Where to Go 

The Rubber Rose
Expect high-end pleasure devices and frocks
to frolic in, plus locally designed gear, DVDs, zines, and plenty of
free, nonsketchy advice. TheRubberRose.com 

Birch North Park Theatre
Fully
restored to state-of-the-art grace by gay-managed Lyric Opera San
Diego, this 1928 theater beats as the historical-cultural heart of
North Park, drawing both the old guard and younger hipster gays. BirchNorthParkTheatre.net 

The Mission
North
Park owes a debt to this friendly “chino Latino” brunch joint for
bringing the soul back to the neighborhood just over 10 years ago.TheMission1.signsonsandiego.com 

Lafayette Hotel and Suites
North
Park’s only hotel proper offers value accommodations in a
colonial-style manse. The Olympic-size terrazzo pool is particularly
key when San Diego’s perpetual sunshine is too good to pass up. LafayetteHotelSD.com 

Eclipse Chocolat
Chocolatier
William Gustwiller whips up fresh pastries, thick cocoas, exotic
truffles, and candy bars in an assortment of exotic flavors. It’s part
industrial-chic coffee-wine-beer bar, all chocolaty decadence. EclipseChocolat.com 

Rufskin Denim
This
line of high-end jeans, custom-fit leather and slim-cut swimwear keeps
it sexy at its brand-new flagship boutique. The ’70s black-and-white
vibe meshes well (in mesh!) with its rugged American West, Tom of
Finland inspirations. Rufskin.com