-time. Our model is solution-based and customizable. We’re like a faucet you can turn on and off.”
With NOW CFO, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Solutions are based on the client’s individual goals, challenges, needs, and budget, meaning a client never pays for more than they need. Whether it’s a few hours of executive-level guidance or a full accounting team to support daily operations, NOW CFO meets businesses where they are and grows alongside them.
“We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the right resources at the right rate and being able to evolve as their needs evolve,” says Block.
And clients appreciate on-demand access to cost-effective support designed to improve performance and profitability.
Luxury car storage service Auto Concierge has partnered with NOW CFO to support growth over the past year. The arrangement began with a staff accountant who covered a leave of absence, but as the client’s needs changed, they also added a controller role. This allowed Auto Concierge to put effective processes in place and navigate operational challenges. Lori Church, Auto Concierge’s chief operating officer, says NOW CFO has been an “outstanding resource” and a “true strategic partner.”
“From the controller to the bookkeeper, every professional they’ve placed has brought a high level of expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism to our organization. Their team took the time to understand our business of high-profile clients and needs, adapted quickly to our fast-paced environment, and became a trusted extension of our team,” she says. “As Auto Concierge continues to grow, having a reliable financial partner like NOW CFO has allowed us to strengthen our financial and business operations while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
Where to eat, shop, and play in East County’s most populous city
El Cajon (Spanish for “the box,” so named because it is “boxed in” by foothills on all sides) served as fertile ranchland for decades before being incorporated in 1912. Once a sleepy farming town, the city is now the largest in East County, housing more than 100,000 residents and an unrecognized wealth of eateries (especially of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern variety), shops, and visitor-friendly farms and gardens.
Here’s where to explore next time you’re in El Cajon:
This Mediterranean spot known for its big portions offers excellent bang for your buck. Try Ali Baba’s chicken tekka, pompano fish with rice, and tannour bread. Feeding a crowd? Order a feast for up to ten people with kabab skewers, shawarma, cream chop, salad, rice, burghul, and hummus.
421 East Main Street
At this haven for Middle Eastern bites, start with hummus, tabbouleh, and cucumber salad and follow with kabobs, chicken tikka, or falafel. Drench it all with unlimited sauces from the Sahara‘s self-serve bar.
2990 Jamacha Road, Unit 116
Stepping inside this quaint breakfast spot feels like traveling back to a 1950s diner. The extensive menu at The Breakfast House offers nearly every classic American breakfast dish imaginable, as well as lunch choices like salads and sandwiches.
1464 Graves Avenue
Royal Sweets offers not only royally good Middle Eastern desserts, but also a variety of other pastries and cakes. Stop by for baklava, tiramisu, or gelato, or order a custom birthday cake that is sure to impress.
110 South Mollison Avenue
Inspired by the BBQ he ate in his youth, Andy Harris bought a smoker and set out to bring the flavors of Central Texas to San Diego County. Make sure to arrive early at Grand Ole BBQ to beat the long lines and get your share of some of the best pork, brisket, ribs, and sides the city has to offer.
15505 Olde Highway 80
Funky Fries and Burgers lives up to its name with creative combos like a bacon mac n’ cheese burger and a Philly cheesesteak burger, but the true stars of the show are the extravagant milkshakes. Piled precariously high, each “Funky Freak Shake” is topped with enough candy and treats to feed a first-grade birthday party.
101 West Washington Avenue
Happy hour and Mexican food go together like peanut butter and jelly, especially at Hacienda Casa Blanca, which offers sweet deals Monday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day on Sunday. They also serve brunch on Sunday mornings, laying down chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.
700 North Johnson Avenue, Suite A
The Antonelli family brought their classic, East Coast–style deli to California in 1984. Tucked away between motor shops in El Cajon, the old-school locale has almost 50 unique sandwich options, including capocollo subs, liverwurst sandos, and a French dip.
1354 North Magnolia Ave
Head to Burning Beard for punk rock vibes and good brews, from hoppy IPAs and lagers to seltzers. Pair your drink of choice with bites like smashburgers, truffle and garlic fries, and chicken tenders.
785 Vernon Way
The Yogurt Mill vends a rotating menu of classic fro-yos such as vanilla and strawberry, plus more off-the-wall flavors: toasted marshmallow, Irish mint kiss, banana cream pie. Keep an eye on their Instagram page to get the inside scoop on the flavors of the day.
935 Broadway
If you find yourself craving stuffed chicken, breakfast lentil soup, or baba ganoush, head to Al Azayem. The Middle Eastern dishes at this counter-serve joint come with a small price tag and a big flavor profile.
550 East Main Street
In addition to popular Mediterranean eats like falafel, pitas, and meat kabobs, Mal Al Sham serves the hard-to-find quzi—a roasted lamb and rice platter that’s one of Iraq’s national dishes—on weekends and holidays.
388 East Main Street
Stop by Summers Past Farms to see what the farmers are planting, harvesting, and crafting. There are shops, gardens, and wildlife to explore here, and the farm can serve as a background to any photo shoot, as it changes each season depending on what plants are growing.
15602 Olde Highway 80
The Water Conservation Garden offers fun ways to learn about saving H2O. Play and learn with the six-acre farm’s four hands-on exhibits, or simply observe the beautiful landscape as inspiration for your own home garden.
12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West
Self-taught artist Olaf Wieghorst, born Denmark in 1988, drew upon the aesthetics of the American West in his paintings of landscapes, humble abodes, cowboys, and lonely travels. This museum honors Wieghorst and fellow Western genre painters with exhibitions, workshops, and tours.
131 Rea Avenue
El Cajon is home to Sycuan, a resort and casino to rival those in Sin City. Get gaming, attend a concert, or relax at Sycuan’s full-service spa and lazy river pool. You’ll also find a wealth of dining choices, including pizza, Mexican food, and steak.
5469 Casino Way
Alpacas never make the list of oft-spotted wildlife in San Diego, but this family farm on the outskirts of El Cajon provides private tours that give you the chance to get up close and personal with the critters. Don’t forget to browse the store, where you can purchase yarn, clothes, accessories, toys, and dryer balls spun from alpaca wool.
1802 Alta Place
Reserve at this family-owned El Cajon bowling alley and entertainment center for an evening of all-ages fun. Not a fan of bowling? Hit the arcade, play a round or two of billiards, or grab a meal and drink at the in-house restaurant and bar.
1280 Fletcher Parkway
Board game store and tabletop lounge Off the Shelf offers table reservations and a retail shop with a unique library of more than 1,500 games. Join the shop’s membership program to enjoy three-day board game rentals for $20 a month and $6 a game.
173 Fletcher Parkway
Owned and operated by musicians Maria Hart and Frank Cogliana, El Cajon Guitars and Music is a friendly, community-driven spot for both guitar newbies and seasoned shredders. In addition to vending instruments and accessories, the store provides instrument repairs and guitar classes.
172 East Main Street
Taste flavors from around the world at the Harvest International Market, a one-stop shop for fresh local produce and imported goods. Visitors will discover a tasty Middle Eastern bakery onsite, too.
733 East Main Street
A rare enclosed mall in SD County (good for rainy days!), Parkway Plaza is home to more than 130 stores, from major chains like Best Buy, Ulta, and H&M to small local businesses such as 619 Underground Clothing.
415 Fletcher Parkway
Calling all comic fanatics: San Diego’s largest comic and collectibles shop is right here in El Cajon. Expand your comic collection with fairly priced, new and vintage books.
1020 El Cajon Boulevard
Maren Hawkins is a freelance writer in her last year at San Diego State University. When she is not writing, she spends her time playing beach volleyball, thrifting for the cutest clothes, and traveling whenever possible.
Where to shop, eat, and play in the bohemian beach town
Ocean Beach is the quintessential laid-back, free-spirited California beach town. While much of its retro culture has persisted through the decades, OB has also welcomed many modern restaurants, bars, and shops, attracting a new generation of food lovers and sandy surfers.
Here’s where to chow down, hang out, and gear up next time you’re wandering Newport Avenue and its nearby streets.
If you’re craving some warm, tasty, and cheesy comfort food, stop by Mad Munch Grilled Cheezer Co. Get their original grilled cheese and tomato soup, or mix it up with a breakfast sando, a meaty “cheezer,” or a basket of deep-fried cheddar cubes.
4871-B Newport Avenue
Zebra print couches, ivy-covered bird cages hanging from the ceiling, a dinosaur skeleton sculpture… this is not your mama’s coffee shop. The Template offers creative lattés, as well as a kava bar, and hosts live music jam sessions on Monday nights.
5032 Niagara Avenue
OB Noodle House is a popular local spot for Asian-fusion dishes like steak phở and fried rice. It’s also where the Screwball peanut butter whiskey shot originated, and it was featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If Guy gives his blessing, you know it’s gotta be good.
2218 Cable Street
Since opening in 1969, Hodad’s has been a neighborhood staple for a classic burger and fries. Enjoy your meal in a retro-looking space with license plates, colorful stickers, and surfboards covering every inch of the walls and booths.
5010 Newport Avenue
You know the feeling of sitting in a dark, dull bar, looking around, and thinking… Now what? Well, those days of sipping your beer in boredom are over. At Kilowatt Brewing, you can play giant Jenga, participate in weekly trivia, exercise your creativity on a massive Lite-Brite board, and take down your friends in Battleship, all while enjoying craft brews under neon lights.
1875 Cable Street
For both sweet and savory pastries, visit Azúcar, a Cuban-style patisserie in the heart of OB. There are dozens of options to choose from, but make sure to try the Cubano sandwich, guava and cheese pastry, and meat pies.
4820 Newport Avenue
Serving only local fish, Blue Water Seafood is a popular spot for locals to come grab a fun cocktail alongside chipotle butter–doused shrimp tacos or yellowtail sashimi. Added bonus: You can enjoy the catch of the day with a view of the waves.
5083 Santa Monica Avenue, Suite 2B
You get the best of both worlds at The 3rd Corner. The spot is half wine shop and half trendy bistro, so you can explore the store’s extensive vino selection before bringing your bottle over for dinner with a mere $5 corkage fee.
2265 Bacon Street
Whether you’re 5 or 95, the best way to end a day in the sun is with a massive ice cream cone in hand. Luckily, Lighthouse Ice Cream is only a few steps from the beach and offers a wealth of fun ice cream and sorbet flavors, including a hot waffle ice cream sandwich.
5059 Newport Avenue, Suite 102
At Wonderland Ocean Pub, you can enjoy delicious tacos, burgers, and cocktails with a perfect view of the waves. On Mondays, the restaurant lays down local mussels in four different sauces for $10 a pound.
5083 Santa Monica Avenue, Suite 2B
A no-frills, counter-service shop, It’s Raw Poke Shop has made a name in the community for its fresh, delicious fish and edamame and mac salad sides, all served just steps away from the sand. Don’t expect tons of toppings here: It’s Raw serves poke lightly dressed over rice.
4991 Newport Avenue, Suite A
Located in a three-story building in the heart of OB, The Holding Company is a music venue, restaurant, and rooftop bar all wrapped up in one, ensuring you don’t need to go anywhere else for your night out on the town. You can even come back the next morning for a bloody mary and eggs benny to cure your hangover.
5046 Newport Avenue
Head over to Raglan Public House for New Zealand–inspired burgers and craft beers and cocktails. Popular dishes include the wagyu smash burger, seared rare ahi tuna burger, and classic NZ meat pies and chips.
1851 Bacon Street
Quality Mexican cuisine? Check. Good vibes? Check. Woman-owned? Check. Head chef and owner Gabby Lopez draws from the flavors of Guadalajara and Baja California. Enjoy a spicy marg and ceviche al fresco on La Doña’s shaded outdoor patio.
1852 Bacon Street
If you don’t have enough time for a sit-down meal on your way to the shore, stop at The Olive Tree Market, a local spot for craft beer and wine, basic groceries, and legendary deli sandwiches. Seriously. Your beach picnic will never be the same.
4805 Narragansett Avenue
Lili Kim is a content coordinator and writer for San Diego Magazine, with experience highlighting local businesses and communities. When not writing or shooting film, she is likely brewing her seventh cup of tea of the day or strolling along Sunset Cliffs.
It’s a Self-Care Summer. Because your best self is our favorite self.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.
Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.
West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.
We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.
