Another month, another rendition of the Locals’ Edit where we pass the itinerary to a San Diego creative who helps shape how this city feels. ….
Jus, we came into each other's orbit the way most good things happen nowadays - through social media. I first got acquainted with Night Cap a few months ago, and it has since been showing up in our world consistently: shared through mutual people, highlighted in our weekly newsletters, and quickly earning a permanent spot on our radar.
At its core, Night Cap is a music and culture platform built around vinyl and travel but Jus has quietly turned it into something bigger: a living archive of cities and the people who soundtrack them. A San Diego native shaped by hip hop, breakdancing, and a lifelong obsession with crate-digging, he's spent the last few years taking that sensibility global—from Rio de Janeiro to Accra—and bringing it back home in the form of pop-ups, playlists, and DJ sets filmed right at golden hour. This Local Edit is an invitation into his San Diego: the neighborhoods that pulse, the late-night spots that actually deliver, and the version of this city that sounds best with the windows down.
For those who don't already know you, tell us a bit about yourself:
Born and raised in San Diego, I got into the music scene at a young age. I was deeply influenced by the big hip hop and breakdancing culture I grew up with, and that led me to learn to play vinyl in 2004. It started with spinning in my room to house parties, and then bars and clubs. I also love traveling and exploring new cities and cultures, so Night Cap is my way of bringing that all together.
Walk us through how Night Cap started. Was there a specific moment, city, or record that made you think “ I need to build something around this”?
What initially was supposed to be a cafe/wine/hifi bar, Night Cap turned into an online platform to share music and let people experience cities around the world. The idea of Night Cap Radio started on a trip to Rio de Janeiro in early 2024. After exploring the scenery, culture and music there, I knew I needed to document this experience and share it with my friends back home. I started posting YouTube videos featuring the different cities I visited, and soon enough I started collaborating with different DJs from across the world, and different venues like barber shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. Ultimately, the mission is to showcase different people, places, and music styles and genres, while including my hometown San Diego. And we’re taking highly curated pop-ups to the next level. Each pop-up is different and there’s something for everyone - whether you want to chill or dance, if you’re into vinyl or digital, if you like wine or coffee.
You're running a vinyl series, a digital series, monthly playlists, DJ pop-ups, and a kind of cultural travel archive all at once. What ties all of that together, what's the through line?
I see it as cultivating a lifestyle that brings together different elements that everyone enjoys: music, travel, food, wine, coffee, and even cars. Personally, these are all things I love and I want to share it with others who appreciate the same things I do.
What does your musical taste profile actually look like? If someone hasn’t heard a Night Cap set or playlist, what three records would you put on to introduce them to your world?
This one is tough! For vinyl, I would definitely put James Brown - Hot Pants (high energy, funk, a raw classic!), J- Dilla - Donuts (the foundation, jazz/soul/hip-hop all together), Sade - Love Deluxe (you can never go wrong with Sade).
Who or what - DJs, producers, cities, scenes, music genre - has been inspiring you lately?
Up-tempo, high beat music coming from South Africa (Amapiano & 3-step) or Angola (Kuduro, Batida), along with Brazil (from classic samba & bossa nova to baile funk) have been truly inspiring me lately.
Shameless plug time: what's coming up next for you that people shouldn't miss out on?
A fashion & wellness sub-series… stay tuned!t
Now - lets get to know your version of San Diego ...
What neighborhood feels most like you, and why?
North Park. It’s walkable, has many great food spots and cafes, and there's such a vibrant atmosphere. There’s always something going on in North Park, whether it’s a food pop-up, DJ event, open mic, new coffee shop, or farmers market.
And which one has the best energy after dark - the kind that actually belongs on a Night Cap playlist?
North Park/University Heights
Are there musicians, local spaces or music organizers here who you think deserve a much bigger spotlight?
There are so many talented people and organizers that are building spaces for music communities in SD. A couple that I’d love to shout out: Braveheart Gallery in PB, the space welcomes anyone and everyone; Pamilya Sessions for live music and open mics, and Mixed Grounds Coffee for hosting multiple weekly events incorporating coffee, food, wine/beer and music. They have a ton of events that bring out local bands/artists/DJs to rock the stage.
What's your go-to place in SD for focused listening - music first, no distractions? Conversely, what's the best spot to let the conversation take over?
My apartment. But seriously, the hi-fi set-up that I have been building at my crib is almost complete! I would love to invite guests over for an intimate listening experience.
On the other hand, the best spot is Future is Color listening room. If you’re an audio nerd like me then the best hi-fi spots in SD are Sounds by the Sea in Oceanside and Kiku Room in downtown for a good nightcap, Longplay on Imperial.
Where do you go when you're craving a more upbeat night out?
Any favorite spots for solo time or people-watching?
2 spots, 2 different views of the opposite side. Coronado (there’s a small car park on 1st & Orange Ave, you get SD skyline views which I think is great for solo time - I’ve been coming here since high school), OR Marina Park South (right by Rady Shell, great for people watching - fisherman, boats & pups)
F*ck, marry, kill: wine, beer, cocktail. And whichever you married - where's your spot in SD for it?
Hidden gem bar… the kind you'd almost rather keep to yourself?
I paired my favorite natural wine bars with a cocktail/dive bar close by in 2 different areas of SD:
The Rose wine bar + Whistle Stop if you're in South Park
Vino Carta + Good Enough Cocktail bar if you're in Little Italy.
If you had to commit to one dish from one spot in San Diego - forever - what's the pick?
Carne Asada fries… I’m an SD native (IYKYK)
Habaneros, Rigobertos, Armandos, Lolitas!! (too many spots to list in different areas of San Diego)
Favorite spot for a late night bite, for example after a late dinner/early breakfast after a Night Cap session wraps?
Mexican food is the staple… If you’re in north county Rigoberto’s off Miramar, down south Super Sergio’s. If you’re central or in the North Park area then Colima’s always hits late night. Kin Len Thai food has been my go-to lately too! Also can’t forget about the OG Friendly in North Park. Lastly, the dirty dog stand outside of PTL is unique, she is the only one that does a dirty dog on a brioche bun (game changer).
A lot of Night Cap's sessions are timed around sunset. What does your perfect golden hour moment look like in your personal life?
A lot of people ask me why my channel is called ‘Night Cap’ when most of my sets are actually filmed during the day/sunset… Well, my nightcaps end early these days (perks of getting old), and when I started filming my sets the lighting was always the best around sunset hour! The perfect golden hour moment is honestly going for a cruise in my car, music blasting, windows down, on the way to catch a sunset or go to the beach/park to just lay out in the sun. I usually have a bluetooth speaker with me at all times!
Is there a monthly ritual you never skip (a market, a record store run, anything)?
Staying up-to-date with music and learning new skills when it comes to DJing or videography. Alternatively, I do prioritize wellness days or “mental health days” - no phone, being outside, taking a full day off to reset.
You've got 24 hours to show someone your version of San Diego … What stops make the cut?
Coffee at Provecho. Botanical garden at Balboa Park. Mariscos at Golosito for lunch. Stop by the Lafayette Hotel for another coffee by the pool. Hit up the Friendly for an afternoon smashburger & a smoothie at Señor Mangos across the street to pair with it. Sunset cliffs OR Kate Sessions for sunset. Dinner at Mabel’s Gone Fishing. Drinks at Part Time Lover.
Finish this sentence: San Diego is best experienced when…
you take a step back and go with the flow.
Big thanks to Jus for sharing his version of San Diego and the sounds that move him! Follow along for upcoming pop-ups, collabs, playlists, and all things music as he continues to build something worth tuning into.
And if you want to catch him outside of his DJ persona, keep an eye on RASA - a dining experience hosted by his wife Vanishaa, and one of our favorite communal table gatherings in the city right now. We'll be back next month with another local perspective worth hearing.