The city lights of San Diego fade as Gannon “Chris” Cruz Stephen ventures into Mission Trails on the hunt for hidden inhabitants. The paths empty, night awakens, and somewhere in the dark, creatures stir. The 19-year-old biology student’s flashlight beam cuts through the brush. “Searching for rare s

If you see someone in La Jolla wandering the beach with a crinkled brown paper bag and laser focus on fallen seedpods, don’t be alarmed—it’s probably Erika Givens, and she’s not lost; she’s collecting. Moss, driftwood, mysterious pods that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie… nothing is off-limi

Hidden in the hillside of the Methow Valley, Tinyleaf is a 15×22 ft off-grid outpost designed by GO’C as a compact retreat for year-round outdoor living. Cast-in-place concrete walls anchor the cabin into the slope, while weathering steel and a deep awning blend it into the landscape. The space is d

Established in 1981, the Stuart Collection at UC San Diego consists of 22 permanent art installations by some of the world’s most influential modern artists. Renowned for its assortment of art, the collection is famous for pieces such as Do Ho Suh’s iconic Fallen Star and Tim Hawkinson’s Bear sculpt

Established in 1981, the Stuart Collection at UC San Diego consists of 22 permanent art installations by some of the world’s most influential modern artists. Renowned for its assortment of art, the collection is famous for pieces such as Do Ho Suh’s iconic Fallen Star and Tim Hawkinson’s Bear sculpt

Set deep within the evergreens of Whidbey Island, this prefab home is designed to touch the landscape lightly, by Wittman Estes. Four modular volumes rest on pin foundations instead of concrete, reducing disturbance to tree roots and cutting the carbon footprint of the structure. The exterior is wra

We received the Falcon Ledge Residence through our project submission form, and it immediately stood out. The home, part of Alter Studio, anchors itself to a steep Austin ravine with a clear, disciplined structure. It rises above dense tree canopies, wrapped in vertical steel panels and warm recesse

Kawakawa Bach from Herbst Architects sits lifted above the forest floor to capture the ocean views and precious daylight that the steep, tree-covered site naturally blocks. Surrounded by mature Pohutukawa trees and tucked against a mountain slope, the house responds by elevating all living spaces to

Zenhouse from Studio Nirvana, is a minimalist retreat built around raw concrete, natural light, and open space. Polished concrete floors run throughout the home, reflecting light and creating a calm, grounded atmosphere. The concrete walls and ceilings add texture without noise, letting the architec

Lagoon View is a remodel and expansion of a 4753-sq ft home in Tiburon. The owners planned a move from the midwest and wanted a site with open views of San Francisco, the bay, and the ocean. The existing structure had many past alterations, so Swatt + Partners set out to unify the plan and create on

Ryan Berman describes himself as a “fear fighter.” The author, speaker, podcaster, and founder of the San Diego-based Courageous consultancy works to infuse courage into the DNA of companies across the country by identifying and combatting the fears that hold them back.  Berman’s best-selling book R

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in San Diego. Winter Wonder at Belmont Park, SeaWorld’s Coastal Christmas, and Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden are all wonderful ways to get in the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, wine aficionados can get their fill at Uncorked: Derby Days at Del Mar Tho

Everybody’s talking about hormones. Celebrities like Michelle Obama, Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall, Oprah Winfrey, and the irrepressible Gwyneth Paltrow are waxing poetic on menopause, and, according to industry publication BeautyMatter, the market for products related to that particular life stag

You can tell a lot about a person by their living room. One glimpse reveals whether they alphabetize their books, live with pets (ahem, black couches), or enforce a socks-only policy. Just like you, every living room has a personality—it’s an ever-shifting record of your day-to-day life. But with a

One year ago, I ended a relationship that I thought would be my forever. It’s strange to think in those terms, the idea of forever and all that might have happened between us, and all that will never happen now. But to see how much can change and be accomplished in only 365 days, I’m re-writing my c

Nestled in Italy’s scenic Ahrntal valley, the Amonti Chalets by Andreas Gruber Architekten reinterpret the traditional mountain lodge through a minimalist lens. The development consists of 23 apartments and a main building arranged like a historic alpine hamlet. Dark-timber façades, low-slung volume

Food banks are maxed, and this is where we all come in. When the federal government shutters services, the most vulnerable among us feel the impact first and hardest. In the San Diego region, thousands of families, active-duty and reserve military households, seniors and students who rely on program

Beer, beats, and nights at the cinema are only some of what San Diego has in store this weekend. As always, there’s a bevy of live music options, with concerts from Miguel Bosé, Doechii, and Tame Impala, plus the return of the Train Song Festival. Movie buffs can spend time at the Coronado Island Fi

At the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, Dane Chapin had a problem. He found himself in possession of tens of thousands of excess Monopoly games, with no plan on how to sell them. What he didn’t know at the time is that this Herculean task would shape the future of his business. In 1994, Chapin and his

Moon House by James Garvan Architecture brings a refreshing sense of joy and movement to a quiet Waverley street in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Designed for a young family seeking openness, warmth, and connection, the house translates personality into architecture, merging serious craftsmanship with m