
Note: Although the following restaurants draw tourists through the year, because they are either on or across from the beach, they are frequented more by local San Diegans who return to these favorite spots again and again – a good sign when you’re looking for an eatery in a city you’re not that familiar with. They are all in a one block area called ‘Restaurant Row’ in beautiful Cardiff by the Sea,
on South Coast Highway 101.
CHART HOUSE
2588 South Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff-by-the-sea, CA 92007 Ph: 760-438-4044
You’ll have a front seat to crashing waves and magnificent sunsets from this oceanfront restaurant. There is also a room available for private parties
Another great, oceanfront restaurant with exquisite coastal and ocean views and incredible cuisine. You can even enjoy your wedding dinner outside, as the Beach House provides heated patio dining upstairs and downstairs.
Charlie’s By the Sea
2526 South Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff, CA 92007- Ph: 760-942-1300
Charlie’s motto is ‘any closer and you’d be wet’. This popular, oceanfront dining spot features Coastal California cuisine and has an upstairs private dining room that will seat up to 44 people.
Las Olas
2655 South Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff, CA 92007 – Ph: 760-942-1860
For a more casual reception dinner, just across the street from the beach you can dine inside or outside on the patio of Las Olas Restuarant. This is a more casual, local eatery that features every Mexican dish you could want. The prices are good and the food is great.
Ki’s restaurant
2591 South Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007 – Ph: 760-436-5236
(www.kisrestaurant.com)
This coastal restaurant is across from the Cardiff beach on Highway 101. It offers an array of home cooking prepared in a healthy manner. To quote the owner Ki (Catherine), “It is our goal to serve low in saturated fat, great tasting, organic healthy food and drinks, while striving to have an atmosphere of friendless. Every customer is special at Ki’s.” The kitchen is downstairs and the food is served on the second floor, to take advantage of the view. If you prefer casual and healthy, Ki’s is for you.
Directions from Seaside Church to Restaurant Row in Cardiff. Turn left (South) out of the driveway to the first stop sign – Birmingham. Turn right (West) until you get to the stop light on Coast Highway 101. Turn left and you'll see all the restaurants on your right hand side (except Las Olas which is on the left), all looking out over the beach. There is ample parking in the restaurant lots and valet parking at The Beach House, Charlie’s By the Sea and The Chart House
For more San Diego restaurants visit Discover San Diego!