Behind the Scenes of a Toad Photoshoot: A Weekend in San Diego

This spring's collection was inspired by the laid-back energy of unfussy community rec clubs. There's something for everyone, and it's always a good time. When it came time to bring the season to life with a photoshoot, we headed a few hours south from our headquarters to San Diego, California. 

Lucky for us, our resident social media expert and in-house photographer Zoe is a born and bred San Diegan, so she gave us the lowdown on exactly what to eat, drink and where to hike. So here it is – a locals' guide to the perfect weekend in San Diego. 

Coffee: Start your morning at Moniker Coffee Co. It has the best lattes in all of Southern California – no exaggeration. I highly recommend their Lavender latte. They have the nicest staff and a huge (dog-friendly!) patio.

Brunch: Next stop: Hit Fig Tree Cafe for brunch. Their lemon ricotta french toast is out of this world. 

Hike: You've gotta work off that french toast to make room for tacos, right? Ho Chi Min trail goes down to Blacks Beach, one of the best beaches in the area. 

Mexican Food: Ortiz's Taco Shop is such a hidden gem. Delicious is an understatement. The tacos are incredible, the burritos are unbeatable, and it's less than a mile from the beach!

Park: Kate O'Sessions Park overlooks all of San Diego. This is the place to go for a sunset picnic or to just hang with friends. 

Beach: You can't spend a weekend in San Diego without a day at the beach. Ocean Beach is my favorite because the beach here is amazing and part of it is dog-friendly. The street right next to the beach feels like it's right out of the 70s and is filled with funky storefronts and brightly colored houses.

Drinks: Round out your weekend at Raised by Wolves - a fun speakeasy with the best cocktails. Try the Cosmic Dancer. Thank us later.