Cannabis culture in San Diego is reaching new heights with the opening of Sessions by the Bay. This new venue in National City is the first legal cannabis lounge in the county and will welcome patrons on February 28, 2025. This venue is not just a space to smoke. Visitors will receive a multi-level experience of modern design, culinary artistry, and immersive storytelling under one roof.
The brainchild of San Diego natives Alex and Pearl Ayon, Sessions by the Bay reflects nearly four years of planning and collaboration. Co-owned by the Sycuan tribe, the 16,000-square-foot facility is a three-story marvel that sets a new standard for cannabis hospitality.
A Three-Level Experience
Sessions by the Bay is a cannabis destination with a range of facilities. The ground floor offers a sleek dispensary reminiscent of an Apple Store, featuring a curated selection of cannabis products. The second floor, a sprawling 5,000-square-foot lounge, presents an upscale setting for cannabis consumption. Ayons are also planning a rooftop bar with stunning bay views, hinting that alcohol service remains a future possibility at the venue.
The lounge lounge’s interior combines natural wood accents, lush foliage, and dim lighting to create a moody, elite atmosphere. Guests can choose between communal sectional seating and state-of-the-art consumption devices like sleek dab rigs and gravity bongs. Trained staff will guide visitors through their cannabis journeys, helping both novice and seasoned users.
A Blend of Culinary Excellence and Cannabis Culture
Food is the prime attraction at the Sessions, thanks to a partnership with Kimball Coastal Eatery, located next door. Executive chef Jorge Bendesky, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, has crafted a unique menu for the lounge.
“This isn’t stoner food,” Bendesky says. “This is food that stands on its own. But if you’re high? Yeah, it’ll blow your mind.”
Patrons can enjoy an 18-ingredient ahi tuna crudo on crispy rice waffles, brioche French toast stuffed with peanut butter and jelly, and garden-fresh salads. A dumbwaiter ensures seamless food service from Kimball’s kitchen to the lounge. High-end mocktails with optional THC infusions complete the culinary experience.
Legislative Backing and Industry Milestones
Sessions by the Bay owes its existence to AB 1775, a landmark bill signed into law in 2024. The bill permits cannabis lounges to serve freshly prepared food and beverages, marking a significant shift in California’s cannabis industry, where lounges were previously limited to prepackaged snacks. The legislation has also mandated strict air filtration standards, which Sessions meets with a state-of-the-art system, ensuring a fresh, odor-free environment.
The opening of the lounge is a step forward in normalizing public cannabis consumption. While Proposition 64 legalized recreational cannabis use in 2016, the law restricts consumption to private residences. This has left renters often prohibited from smoking without legal options. Sessions bridges this gap, offering a safe and stigma-free space.
“We wanted to create a place where everyone feels welcome,” Alex Ayon says. “Whether you’re a tourist, a first-timer, or someone who’s been part of this culture for decades, you’ll find something here.”
Art Meets Education
Beyond cannabis and cuisine, Sessions features a 12-room immersive exhibit that takes visitors through cannabis’s history and evolving legal landscape. From its ancient medicinal roots to the ‘War on Drugs’ and modern-day regulation, the exhibit is designed to educate and inspire. Instagram-worthy bathrooms and hidden installations further enhance the experience. “Each room is designed to provoke thought and inspire wonder,” Alex notes.
Setting a New Standard
Sessions by the Bay aims to deliver “unreasonable hospitality,” says assistant lounge manager Steph Diaz. The venue’s meticulously curated offerings, from gravity bongs to microdosed edibles, ensure something for everyone. Whether visitors come for the ahi tuna waffles, the immersive art, or the top-notch cannabis products, Sessions by the Bay promises to redefine cannabis hospitality in San Diego.
