Marine Room
The Marine Room has long been one of the crown jewels of San Diego's dining scene, winning several awards from Sand Diego magazine. The restaurant is known as much for its classy cuisine as for its incredible in-your-face ocean views of picturesque La Jolla Shores. Indeed, over the years, the big window facing the ocean has been shattered several times after the coast was hit by huge storms. Culinary creations include sesame-peppered ruby red ahi tuna, pumpkin seed-crusted blue crab cakes, and cervena elk and venison. The Marine Room isn't cheap, but then again, it doesn't have to be.
The Marine Room
2000 Spindrift Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-7222
marineroom.com
The Fish Market
Situated on San Diego's famed Embarcadero right on San Diego Bay, the Fish Market offers panoramic views of what locals dub "The Big Bay," from the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge in the south to the Point Loma peninsula in the north. The Fish Market has a funky ground-floor restaurant with oyster and sushi bars and a wide variety of fresh seafood; the upstairs Top of the Market has a higher-end menu with such specialties as mesquite-grilled prawns, Grand Bank sea scallops and locally caught swordfish.
Fish Market
750 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-3474
thefishmarket.com
George's at the Cove
This elegant dining establishment is on La Jolla's famed Prospect Street, the upscale seaside community's answer to New York's Fifth Avenue or Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive. The ocean views are spectacular, particularly from the balcony patio bar, while the menu is inventive and dependable. Specialties include grilled Pacific spiny lobster, sea urchin bruschetta and a to-die-for wine list.
1250 Prospect St.
San Diego, CA 92037
(858) 454-4244
www.georgesatthecove.com
The Green Flash
The Green Flash, named after the green flash you often see when the sun sinks into the Pacific Ocean, is a popular seaside restaurant in the funky beach community of Pacific Beach. The patio dining area is right next to the boardwalk, a three-mile walkway that stretches all the way along the Mission Beach isthmus to Crystal Pier. The menu is continental casual, with such specialties as steamed clams, shrimp and scallop linguine and charbroiled top sirloin.
701 Thomas Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 270-7715
greenflashrestaurant.com
Shades Oceanfront Bistro
This casual oceanfront bistro, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is located in Ocean Beach, where the last vestiges of hippiedom cling on and locals like nothing more than to watch the sunset from the tip of one of the longest piers in all of California. Seafood is the name of the game here, with even breakfast specialties such as salmon scrambles and calamari benedict. For dinner, don't miss the halibut with lobster sauce, followed by a half-pound brownie.
5083 Santa Monica Ave.
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 222-0501
shadesob.com
