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Partner Content FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Best CBD Oil Of 2023: Top 5 CBD Oil Brands For CBD Tincture

Hundreds of brands say they have the best CBD oil but are they true to their word? Here are the top brands on the market that offer the best CBD oil.

Best CBD Oil Of 2023: Top 5 CBD Oil Brands For CBD Tincture
Rad Revenue

Rad Revenue

If we had a dollar for every time we heard some expert talk about CBD oil, we would be very rich. We can almost bet that has been the same experience for you. Why else will you be in this corner of the internet reading this article? So, is CBD oil just another trend in medicine and lifestyle that will disappear as quickly as it came? 

CBD oil is one of the most preferred CBD products on the market. This oil has numerous health benefits like relieving pain, reducing symptoms related to mental health disorders, and alleviating certain cancer-related symptoms. According to some studies, CBD is effective in treating some types of pain like nerve and back pain. 

Many consumers are torn about what CBD oil brands to buy, mainly because there are many to choose from. Another concern is that many CBD oils on the market are unregulated. Hence giving way to the influx of many fake and harmful CBD products. These counterfeits are dangerous to your health and may cause adverse side effects.

So, we have compiled a list of the best CBD oil brands to buy from. Instead of buying blindly and getting disappointed over and over again.

 

Best CBD Oil Products In The Market (2023)

 

  1. Exhale Wellness: Overall Best CBD Oil, Highest Rated 

  2. BudPop: Strongest Hemp CBD Oil For Chronic Pain

  3. Cheef Botanicals: Most Organic & Vegan CBD Isolate Oil

  4. Hollyweed: Top Choice Full Spectrum CBD Tincture

  5. FAB CBD:  Pure CBD Oil Products With Natural Flavors 

 

#1. Exhale Wellness: Overall Best CBD Oil, Highest Rated 

Our first pick for this list is Exhale wellness, which is considered one of the top brands in the business. It is well known amongst true hemp lovers and enthusiasts for its high-quality products and wide range of varieties. 

 

Of course, high-quality products are not all Exhale is known for. In fact, what we believe sets it apart from the competition is the amount of care they put into all their practices. From manufacturing to sling, there are clear signs of customer prioritization, and it’s really no shock Exhale has grown so much in such little time.

 

To live up to its reputation and give customers some of the best CBD oils the industry offers, Exhale takes its CBD oil manufacturing process really seriously. It partners itself with competent Colorado farms, which serve as the source of Exhale’s hemp plants. 

 

In the cultivation of these hemp plants, Exhale ensures that there is no use of harmful growth-enhancing chemicals in order to preserve the purity and quality of the hem and the overall safety of the end products. 

 

After obtaining the hemp, Exhale begins the extraction process and uses what is known as the CO2 extraction method. Throughout the manufacturing, there is also strict supervision and a number of security checks conducted to avoid contamination.

 

After the extraction and manufacturing processes, the CBD oil is technically ready for sale. However, Exhale doesn’t make it immediately available for purchase. It first conducts third-party tests on its oils before making them available to consumers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the lab results for their CBD oil, among a few other products. 

 

However, looking at other matters and the fact that the results for other products are available, we assume this is only because Exhale is still growing their database. 

 

Luckily, the third-party test results weren’t our only way of confirming the potency and safety of their oils. We also looked at their customer reviews, and seeing as there were more positives than negatives, we were put at ease.

 

Exhale Wellness’s CBD tincture provides quality services and has excellent policies to entice any CBD enthusiast or lover. First of all, Exhale processes all orders made on business days, not more than three days. 

 

You can also choose different shipping types and control how quickly your order gets to you. And for people looking to stick to Exhale’s pills for a long time, it allows you to save up more money through their subscription plans. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and for products returned in the same condition, they even pay for the shipping.

Highlights

  • Highly reputable

  • Sources its hemp from farms in Colorado

  • Uses CO2 extraction method

  • Conducts third-party lab tests

Pros

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

  • All-natural ingredients

  • No additives

  • Third-party lab tested

Cons

  • No international shipping

  • No discounts for one-time orders

=> Click here to visit the official website of Exhale wellness

#2. BudPop: Strongest Hemp CBD Oil For Chronic Pain

BudPop is yet another brand that produces high-quality products. However, that isn’t exactly what caught the attention of all hemp enthusiasts; it was the fact that it is run by a group of youngsters, which is a refreshing addition to the industry. 

 

Despite its short time in the hemp manufacturing business, Budpop has grown a lot and has built a solid reputation. We believe this is a result of the team’s dedication and deep knowledge of the industry and the expectations of customers.

 

Of course, a brand can’t grow as fast as Budpop does without putting in a little extra work into their products. Budpop’s hemp plants are grown by local farms in Nevada. This is done under intense care and supervision to ensure that they are organically grown, and there is no use of harmful chemicals. 

 

Just like Exhale wellness, they also use the Co2 extraction method to get extracts of the purest form possible. Strict care and management are still maintained in subsequent processes, and all ingredients used for the final products are 100 % natural. Hence Budpop’s CBD oils are safe to use and vegan friendly.

 

To support all these claims and prove the effectiveness and safety of their CBD oils, Budpop conducts third-party lab tests before they are made available for purchase. The certificate of analysis or the third-party lab tests results is made available on their official website. 

 

Their website is quite user-friendly, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding them. To get a bit more confirmation, we also decided to head to their customer reviews section; over there, we saw a lot of good reviews. Many customers claimed that the CBD oils worked fast and could see the results after a short time of taking them.

 

BudPop is also pretty strong in the customer conveniences department. It has a wide range of policies and offers customers the best experience possible. One of the most notable of these policies is their shipping policy. 

 

They offer quick processing of orders no longer than 48 hours, after which you should receive a confirmation email and another after your order has been shipped, along with a tracking number so you can constantly monitor your order. 

 

They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee on their CBD oils. To be valid for a refund, your CBD oil must be unused or in the same condition as you got it.

Highlights

  • Vegan friendly

  • Hemp plants are sourced from local farms in Nevada

  • CO2 extraction process

  • Third-party lab tested

Pros

  • All-natural ingredients

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

  • Quick and fast shipping

  • Fast-acting

Cons

  • Not a lot of variety

=> Click here to visit the official website of BudPop

#3. Cheef Botanicals: Most Organic & Vegan CBD Isolate Oil

When it comes to providing safe oils and having the health of customers in mind, there are not many brands that can rival Cheef Botanicals. It seeks to provide quality oils and serve as an advocate for CBD and educate people about the benefits of CBD. 

 

It was founded by a group of well-meaning hemp enthusiasts looking to fill a void in the industry and give people hemp-based products they can truly rely upon and experience all the benefits of CBD oils without worrying about their health. 

 

Cheef Botanicals’ health-centered take on CBD-based product manufacturing has certainly been recognized by many allowing the brand to continuously grow and is now considered one of the best in the industry.

 

Cheef botanicals also join hands with some of the best farms Colorado has to offer in order to get quality hemp plants for their CBD oils. To avoid contamination leading to undesirable health issues and ensure the overall safety of their CBD oils, Cheef Botanicals uses the CO2 extraction method. 

 

Everything that goes in the manufacturing of their oils is all-natural; they do not contain any artificial additives, preservatives and are GMO-free. 

 

Anyone can use these oils, and we do not just mean vegans but also beginners or people with not much experience in using CBD oils. There are different potencies that you can choose from, such as 300 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg, and 3000 mg. 

 

As an extra precaution, Cheef botanicals’s hemp CBD oil also performs third-party lab tests on all its oils to ensure potency and customer safety. Their third-party lab results gave us some assurance that Cheef botanicals is truly legit. However, to be safe, we also decided to check out their customer reviews and see what other people had to say about Cheef botanicals. 

 

Just a short while into looking at the reviews, we could tell that Cheef botanicals deliver just what it says it does. A lot of customers were unsurprisingly happy about different potency options they could choose from, and they also claimed to see results in a short while of usage. 

 

With Cheef botanicals, you can also expect to enjoy some pretty convenient policies and deals. First of all, they offer different shipping options, including free economy shipping, all with quick processing times. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all unused products. 

 

You can also return products if they were damaged while shipping. They also provide a number of money-saving options such as subscription plans and bundles, which can be very useful if you plan on using their CBD oils for a long time. You can also learn more about their policies and how they can work for you on the official website.

Highlights

  • Sources hemp from Colorado farms

  • Uses CO2 extraction method

  • Performs third-party lab tests

  • Offers great deals and services

Pros

  • Different potency options

  • 100% natural ingredients

  • Affordable

Cons

  • No international shipping

=> Click here to visit the official website of Cheef Botanicals

#4. Hollyweed: Top Choice Full Spectrum CBD Tincture

Like any brand run by a group of experienced hemp enthusiasts, Hollyweed has been nothing but impressive since its first appearance in the industry. Just like the other brands on our list, the founders of Hollyweed felt the hemp manufacturing industry lacked something to fill that void with Hollyweed. 

 

The brand cares about their customers and their health; it aims to produce good results while also maintaining the health of its customers. Its goal is to spread the good word about the benefits of CBD and how it could positively impact their lives. 

 

As a result, Hollyweed avoids the use of artificial additives, flavors, colors, and animal gelatin in making their CBD oils; thus, they can be used by vegans as well. To also avoid contamination and customer safety, Hollyweed’s CBD Oil uses the Co2 extraction method on their Colorado-grown hemp plants. 

 

Hollyweed aims to make its products usable by anybody, including beginners, which is why they offer their CBD oils in different potencies. These potency options are 300 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg, and 3000 mg; all their oils are, of course, compliant with the law and are manufactured under approved processes.

 

To be certain of Hollyweed and that its products are just as good as it claims, we decided to get an unbiased point of view. Fortunately, Hollyweed runs third-party lab tests on all their products before they are available for sale. Finding the third-party lab results was easy, and we found everything concerning their ingredients was legit. 

 

After checking out their third-party lab results, we also took a look at the customer reviews. A good number of the reviews talked about the potency of the oils and how quickly they worked. We also saw testimonies and stories of how the oils have positively impacted lives.

 

Hollyweed also has a set of interesting policies that can be very beneficial and enticing to any CBD lover. First of all, Hollyweed provides several shipping options, including free economy shipping which, of course, would take longer than the other shipping options. Hollywood also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and if that isn’t enough time, it may be extended to 45 days. 

 

Which is really assuring and shows Hollyweed’s trust in their product and proves they have nothing to hide. Hollyweed also has a reward system. You can earn points for performing certain activities such as buying a product, following them on social media, and so on, which can be redeemed for discounts on your purchases. 

Highlights

  • Has a high reputation

  • Sources hemp from Colorado farms

  • Uses CO2 extraction method

  • The oils are vegan friendly

  • Friendly customer policies

Pros

  • Different potency options

  • 100% natural ingredients

  • Third-party lab tested

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Can be pricey

  • No international shipping

=> Click here to visit the official website of Hollyweed

#5. FAB CBD: Pure CBD Oil Products With Natural Flavors 

Our next pick for this list is FAB CBD, which first made its appearance in the industry back in 2017 and has been delivering exceptional products ever since. It has built quite a reputation in its short time in the industry and is well known by all hemp enthusiasts. 

 

They also seek to tell the world about the benefits of CBD through their hemp-based products. There is a lot of thought and care poured into its CBD oil from start to finish making it perfect for health-conscious hemp lovers looking to use CBD without experiencing any serious health problems.

 

FAB CBD sources its hemp from some of the best farms in Colorado. After which, like all top brands in the industry, they use the CO2 extraction method to gain extracts of the purest form. Fab CBD’s oils are all full spectrum; that is, all the original components or extracts of the cannabis plants are maintained. 

 

Fab CBD is also against the use of artificial additives or ingredients in manufacturing the oils; they are all 100% organic. The oils are also compliant with the law and contain less than 0.3 THC. 

 

Now making the oils isn’t exactly the end of the road for FAB CBD; they also perform third-party lab results on all their products to give consumers proof of the effectiveness and safety of the oil. 

 

FAB CBD third-party lab results are done by ProVerde laboratories, which have a lot of experience in cannabis testing. The certificate of analysis from the tests is all made easily available on the official website, and so are their customer reviews if you are still not convinced. 

 

Just like other brands on our list FAB CBD has convenient policies you can take advantage of today. It offers free shipping for orders above $99, along with a quick processing time. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee; of course, the item must be in its original condition before you can request a refund.

Highlights

  • Highly reputable brands

  • Sources its hemp from Colorado farms

  • Produces clean and safe extracts using the CO2 extraction methods. 

  • Has convenient policies

Pros

  • All-natural ingredients

  • Affordable

  • Offers international shipping

Cons

  • No potency options

=> Click here to visit the official website of FAB CBD

How We Made This List For The Best CBD Oils?

Before we made our list of the best CBD oil brands, we understood that popularity does not necessarily translate to high quality. 

 

So, we created a set of guidelines and criteria to measure the brands up against. We first started with twenty top CBD brands in the industry, but we narrowed it down to five who passed our test with flying colors after thorough research. 

 

We considered several factors like hemp sources, third-party lab reports, customer reviews, online reputation, opinions of niche experts and CBD journalists.

 

We also took into account the safety and health protocol of the brands to ensure that the health of consumers is not compromised. 

  • Mode of Dosing

It is always best to take CBD oil subliminally so it can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Take your CBD oil by placing a few drops under your tongue and holding it there for a few seconds before swallowing. 

 

Although there is no known correct dose of CBD oil, it is always best to follow the manufacturer’s dose for maximum effect. 

 

Depending on your needs and what you’re treating, you can start with 2.5 to 5 milligrams of CBD oil twice daily. After a week or some weeks, you can increase the dosage however you like or the recommended 7 to 10 mg/kg per day.

  • Certificate of Analysis

You need to be wary of brands that do not reassure consumers with guarantees and assurances. The brands on our list prepare their products under the strictest medical conditions. Seeing that many CBD products enter the market untested, our selected brands have a Certificate of Analysis. 

 

The Certificate of Analysis is given to brands that are transparent about their production process. A COA shows that the CBD product has been tested and approved by a third-party laboratory for its quality. The analysis involves tests on cannabinoid content, contaminants, and terpene content.

  • Product Availability

We assessed how easy it is for consumers to get their hands on quality CBD products. The brands in our list have created distribution channels for easy accessibility of their products. Their products are available online and in any credited CBD shop near you. 

  • Verified Customer Reviews

Reading the reviews or testimonials of customers will tell you everything you need to know about the product. However, to get a real picture of how effective the product is, listen to the people that have used the product. 

 

Some reviews of Exhale wellness hailed its CBD oil at overall best full-spectrum sleep CBD. Other customer reviews of Budpop said it offers best CBD oil products at very affordable prices. 

  • Brand Reputation

A brand is only good as the reputation that precedes it. Great brands did not gain their reputation by being mediocre. 

 

They did this by continuously setting themselves apart and having a proven track record of quality products, excellent customer service, and a transparent production process. 

 

The validity of the products also adds to the brand’s reputation. After cross-checking with other health agencies and laboratories, all the products are safe for human consumption. 

Beginner’s Buying Guide: Hemp CBD Oil & Tinctures Online

  • How And Where Is the CBD Grown and Harvested

The majority of CBD products sold in the United Kingdom are made from industrial hemp produced under stringent rules in three European unions. CBD oil may be produced from the plant in three different methods. 

The use of ethanol to extract CBD from hemp is the most prevalent technique of extraction. By heating the hemp and extracting the oil, carbon dioxide may also be used to extract the CBD from it; this method is known as ‘supercritical Co2 extraction.’

  • Is The CBD Oil You Are Buying Safe?

The ingredients should be safe if the product is purchased from a reputable and legitimate supplier who can produce documentation proving that his or her product has been certified. According to a World Health Organization report, CBD is typically well accepted and has an excellent safety profile. 

Documented adverse effects are attributable to pharmacological interactions between CBD and the patient’s present medicine. In addition, because CBD oil has such a little amount of THC, there should be no reason for it to be addictive when taken intelligently. To avoid THC overdose, be sure to utilize high-quality goods.

  • Are There Any Side Effects

CBD oil is a fairly safe substance for most individuals. However, some people do encounter negative effects that are connected to the following situations:

  • Fatigues or diarrhea

  • Difference in appetite

  • Weight gain or loss

It is crucial to note that those who suffer these adverse effects take high doses of CBD. As a result, when taking the product, it is recommended that you do not overdose.

FAQs About CBD Oil

Q1. Can You Get High from CBD Oil?

Well, to put it in simple terms, no, CBD oil does not make you high. The reason behind this is that THC, the ingredient in marijuana that causes people to become high, is not added in large quantities. Because little more than 1 mg of THC per bottle is authorized, it cannot have any psychoactive effects.

Q2. Can You Overdose On CBD?

Typically, you can’t overdose from taking CBD; however, that does not mean it should be taken however you want. Beginners or people new to using CBD are advised to take small quantities and work their way up over time. Taking too much CBD or large quantities of it may result in stomach upset, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, and more. 

Fortunately, more and more CBD manufacturing brands are making their CBD-based products in different potencies for you to choose from. However, if your supplier does not offer that, you may want to check their website concerning the dosage or ask your doctor how much CBD you should take.

Q3. Is CBD Oil and Hemp Seed Oil the Same Thing?

Hemp seed oil is created from the seeds of hemp plants; however, when oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks of hemp plants, we are talking about CBD oil. CBD oil, also known as hemp extract, is obtained from the industrial hemp process, which produces crops with high CBD levels and low THC levels — this is what you’ll find in CBD oil supplements.

Q4. How Long Does It Take to Feel the Benefit?

CBD oil has varying effects on different people and also the product. The effects of an oral spray or dropper can be felt within 30 minutes to an hour and might last up to six hours, depending on the dose. 

Therefore, it is critical, to begin with, a modest dose until you have established a tolerance for bigger doses. Oral spray distribution is more effective since nutrients are delivered straight into the circulation, avoiding the digestive tract and compromising absorption.

Q5. Are CBD Products Vegan Friendly?

Vegans and vegetarians can use CBD oils because they do not include any animal ingredients. Colorado hemp (hemp seed oil), natural flavorings, and plant-based nutrients are used in the goods.

Q6. Are CBD Products Tested on Animals?

Testing CBD products on animals is not approved by the law; hence CBD manufacturing companies do not do so.

Conclusion: Which Are The Best CBD Oil Brands To Buy?

CBD oil is a safe and effective treatment for alleviating all forms of pain. It also promotes sleep and helps your muscles relax. 

There have been several studies to back the notion that CBD is equally effective in reducing symptoms associated with mental health disorders. In addition, people prefer CBD oil because it is natural hence does not cause adverse side effects. 

Currently, regulations in the USA keep increasing. But if it is your first-time taking CBD oil, especially to treat some pain, you will need to consult a health professional. 

Compared to THC, CBD oil will not get you high but only help reduce stress and anxiety levels and nerve pain. 

CBD oils from the brands listed above are the best in the industry. The oils are of high quality, easily accessible, and affordable. 

We would like to note caution; misusing CBD can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and irritability. In addition, for people battling liver disease, using CBD oil can increase the level of blood thinning and does not allow for other medicines to work efficiently. 

Also, remember that contrary to popular belief, CBD is not a cure for every disease or pain you have. So, do your research and speak to your doctor before purchasing any CBD products.

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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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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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