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Partner Content MARCH 8, 2023

19 Best Natural Body Washes in 2023

Body wash is probably the most essential part of anyone's shower routine. Forget that old, slippery bar of soap — it doesn’t suit you as well as a body wash.

19 Best Natural Body Washes in 2023
Blu Atlas

Blu Atlas

Body wash is probably the most essential part of anyone’s shower routine. Forget that old, slippery bar of soap — it doesn’t suit you as well as a body wash. Frankly, there are a million reasons to switch to body wash, but the best reason is that it cleans your body better. That’s because body washes have a much thicker lather that helps remove oil buildups, dead skin cells, and dirt. 

However, a lot of this lather comes from harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. While these ingredients can deeply exfoliate the skin, they also can cause irritation, redness, and increased sensitivity. For that reason, we recommend staying away from these ingredients altogether.

To make it easier on anyone looking for natural body washes, we decided to hand-select the 19 best natural body washes in 2023. We’ve included completely organic options at high price points and drugstore products that are easily accessible. So, no matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

1. Blu Atlas Body Wash 

 

Our favorite body wash that we tested came from Blu Atlas. Blu Atlas is a men’s skincare brand based out of New York City. The Blu Atlas Body Wash is reasonably priced, environmentally friendly, and incredibly effective. Additionally, they provide a stress-free way to sample it with a like-it-or-your-money-back guarantee.

 

Green tea extract, aloe vera, sugarcane, and other naturally occurring components make up 99% of the Blu Atlas Body Wash. These ingredients deliver hydrating and purifying antioxidants, minerals, and fatty acids that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.

 

You won’t need to worry about your skin when using Blu Atlas’ Body Wash. That’s because their product is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic perfumes. Also, the US-based company’s whole line of products is vegan and cruelty-free. If you enjoy their body wash, you can also subscribe and save 20% on your purchase. Although other companies offered a similar model to pay, Blu Atlas provided the most savings.

2. Bulldog Lemon and Bergamot Body Wash

 

At number two on our list of the 19 best body washes in 2023 is Bulldog’s Lemon & Bergamot Body Wash. This product boasts overtones of basil, rosemary, and cedar in addition to citrus and bergamot. If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, this body wash will help you feel energized and alert.

 

The scent of this body wash is its standout quality. But that’s not to say the rest of the product isn’t up to par with the scent. Bulldog made sure that their body wash moisturizes your skin while also cleansing. The result is healthy skin that won’t crack or appear dry — giving you the best-looking skin possible.

 

Moreover, Bulldog ensures that the ingredients in this body wash are acquired ethically. Additionally, all their products are paraben-free. We think that Bulldog’s Lemon and Bergamot Body Wash could be the right product for you if you’re looking for something to wake you up in the mornings. 

3. Black Wolf Charcoal Body Wash 

 

This sleek-looking charcoal body wash from Black Wolf is a must-have. And we promise you that the quality of this body wash is just as nice as its packaging. Black Wolf uses some of our favorite natural ingredients to give you the cleanest experience imaginable. When using this product, you’ll detect the enticing aroma of fresh citrus and blue sage.

 

Cucumber extract, salicylic acid, and black charcoal powder help to naturally and chemically exfoliate the skin — while keeping things moisturized and irritation-free. 

 

The charcoal and salicylic acid in this product aid in preventing more breakouts if you’re prone to acne. The cucumber is also calming and soothes your skin and reduces redness and potential rashes.

 

Charcoal is a key ingredient in eliminating toxins that build up on your skin. Your skin endures a lot throughout the day — especially if you live somewhere dry. Luckily, the charcoal will keep your pores clean by absorbing toxins and debris.

4. Every Man Jack Eucalyptus and Mint Body Wash 

 

Every Man Jack is all about refreshing your body. We think it’s a great choice for an after-workout body wash. Every Man Jack’s Body Wash is both deeply cleaning and hydrating — two things that are essential in all body washes!

 

After a long day at work or the gym, the eucalyptus and spearmint will help you feel refreshed. This body wash comes with a handy pump and is available in a bigger 1000 mL bottle, which is great if you need to use it more than once a day. 

 

Natural glycerin and sodium coco-sulfate are the main ingredients of this body wash. With this straightforward formulation, the coco-sulfate gets to work and deeply cleanses your skin while the glycerin moisturizes for long-lasting results.

 

You’ll feel amazing all day long if you use this body wash in the morning. We also noticed that the scent of eucalyptus and mint lingers on your skin — making the perfect natural cologne or perfume. 

5. Oars and Alps Luxury Body Wash 

 

Fifth on our list of the 19 best natural body washes in 2023 is Oars and Alpine Luxury Body with hydrating jojoba spheres. There are three various scents available for this body cleanser, but after smell-testing them, we thought California Coast was the best.

 

California Coast has a sweet scent of patchouli, ylang-ylang, and sandy amber combined with a zingy and energizing citrus scent. While the smell is great, so are the ingredients. Specifically, the jojoba spheres gently exfoliate and hydrate your skin to promote softness and smoothness. When the jojoba spheres burst, they release nutrients and antioxidants for your skin — including vitamin E — to keep it strong and healthy.

 

Oars and Alps guarantee to give ingredients that are organically sourced and free of sulfates or parabens. As we mentioned, you can purchase this product in other scents, like Fresh Ocean Splash and Alpine Green Tea if the citrus aroma of California Coast doesn’t seem right for you. Nevertheless, if you find it difficult to choose from this list. You might switch between all three.

 

We think the jojoba spheres in this body wash from Oars and Alps are a wonderful addition with a wide range of benefits. We highly recommend this product. 

 

6. The Grandpa Soap Co. Apple Cider Vinegar Body Wash

 

This apple cider vinegar body wash from The Grandpa Soap Co. will give you that glowing look you so desperately want. Since The Grandpa Soap Co. was founded in 1878, they have been utilizing natural ingredients in their products to give you results that are free from harsh chemicals.

 

If you didn’t know, apple cider vinegar provides a number of health advantages — and not just in food! Apple cider vinegar also offers benefits for the hair and skin. We recommend trying this product if your skin appears lifeless and dull. The organic apple cider vinegar and apple juice in this body wash will make your skin glow and feel refreshed.

 

A lot of people drink apple cider vinegar for its skin benefits. If that’s you, we suggest stopping and using this body wash instead. You will still get all of the advantages of apple cider vinegar without the unpleasant taste. Overall, we believe that this product deserves to be listed among the top natural body washes of 2023. 

7. Ingreendients Daily Body Wash

 

Ingreendients — as the name implies — uses only organically produced, plant-based substances. So if you’re vegan or just environmentally conscience, we think this is the choice for you!

 

The Ingreendients Daily Body Wash is safe for anyone with sensitive skin. Gone are the days when your skin feels inflamed and itchy. Seriously, this body wash can heal your skin. If you’ve dealt with harsh products before, we recommend using this gentle option to help soothe and calm your skin while still receiving the benefits of a normal body wash. 

 

In the Ingreendients Daily Body Wash, there are no unpleasant synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates that might hurt your skin. Additionally, all skin types can use this daily body wash because it is pH balanced and does not alter the skin’s normal pH level.

 

What’s even better is that this product is ocean and freshwater safe. That means you can take it on a camping trip and use it in the mountains! 

8. Native Body Wash 

There are plenty of body washes without scents. Often, there are great for people with extreme sensitivity. We recommend Native’s Body Wash as an unscented option. It should be noted, though, that there are also nine distinct smells available for Native. You can also choose if you want a scented or unscented version.

 

But why pick an unscented body wash over one that is scented? For most people, it’s the fragrance rather than the soap that causes skin reactions. It’s most common for people with allergies to specific things — or if a body wash is using artificial fragrances. 

 

But we think this product is great in both the scented and unscented versions. Lavender, mandarin, orange, and vanilla are some of the options you have. Personally, we thought mandarin was the best scent! However, the floral and sweet ones were both very calming. All in all, you can’t really go wrong no matter what you choose!

 

According to Native, it foams up and envelops you with thick, soapy bubbles — in our testing, we found this to be completely true! It will moisturize your skin without leaving any residue or a greasy feeling. 

 

We think Native offers a wonderful product that has plenty of benefits, scents, and options. It’s a very customizable product. 

9. Harry’s Body Wash 

 

Harry’s Body Wash is another classic in the skincare world. This product has the aroma of redwood, with warm undertones and earthy notes. We think this is the perfect option for someone who normally steers clear of fruity or citrus scents in most body washes.

 

This body wash will help you feel centered and at ease each time you use it. Seriously, we think it smells like a trip to the spa. Additionally, for its reasonable cost, we didn’t find many other choices that had such a great smell. 

 

The benefits of this body wash are long-lasting, which is ideal. We recommend using this product in the morning. That way, your skin will feel silky and smooth all day long. Just like a lot of the natural body cleansers we’ve highlighted, Harry’s stays away from parabens and other harmful substances.

 

All of Harry’s products are influenced by nature. We think this is perfect if you love to go on an outdoor adventure or on a hike. Additionally, you might find it difficult to pick one product since their entire line of skincare products are high quality. But we believe the best place to start is Harry’s Redwood Body Wash.

10. Sukin Botanical Body Wash

 

At number ten, we have an Australian-made body wash from Sukin. They provide a variety of natural goods, including this botanical body wash that’s free from traditional soap. As they avoid using harsh soaps that frequently irritate the skin, this kind of body wash would also be great for anyone with sensitive skin.

 

Rosehip, jojoba oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, and chamomile are just a few of the wonderful components in the Sukin Botanical Body Wash. Together, they nourish your skin while providing you with the deep clean you’re looking for. 

 

Sukin, like the other brands on our list, avoids parabens and other skin irritants in favor of high-quality ingredients.

11. Being Naturals Tea Tree Body Wash

 

This American-made, sulfate- and paraben-free body wash is packed with ingredients that are good for the skin. Many oils — including tea tree, oregano, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and camphor wood — are used in Being Natural’s products. The combination of natural oils is helpful in treating a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, athlete’s foot, acne, and dandruff.

 

Moreover, stem cells and collagen are added to Being Naturals’ body wash, which are clinically proven to prolong the life of skin cells and lessen the appearance of aging. Furthermore, Being Natural’s body wash’s all-natural and organic ingredients are suitable for all skin types.

 

The smell of tea tree oil in this body wash will make you think you’ve entered a posh spa. In reality, this product brings the spa to your shower. We think that this is a perfect choice if you want to feel pampered and spoiled.

12. Cremo All Season Body Wash No. 4

 

Cremo’s All Season Body Wash has a natural woodsy aroma with overtones of lemon, blue cedar, and cypress. It has a wonderful mix of citrus and woodsy scents — which makes it feel high-end.

 

Luckily, that comes at a much lower cost that’s perfect for those looking for an effective body wash on a budget. Additionally, this product is packed full of antioxidants and skin-healthy vitamins that both nourish and moisturize the top layer of your skin.

 

We recommend this product for special occasions. The smell tends to linger and, for that reason, we think it’s ideal for a date night. In contrast, we’re not sure if this scent is too strong for a professional environment, so it might have to be an addition to your already-established skincare routine. All in all, we think Cremo provides a distinctive product with a fantastic aroma.

13. Dove Glowing Body Wash Mango and Almond Butter

 

One of Dove’s newest products is a body wash with mango and almond butter — two ingredients with intense moisturizing properties. We think this choice is ideal for anyone struggling with dry skin.

 

In contrast to other body washes, this one has a warm, fruity aroma. Every time you use this body wash, a tropical beach will come to mind, making your shower more enjoyable.

 

Your skin will be well moisturized by the mango and almond butter after each wash. Additionally, as you continue to use this product, your skin will become soft to the touch. You’ll also have a radiant shine thanks to the increased boost in your collagen levels.

 

Dove says their solution is 98% biodegradable, which is fantastic for a drug store product. That means you can purchase this product with a clear conscience, knowing that you aren’t harming the environment. We recommend this product to anyone on a budget. With the two main moisturizing ingredients, you’ll notice plenty of benefits when using Dove’s product.

14. Bevel Body Wash

 

Another great body wash with a deep, woodsy aroma is Supreme Oak Body Wash by Bevel. Bevel provides online-only products that are unavailable in physical locations. Don’t worry, though, they have extensive return policies so that you can try their products for free.

 

During exfoliating, this product both cleanses and hydrates your skin. Bevel’s body wash is the answer you need if you have previously avoided exfoliating body washes since they left your skin feeling dry. The argan oil in this product keeps your skin looking healthy for a longer period of time. To our findings, argan oil is one of the best natural oils for hydrating on the market.

 

The aroma of this item is another distinctive feature. The natural scent of almonds and bourbon are both present in the supreme oak choice. Compared to the other products we tested, this was one of the most pleasing scents. This product would also be excellent for anyone who wants to avoid alternatives with flowery, fruity, or citrusy scents.

15. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap

 

It is impossible to discuss natural body washes without mentioning Dr. Bronner’s product. For many years, Dr. Bronner’s organic soaps have dominated the US market — and for a good reason. Their organic sugar soap, in particular, has been around since 1948.

 

We recommend Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap if you’re trying to stay away from soaps that include synthetic detergents, preservatives, or foaming ingredients — like sulfates. To make the ideal body wash, Dr. Bronner’s combined coconut oil, organic white grape juice, jojoba oil, hemp oil, and olive oil. In addition to these all-natural ingredients, Dr. Bronner’s is dedicated to lowering plastic waste.

 

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap bottle is packed ethically and may be refilled rather than thrown away. Overall, this is an ideal choice for anyone who is environmentally conscious.

16. Burt’s Bees Energizing Citrus and Ginger Body Wash

 

Yes, Burt’s Bees does make more than lip balm! Burt’s Bees’ Energizing Citrus and Ginger Body Wash is another one of the best natural body washes in 2023. In fact, we think it’s the perfect choice to start your morning with.

 

Burt’s Bees has a reputation for locating premium natural items. Like in all Burt’s Bees products, they use honey in this body wash as well. However, the scent is a bit different since they’ve mixed the energizing scents of ginger and citrus to stimulate your senses.

 

This body cleanser contains 97.8% organically sourced ingredients and is free of harmful parabens and unwelcome chemicals. Hence, this body wash can thoroughly clean your body without causing any skin irritation.

 

Ginger has many wonderful health benefits, such as increasing circulation and protecting your skin from harmful toxins in the air. 

17. Botanic Hearth Lavender Body Wash

 

This Lavender Body Wash from Botanic Hearth is full of calming and soothing properties. That’s thanks to the strong concentration of lavender in the product.

 

Because of the strong concentration of lavender, Botanic Hearth has combined it with coconut oil, jojoba, and shea butter to create a product that is not entirely lavender-scented. Instead, this product has a rich smell of herbs, spices, and flowers. Additionally, Botanic Hearth uses 100% lavender oil, which is the highest quality lavender oil you can find. That way, you can receive all the benefits of the plant.

 

This product will undoubtedly help you relax and unwind after a demanding day. In fact, many people use lavender to aid in restful sleep — either as an essential oil or room fragrance. You’re probably familiar with the use of lavender oil in aromatherapy. With this body wash, you will enjoy the same advantages of aromatherapy without having to purchase essential oils.

 

Even though this product has a floral scent, it’s gender-neutral. Overall, we love how multi-functional this product is and how soothing it is. We recommend it for anyone who has a hard time relaxing.

18. Dead Sea Collection Coconut Body Wash 

 

We think that everyone may benefit from using The Dead Sea Collection’s body wash. It’s another natural body wash that comes in a gender-neutral fragrance.

 

Their goods are — as their name implies — influenced by the Dead Sea, a large naturally occurring salt sea that’s located in Jordan. In direct influence, this product uses coconut oil and minerals that are local to the area, such as magnesium and potassium. 

 

Your skin will feel smooth and soft after using this product, thanks to the coconut oil. At the same time, the local minerals will exfoliate and bolster the nutrition in your skin. We really appreciated the aroma of coconut, and despite the fact that it is often modest, it is still pleasant and energizing. There is nothing as pungent as pine or spearmint. This body wash is perfect if you don’t like strong scents.

 

The 1000 mL bottle of this body wash is ideal if you need to share it with people in your home. We like its large size as it means you don’t have to purchase it as frequently. 

19. Nivea Men Deep Clean Body Wash 

 

Herbs, fruits, and vegetables are frequently thought of while considering natural products. Yet rock salt is one naturally occurring substance that many people overlook.

 

As a mechanical exfoliator, rock salt is excellent for eliminating dead skin cells and deep-cleaning the skin. It’s also an ingredient in our last choice, Nivea’s Men Deep Clean Body Wash. We think this product is perfect if you have any tough skin that needs to be removed.

 

Exfoliants are amazing for removing dirt, debris, or anything else that can stay on your skin, which is another fantastic feature. Generally, if you’re getting dirty, you’ll want to exfoliate more often.

 

The Himalayan salt’s small microbeads softly rub against your skin to scrub away any grime or dirt. Although this product is marketed for men, women who also need an effective exfoliant might benefit from using it. Overall, we recommend this product to anyone who is looking for an exfoliating body wash. 

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Studio S OCTOBER 22, 2026

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence

The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence
Courtesy of Milan Design

Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.

“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”

Courtesy of Milan Design

Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.

The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.

At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.

Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.

Courtesy of Milan Design

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 10, 2026

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign

The Campaign for La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) will fuel scientific innovation and medical advances

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign
Courtesy of La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Philanthropists and Scientists Join Forces for a Bold $55 Million Campaign

La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is going public with a bold bet: a $55 million campaign to propel medical research into a new era. The Campaign for LJI will fuel discovery, empower scientific innovation, and expand the impact of immunology on human health. 

The Institute quietly kicked things off in 2023, guided by its Board, campaign volunteers, and early believers. Nearly 80% of the $55 million goal is already in hand. Now LJI is opening the doors and inviting the whole community to carry their visions across the finish line and back discoveries that change how LJI researchers understand, treat, and prevent disease. 

And there’s a bonus. To mark the public launch, LJI Board member and Campaign Honorary Chair Anthony R. Carr is offering a special matching gift so new donors can double their impact. Full details are here. 

The Promise of Immunology

Immunology has already rewritten human history. Advances in immune science helped wipe out smallpox, pushed polio to the brink of elimination, and revolutionized how we prevent and treat infectious disease. Today, immune-based therapies are opening doors for patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other serious illnesses once considered untreatable. 

For nearly four decades, LJI scientists have stood on the front lines, driven by one insight: the immune system shapes disease in virtually every organ in the body. By decoding how the immune system works and how to harness it to prevent and treat disease, LJI researchers are chasing the Institute’s ultimate mission: Life Without Disease®. 

To make that mission real, the Institute pairs world-class scientists with cutting-edge technology, speeding up breakthroughs and turning discoveries into transformative new therapies that ease suffering worldwide. 

The Campaign for LJI supercharges that momentum, uniting the vision of the Institute’s scientists with a community that believes in research. Focused on advancing LJI’s most promising areas of study, the campaign aims to help build a future free from the burden of disease, a goal that demands bold ideas, lasting partnerships, and generous philanthropic support.

The Campaign for LJI will advance research across three critical pillars: 

1. President’s Priority Fund. Flexible, unrestricted dollars let big ideas move now, not later. Scientists can launch high-risk, high-reward projects, bring experts together across disciplines, build transformative technologies, and train tomorrow’s scientific leaders. 

2. Center for Sex-Based Differences in the Immune System. Male and female immune systems don’t respond the same way, and LJI researchers are tracing the fundamental differences down to individual cells and molecular pathways. The Campaign will speed up this pioneering work, revealing hidden drivers of disease and paving the way for more precise, biologically informed therapies for autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, and beyond. 

3. Center for Vaccine Innovation. Immunologists, bioengineers, and vaccine experts are teaming up to design the next generation of vaccines and immune-based therapies. With donor support, LJI scientists can engineer longer-lasting and more personalized vaccines, pinpoint the cellular mechanisms driving protective immunity, and refine delivery methods to prevent autoimmune disease and treat cancer. 

A Lasting Impact

As the campaign enters its public phase, LJI welcomes new partners and supporters to join this landmark initiative. Community support is essential to accelerating scientific discovery, and there are many meaningful ways to help shape the future of immunology. Donors may direct their gifts to any campaign priority or other area of interest. As a comprehensive campaign, all gifts to LJI count toward the campaign goal, regardless of designation. Join the campaign, and multiply your impact with our limited-time matching opportunity. 

To explore the campaign, visit imagine.lji.org.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments

Scripps orthopedic surgeons are investigating stem cells as an alternative to joint replacement

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments
Courtesy of Scripps Health

Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic recently received a $12.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to investigate whether they can transform stem cells into tissue that can repair some types of knee injuries. Currently, if a patient has lost most, if not all, of the cartilage in their knee, then their doctor will recommend a total joint replacement. Joint replacement is safe and effective, but patients who’ve only lost part of their cartilage often don’t qualify. A stem cell-based treatment would provide these patients an option that doesn’t involve donor tissue. Click here for more on the preclinical trial process. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Healing by Design

Artwork throughout the Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas promotes hope and healing

Healing by Design
Courtesy of Scripps Health

The recently opened Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is a state-of-the-art addition to the hospital staffed by dedicated team members who’ve helped make Scripps one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems. Complementary to that medical excellence, the Lusardi Tower also represents the latest expansion of the Scripps Arts for Healing Program. The philanthropic initiative strategically places nature- and community-based artwork throughout the hospital to support health and well-being. Both Scripps Encinitas and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla have healing arts programs as part of new building projects and growth on the campuses. Click here to read more about the Healing Arts Program and how residents from a nearby retirement community showed their support. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 4, 2026

A Guide to South Park

From century-old Craftsman homes to vegan fantasy bars, dive bars, and a tiki room built for exactly two people, this is one of San Diego’s great little neighborhoods

You may not realize it, but Balboa Park is bigger than Central Park (in fact, 1.5 times larger). Pressed right up against its southeastern edge is a little architecture farm built on old trolley bones, where houses look like someone was collecting architectural styles and local businesses are still run by people who seem personally invested in keeping this place interesting.

This is South Park. 

To understand why it feels the way it does today—less like one commercial strip and more like a handful of tiny villages—you have to go back to the trolley.

How the Trolley Built South Park

The land that became the original South Park Addition (the subdivision’s original name) was surveyed in 1870 and officially filed in 1890, but the neighborhood really started becoming a neighborhood in the early 1900s. The Bartlett Estate Company began developing and marketing the tract in earnest around 1906, pairing lots and new homes with something extremely useful if you lived outside Downtown in the horse-and-buggy era: an electric streetcar.

On May 1, 1906, the South Park and East Side Railway made its first trip. Developers didn’t just build near transportation; they helped pay for the transportation, then used it to sell the dream. Downtown had industry, noise, and congestion. Out here were palms, sidewalks, utilities, room to breathe and a four-cent ride back to the city.

It worked. Homes began filling in around the streetcar route, and little commercial clusters grew around the places where people got on and off. That transportation pattern is still written into South Park’s geography. Some of the neighborhood’s odd street geometry is also due in part to the trolley—the old line cut across parcels instead of politely obeying the grid, leaving behind pieces of land that later businesses learned to build around. Places like Station Tavern sit on the former easement and station site of San Diego’s No. 2 trolley line.

Then San Diego went big for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in neighboring Balboa Park. The exposition transformed much of the park and helped push the city through another burst of building and growth. South Park was right there to absorb some of that momentum.

And the people building houses here had taste.

Walk the residential streets now and it can feel like somebody planted an architectural sample garden: Craftsman, Prairie, Mission Revival, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival. Creedence Clearwater Revival. All the revivals. The neighborhood includes work by Irving Gill, one of the defining architects of early modern California; Gill-designed Prairie homes still stand along Granada Avenue.

The city formally designated the South Park Historic District in 2017, recognizing roughly 400 properties and a period of significance stretching from 1906 through 1949. In other words, a lot of what makes the place feel old is actually old.

South Park Today

While the trolley eventually disappeared, the basic idea behind it didn’t. South Park is still a neighborhood organized around little pockets of human activity: a couple blocks where you can buy a record, drink a beer, find a 60-year-old lamp, eat a vegan burger beneath gothic beasts, browse a bookstore, and walk home past a century-old Craftsman.

The 30th-and-Fern area may be the clearest example. Several surviving buildings there date to South Park’s early development, including the old Fire Station No. 9, Rose Grocery building, and Burlingame Garage. What began as infrastructure for a young streetcar suburb became the neighborhood’s commercial heart.

That history is also partly why buying a house here can be competitive. There isn’t some endless supply of vacant land waiting around the corner for another subdivision. Much of the neighborhood filled in generations ago, and the architecture itself is part of the appeal.

San Diego Mag’s been documenting the city for 78 years. And we’ve been looking for a partner who loved the city enough to help us tell its stories. Redfin is that partner. They’re helping us tell the story of some of the city’s most unique neighborhoods. They launched Redfin Early Access this year to get their people in first and to see certain coming-soon and exclusive listings on Redfin before they appear on other major real-estate sites.

First up: South Park.

Here are some of the people and places worth knowing here:

Whistle Stop Bar

Big Kitchen Cafe

Start with Judy “the Beauty” Forman, because it’s difficult to explain South Park without her. The former social worker bought Big Kitchen in 1980 and turned a neighborhood breakfast joint into a gathering place for artists, musicians, activists, politicians, eccentrics, and pretty much anyone who needed somewhere to belong. As Judy puts it, “I built this for people who others passed over.”

One of those people was a young single mom named Whoopi Goldberg, who worked as a dishwasher here before the Whoopi Goldberg part of her career happened. Today Big Kitchen still serves breakfast and lunch Thursday through Monday.

3003 Grape Street

Whistle Stop Bar

Whistle Stop reopened in 2001, right as South Park’s little independent-business ecosystem was finding a new generation. Owner Sam Chammas—also connected to Live Wire and, later, Station Tavern—helped turn it into the kind of neighborhood bar where the calendar can jump from a DJ night to live bands to some strange communal event nobody at a normal sports bar would propose.

The room still has that laid-back, slightly sweaty house-party quality. Check what’s happening before you go, because Whistle Stop changes personality depending on the night: sometimes neighborhood beer, sometimes everyone dancing beneath the disco ball like work tomorrow was canceled.

2236 Fern Street

Station Tavern

Station Tavern may be the most literal example of old South Park becoming new South Park. It opened in 2009 on land once crossed diagonally by the No. 2 trolley line, and architect Lloyd Russell incorporated that history into the design rather than pretending the weirdly shaped lot wasn’t weirdly shaped. The project won the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s Grand Orchid Award the same year it opened.

Sam Chammas built the place as an open-air burger-and-beer spot with big communal tables, a backyard, room for kids, and room for dogs. It still works exactly that way: get a burger, get the tots, let everybody spread out, stay awhile.

2204 Fern Street

Kindred + Throne Room

Kindred arrived in late 2015 looking nothing like the beige-and-leafy vegan restaurant stereotype. The place went full gothic fever dream—heavy music, wild cocktails, decadent plant-based food—and eventually collected national vegan accolades plus local Restaurant of the Year and design honors.

And in 2026, it got even weirder. Hidden behind a chain-mail passage inside Kindred is Throne Room, a medieval-fantasy cocktail chamber whose mythology grew out of a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired map the Kindred team created for a 2017 Coachella pop-up. The 90-minute experience has scroll menus, plant-based mezze, cocktails and zero interest in pretending restaurants need to behave normally.

1503 30th Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack

Vinyl Junkies has good music-scene DNA. Founder Eric Howarth previously ran indie label Hi-Speed Soul, whose roster included acts like Nada Surf and Swervedriver, then teamed with Casbah owner Tim Mays after the pair had spent years putting on Vinyl Junkies record swaps.

They opened the South Park brick-and-mortar shop in 2017, and it remains a buy-sell-trade temple for people who understand that owning music on a physical object is irrational in exactly the right way. Go flip through the new arrivals. Leave holding something you had absolutely no intention of buying.

2235 Fern Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Bad Madge is what happens when “vintage store” doesn’t quite explain the situation. Owner Tanya McAnear and her team fill the shop with furniture, clothing, barware, records, art, jewelry, collectibles, and various objects that seem like they may know things about their previous owners. The shop opened in 2011 and has made reuse and upcycling part of its identity ever since. Go in without looking for anything specific—specificity will only slow you down.

2205 Fern Street

Thread + Seed

Across the neighborhood’s vintage-and-vinyl universe sits Thread + Seed, a local boutique built around clothing, denim, gifts, and personal styling. Its South Park shop has an especially deep denim program—petite, tall, wide-leg, straight, flare—and the store also offers one-on-one styling built around color and body type. In other words, this is where you go after deciding the jeans currently on your body have betrayed you. South Park understands that sometimes personal renewal begins with pants.

2220 Fern Street

The Book Catapult

Seth Marko started The Book Catapult as a book blog in 2006. In 2017, he and his wife, Jennifer Powell, turned it into an actual bookstore in South Park, specializing loosely in fiction, local interest, and children’s books while maintaining the more important bookseller skill: putting something into your hands that you didn’t know you needed.

There are staff picks, author events, signed books, and the dangerous possibility of walking in for one title and emerging with four. Because no one ever died thinking, “I shoulda read less.”

3010-B Juniper Street

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Partner Content NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle
E-SDM—Valle-2026—Tastemakers_WEB

Roberto Alcocer, Chef

Chef Roberto Alcocer showcases all that Mexican cuisine and culture has to offer at Oceanside’s Valle. The Michelin-guide recommended restaurant takes inspiration and techniques from all over Mexico—with a heavy Baja influence—and blends them with local San Diego ingredients to create original and delectable contemporary Mexican cuisine. The seasonal tasting menu allows Chef Alcocer to experiment with the freshest available ingredients, creating dishes that defy guests’ expectations, while the wine list features more than 100 labels from Mexican artisans. Even the restaurant’s walls are a celebration of Mexican culture, all decorated with work from artists of Baja.

“My favorite part of being a chef of Valle is being able to showcase the Mexico that I know to everyone who visits,” Chef Alococer says. “Not only through the food, but with the design, culture, and welcoming service.”  

Try This!

Lobster Taco: Flour sourdough tortilla with lobster shell bisque and local red spiny lobster

Valle

222 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, California 92054
866-723-8906  | valleoceanside.com

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