Rafael Garcia grew up in Northern San Diego County between Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista — along with his five older siblings. While his father worked all day in the plant nursery and his mother took care of and raised her own progeny, she also supplied childcare for other families. They had to stretch their dollars most of the time, but Rafael said he didn’t feel it as a kid. “We were always fighting, laughing, crying, getting each other in trouble and covering for each other,” he said.

As the youngest of the six kids, he was not allowed to venture off like the rest of them. Rafael guesses this is why he’s the only one with a few degrees and has a goal to be the first in the family to get licensed. “Although my parents never made much money, they have always been there for me. My siblings even told me that they would whoop me if I ever worked in a restaurant as an effort to encourage me to pursue my education.”

Rafael knew that an education was the only way out of the “Hood”, but he didn’t know if he had it in him. His brother Gabriel bought young Rafael a ton of used Legos with which he built cars, boats, houses, and a ton of planes and spaceships. Later his brother Luis introduced him to CAD drafting. “I still have my first CAD drafted sketch that I need to frame up some day.” He didn’t want to be a contractor even though he professes to love building stuff. As Rafael got older, he realized it was the development and designing of things that he craved so he chose the field of Architecture.

His experience working as a tutor for students from 2^nd grade up to college freshman level taught him that almost everyone learns differently. This experience allows him to approach every architect he works with differently. He also became more attentive and a better listener, learning that each client also has different needs.

In his free time, Rafael often travels south to Northern Baja California. After getting licensed, he plans to travel the world every 3-4 months even if it’s just a few days at a time. “For now though, there are several reasons to travel to Northern Baja California – whether for the delicious food street vendors offer or restaurants galore; the low prices, the multitude of beverages – to the all-night dancing, relaxed culture and price haggling with the shop vendors. “What more is there to love than a tasty drink, some flavor-filled delicacies with a backdrop of the ocean and great company,” he said.