San Diego’s rooftop bars and restaurants with a view

To be honest, I fell in love with San Diego for its gorgeous scenery and 250 days of sunshine. And, because I’m not much of a hiker, I trade the trails for one of the SoCal city’s many rooftop bars and restaurants instead. Basically, I get the same views with zero effort—that’s a win in my book.

These rooftop gems come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From happy hour in the Gaslamp Quarter to hoppy pints in Pacific Beach, there’s a rooftop bar, brewery, or bistro with a view around every corner in San Diego. Here are my seven favorite places to sit and sip in the city. Just don’t forget your shades.

At first glance, the Intercontinental Hotel in the Marina District looks strait-laced, what you would expect for business travelers. But go up to the 19th floor, and you’ll step into a wonderland—literally. When the elevator doors open, you’re transported into a midnight fantasy of birdsong and twinkling stars. It’s dark and disorienting at first, until a secret door opens to Seneca, a retro Italian trattoria and cocktail bar.

Designed by AVRO|KO, each section is its own vignette: the open kitchen where you can watch the chefs roast food over a fire, the nautical dining room (think: copper ceilings, turquoise banquettes, seashell accents), and the stunning terrace with tasseled umbrellas, a garden of greenery, Poseidon statues, and a view of the San Diego bay. Even the bathrooms, done up in emerald tiles, are a vibe.

What to order: The Roman-inspired menu focuses on favorites like cacio e pepe pasta, prosciutto-wrapped melon, and grilled whole branzino. I prefer to share some small plates too, such as the truffle arancini and the wood-fired eggplant with whipped mascarpone. Follow that down with the passionfruit Como Spritz.

La Jolla is a glam seaside neighborhood to the north of downtown San Diego. When you’ve seen the sea lions and stumbled off the beach, walk up the main street, Girard Ave, to Trilogy Sanctuary. This boho-chic rooftop was created to be a community space—there’s an open-air studio for yoga and aerial classes, an organic plant-based café, and a boutique that sells sustainable clothes and skincare products. It also hosts regular events, including reiki and breathwork training, craft workshops, open-mic nights, full moon dance parties, and live music every Friday in the summertime. Check out the calendar to see the full line-up.

What to order: You must start with a smoothie; my go-to is Heavenly, a blend of almond and coconut milk, pitaya, strawberry, banana, dates, and almond butter. And don’t knock the food just because it’s vegan. The menu is massive, with toasts, tacos (the spicy mushroom asada is insane), salads, wraps, bowls, spring rolls, and more. For entrées, the enchiladas are fantastic as is the roasted spaghetti squash, drizzled in pine nut pesto.

The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego’s main nightlife district. It’s packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs, with the city’s beloved Petco Park smack dab in the middle of all the action. Though there are plenty of buzzy spots to choose from, I highly recommend The Nolen rooftop, which sits on the 14th-floor of the Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center hotel. It features sweeping skyline views, cozy outdoor fire pits (with blankets!), and an inventive list of barrel-aged cocktails). Plus, you’ll find a fun crowd if you come after a Padres baseball game.

What to order: I’m a fan of the About Damn Thyme cocktail, with honeydew infused gin, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, thyme syrup, and egg white. For a bit to eat, the menu is more finger food, but you won’t be disappointed with the spicy Korean chicken or the prosciutto, fig jam, and goat cheese flatbread.

Born & Raised is another brainchild by CH Projects—y’know, the all star team behind Ironside, Craft & Commerce, Underbelly, etc. After a $6.5 million overhaul, the former Nelson Photo Supply store in Little Italy was turned into a 10,000-square-foot, bi-level steakhouse, with a rooftop bar, a dry-aging room, a butcher station, and a garden to source the kitchen’s fresh herbs and produce. The best part? Every detail spells old-school elegance, from the handsome Art Deco decor (walnut walls, Italian leather booths, green marble tabletops) to the attentive service—waiters will mix martinis on retro cocktail carts, sear prime cuts of Wagyu beef tableside, and serve the city’s largest scotch selection.

Tip: Reservations for the main dining room can be hard to get, but there’s usually more space on the patio upstairs.

What to order: Come hungry because the meat-heavy menu is not for the faint of heart. There are both classic starters like the shrimp cocktail and creative plates like Burgundy-based escargot with bone marrow or the dry-aged meatball, served on a bed of creamy polenta. Take your pick of steak cuts and customize it with decadent toppings, such as king crab, lobster, blue cheese, or truffles.

Follow the surfers and skateboarders to laid-back Pacific Beach for a sunset drink by the ocean. Locals often gather at Amplified Ale Works for a hoppy, Belgian-style beer (or two) at its rock-themed rooftop. Grab a high-top or picnic table on the grass turf, and kick back with a pint of Power Chord Pale Ale or the popular Electrocuted IPA. Prefer a different pour? No worries, just request a flight to try the 20+ craft beers on tap. Bonus: You can bring your four-legged friends, too!

What to order: The team has upped the ante of standard American fare. The beer-battered tilapia tacos are always a hit, but when I’m in the mood for a burger, it’s a toss-up between the Main Stage patty—with goat cheese, fried onion, and candied bacon jam—and the Amp’d bun, loaded with feta, cabbage, sun-dried tomato tapenade, and tzatziki.

Opened in 1965 on top of the Manchester Financial Building in Bankers Hill, Mister A’s is a classy San Diego institution perfect for celebrating anniversaries or birthdays. An outdoor terrace wraps around the entire restaurant—the east side faces Balboa Park, the west side overlooks Point Loma—while the indoor dining room has wall-to-wall windows. But its real claim to fame is the view of the planes as they fly right above you upon lift off or landing at the airport nearby.

Mister A’s is open for dinner every night, and lunch is available Wednesdays through Fridays. There’s even a tasting menu on weekdays, but you need to reserve it in advance. Expect to find fun twists on traditional items, including caviar tater tots, lobster strudel, king salmon Wellington, and lion’s mane mushroom au poivre. Keep in mind, the portions are huge!

What to order: I’m dying to go to the jazz brunch on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instead of the usual morning mimosas, there are unique cocktails like bananas foster rum punch. If you want to keep it sweet, order the beignets or the brioche french toast with maple-whipped butter. For something savory, you can’t go wrong with the Kurobuta pork and sweet potato hash.

Stroll along the harbor to Portside Pier, a cutting-edge dining complex with a glass dome entrance, and head up the spiral staircase to Topsail (above Brigantine restaurant). The bar really comes alive at sunset, when you can wave to the booze cruises that float by in the bay below, and later, you’ll have a front-row spot to see the skyline sparkle at night. Plus, there’s plenty of space to go around—large lounge areas with couches and fire pits are great for groups. Visiting on a hot day? Cool down with a Seaway Frosé cocktail.

What to order: If you’re with friends, split the seafood platter that’s piled high with Maine lobster claws, poached shrimp, and oysters. Trust me, it’s worth the splurge. Otherwise, the grilled octopus, pork belly bánh mi bao buns, and truffle wagyu burger are all solid options.