We’re exploring North County in this month’s issue of SDM. And we’re not just talking about the coast. North County is so much more than sunsets and surfers. We’re feasting in Escondido and Vista (page 28 and page 26). We’re contemplating the importance of vibrant third places while revisiting the North County Fair on page 70, and seeing what $2 billion builds in San Marcos (pg. 76). But don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten the unique culture of the coast. We bring you inside a new, slightly denser mode of building in Encinitas. On pages 68–77, we’re celebrating NoCo music, biking the 101, exploring what’s new in the food scene, and getting an inside view of O’side. We’ve also put together a funky little look back of North County ads and coverage from our archives as we continue celebrating 75 years of SDM.

Check out the maximalist, wallpaper-worthy watercolor cover our art director Samantha Lacy painted. Sam is from Encinitas and chose to highlight species native to the coasts and marshlands of North County. It’s fun to get lost in. And so is North County. So off we go.