PACIFIC BEACH – Although Pacific Beach has a reputation as being populated by a younger demographic more than other parts of San Diego, it’s also a neighborhood that has a substantial number of middle aged and older people.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, about 37% of Pacific Beach’s residents are between the ages of 25 and 34, but another 34% are between 35 and 64, with 17% being from 45 to 64 years of age – tied for the neighborhood’s second biggest age group.
An upcoming free event seeks to help provide information for those older residents to help them age gracefully. The Aging Well and Senior Expo, set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7, at Kings Cross Church on Soledad Mountain Road, is open to community members 55 and older.
It’s being conducted by Pacific Beach Village, a new membership-based nonprofit dedicated to helping older people stay both independent and connected to those around them.
“We started PB Village because we believe aging should never mean losing your independence, your connections, or your sense of belonging. Pacific Beach is a wonderful community, and we saw an opportunity to bring neighbors together in a more intentional way to support one another as we age,” said Talia Herman, co-founder of PB Village.
“We will have 26 vendors attending the expo to share their services with our local community,” Herman added. The expo will include informative mini‑sessions, health and wellness resources, community programs, and helpful services ranging from home safety, technology assistance, social activities, and more.
Speakers at the expo include a discussion with a family internist on aging health from 9:30-10 a.m.; a personal trainer delving into “Age & Strength: How One is Just a Number and the Other is a Choice,” from 10:30-11 a.m.; and a talk on Medicare options from 11:15-11:45 a.m.
This PB Village is part of the Village Movement, a grassroots network of more than 300 communities across the U.S. that’s focused on elder health. In addition to Pacific Beach, the other San Diego County “villages” are in Encinitas and Tierrasanta.
“For us, it’s personal. We want people to have the opportunity to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love, surrounded by familiar faces and meaningful connections. Not everyone has family nearby or a support system they can rely on, and sometimes a little help from a neighbor can make a tremendous difference,” Herman said.
“We’re not just building a nonprofit; we’re building a community. One where neighbors look out for one another, meaningful connections are created, and people feel supported at every stage of life.”
“As we grow, we plan to expand our services in phases,” Herman said. “One of our upcoming priorities in Phase 2 will be addressing transportation needs, helping members maintain access to appointments, activities, and the community around them.
“We’re also actively looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in their neighborhood. Whether someone has a little time or a lot to give, there are meaningful ways to get involved,” Herman said.
Of note is that the organization isn’t related to a separate organization called the PB Village, which is a wellness initiative that’s focused on pickleball courts in California and making the sport more accessible.
AGING WELL EXPO
When: 9 am-noon, Saturday, Nov. 7.
Where: Kings Cross Church, 4747 Soledad Mountain Road.
Cost: Free and open to the public who are age 55 or older.
More information: https://pacificbeach.helpfulvillage.com.
