December is somehow already here, and San Diego is closing out the year with one last festive hurrah. As 2026 peeks around the corner, the city is glowing with holiday theater productions, twinkling light displays, cheerful concerts, and end-of-year celebrations. From Santa Runs and over-the-top boa

If you thought this being a holiday week—especially one in which it’s perfectly acceptable to go semi-comatose after eating your weight in mashed potatoes—would mean that San Diego is light on events, think again. Turkey trots and Thanksgiving–inspired suppers give way to concerts and sports, includ

When Morgan Miles first approached Katelyn De Spain to help redesign her and her husband’s newly purchased Del Cerro home in 2021, she had one very specific request: Miles wanted to be deeply involved in the entire process. De Spain—still a freshman in the industry with only three years under her be

Some of us are working to uphold our reputation as the family’s best gift giver. Others are just trying to find a present for our dads that’s not whiskey stones (we promise this gift guide does not contain whiskey stones). Whatever your gifting vibe is this year, take this as your sign to check ever

The In-Kind House in Seattle is a modest 1,900-square-foot rebuild from GO’C Studio, that rises from the existing concrete stem walls of the original structure. A high shed roof with exposed wood beams and clerestory windows defines the interior, infusing each room with soft natural light. At the en

Plenty of dishes are worth writing home about. But when it’s good enough to fly home with—well, then it’s something special. “Our location in Tijuana is very close to the airport,” says Aqui es Texcoco owner Francisco Perez. “Some of the pilots will ask the people in the airport to buy four or five

House GM from Didonè Comacchio Architects is a clean exercise in contemporary Italian minimalism. The exterior is defined by a long concrete plate that anchors the building and creates a sense of privacy through brick screens and carefully framed openings. Above it, two simple upper volumes complete

Baw Beese House from Disbrow Iannuzzi combines modern minimalism with rustic precision. The shou sugi ban façade gives the home a sleek, shadowed presence that blends into the landscape. Inside, the vaulted living room with exposed oak beams and a clean-lined fireplace creates an airy, sculptural fo

The Hollywood Hills House by Kristen Becker of Mutuus Studio sits above the city with a sharp mix of steel, glass, and warm materials. Designed for an actor–director couple, the home reflects the clients’ deep interest in art, design, and global objects. Large glazed walls frame the hillside, while

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