Enjoy a Sea Breeze at These Scenic San Diego Hotspots

San Diego restaurants with ocean views deliver year-round coastal dining at its finest. There are ocean breezes, crisp cocktails and meals that taste better with a backdrop of the Pacific. Whether you’re grabbing an après-surf bite or sipping something sparkling on a clifftop patio, this coastal city delivers year-round. It’s a dining dreamscape dotted with oceanfront spots that pair fresh seafood with panoramas made for lingering. From oysters to sunsets, these seaside restaurants make every meal feel like a mini vacation. All 30 San Diego ocean view restaurants on this list feature verified waterfront or cliffside seating, with options ranging from casual fish taco counters to fine-dining tasting menus and rooftop cocktail lounges.

 

La Jolla

1. Brunch Above the Cove

There’s no better seat in La Jolla than the one at Cody’s La Jolla, perched above the sparkling shores. This sun-drenched seaside cottage features scalloped umbrellas, wicker barstools and indoor palms. It feels like breakfast at home, except the backyard is the Pacific Ocean. The Awesome French Toast is a menu legend: griddled, pillowy slices of challah bread that justify the trip on their own. The Chicken Biscuit Sandy? Order it before you’ve even sat down. Their rooftop patio hosts live music, and the lemon-thyme spritzer is the drink you’ll be thinking about on the drive home. Happy hour runs every Friday and Saturday from 4-7 p.m. The Baja shrimp ceviche and mini lobster rolls are basically irresistible during those two hours. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Cody’s La Jolla
1025 Prospect St. Suite 210 
La Jolla, CA 92037 
858.459.0040 
M-F, 9 a.m-2 p.m.
Sa-Su, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

 

2. Cliff’s Edge Classics

When you want a front-row seat to crashing waves, reserve a table at The Marine Room, the fine-dining landmark operated by the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping ocean views, and the surf practically grazes the glass during high tide. It’s dinner-theater courtesy of the Pacific. The restaurant sources seafood, produce and meats locally, weaving them into plates like local bluefin tuna and Peruvian crudo. Every detail is considered, from the tableside service to the depth of the wine list. The High Tide Dinner Series during summer brings full-moon illuminated waves crashing right outside your window. It’s arguably the most dramatic dining experience in San Diego: romantic, refined and absolutely worth the reservation.

The Marine Room
1950 Spindrift Dr. 
La Jolla, CA 92037 
858.459.7222 
W-Su, 5-9:30 p.m.

 

3. Panoramic Perfection on the Cliffs

If panoramic views of La Jolla Cove and handcrafted cocktails are on your wish list, George’s at the Cove is non-negotiable. This multi-level restaurant perches high on the cliffs and delivers one of the most iconic views in Southern California. The rooftop Ocean Terrace is where you want to be, cocktail in hand, as the sun melts into the horizon. The Citrus Spritz (aperitivo, gin, prosecco and citrus) is a love letter to golden hour. The menu leans into seasonal California cuisine with fresh seafood and produce that changes with what’s best right now. Chef Trey Foshee has earned this spot a legendary reputation in La Jolla dining, and one visit will tell you why. Pro tip: when booking online, select the Premium Seating option for the best seat in the house.

George’s at the Cove
1250 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037 
858.454.4244 
Daily, 11 a.m.-close (George’s recommends calling ahead to confirm hours)

 

4. The Rooftop That Lives for Sunsets

If views could talk, Birdseye would be shouting “La Jolla forever!” from the rooftop. This elevated perch at the Cormorant Boutique Hotel serves coastline panoramas, swaying palms and cocktails so crisp you’ll forget about your inbox. The vibe is casual-chic with fresh-poured wines and a coastal-cool menu made for sharing. The empanadas, calamari and flatbreads are crowd-pleasers, with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Arrive before sunset, claim a seat under a striped umbrella and enjoy your front-row seat to one of La Jolla’s most photogenic backdrops. It’s the kind of rooftop that makes a Tuesday feel like a long weekend.

Birdseye
1110 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037 
858.203.3565
Su, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
M-Th, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 
F, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
S, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

5. Cliffside Bites with Pacific Flair

Dining at Destiny Coast is like watching a screensaver come to life (but better, because there’s burrata involved). Opened in June 2025, this chic restaurant sits above the cliffs with panoramic views and a menu that mixes global flair with coastal ingredients. The breezy, curated space features terrazzo and soft ocean hues that make every table feel like prime real estate. Start with the Tropical Radiance smoothie. Then, move into the mahi and Meyer lemon or the coastal chickpea and salmon, and let the Pacific do the rest. With dinner service now fully operational, Destiny Coast has quickly become a standout for romantic waterfront dining in La Jolla.

Destiny Coast
8604 La Jolla Shores Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.977.0011
M-T, 7:30-3 p.m.
W-Su, 7:30-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

 

6. Surf, Sushi and a Seaside Splurge

Duke’s La Jolla brings aloha energy to Prospect Street, earning its place as one of the most recognizable names in San Diego oceanfront dining. Named for the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant embodies Hawaiian-California heritage with fresh coconut shrimp, hibiscus paloma cocktails and feel-good flavors. Happy hour is a local institution, drawing everyone from sun-kissed locals to visitors who stumbled in and decided to stay for three more rounds. With the ocean in front of you and a mai tai in hand, it’s hard to argue with the choices that led you here.

Duke’s La Jolla
1216 Prospect St. 
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.454.5888
Su, 10 a.m-3 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m.
M-Th, 10 a.m-3 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m.
F, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.
Sa, 10 a.m-3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.

 

7. Asian Coastal Cool With a Front-Row Pier Seat

Roppongi is back in La Jolla, with a fresh take on modern Asian cuisine and all the coastal glamour that name carries. Lobster dumplings and spicy rainbow rolls with mango-habañero sauce headline an intentional menu that’s best enjoyed with Pacific views in the background. The coconut-infused espresso martini and yuzu mule are orders you commit to immediately. The vibe is relaxed and stylish with enough upscale polish to justify that outfit you’ve been waiting to wear. Watch the waves roll in, order another round and enjoy the comeback.

Roppongi
875 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.551.5252
Su-Th, 5-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 5-10 p.m.

 

8. Breakfast With the Best View in the Cove

Some restaurants have a view. The Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel offers one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in California. And it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to make sure you never have a reason to leave. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air patio frame the beach’s calm waters, where kayakers, snorkelers and the occasional seal share the scenery. The menu features fresh, California-coastal flavors with global inspirations like the sashimi ahi tuna bowl and almond butterfish that always hit the spot. The setting is relaxed and genuinely lovely. It’s the kind of beachside dining that reminds you why you live in, or drove to, San Diego.

The Shores Restaurant
8110 Camino del Oro
La Jolla, CA 92037
855.923.8058
Daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

Mission Bay & Pacific Beach

9. Sushi at Sunset, Front Row

For all the seafood and sushi connoisseurs out there, meet Cannonball. High above the Mission Beach boardwalk at Belmont Park, this is one of the largest all-outdoor oceanfront rooftops in San Diego. The 180-degree ocean views are matched by a sushi menu that means business. Think lobster rolls with spicy lobster, yamagobo, tempura, avocado, jalapeños, spicy aioli and eel sauce. To elevate the vibe, local San Diego musicians perform every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Fire pits? Absolutely. A full bar stocked with wine, sake, draft beer, seltzers, Japanese whisky and craft cocktails? Obviously. Snag a spot around the fire pit during golden hour and prepare to lose track of time entirely.

Cannonball
3146 Mission Blvd. 
San Diego, CA 92109 
858.488.1549
Su-Th, 12-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 12-10 p.m.

 

10. Waterfront Vibes, Seven Days a Week

Oceana Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is waterfront dining without compromise. Steps from Mission Bay, with a salty breeze and the shore that’s close enough, this open-air restaurant makes outdoor seating a given. Whether you’re enjoying the Kalua pork Benedict and skillet cinnamon roll at brunch or half-priced wine bottles on Thursday evenings, Oceana matches every mood. Don’t sleep on Morsels & Martinis on Monday nights either. This $35 three-course dinner and martini special is the weekly ritual you didn’t know you needed. First date, girls’ night, solo lunch with a book, this spot flexes for all of it.

Oceana Coastal Kitchen
3999 Mission Blvd. 
San Diego, CA 92109 
858.539.8635
M-F, 7-2 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m.
Sa-Su, 7-3 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m.

 

11. Boardwalk Energy with Ocean Ambiance

JRDN lives on the ground floor of Pacific Beach’s sleek Tower23 Hotel, and it maximizes every inch of its prime location. An expansive outdoor patio sits steps from the sand, and the cocktail bar faces the waves head-on. There’s no obstruction or filter, just the Pacific doing its thing. The chili mango margarita is the unofficial drink of Pacific Beach, and the sushi rolls and steaks give everyone something to obsess over. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. with $18 glasses of Veuve Clicquot, $10 Tito’s martinis and $7 draft beers. Come early, stay late and let the boardwalk energy do the rest.

JRDN
723 Felspar St. 
San Diego, CA 92109 
858.270.5736
Su-Th, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

12. Brunch, Bay Views and Nautical Charm

Fresh ocean air and a nautical-chic aesthetic make Dockside 1953 at Bahia Resort earn every bit of its seaside reputation. Jumbo crab cakes, coconut snapper ceviche and a showstopping seafood tower anchor the menu, while the Dockside Mai Tai brings the tropical twist this view demands. Live music, weekly specials and seating just steps from the shore make Dockside a reliable spot for a great time on the water. Whether you’re brunching on Saturday or doing golden hour with cocktails, this is the waterfront San Diego restaurant that keeps everyone coming back.

Dockside 1953
998 W. Mission Bay Dr. 
San Diego, CA 92109 
858.539.7634
M-F, 7-11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sa-Su, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

Ocean Beach

13. Down the Rabbit Hole on the Pier

Wonderland Ocean Pub is what Ocean Beach was invented for. It’s laid-back, local and unpretentious, with a view of the pier that never gets old. Settle into the breezy upstairs space for watermelon cooler cocktails, award-winning chili and seafood specials, all while watching the waves below. Mussel Up Mondays, starting at 5 p.m., is the weekly event you’ll put in your calendar and actually keep: a pound of local mussels for just $10. The craft and imported beer selection is solid, the crowd is friendly and the vibe is exactly what you want on an afternoon. No pretense or dress code, just good food and great views.

Wonderland Ocean Pub
5083 Santa Monica Ave. Suite 2B 
San Diego, CA 92107 
619.255.3358 
M-Th, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
F, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sa-Su, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

 

Harbor Island & Point Loma

14. Harbor Views and Family Legacy

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is a San Diego institution in every sense. It’s perched on Harbor Island, operational since 1971 and still run by the Ham family today. Named for founder Tom Ham, this waterfront landmark offers views of San Diego Bay from every window seat, with sailboats and naval vessels gliding by. The Sunday seafood brunch is a must. Arrive hungry for eggs Benedict with cured ham and buttermilk biscuits, made-to-order pasta and a raw seafood bar. The lighthouse itself is a functioning U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation, meaning the ambiance here has layers. Heritage, harbor views and serious brunch credentials make Tom Ham’s one of those San Diego spots you bring everyone to.

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
2150 Harbor Island Dr. 
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.291.9110 
Su, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and 4-9 p.m.
M-Th, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and 5-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 11:30-3 p.m., and 5-10 p.m.

 

15. Bay Breezes and the Freshest Catch

At Mitch’s Seafood, you’ll find a Point Loma spot that locals have been claiming as their own for years. It’s a dockside gem on San Diego Bay where the seafood is impossibly fresh, and the vibe is coastal casual. Mitch’s sources much of its catch directly from local commercial fishermen, meaning what’s on the plate today may have been in the bay yesterday. The fish and chips are a benchmark, the steamed clams are the real deal and the outdoor patio delivers unobstructed bay views. This is the kind of place where paper baskets and harbor sunsets coexist beautifully. Bring an appetite, sit outside and order more than you think you need.

Mitch’s Seafood
1403 Scott St. 
San Diego, CA 92106 
619.222.8787 
Daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

16. Chophouse Glamour on the Harbor

C Level Lounge, Island Prime’s companion, offers views of the San Diego Bay skyline and some of the most refined waterfront dining in the city. Perched on Harbor Island, this modern chophouse-meets-lounge pairs serious steakhouse energy with a coastal-cool aesthetic. Think chilled seafood platters, Endless Summer cocktails and a crowd that arrives dressed for the occasion. The bay views here are unobstructed and cinematic, especially as the city lights begin to shimmer across the water at dusk. Whether you’re pulling up for happy hour or dinner with wine, C Level makes every visit feel like an occasion. The kind of place you come for the vibe and stay for the backdrop.

C Level Lounge
880 Harbor Island Dr. 
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.298.6802 
Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

Shelter Island

17. Tiki Time on the Bay

After more than 2.8 million mai tais served, Bali Hai Restaurant clearly knows a thing or two about a good time. Located on Shelter Island with San Diego Bay in the background, this Polynesian institution leans into its tropical soul with tiki accents, lush island decor and a menu that delivers. Small bites like the OG Bali Hai tuna poke, ginger lime coconut shrimp and spicy seasoned Bali fries set the tone beautifully. The original mai tai recipe here is the stuff of San Diego legend, and one sip explains everything. Don’t resist the tiki energy, just lean all the way in.

Bali Hai Restaurant
2230 Shelter Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106 
619.222.1181
Su, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8:45 p.m.
M-Th, 11:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. and 5-8:45 p.m.
F-Sa, 11:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. and 5-9:45 p.m.

 

Downtown San Diego

18. Waterfront Drama With a Baja Soul

After a bold transformation, Sally’s Waterfront Dining at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego owns the waterfront with a terrace that looks out over the harbor. The menu reads like a love letter to coastal California. Expect charred Spanish octopus served with romesco sauce, surf ’n turf and flavors that are fresh, fearless and addictive. Wednesday’s “Sunset Salute” is the weekly ritual, and weekend brunch (Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) brings tres leches French toast, buttery lobster rolls with Meyer lemon aioli and crispy fish and chips. Brought your dog? Sally’s has a dedicated pet menu, complete with a frozen yogurt pawpiscle and howlin’ good chicken.

Sally’s Waterfront Dining
1 Market Pl. 
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.358.6740
Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

19. Amalfi Evenings on the Embarcadero

Transport yourself to the Amalfi Coast without ever leaving downtown San Diego. Garibaldi at the InterContinental San Diego brings Mediterranean elegance to the marina. Its tangerine-toned decor, breezy terrace seating and Sardinian-Sicilian menu feel like a one-way flight to Italy. Think lamb lollipops with garlic confit yogurt and cocktails as creative as the gin-forward Amphora-Aged Negroni. Happy hour features $9 Garibaldi spritzes, $7 zummus and pita and $2 oysters on the half shell. One dinner here and you’ll be Googling flights to Sardinia, but, honestly, why bother?

Garibaldi
901 Bayfront Ct. 
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.436.1081
Su & Th, 4-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 4-10 p.m.

 

20. A Waterfront That Earns Its Square Footage

Portside Pier is San Diego’s most extroverted dining destination. At 42,000 square-feet, this 5-in-1 restaurant complex has bay views and enough personality to fill every square foot. Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar leads the lineup with fresh-shucked oysters, Moroccan spiced salmon and house-brewed drafts from Ketch Brewing. Miguel’s Cocina dishes out killer jalapeño white sauce and street taco platters. And Portside Coffee & Gelato delivers the sweet coastal finale. Up top, Topsail sits on the rooftop of Brigantine with lounge seating, fire pits and harbor views. The menu leans into fresh seafood, with a chilled seafood platter, oysters on the half shell and tiger shrimp cocktail alongside Spanish grilled octopus, pork belly banh mi bao and a wagyu burger. Add a public viewing deck and dock-and-dine access, and you’ve got golden hour sorted.

Portside Pier
1360 N. Harbor Dr. 
San Diego, CA 92101
Visit portsidepier.com for phone numbers and restaurant hours.

 

21. Steakhouse Swagger on the Marina

Since Mastro’s Ocean Club brought its signature elegance to the San Diego waterfront, the city’s marina district hasn’t been the same. White tablecloths, live music, a raw bar with fresh-shucked oysters, chilled crab legs and sushi-grade ahi define what luxury waterfront dining looks like. The lobster mashed potatoes are a religious experience, and the double-cut porterhouse practically requires its own table. Sit outside for panoramic views of the marina skyline and let the craft cocktails lift the mood. Mastro’s pulls in yachts, power suits and romantics alike. In a city full of great waterfront options, this one arrived with something to prove.

Mastro’s Ocean Club
901 Bayfront Ct., Suite 105
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.272.5060
Su-Th, 5-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 4:30-10 p.m.

 

22. Where California Cuisine Meets the Bay

Shorebird brings modern coastal fare to Seaport Village with a bright, stylish space and a wood-fired kitchen that gives everything a glow-up. This is the kind of waterfront restaurant that earns regulars fast. Expect Hokkaido scallops in a mirin-butter glaze, swordfish sandwiches and prime skirt steak tacos that’ll make your mouth water. As the sun sets over the marina and sailboats glide by, the dessert menu demands your attention. Try the pineapple carrot cake or the Valrhona chocolate brownie. Elevated but never pretentious, it’s exactly how waterfront dining in San Diego should feel.

Shorebird
885 W. Harbor Dr. 
San Diego, CA 92101 
619.775.1217
Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

23. Farm-to-Table With a Bay View

From the Malibu pier to the Embarcadero, Malibu Farm San Diego traded one iconic waterfront for another and didn’t miss a beat. The menu champions organic, locally-sourced ingredients in a relaxed, sun-soaked setting that feels equal parts health-conscious and delicious. Expect colorful grain bowls, fresh seafood preparations and plant-forward plates that taste as good as the view looks. The outdoor bay-facing seating is prime real estate at any hour, and the cocktail and wellness drink programs keep all preferences covered. It’s the Embarcadero’s most photogenic lunch stop and a go-to for anyone who wants something feel-good and beautifully situated.

Malibu Farm San Diego
831 W. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619.695.2300
Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

Coronado

24. Sustainable Seafood, Iconic Setting

Serea Coastal Cuisine at the legendary Hotel del Coronado is what sustainable, ocean-to-table dining looks like when it’s done without compromise. Chef JoJo Ruiz earned Serea an “Ocean Friendly” certification from the Surfrider Foundation and sources seafood with intention, using biodegradable paper straws, compostable silverware and eco-friendly to-go containers. The two-tiered patio overlooks Coronado Beach with views that make you want to extend your reservation. Start with a Kalamata Dirty Martini, follow with house focaccia and charcoal-grilled octopus, then work your way through tuna tartare and Baja kampachi. If the mood strikes, order caviar service. There’s no judgment here, only encouragement.

Serea Coastal Cuisine
1500 Orange Ave. 
Coronado, CA 92118 
619.522.8490
M-Th, 5-9 p.m.
Sa-Su, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

25. Celebrity Sushi by the Shore

For a dose of beachfront drama in the absolute best way possible, head to Nobu at Hotel Del Coronado. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s iconic plates (black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño and tiradito) arrive against a backdrop of waves and SoCal sunsets that look filtered by the universe. Seasonal specials also highlight the best of local seafood. And the sleek dining room gives way to a patio where the Pacific is your permanent plus-one. Whether you dress it up or keep it coastal, this is San Diego dining at its most glamorous and most photogenic. Reservations are recommended, obviously.

Nobu
1500 Orange Ave. 
Coronado, CA 92118 
619.435.6611 
Daily, noon-9 p.m.

 

26. Breezy Coastal Dining, All Day Long

Veranda at Hotel Del Coronado is the answer to every “where should we go after the beach?” debate. The open-air layout keeps it breezy and relaxed, and the vibe is linen-lunch casual with a side of beachfront glamour. The menu feels light and refreshing. Think Dungeness crab salad, seared diver scallops and a Pickle Me Fancy Margarita. Come post-swim, come for a leisurely girls’ lunch or come to celebrate absolutely nothing in particular. Veranda is the definition of laid-back luxury, and it earns that title every single day.

Veranda
1500 Orange Ave. 
Coronado, CA 92118 
619.435.6611 
Su, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.
M-Th, 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 5-9 p.m.
F, 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 5-10 p.m.
Sa, Su, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.

 

27. Rooftop Sundowner With Bay Views

Turn an ordinary afternoon into a coastal daydream without even trying at DIVE Rooftop Bar, located on top of the Bower’s Hotel. Panoramic views of the bay set the stage, and the menu steps up to meet them. Think crab cakes with herb salad, wagyu burgers and a cocktail list that runs from sangria to Negronis without skipping a beat. By day, it’s a sun-soaked escape. By night, the harbor shimmer turns DIVE into one of Coronado’s best date-night spots. Every moment here feels like vacation mode, which is exactly the point.

DIVE Rooftop Bar
1417 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118 
Su-Th, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

Encinitas & North County

28. Spanish Soul With a View to Match

VAGA Restaurant & Bar is the Encinitas escape you’ve been putting off for too long. Executive Chef Tim Crittenden’s menu is a masterclass in Spanish-style coastal cooking. You’ll find crispy duck carnitas, stout-braised short rib and coal-roasted broccolini with Granny Smith salsita. A window seat at VAGA rewards you with surf views, but the chef’s counter overlooking the kitchen is a different kind of thrill. The wine list is thoughtful, and the cocktails are unfussy in the best way. If North County dining had a flagship, this would be it: stylish, purposeful and seriously delicious.

VAGA Restaurant & Bar
2100 N Coast Hwy. 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.452.3484
Su-Th, 7 a.m-9 p.m.
F-Sa, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

 

29. The Cardiff Classic

Since the ’90s, Pacific Coast Grill has been doing beachside dining right, and it has never needed to reinvent itself. The two-level deck puts you as close to the sand as possible. And the menu rewards that proximity with Dungeness crab guacamole, miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and perfectly-seared filet ahi with coconut forbidden rice. Or order bottomless mimosas at brunch or an El Jefe margarita at golden hour and baby back ribs while the waves roll in. Just pick your scenario and commit. This local go-to is where you end up on a Tuesday for no reason and leave thinking it was the best decision you made all week.

Pacific Coast Grill
2526 S. Coast Hwy 101 
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 
92007 
760.479.0721 
Su-Th, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
F-Sa, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

 

Del Mar

30. A Deck Chair, the Pacific and No Further Plans

Long before “farm-to-table” became a buzzword, Poseidon Restaurant was doing it on the edge of the sand in Del Mar. Decades of ocean views and honest seafood have earned this iconic eatery a permanent place on every San Diego waterfront dining list. Lunch leans laid-back with lobster tacos, Alaskan cod & chips and spicy chicken sandwiches. Dinner shifts into globally inspired seafood territory, blending Mediterranean, Mexican and Pacific Rim flavors with a sustainable seafood ethos. The salty breeze and crashing wave soundtrack are complementary and make everything taste better. It’s classic, consistent and genuinely hard to beat.

Poseidon Restaurant
1670 Coast Blvd. 
Del Mar, CA 92014 
858.755.9345 
M-F, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.
Sa-Su, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.

 

These 30 San Diego restaurants with ocean views prove that waterfront dining here is more than a meal. It’s a coastal ritual worth repeating.