Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe
Partner Content JULY 12, 2022

25 Best Natural Face Washes [2022]

We took a lot of the guesswork out and rounded up 25 of the best natural face washes

25 Best Natural Face Washes [2022]

You may have noticed that natural face washes are increasingly popular nowadays. Beauty departments, grocery stores, and drugstores are dedicating entire aisles to natural products. But what exactly does that mean, and how do you find the perfect face wash for yourself? We took a lot of the guesswork out of it and rounded up 25 of the best natural face washes. 

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

If you haven’t heard of Blu Atlas by now, it’s your lucky day. Blu Atlas has crafted some of the most soothing, nourishing skincare products on the market. Take Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser, for instance. This detoxifying and exfoliating cleanser can step up your dull skincare routine. If you couldn’t tell by the name, this face cleanser contains volcanic ash, also known as bentonite, which uses fine absorbent particles to remove excess oil, dirt, and grime from your face. 

Volcanic ash helps the pores appear smaller. Lactobacillus ferment filtrate wards off unwanted aggressors from the skin, helping your face look and feel healthy. We love this cleanser because it removes grime from your pores, balances your skin’s pH, and hydrates the skin. Wash your face with a dime-sized amount of this cleanser and feel instantly rejuvenated. Don’t miss out. 

2. Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash 

Pacifica has always been a mainstay on the natural beauty product scene. Ranging from makeup to skincare, you’re bound to find a product that you love and jives with your skin type. If you’re looking for a new natural face wash that is unique and adventurous, try Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash. 

Remember when kale was all the rage, and you couldn’t go out in public without someone bringing up how much they loved kale? Yeah, well, we’re sorry to be the ones to do this, but we love kale. It’s a nourishing, natural ingredient that detoxifies and unclogs the pores—removing oil, dirt, makeup, grime, and other impurities. 

Plus, coconut water, clay, super greens, and aloe vera hydrate and moisturize the skin, calming inflammation and redness. Pacifica is a vegan and cruelty-free brand, always formulating its products without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or mineral oil. After using this luxurious face wash, you’ll become one of those people obsessed with kale. It happens to the best of us. 

3. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Cleanser Pore Purifying Pineapple 

How does a tropical island getaway sound? The warm, salty air blowing through your hair. The sound of waves crashing onto the shore. The smell of pineapples, coconuts, and mangos swirling through the air. Sounds like a dream—doesn’t it? Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Cleanser Pore Purifying Pineapple Enzyme can make all your tropical island getaway fantasies come true. 

Even if you can’t travel to the beach, you can still feel like you’re at one every morning and evening with this fruity face wash. Pineapple and papaya wash away impurities and unclog the pores, freeing your skin from grime that may be trapped deep beneath the surface. Aloe vera, hibiscus, and passionflower provide the skin with vital nourishment and moisture that brightens your complexion and leaves the face radiant and glowing. This product uses a vegetarian and cruelty-free formula that’s free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. 

4. Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk 

Turn back the clock, and embrace your younger self with Andalou Naturals with Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk. This age-defying, soothing face wash boosts your complexion and leaves your skin sparkling, radiant, and glowing. 

Using probiotics, resveratrol CoQ10, apricot, and borage oils, this facial cleanser washes away impurities and leaves the pores looking tighter, firmer, and cleaner. Antioxidants give the skin a splash of hydration, helping minimize signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. Sourced from fruit stem cell science and formulated without GMOs, this fair-trade and vegan face wash brings you back to the natural basics. 

5. Cocokind Oil to Milk Prebiotic Cleanser 

If you’ve never tried an oil cleanser, it can feel scary and counterintuitive. Why would you put oil on your face to clean away oil and other grime? Believe it or not, oil is one of the best ingredients to use for any skin type—especially oily skin. Oil attracts and bonds with other oil, so cleansing your skin with oil will absorb all the remaining oil on your face. 

Cocokind Oil to Milk Prebiotic Cleanser starts as an enriching oil that strips away oil from your pores. Then, it transforms into a gentle, nourishing milk-based cleanser that hydrates and moisturizes dry patches. This microbiome-friendly cleanser balances the skin’s pH and bacteria levels, keeping acne and oil at bay. 

6. Derma E Hydrating Gentle Cleanser 

If you’ve got dry skin, you’d benefit from hyaluronic acid. We love this potent, moisturizing ingredient that aids your skin in retaining water and hydration throughout the day. Derma E Hydrating Gentle Cleanser understands, which is why they’ve crafted a facial cleanser that’s filled with hydrating ingredients. 

Hyaluronic acid, chamomile, vitamin E, lemongrass, and papaya work together to heal the skin and add moisture. You can say goodbye to dry and itchy patches on your skin because this natural face wash can quench even the driest, thirstiest skin types. We love clean and natural face washes, especially those made without lanolin, soy, sulfates, and parabens.

7. Desert Essence Creamy Oil Cleanser 

If you’re anything like us, you’ve more than likely had those days where you’re too lazy to fully take off your makeup and complete all the steps in your skincare routine. There is no shame—we’ve all been there. We love face washes that simplify your routine, easing some of the stress you may experience in the morning and evening. Desert Essence Creamy Oil Cleanser is also perfect for taking off makeup and fully cleansing the skin. 

This creamy, oil-based cleanser not only unclogs the pores of grime and impurities but also removes away any makeup and residue using its intensive cleansing powers. Nourishing coconut, primrose, argan, and jojoba oils keep the skin hydrated and healthy, even after a long day of wearing makeup. This cleanser is certified organic under USDA standards, and it’s free of dyes, phthalates, and artificial fragrances. Now, get some rest, sleepyhead. 

8. My Chelle Dermaceuticals Strengthen Fruit Enzyme Cleanser 

Fruit-infused cleansers do a great job of keeping the skin bright, healthy, and radiant. My Chelle Dermaceuticals Strengthen Fruit Enzyme Cleanser harnesses the antioxidant healing capabilities of fruit and uses them to cleanse, hydrate, tone, and repair your skin. Fruit-infused ingredients remove dead skin cells and unclog pores as well as hydrate, brighten, and purify the skin. 

You’ll look and feel healthier after just one wash. Plus, this facial cleanser does an excellent job of giving your skin a glowing complexion. This product is free of the usual suspects—parabens, silicones, sulfates, and fragrances. As a vegan and cruelty-free product, we know you’ll love this natural facial cleanser. 

9. Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser 

Struggling with acne? Tired of chemical-filled face washes that don’t clear or treat your acne at all? If you want an all-natural, soothing face wash that will treat your acne, look no further. Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser is a purifying experience for your face, one that you’ll be obsessed with. 

Tea Tree Oil is incredibly healing. You’ll be amazed by how quickly this product zaps away blemishes, evens out redness, and reduces the appearance of acne-related scarring. This enriching blend of lavender oil, lavandin, and sea buckthorn extract keeps the skin healthy and the pores unclogged. This prevents acne, keeping your skin blemish-free. 

Even though this cleanser is tough on blemishes, it’s gentle on your skin and won’t dry or irritate it. This cleanser is gentle enough to use as a body wash, too, nourishing and removing acne all over your body. 

10. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser 

Neutrogena changed the skincare game when they released Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser. This cleanser provides the purifying powers of Neutrogena face washes without all the toxins. Salicylic acid balances the skin, treats acne, calms inflamed skin, reduces redness, and heals acne-related scars. Bionutrient-rich willow bark removes dirt, oil, makeup, grime, and other impurities trapped in the pores. Your skin will be able to breathe and heal itself, leaving your complexion radiant and glowing. 

We love this face wash because it’s free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and phthalates. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. 

11. Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser 

We’re being honest when we tell you that Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser is one of the best natural face washes of the year. Natural beauty has never felt so good. This nourishing face wash wipes away dirt, oil, grime, sunscreen, and makeup that may be lodged in your pores. Using the hydrating and healing powers of chamomile and calendula extract, this cleanser brightens dark spots, minimizes redness, and enhances the overall complexion of your skin. 

You can use this product to give yourself a boost of energy in the morning or to calm you down in the evening. Dermatologist tested and free of cruelty, parabens, dyes, and phthalates—you can’t beat this facial cleanser. 

12. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Facial Cleanser For Dry Skin

If it seems like there aren’t enough good options out there for natural face washes targeting dry skin, you’re not wrong. There are countless face washes on the market for reducing oil, cleansing the skin, and balancing out skin tones—but where is the love for people with dry skin types? Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Facial Cleanser For Dry Skin is here to save the day.

This fragrance-free cleanser is perfect for sensitive and dry skin since it’s free of harmful ingredients like GMOs, parabens, sulfates, and dyes that often irritate the skin. Formulated with soothing oats that cleanse away dirt and grime, this face wash provides rich and vital moisture that thirsty skin needs. Plus, you’re not only benefiting your skin by using this face cleanser. The bottle is made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic, so you can keep Mother Earth happy and healthy, too.

13. Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash Cedar & Spearmint 

Have you looked up your horoscope lately? The stars are telling you it’s time to switch to a natural face wash that is good for the environment. Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash Cedar & Spearmint is here to take up the call. 

For an invigorating cleanse, Ursa Major delivers AHA exfoliation to your skin, detoxifying and exfoliating dead skin cells, buildup, and impurities. Rice seed and coconut-derived surfactants absorb excess oil and hydrate the skin. Citrus notes of lemon, spearmint, rosemary, lime, vetiver, lavender, and cedar will keep your nose intrigued. Any skin type can benefit from this face wash—oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. 

A big reason we love Ursa Major is its commitment to protecting the environment. This cleanser—free of parabens, sulfates, and silicone—is plastic negative and good for the environment. 

14. InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser 

We’re giving you and your skin the gift of brightness with InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser. This juicy blend of aloe vera, coconut water, sugar cane extract, and green tea extract improves your skin’s complexion by brightening dark spots and leaving your skin glimmering. Vitamin C is great for people who want their skin tone to appear more even, which supports collagen and elasticity. 

This face wash does an incredible job of unclogging pores and preventing future acne breakouts by cleaning away dead skin cells and keeping the pores clean and healthy. 

15. Ktchn Apothecary Hydrating Facial Cleanser 

Most skincare products get bottled and manufactured months—sometimes years—before you buy them. This means you could be getting old, expired face wash. Ktchn Apothecary Hydrating Facial Cleanser is here to change that. On the front of every bottle is the date when the facial cleanser was made. This ensures you’re only buying the freshest, up-to-date cleansers. 

We love the fresh blend of sage, aloe vera, and avocado that hydrates and transforms the skin. If other face washes keep letting you down, we promise this one won’t. After just one wash, your skin will look glowing and youthful thanks to this detoxifying, purifying cleanser. 

16. Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash 

No shocker here—another Pacifica face wash is gracing our list. We can’t stress enough how much we love Pacifica, so you’re going to need to try this stellar product for yourself. Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash is a relaxing spa treatment for your face. 

Pacifica formulated this product with sensitive skin types in mind. Free of fragrances, allergy-tested and dermatologist-tested, this is a calming face wash for dry, red, or otherwise irritated skin. Using plant extracts and vegan ceramides, this product restores your skin’s protective barrier, cleanses the skin, and adds intense hydration. Being vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free has never felt better. 

17. WOW Skin Science Activated Charcoal Face Wash 

It’s time to get rid of all the toxins that are causing excess oil and breakouts. WOW Skin Science Activated Charcoal Face Wash is an invigorating, purifying blend of all the naturally detoxifying ingredients that will turn your complexion into a healthy, blemish-free landscape. If dirt, dead skin cells, oil, makeup, sunscreen, and grime get trapped in your pores, they can cause pesky blackheads and whiteheads. 

This cleanser works by penetrating the pores and dissolving and exfoliating away irritants trapped beneath the skin. Charcoal absorbs excess oil and leaves your skin bright, clean, and fresh. Aloe vera helps increase your skin’s collagen production, reduces visible signs of aging, and protects the skin against environmental irritants. Using 100% natural bioactives, your skin will look and feel the best it ever has thanks to the power of charcoal. 

18. Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser 

We’re about to introduce you to your new favorite skincare product: Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser. Charcoal, tea tree, and hyaluronic acid are all great ingredients, but if you’re looking for something with a little more intensity, then glycolic acid is your new best friend. Exfoliating cleansers are great to use as needed. Whether that means you use this product every single day or a few times a week is up to you. 

Natural ingredients like peppermint, lavender, shea butter, seaweed, tea tree, bamboo, and willow bark purify, tone, hydrate, and brighten the skin. Ten percent salicylic and glycolic acids reduce acne, oil, and dark spots, exfoliating dead skin cells and peeling makeup and grime away. Your skin peeling is normal and is a sign the face wash is working. This product is ideal because it acts as multiple different products in one—toner, cleanser, and hydrator. We’ll take any product that saves us time and money. 

19. Beauty by Earth Foaming Face Wash

 

If you’re tired of gel cleansers and want to experience a mini-bubble bath every time you wash your face, you need a foaming face wash. We love Beauty by Earth Foaming Face Wash. By using foam technology, this face wash rids your skin of dirt, oil, and grime trapped in the pores. 

Foam is great for normal skin types because it doesn’t make your skin feel too greasy or dry. However, any skin type can benefit from this cleanser. Using plant-based extracts, Beauty By Earth Foaming Face Wash only puts the safest, most natural ingredients on your skin. We believe toxins don’t serve a purpose in your skincare products, and Beauty by Earth believes that, too.

20. Thrive Face Wash

Your skin deserves to be healthy, bright, and blemish-free. It deserves to thrive and flourish. How can you get that done? Thrive with thrive! Jokes aside, we love Thrive Face Wash—a plant-based cleanser that tackles all of your skincare needs and concerns. Formulated with antioxidant-rich Juanilama and Fierillo, this product’s two potent ingredients combat bacteria, oil, dirt, grime, makeup, sunscreen, and other nasty impurities trapped in your pores. 

By fighting bacteria, distributing antioxidants, and neutralizing oil, your skin truly thrives—looking radiant and youthful. This product is free of synthetic additives, fragrances, and other irritating ingredients. It uses ingredients sourced from regenerative farming, and the bottle is made from recycled plastic because Thrive believes we can all do our part to help the planet. 

21. Lily Sado Tea + C Green Tea Vitamin C Super Food Face Wash

Superfoods are vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant-rich ingredients that are incredibly beneficial to your health. When used as face wash ingredients, the result is even better. Lily Sado Tea + C Green Tea Vitamin C Super Food Face Wash supplies your skin with much-need hydration, protection, and nutrition to keep it healthy and clear. 

Fifteen percent vitamin C adds rich antioxidants into the skin that brighten and even out dull spots. Green Tea Matcha calms inflammation, redness, and dryness. Vitamins B5 and E help promote blood circulation in the skin, balancing out the complexion and reducing discoloration. 

Combined, these superfood ingredients boost the skin’s collagen production, increase elasticity, and minimize visible signs of aging. This gentle, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic exfoliator will remind you why natural is better. 

22. Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser with BHA + Brazilian Sea Water

What does bliss feel like to you? Is it soaking in a warm bath after a long day at work? Cooking one of your favorite meals? Hiking on your favorite trail? Bliss, to us, is having clear skin that radiates healthiness. Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser with BHA + Brazilian Sea Water is our version of heaven. This relaxing, soothing, and calming face wash can help you unwind after anything. Don’t believe us? Give it a try. 

BHA, also known as salicylic acid, removes visible signs of acne, clearing those pesky blackheads, whiteheads, and everything in between. Brazilian seawater detoxifies the skin, balances the complexion, and softens the skin. Your skin deserves only the best, which is why Bliss uses a short ingredients list and is vegan and cruelty-free. Enjoy what life feels like on the blissful side. 

23. Sebo Calm Facial Cleansing Soap for Sensitive Skin 

People with sensitive skin, we’ve got you. Sebo Calm Facial Cleansing Soap for Sensitive Skin is one of the best natural face washes free of parabens, SLS, and alcohol. Other face washes for sensitive skin secretly strip away precious moisture, but not this one. Formulated with a purifying anti-blemish cleansing soap, this cleanser wipes away dirt, grime, oil, and makeup and detoxifies your pores so they can begin healing. 

Chamomile reduces redness, irritation, dryness, and itchiness, balancing the skin’s pH and hydrating where needed. This face wash is suitable for the most sensitive skin types caused by conditions like rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis. Detoxify and heal your skin with one of our favorite natural face washes. 

24. Burt’s Bees Gentle Cream Cleanser 

Burt’s Bees is always a go-to brand for natural, organic products. From their nourishing lip balm to their soothing hand creams, you can never go wrong with anything from the brand. We love Burt’s Bees Gentle Cream Cleanser. It’s easily one of the most nourishing, calming, and restorative face cleansers for any skin type—especially those with sensitive skin. Using rice extracts with aloe vera, this cleanser absorbs extra oil and cleanses the skin. 

Your face will feel hydrated thanks to the nourishment from aloe vera. Derived from 98.9% natural ingredients, this cleanser won’t irritate or clog pores. Awarded by the National Eczema Association, this cleanser is safe enough to use on even the most sensitive skin types. The next time you’re wandering through your local grocery store’s beauty aisle, be sure to pick up a bottle of Burt’s Bees Gentle Cream Cleanser. 

25. No B.S. Foaming Cleanser 

Rounding out our list is a cleanser that is honest and transparent. No B.S. Foaming Cleanser is a simple and effective product that focuses on restoring your skin to a healthy, optimal state. Cucumber, green tea, and aloe vera nourish the skin, fight against inflammation, reduce bacteria, block free radicals, moisturize, and restore the skin’s natural barrier. 

Because this cleanser is thick and creamy, it’s nourishing and hydrating to dry skin types. With no B.S. about it, this cleanser is free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, artificial fragrances, phthalates, and gluten. Since it’s 100% vegan, you’re helping out both your skin and animals. 

Face Cleansers

 

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Studio S JUNE 15, 2026

A Modern Take on Steak

Stake Chophouse & Bar brings contemporary classics and old-school service to the heart of Coronado

A Modern Take on Steak
Courtesy of Stake Chophouse

Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.

Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.

“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”

Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”

Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.

Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.

“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 25, 2026

Summer Nights at SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld dazzles with a drone show, big-name entertainers, new animal adventures and more 

Summer Nights at SeaWorld San Diego

Nights are heating up at SeaWorld San Diego. The quintessential summertime staple on Mission Bay is transforming into a destination for unforgettable day-to-night adventures, bringing back some of its most popular Summer Nights programming and introducing exciting new experiences sure to delight both kids and adults alike. 

The 2026 Summer Day to Night at SeaWorld San Diego is the park’s most ambitious season yet. SeaWorld has planned a highly anticipated entertainment lineup that features nine weeks of throwback concerts featuring R&B and hip‑hop favorites from the ‘90s and early 2000s, including Jordin Sparks, Too $hort and Warren G, Ashanti, and an array of boy band heartthrobs performing together as part of the Pop 2000 Tour. 

New this season is perhaps the park’s most visible update: a nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, which illuminates the sky with hundreds of synchronized sparklers. Drones form sea otters, sharks, dolphins, and a majestic orca that tell a breathtaking 12-minute story of marine life and underwater ecosystems. The show culminates with a spectacular electric neon finale celebrating hope, wonder, and ocean stewardship.

Nighttime visitors are also in store for animal adventures that fuse education with high-energy fun and the dreamy ambiance of nighttime. The park has launched two all-new animal presentations: Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night and Dolphins: Touch the Sky. Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night features vibrant lighting, music, and dynamic choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales. Dolphins: Touch the Sky showcases playful bottlenose dolphins and the special connection between humans and the natural world. And back by popular demand is fan-favorite Sea Lions Tonite. See the charming pinnipeds splash, play, and parody pop culture in this refreshed crowd-pleaser. 

More must-sees: a newly reimagined Shark Encounter, one of the country’s more immersive exhibits highlighting 11 different species up close, SeaWorld’s beloved BMX Blast! stunt show, and high-seas escapade, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. And don’t miss the park’s all-new Deep Sea Disco, which encourages guests to dance the night away under the glow of the SkyTower, and vibrant closing time laser light display Laser Reef Summer Spectacular. 

Amp up the nighttime vibe with local craft beers, curated cocktails, and nostalgic theme park treats with $1 beer all summer long. SeaWorld is the place for day to night summer fun. When the sun goes down, SeaWorld lights up, and inspires guests of all ages to embrace their inner whimsy and see why generations of San Diegans head to SeaWorld to make memories they’ll never forget. 

Partner Content JUNE 10, 2026

New Options for GLP-1 Users

Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results

New Options for GLP-1 Users
Courtesy of Scripps Health

While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.

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

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 5, 2026

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light

San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light
Magical San Diego’s Balboa Park at twilight in San Diego California USA

Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.

The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.

Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago. 

Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.  

Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14. 

There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.

If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities. 

If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.

16 Museums, One Pass

Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).

Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.

BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer 

Fleet Science Center

Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.

Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.

Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721

The Old Globe

A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. 

This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.

Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623

San Diego Air & Space Museum

Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.

Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291

San Diego History Center

History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.

By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.

Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203

San Diego Junior Theatre

Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre. 

Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.

Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)

This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.

But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.

Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821

WorldBeat Cultural Center

The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.

Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190


Event Calendar

Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.

San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

Throughout 2026: San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods

Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.

San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

June –Aug: The 2026 Shakespeare Festival

Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.

The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101

June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps

Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.

San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101  

June 14, July 12, Aug 9: Brunch at The Nat


A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12). 

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

June 21: Harriet Tubman Freedom Bird Walk

Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.

WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Aug 7-8: Toro Nagashi Festival

Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101


Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: La Gran Terraza

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

Tastemakers 2026: La Gran Terraza
SDM Tastemakers 2025 (All)

Marbi Becerra, Chef de Cuisine

La Gran Terraza, the University of San Diego’s signature restaurant, has been a campus favorite for over 16 years, offering California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. This summer, its gastropub, O’Toole’s, is open for evening service —perfect for sunset bites and drinks.

At the helm is chef Marbi Becerra, a Culinary Institute of America alum with roots in the US and Mexico. She now leads culinary operations for La Gran Terraza and USD Catering, bringing bold Mediterranean flavors and a fresh perspective.

Try This!

Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri

La Gran Terraza

5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110
619-849-8205  |  lagranterraza.com  |  @eatatusd

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: Labora Cafe

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

Tastemakers 2026: Labora Cafe
SDM: Tastemakers 2026

Lauren Thiemthath & Bao Doan, Owners

Labora Café offers so much more than premium ceremonial-grade matcha; it’s a lifestyle café where people come to feel more energized, inspired, and connected to their community. Labora partners with retailers and lifestyle brands, from local Pilates instructors to Neiman Marcus, so there’s always something new to learn about or browse when you’re here. As for the drinks, whether you’re thinking matcha or Vietnamese coffee with a specialty house-made foam on top, expect a natural pick-me-up, without extra sugars or syrups.

Try This!

Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha

Labora Café

8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111
858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd

Partner Content

Thousands of savvy locals already get it.

San Diego's best restaurants, experiences, and events—handpicked and delivered to your inbox weekly. You in?

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA