Should La Jolla Leave San Diego? Liv Johnson on Citihood & Freedom Fest | Discover La Jolla Ep. 76

Should La Jolla Leave San Diego? Liv Johnson on Citihood & Freedom Fest | Discover La Jolla Ep. 76

Should La Jolla Break Up with San Diego? It’s Nakey Time to Talk Citihood. 🌊🗳️ In Episode 76, host Jim McInerney sits down with Liv Johnson — fifth-generation San Diegan, La Jolla native, festival producer, and one of the leading voices behind the movement to make La Jolla an independent city separate from San Diego. Liv's journey started early. She launched Almost Nakey out of a Volkswagen bus while still in high school, and by 16 was already producing music festivals drawing thousands of attendees. Today she runs some of Southern California's most exciting events — including the Almost Nakey Freedom Fest, festivals at Belmont Park, and weddings at the iconic La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. But this conversation goes far beyond festivals. Liv opens up about why she believes La Jolla must separate from the City of San Diego — deteriorating infrastructure, overcrowded beaches, neglected sidewalks and beach stairs, and a bureaucracy too slow for a community that deserves real attention. With over 9,000 verified signatures and a fiscal analysis underway, the City of Hoya movement is closer than ever to appearing on a real ballot. What we cover in this episode: Building Almost Nakey from a VW bus into a Southern California event brand Almost Nakey Freedom Fest — San Diego's most unique outdoor festival The La Jolla cityhood movement and why it matters in 2024 La Jolla's history as an artist colony and how independence could restore its culture, Infrastructure, local governance, and what separating from San Diego really means. Want to find out how to get involved and support the La Jolla Citihood initiative? Subscribe to our channel and 📲 Almost Nakey: @almostnakey , almostnakey.com 📲 Liv Johnson: @livnakey 📲 Freedom Fest: @almostnakeyfreedomfest 🎙️ Discover La Jolla is a monthly podcast featuring the entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders shaping La Jolla and greater San Diego, California. Subscribe and hit 🔔 #DiscoverLaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/discoverlajolla] #LaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajolla] #AlmostNakey [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/almostnakey] #LivJohnson [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/livjohnson] #FreedomFest [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/freedomfest] #SanDiegoFestivals [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegofestivals] #SoCalFestivals [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socalfestivals] #SouthernCaliforniaEvents [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/southerncaliforniaevents] #LaJollaPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollapodcast] #SanDiegoPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegopodcast] #LaJollaCityhood [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollacityhood] #SanDiegoIndependent [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegoindependent] #OutdoorFestivalSanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/outdoorfestivalsandiego] #SanDiegoMusic [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegomusic] #LaJollaLocal [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollalocal] #92037 [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/92037] #SanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiego] #EventProducer [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/eventproducer] #FestivalProducer [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/festivalproducer] #BelmontPark [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/belmontpark] #LaJollaBeachAndTennisClub [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollabeachandtennisclub] #SanDiegoEvents [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegoevents] #CaliforniaFestivals [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/californiafestivals] #SoCalMusic [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socalmusic] #SanDiegoLocalBusiness [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegolocalbusiness] #LaJollaHistory [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollahistory] #SanDiegoLifestyle [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegolifestyle] #CoastalCalifornia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/coastalcalifornia] #VisitLaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/visitlajolla]

Roppongi Is BACK | The Comeback San Diego Has Been Waiting For | Discover La Jolla Ep. 75

La Jolla just got its soul back. For over a decade, one question kept coming up at every dinner table in the 92037 — "Do you remember Roppongi?" The answer is yes. And now it's back. In Episode 75 of Discover La Jolla, host Jim McInerney sits down with Alfie Szeprethy, Executive Chef behind the most anticipated restaurant reopening in San Diego. Originally opened in 1998 and gone since 2015, Roppongi has returned to its iconic home on Prospect Street — stripped to the concrete, rebuilt from scratch, and better than ever. This isn't just a restaurant story. It's a La Jolla story. 🍜 What We Get Into: The Comeback — 10 years gone. What it actually took to bring San Diego's most missed restaurant back to Prospect Street The Renovation — Gutted down to bare concrete and iron rafters. Why they keep the original kitchen layout and completely reimagined everything else The Menu — Your favorites are back. Crab stack. Hot rock. Kung pao calamari. Plus a brand new sushi program, an in-house dumpling program, and a full wok station The Empire — How Alfie oversees 15 locations across three concepts, including Toasted Gastro Brunch, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, and airport locations in LA and Las Vegas What's Next — Exclusive chef-driven dinner series and wine dinners with visiting winemakers are already in the works If you've been waiting for Roppongi to come back, it's here. And it brought its A-game. 📍 Roppongi | Prospect Street, La Jolla 📸 @roppongi_lajolla , https://roppongilajolla.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lybmR6VXJVblVmRXk2QjN4MUR5ZjBQdzNlZ3xBQ3Jtc0trM0YySDdWSnFOMEZsNlk1TXVndzd3Yks4OURELWdQR3R0blpqODRZLWw5QXRxcV9fLU10QnBRYVMybmhLWWpTbVhVNXh4Rk90SWhfOTNCQWZPMWlyY3dPYmVWXzVScF9XbjRUa1RkaThSWTZNS1Ezbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Froppongilajolla.com%2F&v=nIC06Wbak7s] 🌐 Find Roppongi on Instagram and reserve your table now 🎙️ Discover La Jolla is a monthly podcast featuring the entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders shaping La Jolla and greater San Diego, California. 🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell — new episodes every month. 📸 @discover.lajolla #Roppongi [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roppongi] #RoppongiLaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roppongilajolla] #LaJollaRestaurants [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollarestaurants] #SanDiegoFoodies [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegofoodies] #SanDiegoEats [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegoeats] #SanDiegoFood [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegofood] #LaJollaFood [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollafood] #ProspectStreet [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/prospectstreet] #LaJollaLocal [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollalocal] #92037 [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/92037] #SanDiegoDining [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegodining] #AsianFusion [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/asianfusion] #PanAsian [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/panasian] #SushiSanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sushisandiego] #FoodiesSanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/foodiessandiego] #LaJollaVillage [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollavillage] #ChefLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/cheflife] #ExecutiveChef [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/executivechef] #SanDiegoChef [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegochef] #RestaurantReopening [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/restaurantreopening] #SanDiegoRestaurants [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegorestaurants] #LaJollaDining [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajolladining] #HappyHourSanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/happyhoursandiego] #SanDiegoPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegopodcast] #LocalEats [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/localeats] #CoastalDining [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/coastaldining] #SanDiegoFoodScene [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegofoodscene] #DiscoverLaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/discoverlajolla] #LaJollaCalifornia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollacalifornia] #FoodTok [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/foodtok]

From Opera to Tacos: How a European Opera Singer Redefined La Jolla’s Food Scene

What happens when a professional opera singer trades the grand stages of Europe for a kitchen in La Jolla? Meet Cesar Sanchez, the visionary owner of Taco Time Cantina on Fay Avenue. After spending over 20 years performing across Europe, the pandemic shifted Cesar’s path, leading him back to California to pivot his artistic passion into a brand-new medium: authentic culinary arts. Cesar breaks down why singing and cooking are deeply connected art forms and shares the uncompromising philosophy that makes Taco Time a local phenomenon. From sourcing specialty masa directly from a family in Mexico to cooking exclusively with premium avocado oil, Cesar treats his menu exactly like an opera—focusing on a few perfect "showstoppers" (like his legendary California burrito and Baja fish taco) rather than an overwhelming variety. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a foodie, or a La Jolla local, Cesar's story of artistic pivot, community integration, and dedication to authentic flavors is an absolute must-watch. 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more deep dives into the minds of local visionaries and community builders in the 92037! 📲 CONNECT WITH US 🌐 Website: https://jimmcinerney.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkRuaFRvRjVWNFp3c1NuRm9yejIzN090MkF5d3xBQ3Jtc0tuSy00NEk3M1M0RnFPRTFqX2laUzhjTTVHT2dGb3dkeEpPY2V4RGc5VDRzbk5HUlFndW1GR3lmb1VJekl3c2hQa3lqRkhDYVJBSllaUjJhN1J4R1FNNEsxbW84b2xrN2tfcF83R0VrMlc0bUZVandQNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fjimmcinerney.com%2F&v=WOA3I1Qhb2M] 📸 Instagram (Discover La Jolla): @discover.lajolla 📸 Instagram (Jim McInerney): @jimmcinerney_realestate 🌮 VISIT TACO TIME CANTINA 📍 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, CA 📸 Instagram: @tacotimecantina If you enjoyed this video, please leave a Like, comment with your favorite taco, and share it with a friend! 🦍 #TacoTimeCantina [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/tacotimecantina] #LaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajolla] #SanDiegoFood [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegofood] #OperaToChef [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/operatochef] #LaJollaLocal [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollalocal] #SanDiegoEats [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegoeats] #EntrepreneurStory [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurstory] #92037 [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/92037] #LaJollaFoodies [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollafoodies] #FayAve [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/fayave]

Discover La Jolla Ep 73 - Wildcoast's Serge Dedina

The ocean defines our La Jolla lifestyle, but it's facing its biggest challenge yet. Fortunately, an international movement to protect it is starting right here in our own backyard. In this episode, we sit down with Serge Dedina—a local legend: a waterman, filmmaker, UCSD alum, and PhD who co-founded WILDCOAST over 26 years ago. Today, his international team is on the frontlines of ocean conservation, safeguarding critical wildlife hotspots from California all the way to Colombia. 🔥 Inside the Episode: The La Jolla Cove Success Story: How our marine reserve became a global model proving that eco-tourism and wildlife conservation can successfully coexist, sparking a massive rebound in local fish and shark populations. Guardians of the Wild: The story behind his incredible film documenting the coastal communities in Mexico working to protect the migratory species—like leopard sharks and grey whales—that travel directly between Baja and San Diego. The Grey Whale Crisis: A raw look at the alarming 50% decline in the grey whale population due to climate change, and what it means for our shared marine ecosystems. This eye-opening conversation is a must-watch for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to see how San Diego’s waters connect to the rest of the world. 🔔 Subscribe to the channel to catch every episode highlighting the change-makers shaping our coastal community! CONNECT WITH US 🌐 Website: https://jimmcinerney.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazNMWTZONXBaN2dpNEloMUJKdXNXWE5SWkFoZ3xBQ3Jtc0trdXpjSHZCUi1BZ0haQWxpUWIydDhObXptaVYwUVhPR25EUHhNdTBldlg4cGpiSGJnbEl3MlE1TWpIU2ZndEZnM3pneFQwNkxSTWlTNGlxQTZQYkVNaktoNHhXWFQtZGF5SXlzS1VvRjNvWVJhNi1Fbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fjimmcinerney.com%2F&v=vgNFxbO4738] 📸 Instagram (Discover La Jolla): @discover.lajolla 📸 Instagram (Jim McInerney): @jimmcinerney_realestate 🌊 SUPPORT THE MISSION 🌐 Learn more about WILDCOAST: https://www.wildcoast.org [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTdObklyMWw3cm1CcmdyTk1fc3hwME1TN0lXQXxBQ3Jtc0tua3BfbUVINDE5ejV0X1U2UXBRdWI3cGd0d2p6TXBRa1VBdlFZbjF0aUdUUHNsSFdIRFlhOWt6WG0wV1FydUJFYllNOWtZRlF1b01XdGk1XzZCX0cydTRtYjJpRDg1b2xHQ29pdWVGQUhYYXQxcVFyaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wildcoast.org%2F&v=vgNFxbO4738] 📸 Instagram: @wildcoastcostasalvaje If this conversation inspired you, please leave a Like, drop your thoughts in the comments, and share this video! #OceanConservation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/oceanconservation] #WildCoast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/wildcoast] #LaJollaCove [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollacove] #SanDiegoEats [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegoeats] #SaveOurOceans [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/saveouroceans] #GreyWhales [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/greywhales] #LaJollaLocal [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollalocal] #BajaCalifornia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bajacalifornia] #MarineProtectedArea [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/marineprotectedarea] #SanDiegoPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiegopodcast] #92037 [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/92037]

She Worked in New York, London & LA — Then Chose La Jolla. Here's Why. | Discover La Jolla Ep. 72

Jim sits down with Jessica Chepovsky, founder of Unscripted Spaces — a luxury interior design studio tucked on Girard Avenue in the heart of La Jolla Village. With over 22 years of experience designing homes across New York, London, and Los Angeles, Jessica made a deliberate choice to plant roots in La Jolla. In this conversation, she talks about why this community is different, what it means to build real relationships with clients, and how her showroom is quietly turning Girard into a destination for design in San Diego. They get into: — What "high-end residential design" actually means (and what it doesn't) — Her 20-year partnership with Italian furniture maker Poliform — Why the showroom is designed to feel like a home, not a store — Her work with the La Jolla Village Merchants Association and the monthly Art Walk — The vision for making La Jolla Village a true design district Whether you're a homeowner, an architect, an interior designer, or just someone who loves beautiful spaces — this one's worth your time. 📍 Unscripted Spaces — 7730 Girard Ave, La Jolla 🌐 https://unscriptedspaces.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa19nRzZfTVgyVWkzWlo2OGRlNDFEeXpOOWllUXxBQ3Jtc0ttMl9xa1RVVEtEd1dNZHdNZzFjTEpHdG0xNWdJeEw5c05BN29oRUw4RHY3MVhfNkZiTHVkSmlUZlgtQnpKRFBsM190NkxIOWt2NjdfZklmN0VYRGNNZGczd1hOT05Mb1lzM2c0d3dYQ3NDbVVId0cwdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Funscriptedspaces.com%2F&v=Jv-YjIUwMrA] 📸 @discover.lajolla | @jimmcinerney_realestate #LaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajolla] #InteriorDesign [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/interiordesign] #DiscoverLaJolla [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/discoverlajolla] #LaJollaVillage [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollavillage] #UnscriptedSpaces [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/unscriptedspaces] #Poliform [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/poliform] #LuxuryDesign [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/luxurydesign] #SanDiego [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sandiego] #LaJollaPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lajollapodcast] #JimMcInerney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/jimmcinerney] #HomeDesign [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/homedesign] #GirardAvenue [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/girardavenue]