Discover La Jolla

In this episode of Discover La Jolla, Jim sits down with Dr. Melody Tavakoli, O.D., a licensed optometrist with 16 years of experience across private practice, retail settings, and ophthalmology. Currently practicing out of a boutique in Bird Rock, La Jolla, Dr. Tavakoli specializes in a personalized "concierge" optometry approach, dedicating a full hour to every single patient exam. What we cover...

Chiropractor Explains Why You Should STOP Cracking Your Neck | Conversation with Dr. Collan Koeppen In this episode of Discover La Jolla, Jim sits down with Dr. Collan Koeppen, founder of Active Rest Chiropractic and inventor of the patented posture device, The Resttor. After nearly breaking his neck at 8 years old and suffering from 20 years of debilitating migraines, vertigo, and chronic pain, D...

How does a local brick-and-mortar business survive for nearly half a century, outlast massive economic shifts, and thrive in a digital world? It all comes down to deep community roots and a willingness to evolve. In this episode, Jim sits down with Sal Usman, the owner of La Jolla Copy Cove, a legendary family-owned printing business located right in the heart of the village. Copy Cove has spent d...

Did you know that a major California state mandate (SB 1383) now requires the strict maintenance and cleaning of compost bins? Most people never think about their trash cans after pickup day, but raw food scraps are quietly turning neighborhood bins into a breeding ground for bacteria, intense odors, and toxic infestations. In this episode, Jim sits down with Nick Petro, the co-founder of Clean Wa...

#SanDiegoNews #SanDiego #CommunityFirst Jack McGrory has seen San Diego from the inside — seven years as City Manager, key player in building Petco Park, and CEO of a company that expanded across two continents. Now he's focused on something closer to home: making La Jolla an independent city. In this conversation, Jack breaks down exactly why the movement is gaining serious momentum — over 9,000...

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 w...

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, Roppo...

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 dow...

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 conservat...

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 b...

In this episode, Jim sits down with Jake Hunter, the COO of Tourmaline Builders, to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of custom home building in La Jolla. From the initial "yes" that shifted their business from spec homes to bespoke masterpieces, to the integration of AI and tech on the job site, Jake shares the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build a legacy on the coast. Wheth...

What happens when the world’s top medical institutions hit a dead end? In this episode of Discover La Jolla, we sit down with Jeff Sternberg from KOI Wellbeing to uncover the technical reality of naturopathic medicine. Jeff’s journey through a complex Cushing syndrome diagnosis revealed a massive "data gap" in traditional allopathic care. We’re moving beyond the "herbs and tree bark" stereotypes....

In this episode of Discover La Jolla, host Jim McInerney sits down with local legend and world-renowned surfboard shaper, Tim Bessell. With a career spanning over four decades, Tim shares his incredible journey from shaping his first board at age 13 to becoming a global name in both the surf and art industries. In this episode, you’ll learn about: The Early Days: How Tim’s grandfather, an aerospac...

The Village like you’ve never seen it before. 🏛️🌊 On this episode of Discover La Jolla, we are peeling back the curtain on the 92037. I’m joined by the definitive expert on our town’s heritage, Chas Dye from La Jolla Walking Tours. We aren't just talking about the views. We’re diving into the "secret" history, the architectural legends, and the historic landmarks you walk past every single day wi...

The Blue Water Film Festival is back in San Diego this March 19-22, 2026! In this episode, we’re sitting down with festival director Greg Reitman to go behind the scenes of our 7th year. We’re diving into everything from feature documentaries and animation to impactful indigenous stories. What’s making a splash this year? We’re curating a global lineup of about 30 films that empower our youth to u...

AI Surgery in La Jolla? Is AI the future of your "Glow Up"? In our latest episode, Dr. Roya Kohani of Reviva Med reveals how they are using California’s first Lipo AI to make treatments safer and more precise. Inside the Episode: The AI Edge: Discover how AI-assisted technology is redefining jawline precision. Medically Supervised Weight Loss: The truth about GLP peptides and long-term wellness. E...

In Episode 65 of Discover La Jolla , we sit down with Diane Kane , President of the Association for the City of La Jolla. Diane brings a deep background in urban planning, architectural history, and community advocacy as she helps lead conversations around La Jolla’s future and the potential path toward cityhood. With years of experience in land use, transportation, and historic preservation, Dian...

In Episode 64, we sit down with Marshall McInerney , son of longtime La Jolla real estate icon Jim McInerney, for a heartfelt and personal journey through what it was like growing up in this extraordinary coastal community. Marshall shares stories from his childhood bike rides through hidden neighborhood paths, long days at the beach, local traditions, and the small-town charm that has shaped gene...

In this episode, we chat with Chris Magill , the owner, certified general contractor, and lead home inspector at Aztec Property Inspections, a top-rated inspection company based in San Diego. Chris founded Aztec in 2004, bringing his background as a contractor to deliver thorough, honest, and high-quality inspections. Chris explains how Aztec uses cutting-edge tools—like infrared cameras, moisture...

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Vincenty , a senior leader at Life Time , the luxury health-club and wellness brand based in La Jolla. Life Time’s La Jolla location offers an all-in-one experience: a top-tier fitness floor, group classes, spa services, and a healthy café. Daniel shares his perspective on how Life Time La Jolla blends the functionality of a gym with the elegance of a resor...

In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Brady , the operations lead at Harvest Eco-Salvage, a company deeply rooted in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. With years of experience in asset recovery and eco-salvage operations, Brian brings a keen focus on turning reclaimed materials into renewed opportunities. Brian will share how Harvest Eco-Salvage contributes to the La Jolla/San...

In Episode 60, we welcome back Ann Kerr , Chair of the beloved La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival , one of the community’s most cherished annual traditions. Ann shares the rich history behind this festive event, which brings together residents, local organizations, and visitors to celebrate the holiday season in true La Jolla spirit. From the dazzling floats and marching bands to cla...

In this episode, we feature Karen Roque, the Director of Sales & Operations for the Jim McInerney Real Estate Team in La Jolla. With over a decade of experience in real estate, title and escrow coordination, and office management, Karen plays a crucial role in ensuring transactions run smoothly, contracts are compliant, and clients receive exceptional service. Karen shares her behind-the-scene...

In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Moore , Executive Director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting our region’s firefighters, lifeguards, and first responders. Wendy shares how the Foundation steps in to provide vital resources and funding where city budgets stop—supporting equipment needs, training programs, wellness initiatives, and community safety o...

In Episode 57, we welcome Kim Kelly and Carol Kaplan , the creative minds behind Everything Creative Designs , a San Diego-area staging and design firm serving La Jolla and its surrounding communities. Carol Kaplan, the Founder and Creative Director, has built a reputation as a staging and redesign expert. With over a decade of experience, she leads the team in helping homeowners, sellers, and rea...