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. 

Episode 2: Iydeen Younis, Photographer

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“English is my third language, so I’m not always comfortable expressing myself in words. Photography lets me communicate with everyone.”

Photography as a language, a universal translation. Iydeen Younis knows this well. Her family was relocated to San Diego when she was five years old after their village was destroyed. As a young kid who didn’t speak the language, the camera was how she spoke. She used it to document her family’s new life.

Iydeen’s parents wanted her to become a doctor, a lawyer, something big and stable and safe with some important-looking letters after it. But she felt the need to tell people’s stories, capture rare moments, document good work being done. Now she shoots in kitchens across the city, like @cicciaosteriasd, helping the people of the food and drink culture translate what they’ve created. 

This is her story. Stay tuned for more. Shot On Sony FX6 and a7S III cameras at Ciccia Osteria in Barrio Logan.

To learn more about Sony’s Alpha 7 III full-frame hybrid camera, click here. #Shot On Sony #SonyCommunity

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

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“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