Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [269]
World Famous (Map; 858-272-3100; 711 Pacific Beach Dr; mains breakfast & lunch $7-12, dinner $10-23; 7am-11pm) Watch the surf while enjoying ‘California coastal cuisine,’ an ever-changing menu of inventive dishes from the sea (banana rum mahimahi, bacon and spinach wrapped scallops), plus steaks, salads and lunchtime sandwiches and burgers and occasional specials like fish or lobster taco night. Popular at breakfast, too.
Gringo’s Cocina y Cantina (Map; 858-490-2877; 4474 Mission Blvd, Pacific Beach; mains lunch $8-14, dinner $12-20) Upbeat, contempo and vast, this kicky Mexican cantina serves up a roster of regional classics, from Oaxacan mole chicken to mango mustard-glazed salmon from Yucatán. The weekend brunch is popular too.
Jordan (Map; 858-270-5736; 723 Felspar St; mains breakfast $8-14, lunch $9-23, dinner $20-43; breakfast, lunch & dinner) A big heaping dose of chic amid PB’s congenital laid-backness. There’s both an ocean view and a futuristic interior (and most excellent bar scene). Sustainably farmed meats and seafood join local veggies to create festivals on the plate. Try dry scallops with crabmeat risotto, miso halibut and green onion ‘creamers’ (aka mashed potatoes).
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DRINKING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Bars & Clubs
CORONADO
Mc P’s Irish Pub (Map; 619-435-5280; www.mcpspub.com; 1107 Orange Ave) Dyed-in-the-wool Irish pub that’s been there for a generation. Pints o’ Guinness complement down-home Irish fare – corned beef, stew, meatloaf – as you listen to nightly live music from rock to Irish folk. Indoor and patio seating.
OCEAN BEACH
Winston’s (Map; 619-222-6822; www.winstonsob.com; 1921 Bacon St) Bands play most nights, and each night has a different happening: open mic, karaoke, poetry, Grateful Dead cover band, local artists, game day etc.
MISSION & PACIFIC BEACHES
In PB look for bars and clubs on and around Garnet Ave, as well as near the beach.
‘Canes (Map; 858-488-1780; www.canesbarandgrill.com; 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach) Tropical, beachside bar that books live music and mixes punk with beach boys (both on stage and off).
710 Beach Club ( 858-483-7844; www.710beachclub.com; 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach) The club books a solid lineup of blues musicians with the occasional rock act thrown in for good measure at PB’s main venue for live music.
Club Tremors ( 858-272-7278; 860 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach; cover up to $10; Wed-Sat) Popular with 20-somethings, Tremors has a well-dressed and coiffed crowd for dancing and a pickup scene. It’s adjacent to Pacific Beach Bar & Grill.
Moondoggies ( 858-483-6550; 832 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach) Next door to Club Tremors, Moondoggies has a large patio, big-screen TVs, pool tables, good food and an extensive tap selection.
Society Billiard Cafe ( 858-272-7665; 1051 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach; 11am-2pm) Why settle for a beat-up pool table in the back of a dark bar when you can visit San Diego’s plushest pool hall? The billiard room has 15 full-sized tables, snacks and a bar.
Coaster Saloon (Map; 858-488-4438; 744 Ventura Pl, Mission Beach) This old-fashioned neighborhood dive bar has front-row views of the Belmont Park roller coaster and draws an unpretentious crowd. Good margaritas.
Coffeehouses
Jungle Java (Map; 619-224-0249; 5047 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach; 7am-10pm summer, 7am-8pm winter) Funky-dunky, canopy-covered café and plant shop, also crammed with crafts and art treasures.
Newbreak Coffee Co & Café (Map; 619-224-6666; 1959 Abbot St, Ocean Beach; 7am-6pm) A popular hangout for teetotalers and caffeine junkies in bar-crazy OB, the Newbreak also has internet kiosks and wi-fi.
Zanzibar (Map; 858-272-4762; 976 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach; 7am-11pm; wi-fi) Popular for its focaccia pizza and homemade soups.
Café 976 (Map; 858-272-0976; 976 Felspar, Pacific Beach; 7am-11pm) Not everyone in PB spends the days surfing; some