San Diego's Beach Cities' Eats and Drinks

by Erin Chambers - Citysearch Editor - 9,287 Reviews - 164 Lists

Updated: July 27, 2006

Whether you dig and casual, hippee vibe of OB, the college frat-boy atmosphere of PB or the family-friendly Carlsbad sea wall, we've got the San Diego beach cities covered. From eats to drinks, sandy beaches to rocky cliffs, check out what our editors love along the coast.

On this page:Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Cardiff/Solana Beach, Carlsbad/Oceanside, Windansea/Birdrock, Coronado.

Ocean Beach

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended The 3rd Corner
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    2265 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

    Ocean Beach wine shop also houses a comfortable, casual-chic restaurant and wine bar backed by bigtime San Diego foodies.

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Hodads Restaurant
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    5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Olive Tree Marketplace
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    4805 Narragansett Ave, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

  4. 4 Pacific Shores
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    4927 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

    Newport Avenue dive attracts a familiar OB crowd with funky digs and cheap drinks.

  5. 5 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Catalina Lounge
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    4202 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

  6. 6 4 Star Rating: Recommended Vine
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    1851 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

Mission Beach

  1. 7 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended The Beachcomber
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    2901 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    A stones throw from the beach, this South Mission dive comes complete with surfers and sand on the floor.

  2. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Wave House Athletic Club
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    3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

  3. 9 Canes Bar and Grill
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    3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

  4. 10 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Wave House Athletic Club
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    3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    San Diego's Premier Beachside Fitness Center

Pacific Beach

  1. 11 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Green Flash
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    710 Thomas Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    Shrimp, fish and king crab legs reign at this waterfront bar and grill on North Pacific Beach.

  2. 12 4 Star Rating: Recommended Turquoise Street Bistro
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    873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach, CA 92109 (map)

  3. 13 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended World Famous
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    711 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    The lines are long at this local, beachfront favorite, but boardwalk people-watching makes waiting for a table very entertaining.

  4. 14 3 Star Rating: Average Bar West
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    959 Hornblend St, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    The beach scene gets chic off Garnet with a stylish restaurant and lounge that caters to the downtown crowd.

  5. 15 4 Star Rating: Recommended 710 Beach Club
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    710 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

  6. 16 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Belgian Frie -- CLOSED
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    4614 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    Don't call 'em French at PB's sohpisticated Belgian snack featuring famous twice-fried fries, dozens of dippers and a breakfast menu.

  7. 17 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe 976
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    976 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

  8. 18 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Typhoon Saloon
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    1165 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    Just consider this place the biggest drink and dance emporium in all of Pacific Beach.

La Jolla

  1. 19 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Cheese Shop
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    2165 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

  2. 20 Torry Pines State Reserve and Beach
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    16500 North Torrey Pines Rd, San Diego, CA 92037 (map)

    In addition to a pristine sandy beach, this wilderness reserve also boats hiking trails, guided nature tours and bird watching.

  3. 21 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Marine Room Restaurant
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    2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

    If money is no object, this La Jolla waterfront jewel is the ultimate elegant indulgence in both cuisine and decor.

  4. 22 1 Star Rating: Poor The Cottage
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    7202 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

    Cozy restaurant, known for California-style breakfasts, also serves lunch in the heart of La Jolla's village.

  5. 23 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Cendio
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    909 Prospect Ave, Ste 290, La Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

    Latin American and Caribbean-inspired plates and cocktails on La Jolla's Prospect Street please the young professional crowd.

Del Mar

  1. 24 3.5 Star Rating: Average Sbicca An American Bistro
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    215 15th St, Del Mar, CA 92014 (map)

    The world's best flavors are showcased at this seaside bistro which features some of California's top views and wine selections.

  2. 25 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe Del Mar
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    1247 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 (map)

  3. 26 3 Star Rating: Average Americana Restaurant
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    1454 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 (map)

Encinitas

  1. 27 Sbicca Encinitas Restaurant
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    897 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  2. 28 1 Star Rating: Poor Daley Double Cocktail Lounge
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    546 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  3. 29 3 Star Rating: Average Gaffney's Wine Bar
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    897 S Coast Hwy 101 Ste F102, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  4. 30 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Rico's Taco Shop
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    165 S El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  5. 31 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended St Tropez Bistro
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    947 S Coast Highway 101 Ste 103D, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  6. 32 4 Star Rating: Recommended Longboard Grotto Surf Shop
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    978 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

    Beachside store in Encinitas offers everything longboards, from videos and books to boards, accessories and memorabilia.

  7. 33 4 Star Rating: Recommended Leucadia Pizzeria
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    315 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  8. 34 1.5 Star Rating: Poor Moonlight Beach Motel
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    233 2nd St, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

  9. 35 D Street Bar and Grill
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    485 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

    Encinitas sports bar welcomes families before sunset but turns strictly adults-only after hours with live music and cocktail lounge appeal.

Cardiff/Solana Beach

  1. 36 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Cardiff Seaside Market
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    2087 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007 (map)

  2. 37 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Belly Up Tavern
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    143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

  3. 38 3.5 Star Rating: Average Brigantine Seafood
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    3263 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 (map)

  4. 39 Cedros Soles
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    143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

  5. 40 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Pizza Port-Solana Beach Brwry
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    135 N Highway 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

  6. 41 The Beach House
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    2530 S Coast Hwy, Cardiff, CA 92007 (map)

    Contemporary seafood restaurant in Solana Beach offers upscale ambience and a spectacular ocean view.

  7. 42 4 Star Rating: Recommended Naked Cafe
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    106 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

Carlsbad/Oceanside

  1. 43 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Pizza Port-Carlsbad Brewery
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    571 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (map)

  2. 44 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Ocean House Restaurant
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    300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (map)

  3. 45 4 Star Rating: Recommended West Steak Seafood & Spirits
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    4980 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (map)

  4. 46 4 Star Rating: Recommended Ruby's Diner
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    1 Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, CA 92054 (map)

  5. 47 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Longboarder Cafe
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    228 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054 (map)

  6. 48 2 Star Rating: Below Average Rockin Baja Lobster
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    258 Harbor Dr S, Oceanside, CA 92054 (map)

Windansea/Birdrock

  1. 49 Black's Beach
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    Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, San Diego, CA 92037 (map)

    Secluded, notorious nude beach is a prime surfing spot just south of Torrey Pines State Beach.

  2. 50 Windansea Surfboards
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    3780 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    Providing surfers with quality boards and equipment since 1959. Complete surf needs from wetsuits to men's and women's beach apparel.

  3. 51 Birdrock Bikini
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    5651 La Jolla Blvd, San Diego, CA 92037 (map)

    Upscale bastion for sun bathers carries designer swimsuit labels like Vitamin A, Aaron Change, Red Carter and more.

  4. 52 3 Star Rating: Average Windansea Pilates
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    504 Nautilus St, LA Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

    Personalized instruction is the specialty at this seaside Pilates studio where expert professionals tailor workouts to your needs.

Coronado

  1. 53 Coronado Farmer's Market
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    First at B St, Coronado, CA 92128 (map)

    Fresh, locally grown produce and flowers are worth a weekly drive over the bridge.

  2. 54 3.5 Star Rating: Average Peohe's
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    1201 1st St Ste 3, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

  3. 55 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Tartine
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    1106 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

  4. 56 3.5 Star Rating: Average Mc P's Irish Pub & Grill
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    1107 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

  5. 57 4 Star Rating: Recommended Hotel del Coronado
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    1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

  6. 58 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Il Fornaio
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    1333 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)