OCEANSIDE’S FINEST • Sunny Soto-Briscoe

Oceanside's Finest

SUNNY SOTO-BRISCOE

WORDS: ELIZABETH SCHWARTZE PHOTO: ZACH CORDNER

It’s remarkable how Oceanside’s Finest continually go above and beyond when providing for fellow Osiders. Sunny Soto-Briscoe exemplifies that title for her dedication to marginalized people in Oceanside. Sunny is the mastermind behind Sunny Street Outreach. As Oceanside gentrifies, and becomes an idyllic beach destination, there are many Osiders that are left out of the equation— including the houseless.

When lockdown began in March 2020, Sunny got to work, providing meals for fellow houseless Oceanside residents. Why the term houseless? Because many of the unsheltered are not “homeless”—Oceanside is their home—they simply do not have a house. Sunny is also an active member and proud supporter of the North County LGBTQ Center. Taking care of our own—all of them—makes Sunny Soto-Briscoe a selfless leader, and one of Oceanside’s Finest.

As a member of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians, Sunny’s a true Oceanside native. She attended Palmquist Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, Oceanside High, and Mira Costa Community College. When lockdown began in March 2020, they were looking for an outlet with extra time on her hands, when they met Jordan Elijah of Humanity Showers. She offered her skills as a chef and told him, “This is my talent, I can cook in bulk for really cheap.” She noted that the houseless didn’t even know what was happening when the world locked down in March 2020. Since then, Sunny has honored her word. They have served approximately 25,000 meals—sometimes upwards of 1,000/month. She has received food donations from supporters across the county, and is incredibly proud to show up for those that needed her most.

Truly representing everything great in Oceanside, in December 2021, she married her wife, Alysha, at the Marina Suites, with a reception at Hill Street Country Club. They love raising their daughter Aluna in the Oceanside community of supporters. She’s very proud of her involvement in the North County LGBTQ Center stating, “I know my kid will have a totally different experience in school than I did. The North County LGTBQ

Center really help the youth and that resonates with me—to go full circle, and help those that need help.”

What began as a dream in 2016, the future is bright for Sunny Street Outreach that operates on 100-percent grassroots funding. Their slogan is “Donate Local.” Sunny Street Outreach focuses on community, compassion, and hospitality and offers a chef-driven menu. They use sustainablysourced products, and environmentally-friendly supplies. “It’s super important for us to not cut corners for cheaper, less sustainable products, because looking out for the community, includes looking out for Mother Earth,” they professed.

Sunny, and her wife want to start their own small business called BAE (Breakfast and Espresso). BAE is a mobile kitchen and coffee trailer. They want it to be a drive-thru breakfast trailer with a “Buy One, Give One” business model. Customers can buy food from 6:30am to 2:30pm, and then the “free food” hours for those in need will be 3 to 5pm. They’ve started a Go Fund Me page to help bring this locally-owned, small business dream to fruition at www.gofundme.com/baeoside.

With deep roots in all aspects of the community, Sunny is a welcome presence throughout Oceanside. They work at Pacific Coast Spirits, where they create a signature cocktail with proceeds benefiting a designated non-profit with a “Give Back” cocktail. They also work at Blooms Flower Shop in Artist Alley. Sunny knows personally that a few unfortunate life events can render one houseless. When it comes to helping the houseless, “they’re not going anywhere.” While the homeless shelter is being built in Oceanside, Sunny has started a petition for a Safe Lot—a spot for families to safely park their vehicles. It’s an effective model that’s worked in many other parts of California.

As Oceanside’s Finest, Sunny is always actively working to make Oceanside an amazing city for everyone—regardless of income, orientation, and socio-economic status. Thank you, Sunny!

“I know my kid will have a totally different experience in school than I did. The North County LGTBQ Center really help the youth and that resonates with me—to go full circle, and help those that need help”