When the work deadlines start piling up and the house needs cleaning and your family and friends are keeping your calendar booked, it can be easy to forget to take care of the most important thing in your life: You! And we mean all of you, inside and out, from your body to your mind.
If it’s a spa retreat or a one-of-a-kind facial that you’re craving, we have ideas for that. Maybe you need a little help getting your muscles and spine moving again, or a lot of help navigating the impossible web that is our medical system. Good news: We can help with that, too.
Consider this your chance to stop and think about what you’ve really been needing lately, and let us show you our favorite ways to make it happen.
Healcove Chiropractic
Courtesy of Healcove Chiropractic
It doesn’t matter if the culprit is a long day surfing or sitting at a desk all day—when aches and pains hit, Healcove Chiropractic should be your first call. The 2025 “Best Chiropractor in San Diego” provides a whole lot more than adjustments. Operating under a comprehensive chiropractic model, a visit may include manual adjustments along with soft tissue work, cupping, heat and E-stim, traction, or decompression, depending on what each patient needs.
This method allows the Healcove team to better relieve pain—whether it’s chronic or injury-induced, located in the neck, back, or elsewhere—while helping patients feel stronger and more grounded in their bodies.
At their first visit, patients can expect a 60-minute session that begins with a thorough consultation and posture and movement screening before receiving treatment, so that the Healcove team can develop a personalized plan to help meet their health goals. Because the benefits of chiropractic care go far beyond treating pain, Healcove works with many patients who use preventive visits as part of their regular wellness routine. Even once- or twice-per-month care can make a difference in maintaining alignment, improving mobility, and reducing stress.
In addition to chiropractic services, Healcove Chiropractic also specializes in acupuncture, massage therapy, functional fitness training, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. By offering all of these services together, Healcove Chiropractic is able to provide full-body care. No matter what treatment a patient receives, they can feel confident that the care is individualized, evidence-based, and comprehensive—meaning they’ll receive the specific support they need to feel better not just today, but over time. Learn more here.
Jay’s Heart
San Diego is home to tons of amazing doctors and health resources—but sometimes the hardest part of any healthy journey is knowing which doctor you should visit or what resources make the most sense for you. Other times still, you just need someone to sit down with you and explain what exactly this new diagnosis you’re staring down even is. Enter, Jay’s Heart.
Founded in 2023 by board-certified general and critical care surgeon Dr. Diane Wintz, Jay’s Heart helps individuals and families navigate the medical system, from helping a person understand a diagnosis to supporting someone through their end-of-life care decisions. Its team can help you untangle the emotional and logistical confusion that can come from receiving new medical information. It can help guide you through healthcare options, access your risks before agreeing to a surgery or procedure. The staff is also more than happy to help you create a list of questions to ask at your next appointment.
Dr. Wintz founded Jay’s Heart following the loss of her father, who died after a fight with complex heart disease. Even with her extensive medical background, Dr. Wintz still found the process of navigating the healthcare system incredibly confusing. She felt like there was no one she could turn to for help. That experience inspired her to team up with palliative oncology nurse Kelly Wright, and together they work to provide support for others on their own health journeys.
Jay Heart offers in-person services anywhere within a 150-mile radius of La Jolla. Every person who reaches out will receive a free 15-minute call to discuss the specific needs of their situation, and the organization also makes visits to retirement and senior communities.
Named for Dr. Wintz’s father, Jay’s Heart provides the compassion, the clarity, and above all else, the informative people need to make their health decisions with full confidence and dignity.
Golden Door LLC
Courtesy of Golden Door LLC
If you’re seeking a spa getaway, there’s really only one choice to consider: The legendary Golden Door. The San Marcos spot isn’t just one of the best wellness retreats in California; for over six decades, it has been one of the most revered retreats in the entire country. Located just 30 minutes from San Diego, the 600-acre Golden Door spa offers 80 rejuvenating classes for your mind and body, 30 miles of private hiking trails to explore, and delectable farm-to-table meals to keep you nourished while you rest, reset, and reclaim the best version of yourself.
The spa services include luxurious facials, energizing cold plunges, and a relaxing Light-Stim LED table. But a couple of our favorite treatments are the Deep Body Reset, a hybrid massage that incorporates elements of sports massage, acupressure (Tui Na), and cranial sacral therapy, along with the Lymphatic Drainage Massage, which relieves, rebalances, and rejuvenates the whole body by stimulating your natural healing processes.
You can book either private or group sessions to achieve the ultimate state of mindfulness with sessions focused on breath, meditation, self-love, and sound bowl singing and healing. And when you’re ready to get in motion, the personalized fitness programs include hiking, Pilates, yoga, and archery, as well as classes focused on flexibility, working through pain, and improving your balance and posture.
Today, anyone with an internet connection and an Instagram account can promise to possess the secret to changing your life. At the Golden Door, we think you probably will find a life-changing experience or two, but ultimately, all of its services are aimed at helping you discover that you don’t need to change your life; you just need to find your way back to being you. And everything about this luxury resort helps you do exactly that.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
Courtesy of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
When it comes to your skin, you have to be picky about the people you work with and the procedures you choose. And the pickiest skin gurus in town know there’s one place in the city that will never let you down: Cosmetic Laser Dermatology.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology has been San Diego’s top destination for achieving youthful, natural-looking skin for over 35 years. Its award-winning team of board-certified dermatologists works with more than 60 light, laser, and energy devices, along with 80 treatment options including Botox, Restylane, Sculptra, liposculpture, and body contouring. All of these options mean patients can expect a completely customized approach to their treatments every time they come in.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology treats everything from acne scars and sun damage to leg veins and unwanted hair. But it’s probably best known for its flagship procedures—each of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The Take10 and Take5 lifts melt away years of facial aging in just one treatment by utilizing multiple lasers, and the staff can customize its approach to meet your specific skin needs. The ThermiSculpt³ reshapes your neck and jawline, while the Cool³ Body Sculpting is perfect for finally targeting those stubborn fat pockets—and both result in smoother, tighter, more lifted skin. Then there’s the 3xFacial, which gives you beautiful, glowing skin you can show off right away.
Probably our favorite part of these procedures is that they’re each single-session, nonsurgical options-meaning you get the transformative results without going through weeks or even months of recovery. (Better still: In the case of the 3xFacial, there’s actually no downtime at all; you can leave and start showing off your skin right away.)
In short, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology is the place to work with industry-leading experts to get one-of-a-kind treatments backed by science, which sounds pretty perfect to us. Learn more about Cosmetic Laser Dermatology.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
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