San Diego’s got no culture. San Diego is a tourist town. San Diego is a nice place to retire.

Meanwhile, cranking away under those well-worn clichés, the city’s creative edge is its best-kept secret. San Diego Magazine and Sony Electronics have partnered to tell the stories of the people building that culture from the ground up. 

First up: Mike Lynch, founder of San Diego’s Imperfects

“San Diego is a cultural sleeping giant.”

Mike Lynch made a name for himself by finding the crook in the straight line. Born and raised in San Diego, he skated the beach town alleys, surfed his brains out. He rode the same boards we all did. But when you stare at something long enough, you see other potentials. So he set up in garages, strapped on the mask, and remixed the classic shape. His funky, asymmetrical boards looked like mistakes, and rode like a dream.

He called ‘em Imperfects.

Mike’s imperfections grew beyond the board. He tweaked the surf and skate wear (shirts, jackets, pants, you name it). He just opened a showroom in one of the greatest, grittiest beach towns in the country: OB. He shapes and sketches in the back, hangs with new friends up front. It’s a creative space for local culture, created by a local.

This is his story. Shot on Sony FX6 and Alpha 7S III in Ocean Beach.  

To learn more about Sony’s WH-1000XM5 Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Headphones, click here.

#SonyCommunity #ShotOnSony

What’s on your 2025 summer bucket list? A fun staycation? A trip across state lines? Trying your hand at a new sport? Whatever you’re dreaming of checking off when the weather heats up, there are spots to do it in San Diego and beyond.

From rooftop cocktails at San Diego’s Margaritaville Hotel in Gaslamp to beachside stays at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and outdoor adventures in Missoula, Montana, consider this your guide to all the things to see, eat, sip, and explore this summer.

Venture Out: Destination Missoula

For those itching to travel, Missoula, Montana is calling. In this peaceful destination that’s close to nature, you can spend your morning hiking, biking, walking, fishing, or river rafting before hitting museums and boutiques in the afternoon and grabbing a bite from a food truck or chowing down at a café that’s been around for nearly a century. Or dive into the city’s cultural scene with some live music—Zootown Music Festival, concerts at Kettlehouse Amphitheater, and summer stadium shows are still being announced. And like any ideal getaway, accommodation options are plentiful. From wooded cabins to hotels in the heart of town to campsites, all ages, group sizes, and abilities are welcome. 

Stay Coastal: La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

The oceanfront La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is set to unveil its new pool experience just in time for the warmer months—and while the club is members-only, everyone who reserves a stay will be a VIP for the day (or weekend), with access to all of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club’s summer-ready offerings: tennis lessons on 13 championship tennis courts, five pickleball courts, a nine-hole golf course, four seaside restaurants, and the longest stretch of private beach in all of SoCal, with complimentary shoreline activities like paddle ball and beach bocce to keep you having fun in the sun all day long.

City Escape: Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Perched in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp neighborhood, Margaritaville Hotel San Diego is a tropical escape with access to all the exciting hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you want to sip a pre-Padres game drink on a sunny rooftop, relax by a pool for an afternoon, or grab a bite to eat before exploring downtown, Margaritaville Hotel San Diego has you covered. And if you really want to get in the summer spirit, the hotel has an accommodation package for any group, from full suites to single bedrooms, so you can book a staycation and leave more refreshed than ever.

How often do you feel like your home is clean—and we mean really clean, as in pristine, post pictures about it on social media and invite all of your friends, family, and in-laws over, clean? For most Americans, the answer is just 11 days each year. And that makes sense if you’re relying on regular old mops, vacuums, and dusters to keep your home tidy. Because who has time to use that stuff when life can get so busy—and when there’s so much else you’d rather be doing?

Enter, Dreame, the smart home appliance company offering up innovative products that do the cleaning for you, meaning it’s something longstanding neat freaks and people who want to look like neat freaks without actually working that hard can get behind.

Dreame is opening its flagship store in San Diego at Westfield UTC on April 26. The store is just the second Dreame location in Southern California. It comes less than a year after the success that followed the opening of Dreame’s first U.S. location in Los Angeles, and it comes as people across North America are lining up to bring Dreame’s innovative, intelligent cleaning products into their everyday lives. 

From robotic vacuums with smart mapping to versatile wet-dry cleaning systems, Dreame helps you clean smarter, making it easy to give yourself an Instagram-ready home 365 days a year and still end up with more time to do the things you love. 

The elevated Westfield UTC store will let San Diegans explore Dreame’s full collection of smart home cleaning solutions in person. With live, in-store product demonstrations, visitors can see and test out the products themselves before buying, so you don’t need to rely on anonymous online reviews. (…Plus, you can be sure you’ll know how to use the products once you get home.) In the store’s sleek but hands-on atmosphere, you’ll see how Dreame’s products work together to modernize cleaning for the modern home. Best of all, the brick-and-mortar location will also give San Diegans exclusive access to product pricing and details available only in-store. 

Dreame’s top products include the market-leading X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum, the ultimate smart vacuum with advanced navigation and deep-cleaning power, the H12 Pro FlexReach, a versatile cleaner that combines mopping and vacuuming in one sleek device and works on all floor types. And if you’re after cordless convenience with serious suction, look no further than the Z20 Station Cordless Stick Vacuum. It offers powerful performance, a hands-free dustbin, and a sleek docking station to keep things tidy. There’s also the Pocket Hair Dryer—because your floors aren’t the only things that need a product upgrade— which isn’t just small and easy to travel with, but it actually works. But truly, that’s just the start of Dreame’s all-star cleaning line up.

Luxury is not merely defined by what adorns the body—but by how it speaks to the soul. It’s the quiet confidence of wearing a piece that was made just for you, and the feeling of timeless elegance that lingers long after the moment has passed. This is the essence of Stuart Benjamin & Co. Jewelry Designs, San Diego’s premier destination for fine and custom jewelry. For over 25 years, this privately owned store has been the epitome of sophistication, offering the city a haven of artistry, quality, and enduring beauty.

Nestled in the heart of The Hazard Center

Just moments from Fashion Valley Mall—Stuart Benjamin & Co. welcomes guests into a world of refined elegance yet retains its casual and inviting atmosphere. The newly designed, contemporary space glimmers with displays of the finest in high-end jewelry. Here, every piece tells a story—whether it’s a bespoke diamond engagement ring, a show-stopping fashion statement, or a handcrafted gemstone creation that dazzles with otherworldly brilliance.

The Benjamin family’s heritage in fine jewelry spans more than 80 years, a legacy marked by impeccable craftsmanship, artistic innovation and caring for their clients. Today, that tradition is carried forward with unparalleled dedication, showcasing pieces that are not only breathtaking but also deeply personal. Each ring, necklace, and bracelet is a masterpiece of design—crafted to celebrate life’s most treasured moments.

Their selection is a connoisseur’s dream: exquisite collections from award-winning designers like Alishan, Denny Wong, Lisa Nik, Gabriel & Co. and Spark Creations.  Whether you’re drawn to bold, modern silhouettes or timeless, classic elegance, Stuart Benjamin & Co. offers jewelry that reflects your individuality—with quality that transcends generations.

But what truly sets this San Diego gem apart is its distinctive approach to service. Their small yet highly knowledgeable team offers a no-pressure environment, allowing each guest to explore at their own pace. This commitment to integrity and expertise has earned them a coveted membership in the American Gem Society—an honor granted to fewer than 5% of jewelry stores nationwide. When you purchase from Stuart Benjamin & Co., you do so with confidence, knowing that your investment is backed by one of the most trusted names in the industry.

Stuart Benjamin & Co. is more than a jewelry store—it is an experience. Ample free parking, a serene shopping atmosphere, and genuinely caring service make every visit a pleasure. Whether you’re selecting a once-in-a-lifetime engagement ring, commemorating a milestone, or simply indulging in a piece that speaks to your heart, the journey begins here.

In a world where true luxury is increasingly rare, Stuart Benjamin & Co. Jewelry Designs stands as a shining example of elegance, artistry, and enduring tradition. Discover the piece that speaks to you—and the legacy that defines San Diego’s finest jewelry house.

Experience the art of luxury. Experience Stuart Benjamin & Co. Jewelry Designs

Make it a self-care spring with Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, Healcove Clinic, and Activate House

Healcove Clinic

In a fast-paced world where stress, chronic pain, and disconnection are all too common, Healcove Clinic stands as a sanctuary for those seeking a deeper, more holistic approach to wellness. More than just a chiropractic and bodywork clinic, Healcove is a space where science meets soul—where evidence-based treatments intertwine with time-honored healing traditions to support not just physical health, but also personal growth and community connection.

At Healcove Clinic, chiropractic care is not a quick “crack-and-go” experience. The clinic’s approach is comprehensive, hands-on, and tailored to the individual. Each session is a deep dive into the body’s movement patterns, tension points, and underlying imbalances.

Healcove offers several different chiropractic treatments. Practitioners explore the root cause of clients’ pain, identify their movement restrictions, and help them retrain patterns for long-term relief, stability, and mobility. They also teach patients to connect with their breath to calm the nervous system and optimize healing.

Patients can opt for bodywork and soft tissue therapy, which integrates techniques such as active release therapy (ART) and myofascial release to address tightness and dysfunction, or choose to book chiropractic adjustments—precise, effective treatments designed to restore alignment and function, always customized to the patient’s comfort and needs.

Rather than offering a one-time fix, the clinic’s goal is to create long-term change—helping patients move, feel, and function at their best. After all, Healcove knows that wellness is a lifelong journey. That’s why the clinic offers an innovative membership model that makes ongoing care more accessible. Members receive a monthly selection of services tailored to their needs, ensuring they stay consistent with their healing and self-care practices. Beyond hands-on treatments, members also gain access to exclusive classes and workshops designed to support long-term health and well-being.

That’s what truly sets Healcove apart: Its emphasis on connection and personal growth. Healing isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and communal. Clients can participate in Founder’s Meetups, community gatherings focused on breathwork, meditation, deep conversations, and meaningful connections. These meetups cultivate an environment where people can share their journeys, support one another, and build relationships that enhance their overall well-being.

At its core, Healcove Clinic is more than a wellness center—it’s a place where people come to heal, grow, and connect. It’s a space where practitioners and clients alike are dedicated to learning, evolving, and supporting one another. Whether you’re seeking relief from physical pain, looking to enhance your mobility, or yearning for a community that values both health and human connection, Healcove Clinic is there to guide you on your journey and nurture your whole self.

5005 Texas Street, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92108
healcove.com

Cosmetic Laser Dermatology

For over 35 years, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology has served the San Diego community with more than 80 treatment options, more than 60 laser and light devices, and several proprietary procedures. Staff members at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology are eager and able to help clients find the perfect solution for any concern they have in mind, from health and wellness needs to aesthetic goals.

Cosmetic Laser Dermatology is home to eight board-certified dermatologists—three of whom were named among the top 10 on Newsweek’s list of the top cosmetic dermatologists in the country. Whether you are ready to get started on preventative measures, want to address problem areas, or are longing to laser away unwanted hair or scars, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology will help you navigate the world of aesthetics. The practice’s mission is to deliver natural, undetectable results to ensure that every patient looks as vibrant, youthful, and beautiful as they feel.

You can refresh your appearance with popular injectables like Botox, Jeuveau, Dysport, and Juvéderm, designed to smooth out wrinkles, relax muscles, and plump up key areas of the face. Or explore lesser-known alternatives to cosmetic surgery, like “liquid” rhinoplasties, which uses filler to subtly change the shape of the nose, and volume-restoring Sculptra collagen injections. The team offers a “liquid facelift,” combining dermal fillers and Botox to melt years off your face without requiring you to go under the knife.

Perhaps you want to make tweaks below the chin. At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, the body-contouring options are equally diverse, with everything from fat-dissolving injectables like Kybella to liposuction to non-surgical skin tightening. Bothered by prominent or unsightly veins? Delve into procedures that reduce or remove them.

As its name suggests, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology also offers a range of laser procedures to clear scars, treat acne, and erase unwanted tattoos and body hair with state-of-the-art machinery and highly trained staff. One popular procedure is the “Take Ten Years Off” treatment, which employs three or more lasers to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, and general skin aging in just one low-downtime session. You can book online here.

If you are unsure where to begin, try Cosmetics Laser Dermatology’s online quiz, which enquires about your concerns, desires, and age group to recommend the procedures and treatments that will help you meet your goals and feel your best. Or simply book some face time with a staff member—Cosmetic Laser Dermatology provides both free and paid consultations to help you learn more about everything the office has to offer.

9339 Genesee Avenue, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92121
clderm.com

Activate House

Time to cancel that ClassPass membership. Instead, make your way to Activate House, a local space that offers a diverse array of workouts—as well as the sense of community that comes with attending a single studio regularly and recovery-minded amenities typically found at gyms.

While typically studios are defined by the workout they focus on, Activate House considers itself a holistic “house of wellness,” providing several different classes led by engaging, motivating, and experienced instructors at the studio’s two locations in Bird Rock and North Park. And though their areas of expertise differ, each instructor at Activate House is working toward the same goal: guiding and supporting you as you develop a healthy lifestyle that transforms your mind, body, and spirit.

It’s up to you what that looks like—maybe you love a high-energy, fast-paced workout, so you sign up for Activate House’s daily 45- and 60-minute spin classes to blast your muscles and get your heart pumping (with a top-notch playlist in the background, of course). Want to tone up all over? Feel the burn at a low-impact, 45-minute, heated sculpt session; a toasty mat Pilates class; or a combination of both. Need to slow down and strengthen up? Flow through a yoga class to improve your mobility and flexibility.

Outside of fitness offerings, Activate House has a designated cold plunge and sauna area so you can re-charge and feel your best. Swing by for an afternoon pick-me-up or use the space pre or post workout.

If you need a full spring reset—or simply want to get closer with your Activate House community—join one of the studio’s retreats. The May 2025 retreat to Palm Springs includes spa treatments, hot springs, yoga and Pilates classes, and meals. Meet like-minded health and wellness seekers, dabble in a variety of offered fitness courses, and relax in an inspiring and peaceful environment.

Activate House offers single class purchases, bundles, and full memberships. So, whether you want to drop in for one yoga class a week, commit to a Pilates routine, or enjoy the perks of sauna and cold plunge therapy, there is a plan for everyone.

2855 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92104
activate-house.com