With 70 miles of sparkling Pacific coastline plus gorgeous stretches of bayfront, San Diego’s watery wonders are the place to be in summertime. But what to do if you want to enjoy eats at the beach without leaving the beach? We’ve got you covered with this handy roundup of aquatically adjacent places to pick up a quick bite and savor it by the shoreline:
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Where: 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 The Vibe: Stunning views meet beautiful music Top Items: Picnic box, ahi poke bowl, Lola 55 tacos, Cali Cream ice cream The San Diego Symphony’s gorgeous bayfront concert venue offers plenty of foodie delights when a show is happening. The culinary program, headed by “Top Chef” alum Richard Blais, includes in-seat dinners, picnic boxes and a tempting variety of a la carte options, from tacos to gourmet popcorn.
Torrey Pines Gliderport
Where: 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 The Vibe: Deli and daredevils Top Items: Breakfast burritos, Torrey Cheese pizza, deli sandwiches You can go jump off a bluff at the Torrey Pines Gliderport — the landmark hang-gliding spot perched high above the sparkling Pacific. Or you can watch others do it (with help from the gliderport’s on-site experts, of course) as you scarf an alfresco sandwich or salad at the location’s one-of-a-kind cafe, an ideal spot for both dining and spectating.
Moonlight Beach
Where: 400 B St Encinitas, CA 92024 The Vibe: Gourmet beach grub Top Items: Smoked salmon avocado toast, Tijuana-style hot dogs, potato coconut curry tacos A beachside snack bar doesn’t have to be all corn dogs and Coke — and the culinary duo known as Beach Wolf proves it in style at cozy, family-friendly Moonlight Beach in Encinitas with its inventive eats. Besides tacos, sandwiches and more, the spot also offers coffees, teas and natural sodas to take back to your towel. All this, plus ramen every Friday night!
Taco Shack at the Hotel del Coronado
Where: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 The Vibe: Sun-splashed taco nirvana Top Items: Chicken tinga, carne asada, vegan mushroom poblano tacos Tacos by the beach are nice. Tacos on the beach are indisputably better. And that’s the big draw of the Hotel del Coronado’s Beach & Taco Shack — besides, of course, the place’s menu of something-for-everybody Mexican specialties. Nothing quite like tucking into a taco while sticking your toes in the sand.
Belmont Park
Where: 3190 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109 The Vibe: Boardwalk picnic bliss Top Items: Waffle cones, fresh-squeezed lemonade, funnel cake A classic beach institution deserves classic beach cuisine, and Belmont Park — the venerable boardwalk amusement park in Mission Beach — offers all that and then some, from the takeout burgers at Belmonty’s to the longtime favorite Hot Dog on a Stick to yummy specialties from the Sweet Shoppe.
SuperBloom
Where: 2688 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109 The Vibe: Bayside delights Top Items: Blue cheese flatbread, lemon cream biscuits, Sandy Beach latte Situated in the lovably retro former information center that now houses the Mission Bay Beach Club, Superbloom serves creative takes on breakfast and lunch favorites, complete with a range of custom coffees, plus a full menu of beer, wine and cocktails. And the views of Mission Bay can’t be beat.
Carlsbad Camp Store
Where: 7201 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 The Vibe: Elevated camp food Top Items: “Surfsquatch” pizza, parmesan truffle tots This once-humble outpost at South Carlsbad State Beach in San Diego’s North Coastal region has become an in-spot for ocean-close eats and live-music happenings. The nearby picnic tables offer perfect perches for watching the waves while enjoying pizza, beer and more.
Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle
Where: 1776 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 The Vibe: Burgers and boats Top Items: Chicken pot pie sausage, fuego dog, chicken lumpia This spot on San Diego Bay’s scenic Shelter Island bills itself as “San Diego’s only craft beer bar that’s literally on the water,” and it’s hard to argue with that — except to say there’s much more here than beer. The place’s creative takes on burgers, dogs and other delights will get you blissed-out as you watch the harbor boat traffic glide by from your vantage point on a bench or patch of grass.
Tin Fish at the Oceanside Pier
Where: 302 The Strand North, Oceanside, CA 92054 The Vibe: Classic seafood faves Top Items: Halibut sandwich, fried cod taco, mixed seafood grill Tucked away at the base of the Oceanside Pier, Tin Fish serves up can’t-miss seafood classics almost right on the sand. Take your plate onto the boardwalk or up onto the pier for a perfect summer dining experience under the SoCal sun.
Portside Coffee & Gelato at Portside Pier
Where: 1360 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 The Vibe: Sweet harborside treats Top Items: Gelato and waffle cones, white chocolate mocha You deserve a little ice cream in your summertime life, and Portside Gelato & Coffee has just what you need —not to mention plenty of caffeine to help fuel your explorations of San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero. Pop by for a gelato and a latte, and take in Portside Pier’s stunning views of the bay and San Diego’s soaring skyline.
Carnitas Snack Shack
Where: 1004 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 The Vibe: Mexican and more Top Items: Shack Burger, carnitas tacos Just a short jaunt down the Embarcadero from Portside Pier is the much-loved Carnitas Snack Shack, serving everything from fish tacos to sandwiches to the namesake pork specialty. It’s a great spot to grab lunch or a snack before stepping onto the Coronado ferry or embarking on a harbor cruise.
Jeff’s Beach Burgers
Where: 2134 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037 The Vibe: Ultimate SoCal beach grub Top Items: El Jefe burger, chicken souvlaki, curly fries A fixture of the La Jolla Shores neighborhood for decades, Jeff’s is as authentic as it gets among casual beachside food favorites. Grab a burger or Jeff’s famous fries here and then stroll over to the sand or grassy Kellogg Park for your perfect summer picnic.
