San Diegans who don’t want the hassle of waking up early to set up a picnic for a day at the beach can still experience ocean views and at one of many restaurants along the coast.
And several of these eateries have a happy hour menu. Locals can save money, take in a sea breeze and catch a sunset, from Oceanside to Coronado.
Here are 11 places to cash in on food and drink deals, whether that’s sushi in Belmont Park, tacos in Harbor Island or margaritas in La Jolla.
333 Pacific: Eight and 10 are the lucky numbers for guests during happy hour at 333 Pacific. There are eight appetizers for $10 each, including lobster bisque, meatballs, black mussels and a Caesar salad. The happy hour menu also features $8 draft beers and $10 glasses of wine. The steakhouse and seafood restaurant is adjacent to the Oceanside Pier, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 3 to 6 p.m. daily. 333 N. Pacific St., Oceanside. 760-433-3333, 333pacific.com
Bluewater Grill’s oysters on the half shell. (Bluewater Grill)
Bluewater Grill: Docked boats and views of Glorietta Bay are the backdrop for the two-story Bluewater Grill in Coronado. Highlights of the happy hour menu are four oysters on the half shell and a burger and fries for $14 each. Other specials include two blackened fish tacos for $10, a spicy tuna roll for $10, $6 garlic parmesan fries, $6 beers and $9 house cocktails. 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. 1701 Strand Way, Coronado. 619-435-0155, bluewatergrill.com
Cannonball: For those who enjoy Belmont Park, Cannonball gives guests a second-floor view of Mission Bay’s boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean. This Asian fusion eatery’s happy hour menu provides eight different sushi rolls for $9 each, such as yellowtail, salmon and albacore. Nigiri is served for $8 each and comes with two pieces of either salmon, tuna or yellowtail. Additionally, house wines are $7 per glass, draft beers are $8 and a lychee martini is $10. 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego. 858-228-9304, belmontpark.com/restaurants-san-diego-ca/cannonball
C-Level’s happy hour menu includes chicken potstickers and calamari. (Cohn Restaurant Group)
C Level: With panoramas of Coronado, downtown San Diego and Point Loma, C Level in Harbor Island is a restaurant for those who want to capture the sights and sounds of San Diego Bay. The happy hour menu comprises drinks, cocktails and a few starter plates. Food items are all $11, including chicken potstickers, coconut shrimp and calamari. Plus, the happy hour menu also lists zero-proof drinks such as $9 mocktails and $6 alcohol-free beers. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego. 619-298-6802, clevelsd.com
Coasterra’s happy hour menu mixes signature cocktails and appetizers such as ceviche, guacamole, and chips, calamari and chicken tinga tostadas.
(Cohn Restaurant Group)
Coasterra: Modern Mexican food is what Coasterra provides on Harbor Island. Customers have happy hour options such as a ceviche plate, chicken tinga tostadas and calamari for $11 each. Drink deals include $6 draft beers and $11 signature cocktails and house wine. The restaurant offers panoramic outdoor seating with sights of the San Diego Bay and downtown San Diego. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 880 B Harbor Island Drive, San Diego. 619-814-1300, coasterra.com
Dini’s By The Sea: San Diegans can see sunsets over Carlsbad State Beach while sitting on the outdoor front patio at Dini’s By The Sea during happy hour. Food specials include $19 shareable flatbreads, $17 baked oysters Rockefeller and $15 crab cakes. The happy hour drinks are $2 off beers and glasses of wine, $4 off pitchers of beer and cocktails ranging from $7 to $9. 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 3290 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad. 760-434-6000, dinisbythesea.com
Il Fornaio: Next to the Coronado Ferry and San Diego Bay is Il Fornaio, providing an Italian happy hour. The menu, available in the bar area, offers a margherita pizza and an Italian sausage, mushroom and bell pepper pizza for $14 each, beef meatballs in a tomato sauce for $13 and a ciabatta sandwich with eggplant, cherry tomatoes and pesto for $10. Italian wines are $8 per glass and Italian and domestic beers are $7. 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 1333 First St., Coronado. 619-437-4911, ilfornaio.com/coronado
Monarch Ocean Pub’s potato and gruyere croquettes. (Ashley Galando)
The rooftop view at Monarch Ocean Pub in Del Mar. (Ashley Galando)
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Monarch Ocean Pub’s potato and gruyere croquettes. (Ashley Galando)
Monarch Ocean Pub: On the Del Mar Plaza’s top deck, sports fans can watch their favorite teams at the bar and take in views of the Pacific Ocean while getting some meal deals. During happy hour, there are eight food items for $8, such as a smash burger with American cheese and mustard-grilled onions, a halibut fish sandwich and a parmesan pistachio and chili pasta. There is also a Mexican lager and glasses of wine for $7 each. 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. 858-925-6047, monarchdelmar.com/
The $20 burger and beer combo on the happy menu at The Beverly in Pacific Beach. (Kelsey Fordahl)
Panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean at The Beverly in Pacific Beach. (Kelsey Fordahl)
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The $20 burger and beer combo on the happy menu at The Beverly in Pacific Beach. (Kelsey Fordahl)
The Beverly: In Pacific Beach, there are different deals of the week depending on the day at The Beverly. Tacos, tequila shots and draft beers are 50% off from noon till 2 a.m. on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, guests can get a burger and a beer or a salad and a spritz for $20. Also, Thursdays feature 50% off blended drinks, ceviche and salads. Plus, every weekday, signature cocktails are 50% off from 3 to 6 p.m. Specials can be enjoyed on the rooftop with views of the Pacific Ocean. 4190 Mission Blvd., San Diego. 858-750-2512, thebeverlypb.com
The Birdseye: On the rooftop of the Cormorant Boutique Hotel is The Birdseye, giving guests scenic views of the La Jolla Cove, tide pools and bay. The happy hour bargains are $6 beers, $8 glasses of red and white wine, $12 margaritas, $12 garlic parmesan fries, $14 ceviche and a $16 pepperoni flatbread. 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 1110 Prospect St, La Jolla. 858-203-3565, birdseyerooftop.com
Sunset views at Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Beach. (Ashley Galando)
Wonderland Ocean Pub’s fire dancer cocktail and fish tacos, both on the happy hour menu. (Ashley Galando)
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Sunset views at Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Beach. (Ashley Galando)
Wonderland Ocean Pub: Wonderland Ocean Pub gives customers second-floor sights of Ocean Beach and its pier, with happy hour specials every weekday. Customers can order $5 fish tacos, the $10 New England-style poutine with clam chowder, bacon, two types of cheeses, fries and clams, $10 coconut chicken strips and an $11 smash burger. There are also drink deals, including $5 draft beers and $8 glasses of house wine. 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 5083 Santa Monica Ave., San Diego. 619-255-3358, wonderlandob.com