Celebrate Women’s History Month in San Diego

San Diego Wave FC 

The San Diego Wave has been making waves in women’s soccer since it launched in 2021 as the newest franchise in the National Women's Soccer League. The Wave plays from March until October on its home turf of Snapdragon Stadium, drawing big crowds and generating plenty of excitement. 

San Diego Mojo 

Co-owned by the former Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings, the San Diego Mojo pro volleyball team has established itself as a powerhouse with top international and U.S. talent. With matches running through May at Viejas Arena, the Mojo is among San Diego’s biggest new sports draws. 

Caroline Perry, San Diego Padres 

Caroline Perry, Chief Operating Officer for the hometown San Diego Padres, is the highest-ranking woman executive in team history, and one of only two female COOs in Major League Baseball. A top Padres exec since 2011, Perry oversees the Padres’ ballpark operations, business strategy and analytics, legal, finance, government affairs and information technology operations.

Guides to the Good Stuff - Alana Nichols 

Alana Nichols has salt water in her veins: The multisport athlete and three-time Paralympics gold medalist is a surfer, kayaker, paddleboarder and more. A snowboarding accident at age 16 changed the trajectory of her life but it didn’t diminish her competitive spirit. Nichols continues to train and surf all along the region’s beautiful coastline, and the San Diego local credits her time spent in the water for helping her move forward and achieve new goals.

Mujeres Brew House 

With deep connections to San Diego’s historic Barrio Logan community, Mujeres Brew House celebrates heritage, home and much more through its creative lineup of craft beers. This pioneering women-owned company serves up a creative variety of brews that reflect the rich influences of its home community. 

Ringers Roller Rink 

Ringer’s Roller Rink is San Diego's premier outdoor roller skating attraction. The rink offers a fun and family-friendly environment that includes vibrant murals, selfie stations, art installations, special events, and of course plenty of skate-worthy music. 

Love & Bake 

A love for family and San Diego is baked into every bite at Love & Bake (formerly Mya’s Catering Co.). Founder and San Diego native Amaya Ford-Marrs draws inspiration for her delectable cookies and other confections from family tradition and the embrace of a caring community. 

S&S Friendly Ranch 

S&S Friendly Ranch is a historic Black-owned business with a contemporary commitment to serving the San Diego community. Founded 45 years ago in the South Bay region by siblings Sim Wallace and Sarah Buncom, the place is now run by Sim’s granddaughter Diamond Wallace-Brandon, and is not only a working ranch but a premier event venue and a hub for agricultural education. 

Access Trax 

Access Trax, founded in 2018, is an award-winning social-impact company founded by two occupational therapists. With a mission to “empower people of all physical abilities to easily access the outdoors without barriers,” co-founders Kelly Twichel and Eric Packard were inspired by adaptive surfers and their need to cross the sand at the beach. 

JA Cooley Museum 

Proprietor Carmen Cooley-Graham operates this eclectic museum, which offers fascinating vintage items on display both on the premises and at its sibling institution, the model train shop known as Frank the Trainman. Cooley-Graham's family has deep roots in both San Diego history and the region’s cross-border vibrancy. 

Sew Loka 

Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski was all but born to make clothes: Her dad owned a denim factory in the San Fernando Valley and her mom sewed clothing for the whole family. Now, the Chicana designer is making her own mark in fashion with Sew Loka, her “slow fashion clothing brand” founded in Barrio Logan in 2013. Rodríguez-Biezunski’s creations, which revolve around reclaimed fabrics, are aimed at (in her words) “breaking down barriers, blurring societal norms and proudly welcoming BIPOC and underserved communities through affordable, edgy, and upcycled handmade goods.” 

Ocean Connectors 

Operated by Executive Director Janaira Quigley and a predominantly female team, Ocean Connectors is dedicated to fostering a generation of empowered coastal residents who actively contribute to the preservation of our oceans. The mission revolves around providing equal access to coastal exploration and inspiring a deep love for the ocean, while instilling a sense of responsibility for its well-being.

Azucar

The laid-back neighborhood of Ocean Beach is home to Azucar, a culinary gem whose name means “sugar.” Here, pastry chef Vivian Hernandez-Jackson bakes sweet and savory handmade treats, combining her Cuban roots and French pastry training. 

San Diego Women's Chorus 

Founded in 1987, the San Diego Women's Chorus is a lesbian-allied feminist community chorus that welcomes all women who love to sing. Through musical expression, the San Diego Women's Chorus encourages women's creativity, celebrates diversity and inspires social action. 

Surf Diva 

For more than 25 years, the pioneering Surf Diva has been a vibrant La Jolla institution, inspiring countless girls and women (and now men as well) to get out into the waves and make surfing a part of their lives. Founded by twin sisters Coco and Izzy Tihanyi as the first-ever all-female surf school, Surf Diva has since built a worldwide reputation for supportive and fun instruction at its La Jolla Shores home base. The company also runs a popular surf shop and boutique along nearby Avenida de la Playa, and continues to offer lessons as well as board rentals year-round, plus a range of surf camps during spring and summer breaks. 

Gossip Grill

Gossip Grill is a popular San Diego LGBTQ+ venue presided over by Moe Girton, founder, owner and recipient of six Nicky Awards (honoring leaders in the community). She and her team have crafted this Hillcrest mainstay to be more than a bar and restaurant that serves a delicious brunch and uniquely named cocktails — it also serves as a safe space for all womxn-identifying people and the rest of the LGBTQ+ community to come together and be themselves. 

Bazaar del Mundo

A bustling favorite in the heart of San Diego’s Old Town, Bazaar del Mundo is a festive collection of shops, restaurants and more. Diane Powers, an accomplished entrepreneur and design professional, presides over this San Diego landmark.

Tara Monsod

Animae Executive Chef Tara Monsod, San Diego's first James Beard Award finalist, loves discovering our city’s food community and heritage. Monsod has become a leading force on San Diego’s culinary scene, both at Animae — one of San Diego's most notable fine dining restaurants — and now at the French Asian restaurant Le Coq in La Jolla. 

Tracy Borkum 

Under the guidance of owner Tracy Borkum, Urban Kitchen Group has become a San Diego powerhouse, known mainly for its mastery at infusing Italian fare with California vibes. Two of Borkum's restaurants have earned the Michelin Guide California's coveted Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing exceptional cuisine at a good value. The most recent additions to the Urban Kitchen Group portfolio are Craft Café and the Michelin-recognized Artifact, both at the newly renovated Mingei Museum in Balboa Park. 

Shannon Salhany - Kebab Craft 

With its menu of fresh and delicious Mediterranean specialties, Kebab Craft has made a major splash at San Diego’s Liberty Public Market. Under the guidance of founder and owner Shannon Salhany, Kebab Craft has won numerous awards for its food and catering operation. 

Sherryann Stevenson - Point Loma Tea 

Nestled within Liberty Station, Point Loma Tea embodies the fusion of tradition and innovation. Founded by Sherryann Stevenson, Point Loma Tea serves as a beacon of diversity and community, welcoming tea enthusiasts from all walks of life. 

Daneyel Walker - The Mental Bar 

The Mental Bar is more than just a coffee and tea shop; it’s a sanctuary for connection and wellness located in San Diego’s Black Arts & Culture District in Encanto Village. Founded by wife-and-husband duo Tommy and Daneyel Walker, the Mental Bar not only serves high-quality beverages but also fosters unity and creativity.

La Jolla Playhouse 

One of the most renowned regional theaters in the country, La Jolla Playhouse has developed scores of new works and sent many to Broadway. With the appointment of the accomplished director Jessica Stone as Playhouse artistic chief, the groundbreaking theater is now run by a trio of powerhouse women, including Managing Director Debby Buchholz and board Chair Denise Bevers. Stone is known for her startling artistic range, sharp comedic touch and dazzling sense of the visual. The Tony Award-nominated director also has significant ties to San Diego, having staged numerous memorable productions at The Old Globe. 

Women's Museum of California 

The mission of the Women's Museum of California is to educate and inspire present and future generations about the experiences and contributions of diverse women by collecting, preserving and interpreting their stories. 

Maritime Museum of San Diego 

The floating Maritime Museum of San Diego features one of the finest collections of historic vessels in the world, including the fully restored Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship. And at the helm of this San Diego institution is Christina Connett Brophy, who has built a decades-long career as a museum executive and was previously Senior Vice President at the renowned Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. 

Moxie Theatre 

The ever-adventurous MOXIE Theatre is a professional nonprofit theater whose mission is to create more diverse and honest images of women+. The company, which has a more than two-decade track record of theatrical excellence in San Diego, is now overseen by Executive Artistic Director Desiree Clarke Miller. 

New Village Arts Theatre

Founded and run by Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner, New Village Arts has been a beacon on the North County stage scene for two decades. The theater in Downtown Carlsbad now bears the name of the late Dea Hurston, a pre-eminent San Diego arts benefactor, leader and playwright.