Take a Tulum-Inspired Getaway Without Leaving SoCal
If you’ve been daydreaming of a jet-setting jaunt to Tulum—without crossing international borders—then boy, have we got the place for you! No need to pull out your passport because Camino Riviera in San Diego’s Little Italy is the perfect place to experience the kind of balmy, beachside-glam getaway and next-level nightlife that has SoCal’s sexiest flocking in droves without going south of the border. Heavy on the vacay vibes and vibrant ambiance, slip into your slinkiest attire and get ready to say holato your new favorite Mexican-inspired hot spot.
The decidedly jungle-chic aesthetic of the luxurious lounge brims with exotic touches of Tulum—think lush palms and greenery highlighted by flickering candlelight and maximalist chandeliers, geometric print Mexican tile and a generous display of rope accents and hanging macrame decor.
The cuisine, on the other hand, is heavily inspired by the fresh flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula. Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski has designed an inventive menu that incorporates timeless elements of authentic Latin American tradition with thoughtful twists on typical dishes—elevating expectations and turning your basic chips-and-guac standard fare on its ear. Carefully curated ingredients are sourced from regional farms and purveyors all across the land, including specialty mezcals, top tequilas and choice spirits selected by Beverage Director Eric Johnson and Bar Manager Stephen O’Halloran.
Prepare your palate with a crisp margarita and a bowl of the signature house snack—spoiler alert: we hate to ruin popcorn for you, but if you’ve never tossed it with tangy tahini, we can officially confirm that you’ve been doing it wrong.
Peruse an array of starters, which includes sumptuous staples with a kick like Scallop Snap Pea Aguachile, coconut rice with hints of mint and cilantro or Kanpachi Ceviche, served with slices of avocado and stacked with slivers of radish and yuzu pepper and topped with a crispy squid-ink chicharron. Veggie lovers will swoon for the crispy macha potatoes with a dash of chipotle, fried Brussels sprouts with salsa macha and an inside-out Caesar salad “Twinkie,” flanked with soft and decadent homemade croutons so large you can (and should) slice them up with a knife. Also look out for unexpected delicacies like crispy fried frog legs and grilled prawns seasoned with flavors of chimichurri and aioli.
Moving on to round two, sample heartier dishes like the roasted duck barbacoa, roasted bone marrow, Baja shrimp skewers, yam enchilada, and The Taco—featuring crispy tempura-crusted sea bass flavored with aioli and garnished with glittering shards of edible gold leaf as the piéce de résistance.
If you still have room for something sweet, confuse your taste buds with their famous Brentwood corn ice cream. In the vein of the “is it cake?” trend that went wild on social media, this sweet corn-flavored ice cream is served on a plate and disguised in the form of an ear of corn—until you slice into it, of course.
After filling up on regional flavors, step on down to the breezy patio and clink craft cocktails—like their Peach Spritz (a bubbly spin on the classic Aperol) or Tupac’s Revenge (a tequila base with floral notes of Hibiscus and citrus). Smoky mezcal lovers will adore the Jugo Jefe and the 8th Wonder (flavored with eucalyptus and Caribbean pineapple, respectively), or you can opt for an impromptu tasting flight.
Sip your cares away to the tunes of chill house music and Afro-Latin beats, and shimmy your way through the night courtesy of seasoned spin-doctors who DJ-set the tone Thursday through Saturday. Immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere and absorb the cool coastal culture of the Riviera Maya all summer long. Camino Riviera is all the vacation vibes without the pricey plane ticket.
FOOD
While there’s certainly no shortage of Mexican cuisine in a region that’s mere miles away from the border, Camino Riviera offers an eclectic array of dishes with whimsical details that make the menu truly unique—while also giving a nod to the traditional flavors of its native culture.
DECOR
No detail is spared in the sleek and sexy vibe of this Tulum-inspired nightspot—with familiar maximal-minimalist beachy details like rope curtains, irreverent hammocks and floor lanterns that you’ll recognize from the ‘Gram feeds of all of your favorite influencers.
PRICE POINT
With the exception of the big-ticket Creekstone ribeye (which will set you back a cool $105), most items on the extensive menu go for less than $20–and for a fun comparison are also priced out in Mexican pesos–providing an experience that only feels extravagant. Signing the bill without a crushing feeling that you’ll never afford a down payment on a house? Priceless.
OVERALL VERDICT
Save your PTO and skip the flight down south! Camino Riviera has all the vibes you need to bring the vacay to you.
Camino Riviera
2400 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.685.3881
@caminoriviera
Based in Los Angeles, Kandace has spent the past ten years in the fashion and lifestyle space, and recently in entertainment at Sony Pictures Studios. She has a Masters in Journalism from Emerson College and has studied in Paris, Firenze, and Washington DC, beginning her career as a style editor and tastemaker for NBC. She is an internationally award-winning filmmaker, having studied screenwriting for film and television at UCLA, and her work has been celebrated around the world, in cities like London, Nice, New York, and Montréal. Paying homage to her French heritage, she is also the creator of The Chic American--a style and culture editorial destination for Francophiles, dedicated to the art of living an elevated, French-inspired lifestyle.
