With summer vacation right around the corner, plenty of Arizonans are making their annual escape to the coast – and they’re going to need some solid spots to eat. Whether it’s a smoked shrimp Benedict served in a cloud of cocktail smoke or an award-winning taco that lives up to the hype, these six standout restaurants offer more than just a meal, they serve up a full-on SoCal experience.
Step into a festival atmosphere with dazzling drinks at this electrifying new brunch spot. 6th and G flips the script on your typical morning meal with waffle pops (in s’mores, blueberry, and maple bacon flavors), matcha flood pancakes, Turkish eggs, and the show-stopping shrimp katsu benedict. Enjoy cocktails wrapped in smoke bubbles, raining cotton candy garnishes, and over-the-top Bloody Marys that are practically a full feast.
Laid-back vibes meet flavor at The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach. Sip on crafted cocktails, sample the rotating lineup of brews, and indulge in mouthwatering coastal American dishes like the surf n’ turf, a 9 oz. ribeye paired with broiled lobster tail, set atop roasted poblano rice and drizzled with hot butter at this surf haven.
A local gem in Mission Beach, Sandbar is the place to sip a refreshing cocktail while enjoying front-row ocean views. The view, paired with an inventive drink menu and fish tacos, make every bite and sip feel like a vacation. Make sure to put the award-winning TKO Style Taco – a grilled filet of white fish wrapped in a cotija cheese-crusted tortilla, topped with chipotle aioli, escabeche slaw, lime crema, guacamole, onion strings, and fried cilantro – on your list of things to try.
Taqueria mainstay City Tacos offers locations across San Diego, with nearly every taco under $5. There are around 20 different items on the menu, including several varieties of fish tacos, vegetarian and vegan options. The savings continue on Taco Tuesdays with 10 percent off all food along with $2.50 Mexican beers.
With five indoor and outdoor bars, daily entertainment, DJs, and an open-air patio, Mavericks is where summer memories are made. Guests can fuel up with ahi nachos, piled high with fresh tuna, wonton chips, sriracha aioli, avocado, mango salsa, jalapeños, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and furikake. This Pacific Beach staple captures the spirit of summer, whether you’re sipping a frozen drink or dancing past midnight.
An eclectic, energetic escape, The Smoking Gun is a neighborhood bar full of character. Sip on a creative cocktail and enjoy the lingering scent of smoked meat while diving into a basket of signature smoking wings. Enhanced by bold sauces such as honey mustard, maple sriracha, or fiery pineapple habanero, The Smoking Gun’s crackling atmosphere and bar fare brings visitors back night after night.
