Celebrate the Season With a Sky-High Soiree on One of These Trendy Rooftops

San Diego may be known for its laid-back surf scene and fish tacos, but the city is no stranger to a swanky rooftop rendezvous. For lucky San Diego dwellers, the array of sky-high bars and restaurants feels endless. From hotspots with thirst-quenching craft cocktails to those with unbeatable ocean views, we have you covered on the most stunning and fun rooftops in sun-drenched San Diego

 

The Rooftop by STK

Perched on top of the seventh floor of the Andaz San Diego, The Rooftop by STK boasts the largest rooftop space in the Gaslamp Quarter with stunning views of the San Diego skyline. Grab a table and enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and delicious dishes from a menu specially created by Executive Chef Jaime Olivares. We love the Lobster Benedict for brunch (best enjoyed poolside!), but if you’re visiting after hours, the prosciutto artichoke flatbread and short ribs tacos make for the perfect afternoon snack or evening appetizer. Pair your pick with one of their signature cocktails like the cinnamon-spiced Canella Mule or Mighty Midori Sour made with MIDORI, lemon, pineapple, Chambord and egg white. This starry nightlife spot will sweep you off your feet with its crafty cocktail program and delectable bites! Other highlights include stunning sunsets, beat-slingin’ DJs and 4,500 square feet of open space. 

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel

@localemag You need to see this rooftop at @missionpacifichotel in #oceanside #oside #sdfoodies #sdrooftops #sandiegorooftop #sddateideas #localemagazine #carlsbad 🎥: @Beastly | Disney Blog #missionpacifichotel #therooftopbaroceanside ♬ Music For a Sushi Restaurant – Harry Styles

The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel is Oceanside’s sky-high hot spot. This elevated oasis is dressed with bohemian decor and offers views of rippling blue barrels. Perched above the Oceanside Pier, Mission Pacific Hotel’s sixth-floor rooftop is where guests can enjoy cocktails and light bites from sunrise to sunset. With wellness activities by day and DJ performances at night, you’re in for a memorable day of sun and sippin’. Relax under a cabana around the rooftop pool and choose from a selection of coastal cocktails. Named after the most beloved surf breaks in San Diego, The Rooftop Bar’s handcrafted libations are sure to elevate your rooftop experience. Whether enjoying a drink under the San Diego sun, watching waves roll in during golden hour or dancing the night away, The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel turns simple pleasures into remarkable experiences.

Location: Oceanside

 

Garibaldi

Live out your European dreams without ever leaving San Diego at this Italian speakeasy-style restaurant. Perched on an open-air terrace at the InterContinental San Diego, Garibaldi provides an al fresco dining experience overlooking the Mariana. Orange decor and candlelit seating paint a picture of the Italian coast—it’s the perfect backdrop for a sunset spritz! For a unique experience, try the Italian Amphora Aged Negroni with Bottega Bacur Gin, Campari and Sardinian sweet vermouth.

Location: Downtown San Diego

5/18

 

Rustic Root

Rustic Root turns busy cityscapes into a charming dinner date with brick detail, cozy fire pits and glowing string lights. The sweeping city views are perfect for enjoying a cocktail or two alongside comforting classics like the loaded mac ‘n’ cheese and the Texas table-smoked Tomahawk. Come back for weekend brunch to try their monthly pancake specialities or unwind on a Tuesday with live acoustic music and half-off bottles of wine. Go ahead and make a reservation—this is somewhere you’ll want to plant roots. 

Location: Gaslamp Quarter2/3

 

Seneca Trattoria

Indulge in Italian elegance at San Diego’s top-tier and top-floor urban hideaway. Inspired by old-school cinematics and the upscale Italian lifestyle, Seneca Trattoria serves up handmade pastas and classic Negronis in a breezy, open-air setting. As you exit the 19th-floor elevator at the InterContinental San Diego, step into a star-studded room, where you’ll find a pair of doors that lead to a lush lounge with tropical greenery, striped awnings and endless bay views. Order from a selection of Italian classics, but don’t leave without ordering the tableside hand-stretched mozzarella. 

Location: Downtown San Diego

5/20

 

The Pool House at Pendry San Diego

Between the chic canvas cabanas and the sweeping Fifth Avenue views, there isn’t a cooler rooftop in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Pool House, located on the top floor of the Pendry San Diego, embodies the essence of the Southern California lifestyle with its open-air design, shimmering pool and chic bartop. Enjoy DJ beats and sunbathing on Sundays or attend The Pool House at Night events for dancing and drinks. Whether you’re a sun-seeker or a night owl, this downtown hotspot offers all the springtime vibes you crave. And in addition to boozy libations and beats, The Pool House also features both a daytime menu of light bites and an after-hours selection of shareables plates. Snack on dishes like crispy seasoned fries, lollipop chicken wings and Maine lobster rolls under the sun and palate-pleasers like fritto misto, ahi poke tartare and grilled chicken souvlaki skewers at dusk. There’s no better place for a spring soiree!

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

Birdseye at Cormorant Boutique Hotel

Birdseye at the Cormorant Boutique Hotel is considered to be the newest jewel of La Jolla, and thanks to the sweeping ocean views and refreshing cocktails, it’s easy to see why. There’s plenty of outdoor seating with the option to lounge under shady umbrellas, and the swaying palm trees and bright blue water set the perfect scene. Enjoy Argentinian bites like empanadas, choripan and ceviche along with a crisp glass of white wine or a zesty margarita while you enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the sweeping La Jolla coastline. 

Location: La Jolla

 

Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge

From the panoramic glass windows to the cozy fire pits, the rooftop at Firehouse in Pacific Beach is the ultimate place to people-watch while taking in coastal views. No matter which time of day you visit, the rooftop can get pretty rowdy, making it a great place to let loose and sip on a Firehouse Frozé. Celebrating something special? Book bottle service and dance the night away while enjoying a crisp ocean breeze.

Location: Pacific Beach

 

Park 101

Since its 2017 debut in downtown Carlsbad, Park 101 has remained one of San Diego’s go-to spots for stiff drinks and good times. This multilevel restaurant and bar boasts 8,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space to sip, snack, kick back, dance or play games—whatever your vibe may be, Park 101 has it. The impressive venue is just a few blocks from the beach and features two bars, several fire pits, a rooftop with sweeping views and games like cornhole and foosball. Park 101 also boasts an impressive menu of BBQ-meets-Cali cuisine, most of which is prepared using the restaurant’s in-house smoker. Feast on favorites like the loaded BBQ mac and juicy pulled pork sando, and be sure to pair your pick with an ice-cold ale, hard seltzer or hand-crafted cocktail.

Location: Carlsbad

 

Lumi by Akira Back

Perhaps one of the most eye-catching additions to the San Diego foodie scene, Lumi by Akira Back is high-energy, high-end and high up! The Gaslamp Quarter venue plays host to a 5,000-square-foot rooftop constructed from large granite boulders. Colorful murals, geometric flooring and pops of neon bring the space to life, offering guests a funky yet refined dining experience. The inventive culinary program, spearheaded by acclaimed celebrity chef Akira Back, features an assortment of Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, including fresh takes on sushi, ceviche, tempura and more. Lumi is an open-air culinary adventure worth every penny.

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

Born and Raised

When it comes to grandeur, this high-rolling steakhouse in Little Italy just about takes the cake. No expense was spared when creating this shi-shi, 10,000-square-foot space, which happens to house a glass-enclosed dry-aging room and butcher shop. Oh yeah, the rooftop—oops, we almost forgot! After admiring the interior masterpiece that is Born and Raised, saunter upstairs to discover the restaurant’s lantern-lit rooftop that’s complete with velvet chairs, plaid booths, climbing trees and brass accents. This city-meets-garden enclave will have you feeling like a member of the Hollywood glitterati. Let’s just say, sexy is an understatement. 

Location: Little Italy

 

CocoCabana Rooftop Bar

Be one of the first to sip tropical elixirs in the lux pink jungle that is CocoCabana. Located in Oceanside’s historic Brick Hotel is a Caribbean-inspired cocktail bar that opened its doors in summer of 2022. Enjoy a soft ocean breeze while savoring dishes like octopus ceviche, jerk duck confit and cocktails like the Miami Pound Machine  served in a fresh coconut. Plus, weekends are made even better with live music and brunch specials! Try the Jerk Butter Oysters and Caribbean Bloody, and thank us later.

Location: Oceanside

 

Catania

Catania is a popular rooftop restaurant in La Jolla that whips up some of the best Italian food in the area. Bright blue skies, a peek at the ocean and that beloved California breeze all await! Be sure to check out their gourmet dinner menu with items like smoked duck liver crostini, pizza focaccia and Lobster Maltagliati prepared with lemon, charred fresno-saffron butter and chives.

Location: La Jolla

 

The Nolen

Situated 14 floors above San Diego, The Nolen rooftop bar and lounge is an elevated, swanky watering hole with timeless cocktails and breathtaking skyline views that go as far as the Coronado Bridge. Just a quick elevator ride up to the 14th floor of the Courtyard Gaslamp will bring you to this open-air lounge, which serves up seasonal food and drinks you’ll love. The laid-back yet modern atmosphere makes The Nolen a wonderful spot for a date or drinks with friends.

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

Kettner Exchange

This two-story hub in Little Italy features a rooftop patio lined with intimate cabanas, which are perfect for private parties and smaller celebrations. Industrial lamps, along with wood and nautical accents, create a fashionable yet rustic warehouse vibe. The globally inspired bites and zippy drinks stem from a menu that leans heavily on scotch, mezcal and infused tequilas. If you’re feeling frisky, order the Handsome Gambler made with rye, cinnamon, passionfruit, lemon and habanero bitters.

Location: Little Italy

 

FLOAT at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

FLOAT is a hip, fourth-floor oasis set atop the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Come nighttime, this poolside spot matures into a sophisticated lounge, complete with fire pits, cabanas, flatscreen TVs and scenic views. FLOAT is also kicking off spring with an epic day club experience called Liquid Sunshine, where everyone is treated like a VIP with beats, bites, cocktails and plenty of space to soak up the sun. Gather your crew and cozy up under the stars at this urban, sky-high lounge in the heart of downtown. 

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

George’s at the Cove

If you’re looking for a beachy-casual experience, head to George’s at the Cove’s ocean terrace for panoramic views of La Jolla Cove! This modern seaside restaurant features a full-service bar and daily food and drink specials. Snack on tasty offerings like fried calamari, yellowtail tacos, steak frites and more! Check their website’s sunset tracker, then book your reservation accordingly to catch a gorgeous La Jolla sunset.

Location: La Jolla

 

SKA Bar

Set on Adams Ave in Normal Heights, SKA Bar flaunts a 2,500-square-foot panoramic patio, perfect for a sunset happy hour. Choose from a selection of craft cocktails, which includes the restaurant’s signature Crane Kick—a refreshing blend of gin, Campari, lemongrass, passion fruit, pineapple, orgeat and lemon. You’ll also enjoy SKA Bar’s Asian-inspired menu with items like spring rolls, chicken lettuce wraps, Korean asada fries, drunken noodles and more! The best part of this neighborhood hotspot by far, however, is the 360-degree views of the charming Normal Heights neighborhood.

Location: Normal Heights