San Diego's First Cannabis Consumption Lounge Expected To Open Next Spring

September 29, 2023

San Diego County's first combined cannabis dispensary & consumption lounge, which is being built in partnership with the Sycuan Tribe, is on track for a spring 2024 opening.

Last year, the National City Council unanimously approved San Diego County's first cannabis consumption lounge to install at the former location of California College San Diego in National City's tourist commercial zone. Husband and wife applicants Alex & Pearl Ayon will operate the lounge in partnership with the Sycuan Tribal Development Council, who own the land where the lounge will be built. After substantial delays, construction on Sessions By The Bay multi-level cannabis consumption lounge, retail marijuana store and eatery, is anticipated to begin soon. 

"A safe space to consume cannabis has always been a big hope of ours, and we're there now, so we're excited to provide that for the community," said Sessions by the Bay co-owner Alex Ayon, co-owner of the soon-to-open  in National City.

Once complete next year, Sessions By The Bay will be a nearly 16,000 square-foot, two-story building on the bayfront side of Interstate 5 Freeway. Plans for the building include a retail area selling a variety of cannabis products, a "social equity center", interactive art and music exhibits, food offerings from third party vendors & food trucks, and a lounge area with edibles and smoking devices. No alcohol will be permitted to be served on site, but expect a menu of soft-drinks and cannabis infused beverages. Sessions By The Bay will be accessible only to those 21 years of age and older. 

Sessions By The Bay will be the only cannabis consumption lounge south of Los Angeles. The Ayons were the sole consumption lounge applicants. The couple previously owned a pair of dispensaries in San Diego and La Mesa and still operate one in Lone Pine, CA.

Sessions By The Bay aims to open by spring 2024 at 700 Bay Marina Drive in San Diego's South County city of National City. For more information, visit sessionsbythebay.com.