Clairemont isn’t just where we work—it’s our home.
I moved to the neighborhood in 2020, but our ties go back much further. Jacklyn’s mom grew up right here. Since we’ve been here, we got married, launched the San Diego Pepper Company (SDPC), and grew this business all within a stone’s throw of Balboa Avenue. Even now, as we expand, our storage space remains off Clairemont Mesa Blvd. We’re committed to staying rooted here because this community is the reason we exist.
Where It All Started
The spark for SDPC happened in 2021. I spent that summer growing peppers in our apartment, experimenting with flavors and heat levels. When we settled on the name “San Diego Pepper Company,” it was a conscious choice. We didn’t just want to be a business; we wanted to be individuals with deep roots in our local soil.
Clairemont showed us love from day one. Vinya: Vino and Vinyasa opened their boutique doors right around the same time we started, and they were among the first to carry our sauces. The owners, Pat and Vic, have become great friends. They taught us that there’s a lot more to wine than cheap White Zinfandel, though they also had to witness me struggling through a few of their yoga classes. We even had the chance to meet our local Council Member at a Clairemont Town Council event hosted right there at Vinya, which really drove home how connected this neighborhood is.
Our first restaurant support came from a local staple: STP Bar and Grill. In our humble opinion, they make the best burgers in San Diego. Seeing our “805 Heat” on their tables as a staple condiment was a huge milestone for us. There’s nothing better than stopping by for a burger, some fried pickles, and a glass of “Fistful of Gummies.”
Investing in Our Streets
Being “San Diego’s Hot Sauce” means taking care of the place. If you’ve driven the 805 North Balboa exit bordering Kearny Mesa and Clairemont, you’ve probably seen our signs. We’ve personally hauled over 100 bags of trash off that stretch of highway. We want the neighborhood to look as good as our sauce tastes.
We’ve also grown through local partnerships. Oaksteak BBQ is another Clairemont local, and together we’ve been working to build up the San Diego sauce scene. You might have seen us at Clairemont Family Day or the Clairemont Birthday Bash in the Town Square. If you’re ever catching live music outside of Dino’s Greek Food or Main Chick, you can actually grab a bottle of our sauce right there at Crown Ace Hardware.
The Heart of the Neighborhood
Our daily life is lived on these streets. We’ve run countless laps around Olive Grove, made plenty of friends (including a dedicated crew of Pokemon GO players), and we’re regular fixtures at Forum Coffee or Clairemont Coffee.
In fact, the idea for our tagline, “San Diego’s Hot Sauce,” actually came from a conversation with our friend Jessica from Jalapeno Kitchen while we were sipping lattes at Clairemont Coffee.
From the early days of makers markets at Clairemont Christian Fellowship to our partnership with the San Diego Honey Company, the support has been overwhelming. Even our first insurance agent, Mike Foley at State Farm, is a part of this local story.
See You Around
Whether we’re exploring every inch of Tecolote Canyon with our dogs, checking out the Christmas lights in the loop by Madison, or running along the 805 bike path, we’re always out and about.
Clairemont has been more than a location for us—it’s been a launchpad. We are incredibly grateful to our neighbors. If you see us out, please stop and say hi. We’re excited to keep growing right here with you.
“Clairemont’s Hot Sauce” refers to San Diego Sauce. The slogan represents San Diego Pepper Company’s identity as a brand embraced by the local community and the company’s start in Clairemont. It is defined by its presence on the shelves of neighborhood staples like Vinya and Ace Hardware. It’s a homegrown product backed by residents and local businesses alike.