Located in San Diego's South Bay community of National City, the 16,000-square-foot, multi-level facility features a ground-floor dispensary, a second-floor lounge and restaurant, immersive art exhibits, and plans for a future rooftop bar with bay views. The project is a collaboration between San Diego natives Alex and Pearl Ayon and the Sycuan Tribe, representing nearly four years of planning.
The Ayons have 15 years of experience running dispensaries through California’s medical and adult-use legalization eras, aiming to create a space that reflects San Diego’s creativity and community. The dispensary will open to the public without a membership requirement, offering a curated selection of cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and concentrates, while the lounge will operate as a members-only space with monthly memberships or day passes available.
The second-floor lounge, spanning 5,000 square feet, is enabled by AB 1775, signed into law in 2024, which permits cannabis lounges to serve freshly prepared food and beverages, moving beyond the industry’s previous limitation to prepackaged snacks. Sessions has partnered with neighboring Kimball Coastal Eatery, where Executive Chef Jorge Bendesky, trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, has developed a menu tailored for the lounge.
Offerings include an 18-ingredient ahi tuna crudo on crispy rice waffles and brioche French toast stuffed with peanut butter and jelly, complemented by mocktails with optional THC-infused additives. A dumbwaiter system ensures seamless delivery from Kimball’s second kitchen to the lounge, which features advanced air filtration to maintain a fresh, odor-free environment as required by law.
Sessions addresses a gap in California’s cannabis culture, where public consumption has been largely restricted to private residences since Proposition 64 legalized recreational cannabis in 2016. National City law prohibits smoking within 1,000 feet of schools or youth centers, but Sessions’ location, 3,700 feet from Kimball Elementary School, complies with regulations, providing a legal space for consumption.
The lounge’s design, inspired by Moroccan opulence with Tulum-inspired vibes, features dim lighting, natural wood accents, and lush foliage, creating an upscale atmosphere. Guests can use modern devices like gravity bongs and vaporizers, with trained staff assisting both novices and seasoned users, ensuring a high level of hospitality.
The venue includes a 12-room immersive art exhibit exploring cannabis history, from its ancient medicinal roots to the War on Drugs and modern legalization, designed to provoke thought and inspire creativity. Additional features include a 1,500-square-foot outdoor patio for cannabis use, over 100 free parking spaces, and accessibility accommodations like elevators and ramps.
The venue includes a 12-room immersive art exhibit exploring cannabis history, from its ancient medicinal roots to the War on Drugs and modern legalization, designed to provoke thought and inspire creativity. Additional features include a 1,500-square-foot outdoor patio for cannabis use, over 100 free parking spaces, and accessibility accommodations like elevators and ramps.
While the rooftop bar remains a future goal, the grand opening will feature live music, art nights, and cannabis-friendly events, positioning Sessions as a hub for locals and tourists. San Diego’s cannabis scene includes 60 licensed dispensaries generating $28.9 million annually in municipal taxes as of a 2022 county report, but Sessions introduces a new model by integrating dining, art, and social consumption.
The soft opening starting on April 7 will allow visitors to explore the dispensary and preview the space, while the April 18-20 grand opening will fully unveil the lounge, dining, and art experiences. Sessions by the Bay aims to set a new standard for cannabis hospitality in San Diego, blending high-quality products with cultural and educational elements.
The soft opening starting on April 7 will allow visitors to explore the dispensary and preview the space, while the April 18-20 grand opening will fully unveil the lounge, dining, and art experiences. Sessions by the Bay aims to set a new standard for cannabis hospitality in San Diego, blending high-quality products with cultural and educational elements.
Sessions by the Bay is located at 700 Bay Marina Drive in San Diego's South Bay city of National City. For more information, visit sessionsbythebay.com.
Originally published on April 8, 2025.
