Local Community Leaders And Social Groups Honored At Inaugural North Park Event
Walkabout, the San Diego social app that brings people together through local activities and events, celebrated the people and organizations helping build community at its inaugural Community Impact Awards. Held in North Park, the evening brought together nominees, community leaders and local businesses for an awards ceremony that was also a lively social gathering. PubClub was there for the festivities.
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor & Publisher
Walkabout, a San Diego social app that creates and promotes community events to bring people together for meeting and making friends, held its inaugural Community Impact Awards on Nov. 5 and announced winners in five categories.
Held at the VASA event center in North Park, the event featured 25 nominees in a first-class setting that also showcased local artist Christine Clark making illustrations, subtle music from David De Avia, bites from area restaurants and cocktails from San Diego companies. There were some 100 people in attendance, which filled up the main room.
“And it’s the first year for these awards!,” beamed Jessica Young, president of Walkabout.
The awards were presented by Karen Krasne of Extraordinary Desserts, Mitch Semon of the University Club, Brian Hillemon of the San Diego Tourism Authority, Joel Hermosillo of the Downtown San Diego Partnership and included a sit-down interview with San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo.
2026 Walkabout Community Impact Awards Winners
• Community Champion – Pop Off! San Diego
• Meet-Up Host of the Year – Luis Macias, Group Organizer of The Social/Movie Group
• Community Hub – Mixed Grounds Coffee
• Social Club of the Year – Books & Brews Book and Social Club
• Community of the Year – Yinka Freeman of Triple Podcast Events
Beyond the awards, the event provided excellent socialiing opportunities for those of us who were there. Among those I met was “Margarita Joe” who was handing out samples of his flavored cocktails, Community Champion nominee Kyle Garrity who is an art vendor and face painter and Hulises Contreeras of Swami’s Cafe Cafe; I loaded up on discount coupons he generously showered on me.
You can check out Walkabout at: https://walkabout.app/
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and San Diego-based nightlife expert who has spent years exploring Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and other coastal communities. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.
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• Walkabout App Connects Locals All Over San Diego
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