From Sand-Floor Beach Shacks to Historic Adobes, These Tequila-Filled Pours Are Worth the Drive

Orange County doesn’t do anything halfway, and its margarita scene is no exception. From a concession stand perched above a world-class surf break to a century-old adobe once visited by a sitting president, the county’s best margaritas come with stories as interesting as the pours themselves. We’re talking jalapeño and St-Germain, tamarind and serrano, passionfruit and chile salt. A lavish $49 tableside pour built for four and a guava slushie that breaks every rule. There’s a Michelin-recognized kitchen, an ocean-view rooftop and, yes, a sand-floor beach shack.

Here are 14 margaritas worth ordering, from San Clemente to Stanton and everywhere in between.

 

Under the Sea

Having held down Avenida Del Mar for decades, this San Clemente staple offers a surf town, family-run feel a few blocks up from the pier. At Avila’s El Ranchito, the Green Mermaid is built on Milagro Silver tequila and a wealth of vibrant ingredients, including lime juice, cucumber, serrano pepper and agave nectar muddled with fresh mint for a sip that is both sweet and spicy.

Avila’s El Ranchito
204 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
949.498.5000
M-Th, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; F, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Su, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

 

Fresh Squeeze

Set inside Fashion Island, RED O pairs a tropical-leaning dining room with an extensive tequila list and a packed weekly calendar that includes live DJs, Taco Tuesday specials and the newly launched Tulum Thursdays, a resort-themed Thursday night experience featuring a welcome sangria, tequila tastings and tray-passed bites from the signature Molcajete. Order the signature RED O Margarita with house tequila, triple sec and the restaurant’s fresh limonada, which lends a slightly sweeter, more rounded citrus note than a standard lime-forward pour. Served on the rocks with a salt rim, this is a straightforward, well-balanced pour from a kitchen that takes as much pride in making guests feel at home as it does in what’s in the glass.

Red O
143 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.718.0300
Su, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; M-Th, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; F-Sa, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. 

 

Sipping on the Sand

Perched above Salt Creek Beach with sightlines to Catalina and some of Orange County’s most iconic surf breaks, Young’s Beach Shack is a concession stand first and a margarita destination second, and that’s the main appeal. The margarita combines Milagro tequila, lime, fresh orange juice and agave with a salt rim, creating a drink that is just as refreshing as this seaside perch. Margaritas are available daily with your choice of tequila, the spring food menu features a California Short Rib Burrito, and a golf cart shuttle runs Fridays through Sundays after Labor Day to help guests up and down the hill. What sets it apart isn’t the recipe, but drinking one in the sand with sunshine beaming down and the waves breaking right in front of you. 

Young’s Beach Shack
33521 Ritz Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.388.2430
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – Sunset

 

Silver Cadillac

Descanso brings Michoacán-rooted recipes to a plancha-grill dining room in Costa Mesa’s Mesa Verde neighborhood, with tableside cooking that turns dinner into a bit of theater. Pair your meal with the El Descanso margarita, layering Milagro Silver with Gran Gala orange liqueur, agave and lime, finished with a salt rim. A citrus-forward, top-shelf riff on the classic, this drink can also be made spicy for those looking to add a little heat.

Descanso
1555 Adams Ave #103
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.486.3798
Su, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; M, 3 – 9 p.m.; T-Th, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; F, 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sa, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

 

Margs with a View

Sitting inside Huntington Beach’s Pacific City shopping and entertainment complex, right on Pacific Coast Highway, OLA Mexican Kitchen boasts ocean views from nearly every seat. Start with the El Jefe margarita, poured with Sauza Blue Agave tequila along with sweet and sour, agave nectar and orange liqueur. It’s a good, clean classic cocktail built to hold its own against the unparalleled views of Surf City USA.

OLA Mexican Kitchen
21040 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste F200
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.969.7300
Su, 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; M-Th, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; F, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sa, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

Ocean-View Patio Sips

Beloved upscale Mexican eatery Javier’s has been a Crystal Cove fixture since 2008, known for an extensive tequila list and ocean-adjacent patio seating. The Jalapeño margarita brings the heat using Javier’s own Reserva Reposado tequila paired with St-Germain and agave nectar plus lime and orange juices. It’s a floral drink that doubles as spicy, distinct from the classic citrus pour.

Javier’s
7832 E Pacific Coast Hwy
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949.494.1239
Su-Th, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; F-Sa, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

 

Baja Flavor by the Beach

Bringing the easygoing energy of Baja California to Huntington Beach, Dos Amigos Cantina has built a loyal following with bold Mexican flavors and an atmosphere made for gathering. The bar pours a roster of handcrafted cocktails alongside the classics, from a no-fuss House Margarita made with Tosco Silver and triple sec to a Spicy Margarita built on 21 Seeds jalapeño cucumber tequila with fresh jalapeños, agave and a Tajín rim. For something a little more polished, the Buick Regal layers Patrón Silver with lime juice, agave and Grand Marnier. Each is a straightforward pour from a neighborhood cantina that turns first-time guests into regulars. 

Dos Amigos Cantina
21022 Brookhurst St
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714.492.1994
M-Th, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; F, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sa, 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Su, 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

 

Go Big or Go Home

Bringing simplistic Cabo San Lucas-inspired design to the Balboa Peninsula, Palmilla Cocina y Tequila has one of the largest tequila and mezcal selections in Orange County. The Big Daddy Caddy, priced at $49, is built for the table: Cazadores Blanco tequila, organic sweet and sour plus Citronge orange liqueur, hand-shaken and poured tableside in a portion equivalent to four margaritas. This sharable Cadillac option is also served with a mini bottle of Grand Marnier to pour over the top.

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
3110 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.467.4203
Su, 10 a.m. – midnight; M-W, 11 a.m. – midnight; Th, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; F, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.

 

Historic Adobe Drinks

Housed in a building with portions dating to 1797 and opened as a restaurant in 1948 with a wedding and reception, El Adobe de Capistrano sits near Mission San Juan Capistrano and once served as a regular stop for President Richard Nixon. Celebrations have remained central to the restaurant ever since, with generations of families returning for weekly specials, live entertainment, weddings and private events. The grilled pineapple margarita combines Lalo Blanco tequila with triple sec, orgeat syrup, lime juice and a pineapple tepache float for a marg that is tropical with a slightly funky twist on tradition. 

El Adobe de Capistrano
31891 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.493.1163
Su, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; M-Sa, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

 

An Ice-Cold Margarita

South of Nick’s occupies a modern space overlooking the ocean in downtown Laguna Beach, bringing bold Mexican flavors and handcrafted cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices and quality tequilas to a lively setting just steps from the beach. The toasted coconut margarita is the draw here, served frozen as a cooling, dessert-leaning pour suited to the coastal setting. Mixing blanco tequila with toasted coconut, it’s the kind of drink people plan their visit around, and its frozen texture makes it perfect for cooling down on warm California afternoons. 

South of Nick’s
540 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.3717
Open daily at 11 a.m.

 

Michelin-Recommended Margaritas

A Michelin Bib Gourmand selection in Old Towne Orange, Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen blends modern technique with traditional regional Mexican recipes. The Maracuya margarita uses Mijenta Blanco tequila combined with passion fruit, pineapple, lime, agave and a chile salt rim, creating a uniquely fruity drink that leans light, tropical and oh-so-gently spicy.

Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen
141 S Glassell St
Orange, CA 92866
714.633.3038
Su-Th, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; F-Sa, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

Up on the Rooftop

The Belle Rooftop at Jolie sits above Main Street with a cozy lounge looking down on Surf City. It’s here that you’ll find a unique sip: the blueberry watermelon margarita is made with Lunazul Blanco tequila, blueberry syrup, fresh watermelon and lime juice. Enjoy this fruit-forward pour built for golden-hour views as you dine on a menu of seasonal dishes, all filled with fresh produce just like the cocktail itself.

Jolie
300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 220
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.740.2524
W-Th, 5 – 9 p.m.; F, 4 – 10 p.m.; Sa, Noon – 10 p.m.; Su, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; M-T, Closed

 

Turn Up the Heat

Caló Kitchen + Tequila’s south-county location pairs a tequila-forward bar program with a menu of Mexican classics. Here, the spicy margarita is a heat-forward take on the traditional margarita recipe, mixing Tradicional Blanco tequila with serrano chiles. Though the recipe is simple, it really packs a punch; order with confidence, but know that this drink is not for the faint of heart.

Caló Kitchen + Tequila
28141 Crown Valley Pkwy, Ste A
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949.409.7380
Su-Th, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; F-Sa, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

 

Slushie Season

With a Día de los Muertos-inspired atmosphere, every day feels like a celebration in Orange. The slushie-driven drink menu at Kalaveras features a guava margarita that is especially refreshing on hot days. This frozen take on a flavorful, fruit-forward margarita has become one of the most shared drinks on the county’s social feeds, known for its sweetness as much as its presentation.

Kalaveras
167 S Main St
Orange, CA 92868
714.363.3581
Su, 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; M-W, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Th, 11 a.m. – midnight; F, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best margarita in Orange County right now?

Orange County’s margarita scene spans classic citrus pours to novelty formats. Standouts include Palmilla’s Big Daddy Caddy in Newport Beach, a shareable margarita made for four, and Kalaveras’ frozen guava margarita slushie, found in Orange.

Which Orange County restaurants use Milagro tequila in their margaritas?

Three Orange County spots currently pour Milagro tequila in their signature margaritas: Avila’s El Ranchito (San Clemente), Young’s Beach Shack (Dana Point) and Descanso (Costa Mesa). 

Where can I find a margarita that serves a group in Orange County?

Palmilla Cocina y Tequila in Newport Beach serves the Big Daddy Caddy, a $49 margarita made with Cazadores Blanco tequila that’s hand-shaken tableside and portioned for four people.

What’s the best Orange County margarita spot with ocean views?

Young’s Beach Shack in Dana Point sits directly above Salt Creek Beach, while OLA Mexican Kitchen in Huntington Beach and Jolie’s rooftop in Huntington Beach both offer margaritas with direct coastal views.

Are there frozen or slushie margaritas in Orange County?

Yes. Kalaveras in Orange serves a guava margarita in slushie form, and South of Nick’s in Laguna Beach serves a toasted coconut margarita that is frozen as well.