📰 News Highlights

Mama Kat’s Café is expanding to a larger storefront, replacing the former My Yard Live location in San Marcos

Mama Kat’s Restaurant & Pie Shop, a well-loved café in San Marcos, is moving this spring. Since 2005, it has been at 950 W. San Marcos Blvd., but it will soon be at 288 Rancheros Drive, where My Yard Live used to be. Mama Kat’s is famous for its fresh pies (baked and cream) and expansive breakfast menu, including cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and skillet breakfasts. More details about the move and opening day are coming soon, so stay tuned!

Want to learn more? Check out this article.

San Diego’s Butterfly migration is in full swing…

Painted Lady butterflies are swarming coastal San Diego (Carlsbad to Pacific Beach) in high numbers this week, arriving earlier than usual due to a wet desert winter and strong Santa Ana winds. These thousands of butterflies are migrating north toward the Pacific Northwest over the next four weeks

Want more info? Check out this article!

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🎬 Reel Recap + Real Details

Two Trader Joe’s coming to North County

North County might be getting not one… but TWO new Trader Joe’s locations. The former REI building in Encinitas could become Encinitas’ second Trader Joe’s. Another may be headed to North City in San Marcos, which would be the first one in the city. If you live in North County, you know one thing… people get very excited about grocery stores. And for good reason, Trader Joe’s has the best snacks, of course. As always, stay tuned for more details!

Watch our reel here.

New brewery opening in Encinitas, replacing the former Islands restaurant location

Encinitas Brewing Company received approval from the city’s Planning Commission to open the city's first full-scale restaurant with onsite beer-brewing and craft-distilling capabilities. Located in the Plaza Encinitas Ranch shopping center, the project aims to revitalize the area. The commission unanimously approved the necessary permits and recommended adding bike racks for at least 6 bikes due to the growing use of e-bikes in the town. The plans include expanding the outdoor seating area and revamping the interior to add space for brewing.

Want to learn more? Check out this link or watch our reel here.

​​Your Guide to Weekend Fun ✨

Enjoy the 21st annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park

Dates & Times: March 12-15, 10:00am-7:00pm

The Japanese Friendship garden is celebrating its 21st annual Cherry Blossom Festival, with an exciting lineip of special performances - featuring guest acts on the 14th and 15th! Come out to enjoy new attractions, including a wall of lanterns and community art installations. The whole family is welcome! There’s even a children’s area.

Be sure to sample the variety of cultural food and tea, or maybe indulge in the beer and sake garden. This is the perfect way to kick off spring (and enjoy the lovely weather we’ve been having!)

Interested? Get your tickets here.

Check out the new Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

The brand new Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has been open for a week, and it’s huge. You could spend all day up close and person with the elephants, getting a view we’ve never seen before. The 13-acre habitat gives the elephants lots of room to roam - and the viewing areas are way better than they used to be. On opening day, they introduced 8 new African elephants, plus a brand new two-story restaurant in the middle of the valley called Mkutano. If you go, try to grab a second-floor balcony seat. The view is amazing. (Pro tip: you can book reservations on OpenTable and put in a request for a patio seat.)

Interested? See the day I had here, or get your own tickets here (I highly suggest the resident membership!)

Local Eats and Coffee Shops ❤️ 

☕ Coffee Shop of the Week: Cargo Coffee

📍Torrey Pines + 9 more | 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Founded by Michelle Coleman and Leticia Barros, Cargo Café is a women-owned, San Diego–born coffee shop built on compassion, community, and connection. With roots in Café Fusion, the café continues a mission to nourish people through organic, ethically sourced coffee and wholesome food made with care. Michelle brings her local heritage and passion for togetherness, while Leticia infuses her Brazilian coffee traditions and love for creating joyful moments. They have ten locations in San Diego, and are open daily from 7:30am to 2pm. If you go, try their brand new Strawberry Tres Leche latte… it is absolutely delicious.

Check out their instagram here!

🍴 Restaurant of the Week: Haven Farm + Table

📍 Encinitas | 1200 Fox Point Farms Lane

Haven Farm + Table is one of Encinitas’ most beautiful restaurants—a true farm-to-table restaurant set right on the fields of Fox Point Farms. The menu changes with the land, featuring hyper-fresh, vegetable-forward dishes and Caribbean- and globally inspired flavors, all built on a zero-waste philosophy that uses every part of the ingredient and composts the rest back into the soil.

Led by Executive Chef Lety Gonzalez and a seasoned culinary team, Haven blends creativity, sustainability, and bold, story-driven cuisine. Whether you come for dinner, weekend brunch, or a sunset cocktail overlooking the farm, the experience feels grounded, intentional, and beautifully local—showcasing exactly what makes North County dining so special.

Check out their instagram here!

📺 What’s Changing and What You Should Know about SD

They Are Straight Up LYING to you About the San Diego Housing Market

San Diego's real estate market is about to crash — at least that's what the headlines say. But one number tells a completely different story: 2.5 months of supply. That's less than half of a balanced market. Homes under $1.2M are getting multiple offers while luxury properties above $2M sit in a completely different reality. I'm breaking down the actual data from the last 60 days so you can see exactly what's happening — and why believing those headlines could cost you real money.

Why San Diego is the Opposite of Every Major US City

San Diego homes are moving in roughly 33 days, compared to a 48-day national average, and that is happening in a market people keep labeling as cooling. After working with hundreds of buyers and sellers across the country, I am seeing five clear patterns that most people are completely missing.

When you connect the dots between inventory, pricing, new construction, and rental pressure, it becomes obvious why San Diego is behaving differently from the rest of the country. In this video, I break down exactly what is driving the speed of this market and what it means for you. If you are thinking about buying, selling, or investing, watch until the end and make sure you understand what is really happening before you make your next move.

🔍 Search Homes for Sale in North County
Start your search here: Explore Listings 

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Reach out to Bern for personalized support, market insights, or to get your home listed and seen. 📧 Email Bern Today: [email protected]