Cole Novak

1 week ago | sandiegomagazine.com | Cole Novak

Long as I can remember, Solana Beach has been better known for the mild waves at Fletcher Cove and a few blocks of high-end design shopping on Cedros Ave. But despite the glacial pace of change, the beachside enclave is gearing up to add lots of goodies to the local dining roster. Over the past few years a few openings have brought attention (Rare Society, Rustic Root), with some more anticipated on the way (like Mia’s coming later this year).

1 week ago | sandiegomagazine.com | Cole Novak

After 15 years running South Park’s beloved Café Madeleine, founder Christine Perez finally feels like she’s got everything under control. “For a long time, I want to say I really didn’t know what I was doing,” she laughs. “I really kind of embraced this idea, I think, at one point where I’m like, ‘It’s okay that I don’t know.

1 week ago | sandiegomagazine.com | Cole Novak

“My life isn’t that interesting,” says chef Euphemia Ng. Then she starts telling her story—and quickly proves herself wrong. “I was an active 3-year-old, and my grandmother took me to the farmers market in Hong Kong every morning so my aunts could sleep in,” the Tierrasanta resident recalls. “She showed me how to look for the squashes with the fuzzy hair on the stems. That means it’s fresh. My father also had a catering business, and I would help him pick out what he needed for events.

1 week ago | sandiegomagazine.com | Cole Novak

I’ll always remember one of my first times trail running in San Diego. I had just moved to the city and headed out to to run on the shady dirt trails there. I had heard warnings about rattlesnakes, so I had my guard up as I ran. Suddenly, a crashing sound came from the surrounding bushes and I jumped nearly three feet in the air—only to see that it wasn’t a rattlesnake. It was a deer. I watched as the deer pranced through the woods before continuing my run.

1 week ago | sandiegomagazine.com | Cole Novak

Be honest—how often did you hear “It’s too beautiful outside to be indoors watching TV” as a kid? (Maybe you’re even hitting your own little ones with that line now.) But here’s some good news for movie buffs who still want to enjoy the increasingly warm weather: San Diego County is flush with options for catching a flick under the stars. Whether you and your fam want to watch something poolside or seaside, on a roof or at a park, there’s a pop-up or permanent open-air theater for you.