San Diego, CA

Healthy food is just the beginning. In San Diego, there are abundant resources to teach and promote healthy living, healthy food access and sustainability, and community-building. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

Take up gardening! Start a plot now.

Whether it’s a small container garden or a whole backyard, take advantage of Southern California’s year-round growing season! You’ll have fun, get some exercise, and reconnect with the Earth in the process, not to mention the final reward: delicious, fresh produce grown yourself!

  • From houseplants to homesteading gardens, the City Farmers Nursery is a great resource for all things plant-related. Besides a huge variety of seedlings, they offer organic and heirloom seeds, tools, soil, and advice from experienced farmers! Call (619) 284-6358 or visit their wonderful garden center/nursery at 4832 Home Ave, San Diego CA, 92105.
  • San Diego Food not Lawns and Victory Garden are also great resources for urban gardening information, connecting with others, and helping the people of San Diego find and eat local produce.
  • Sustainable food/land preservation/upcycling

Find Farm-Fresh Food and Cook it Right

Enjoy higher nutrient content, better flavor, and a lower carbon footprint by eating more local food. Fortunately, great local produce is available for sale in the San Diego area every day of the week. Even better, many markets now accept EBT, WIC, and credit cards.

  • The popular City Heights Saturday market starts at 9:30 on B St between 27th and 28th.
  • On Sundays, the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market & Bazaar offers produce, meat, handmade products, and more. Hours are 9 am-2 pm; on 3960 Normal St at Lincoln.
  • There are a huge number of other markets in almost every neighborhood! This extensive guide will help you find produce and local goods closest to you.

Learn to Cook “Clean”

Ready to bring your healthy lifestyle to the next level? Take a class, and find out how to move beyond processed foods.

  • The Conscious Cook offers a variety of cooking classes taught by nutritional experts. From private cooking classes to group courses on healthy foods from many cultures, there’s a class for everyone: there are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and paleo-style options. The Conscious Cook team can even come into your office and demonstrate how to make healthy, tasty, time-saving dishes; then your team gets to eat the results! Check out their website or call (858) 215-4822 for more information.
  • Hipcooks have approachable cooking classes for all levels, showcasing organic and local food. Learn how to pair wine with your meals--and enjoy a dinner party featuring your class’s new creations! Get their current schedule or call (619) 269-8844.

Get Active: Great San Diego Area Hikes

  • For family-friendly but high-scenery trails, check out the Torrey Pine State Reserve along the coast. It’s actually in the northern San Diego municipal area. There are several easy loops and out-and-back trails to choose from, and many offer access to the pristine Torrey Pines State Beach. Locals love the historic Guy Fleming trail, which is less than a mile of mostly flat terrain that brings users through a breathtakingly diverse succession of cacti, wildflowers, ferns, and the rare Torrey Pines themselves.

    Get there: Take the Carmel Valley Road exit from Interstate 5, and drive west for 1 1/2 miles to Camino Del Mar/State Road 21. Turn south, and the entrance will be on your right after 1/2 mile.
  • If you’re looking for another convenient hike that offers a moderate-to-strenuous workout, check out the Mt. Woodson trail in Lake Poway Park. The trail is an 4-mile out-and-back (for eight miles total) with a fair amount of steep climbing up to the aptly-named Potato Chip Rock at the summit. Note the trail mostly faces south and doesn’t have much tree cover, so it’s great for winter, fall, and spring, but will be hot on summer afternoons. No matter what time of year, wear sun protection and carry plenty of water for yourself and your dog!

    Get there: From I-15, take exit 24-Rancho Bernardo Rd- and turn east onto Rancho Bernardo road. Note that Rancho Bernardo turns into Espola after the Pomerado intersection. Continue on Espola for about 3.5 miles; the entrance to the park is on the left, at Lake Poway road.

Educate, Empower, and Give Back

What can you do to make your community more sustainable? Even small steps and weekend classes or projects can make a big difference. Along the way, you’ll build connections in the community, and promote better health for San Diegans of all ages and backgrounds.

  • The San Diego Sustainable Living Institute has educational programs and resources around the two biggies: water and food. They offer classes, workshops, advice, demonstrations, and more. Permaculture and beekeeping instruction are popular programs. Or learn greywater techniques like how to turn your washing machine’s water into irrigation for a lush garden!
  • The San Diego Roots project connects farmers, chefs, students, homesteaders, and backyard gardeners with resources, advice, and advocacy.