From Waterfront Brunches to Boardwalk Bike Rides, Here’s How to Experience the Best of This Buzzing Beach Town
Pacific Beach is a beach neighborhood in San Diego known for its laid-back ambiance, waterfront restaurants and nightlife. The crowd here leans on the younger side, and the vibes are perfect for Local Summer. You can smell the salt in the air, and as you’re walking around, you’ll notice everyone is there for some fun in the sun. If you’re looking for an unforgettable weekend getaway complete with surfing, sushi, dancing and great vibes, grab a group of friends, pack your swimsuit and get ready to party. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in San Diego’s buzzy Pacific Beach neighborhood.
STAY: Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Base your trip on the water’s edge at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. This Polyneisan-themed resort sits on the sand in Mission Bay and boasts a striking resemblance to the South Pacific Islands. Its property peppered with sparkling koi ponds and glowing tiki torches. Unpack your bags in one of their Bayfront, Pool or Garden View suites, each boasting luxurious amenities, modern furnishings and panoramic views. Tropical pathways wind through the property, linking its on-site dining venues to a sun-soaked pool deck and San Diego’s only beachfront spa. Located just a shell’s throw away from the heart of Pacific Beach, guests of the Catamaran have the best of this beach town at the tip of their fingers.
DAY 1
8 a.m.
Hit the Waves at Crystal Pier
If you came here to surf, Crystal Pier—PB’s main surf spot—is the place to go. It doesn’t usually get too crowded (especially in the early morning while people are nursing hangovers), so it’ll just be you and the waves, ready to roll. The best waves are just north of the pier at Tourmaline Surfing Park, a long stretch of surf-only beach where surfers of all levels can catch waves. The conditions are almost always calm (even when the swells get up to 4-5 feet), and the crowd is super laid-back and won’t get salty on you.
10:30 a.m.
Brunch at Palmys
Palmys is a cute, friendly neighborhood cafe located on the corner of Felspar and Cass. It looks like a house and feels just as welcoming. As you walk up, you’ll see people enjoying acai bowls and avocado toasts outside in the sunshine. Inside, you’ll find a small, surfboard-lined boutique space on your way up to the coffee bar. Here, you can order yummy a.m. drinks (like a turmeric or lavender latte) or one of their many delicious smoothie options. Pro tip: pair that with the breakfast burrito; you won’t know what hit you.
Noon
Visit the Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market
If you’re a big fan of farmers markets, extend your weekend stay to Tuesday and visit the Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market. From 2-7 p.m. each Tuesday, you’ll find rows of booths from local vendors and certified farmers selling all kinds of goodies. You can shop for fresh fruit and veggies, try some local honey, browse plants, candles, crystals and jewelry. If you opted for a smoothie at brunch or still have some room in your belly, there’s plenty to eat here too—crepes, bao buns, BBQ, empanadas, grilled cheese—the list goes on.
2 p.m.
Lunch at Haole Shack
It’s only fitting that PB’s newest surf-inspired foodie outpost has planted roots on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Haole Shack lives up to its moniker, bringing some classic California beach bites to the SoCal shoreline. Adjacent to local favorite PB Shore Club, this ‘80s-style outpost made its debut with a menu of mouthwatering smash burgers, teriyaki bowls and shaved ice all while embodying the laid-back and friendly atmosphere of a classic Hawaiian beach shack.
With an emphasis on casual, quick service, you’ll find folks chowing down on these solo, double and even triple smash burgers at their patio parklet or on the sand. Speaking of burgers, The Two Piece is set to be a house-favorite masterpiece, bursting with cheese and Kook Sauce that can barely be contained inside their quirky island-esque burger bags. Make it a full meal with a side of Double Shaka Fries, frizzled, seasoned and topped with tri-tip, chicken, Kook Sauce, green onion and sesame seeds.
4 p.m.
Bike Down the Boardwalk
One of PB’s most well-known attractions is its long and beautiful boardwalk, stretching all the way down into Mission Beach. Head back to Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa and ask them about their beach cruisers, e-bikes and surreys available for rent. There’s nothing like pedaling down the coast with the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. It’s an easy, flat ride all the way down, and when you’ve made it down to Beach House, you’ll know you’re at a good spot to turn around (or stop and have a drink).
5 p.m.
Wine O’Clock at The Oasis
If The Oasis doesn’t win an award for all-around prettiest wine bar, we’ll be shocked! This dreamy new outdoor venue in North Pacific Beach makes it feel like spring year-round in San Diego with its vintage garden-party aesthetic, pastel color scheme and adorable floral garlands. Whether you’re scoping out a cure for the pre-dinner munchies or an aesthetic photoshoot spot for wine with the girls, The Oasis has you covered. With daily happy hours from 3-6 p.m., sip and savor a Sunset Slam Kombucha, a sangria or a glass of rosé. Oh, and don’t skip the popcorn and charcuterie!
7 p.m.
Dinner at Hideaway Pacific Beach
In the heart of Pacific Beach, Hideaway has channeled the culture of this beach town into a stylish, bungalow-inspired space. While it’s one of the newest additions to the neighborhood, its retro-style interior pays tribute to PB’s surf and skate scene that dates back to the ‘70s and ‘80s. Located just steps from Crystal Pier, this breezy surf lodge’s menu capitalizes on traditional beach eats and beverages with a twist. Wood-fired pizza, smokehouse sandwiches and pies crafted from scratch with homemade pizza dough are just a few house favorites drawing locals from the surf to the sand.
9:30 p.m.
Drinks + Dancing at Firehouse
After-dinner drinks are calling at Firehouse’s rooftop! This place has an upscale vibe with disco balls, hanging plants, red lighting and a neon sign that reads, “Don’t quit your daydream.” It shares an owner with Kettner Exchange downtown, so you can expect the same wow-worthy design quality. There’s great DJs playing house music all night long, and the crowd is young, fun and dancy. It’s the perfect place to groove the night away.
DAY 2
10:30 a.m.
Coffee at Drift Cafe
Should you find yourself drifting along Mission Boulevard, pop in for a caffeinated boost at Drift Cafe. Known for its elevated takes on traditional lattes, this Pacific Beach outpost whips up innovative bevvys like vanilla rose and honey lavender lattes. Drift Cafe also boasts all the traditional trademarks of a beach cafe—think organic textiles, vibrant murals and pops of greenery. This coastal cafe sources its beans from a local roaster, supporting the community through a full circle effect. Few things beat that first-sip feeling of the Hawaiian Latte, whose flavor notes pair perfectly with their breakfast bowls and toasties.
Noon
Shop at Hermosa Surf
A familiar-looking cousin of Orange County’s trending Daydream Surf Shop, Hermosa Surf might just be the most aesthetic outpost in all of San Diego. Perched above the sea cliffs in Bird Rock, PB’s next-door neighbor, this shop invites passerby to peruse curated clothing racks, whose fabrics range from custom neoprene to soft linen. Laminated hand-shaped boards double as decor. Meanwhile lush, tropical plants and artisan vintage home goods populate the shelves of this charming surf lounge. Complement your retail therapy with one of their dreamy homemade smoothies, whose consistencies emulate that of a concrete milkshake. We just can’t get enough of The Early Bird, a masala chai smoothie with banana, cauliflower, almond butter and dates topped with crunchy cacao nibs, hemp and crushed almonds.
2 p.m.
Lunch + Slushies at PB Shore Club
PB Shore Club is another well-known bar in the area just steps from the sand, so you’ll have some of the best ocean views in town. Grab a table on the outdoor, ocean-facing deck for lunch and watch people cruise down the boardwalk or lounge on the sand down below. They have great food (tacos, burgers, fish and chips—you name it), and there are always a fun events going on (come back for Wednesday night goldfish races!). They’re also known for their Red Bull vodka slushies. Try an Afternoon Delight to add a passionfruit or peach High Noon to yours!
4 p.m.
Bowling at BreakPoint PB
When’s the last time you went bowling? When most think of bowling, they think dirty shoes, grungy seats, cheap beer and dark rooms. However, Breakpoint PB is not your average bowling alley. This place is totally modern with an upscale vibe and fun atmosphere. It also has a restaurant, so half the place is filled with people enjoying lunch, and the other half is a party. There’s tons of natural light, along with wall art, teal leather seats and thirst-quenching handcrafted cocktails. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. on weeknights with great deals on draft beer, house wine, margaritas and well drinks.
Local Insight: Be sure to also check their calendar of upcoming events for live music shows!
7 p.m.
Sunset Dinner at Cannonball
By the time you leave this city, we want you to have at least made a small dent in the multitude of ocean-view experiences. The sunset views at Cannonball are absolutely breathtaking, but the menu of beautifully plated sushi is the main draw. The newly refreshed menu that debuted this past summer features cocktails like the mezcal-forward Smoke & Mirrors and inventive dishes like the Oishi Roll made with fried oyster. This is the perfect spot for your last meal in Pacific Beach, so soak up every second!
9:30 p.m.
Late-Night Cocktails at Captain’s Quarters
You may have heard of its sister bar, The Grass Skirt, but do you know about Captain’s Quarters? This spot opened up directly next door to The Grass Skirt, a famous PB speakeasy serving up tiki-style drinks. This one, however, is even perhaps even more unique. Inspired by the captain’s quarters on old 17th century ships, it literally feels like you’re stepping inside a vintage boat. It’s got walls lined with portholes that make it seem like you’re underwater and large, curtained windows with “sunset views” out on the high seas. When someone says try a cocktail here, the only correct answer is, “Aye aye, captain!”
