24 Rooftop Bars in San Diego with Breathtaking Views

Topside Terrace Kitchen and Bar is located atop the boutique Hotel Republic. It’s a decidedly relaxed yet refined spot that doesn’t attract large crowds and plies visitors with delicious dishes like pan-seared Wild Alaskan Salmon and crafted cocktails like a Basil Bomb: a vodka-based drink that’s a hybrid between a mojito and a basil smash. Combine all of that with a non-exorbitant price point (craft beer is just $7–$8), and you’ve found yourself a diamond in the rough.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Bagby Beer Company has been an Oceanside favorite for nearly a decade. The brewery features a rotating cast of beers (if you happen to be there when the You’re The Best is on tap, get it), as well a unique menu that features everything from Saucy Fries, a riff on classic poutine, to a Cheddar Smashburger, and Lomo Saltado, all of which can be made vegan on request.
How to book: Reserve your table via Tock. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Michelin-starred chef Akira Back is the force behind Lumi, an energetic rooftop concept featuring modern Japanese dishes with Nikkei and Korean influences, handcrafted cocktails, top-tier Japanese whiskies, and an excellent selection of sake, including Akira Back’s own label.
How to book: Reserve your table via SevenRooms. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

A rooftop pool bar in the middle of Gaslamp Quarter is great, but a rooftop pool bar in Gaslamp without a cover charge is an absolute dream come true. Companion to Jsix, the hotel restaurant downstairs, this spot might not be cheap, but the bartenders here pour strong drinks—and isn’t that what really matters? If you’re looking to save a couple bucks, visit during happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 5–7 pm when they offer $8 well cocktails, $6 draft beers and house wines, and $5 canned beers. On Wednesdays, they do 50% off bottles of wine and $8 wines by the glass, excluding bubbles, and Thirsty Thursdays get you 50% off house margaritas.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis. Poolside loungers and private cabanas can be booked through the Chief Concierge at 619-819-9583 for a daily fee, and includes pool access and amenities.

Take the smooth, silent elevator up to the rooftop deck of SKA Bar for Asian-inspired, spirit-forward cocktails like the purple-hued Dark Magician, made with white rum, taro, Singani, rhubarb liqueur, vanilla, lemon, and cream, or Professor Oak, an intriguing play on a classic Manhattan, using nori-infused rye, Amaro Nonino, and sweet vermouth. Snacks and shareable plates include four kinds of bao buns, Drunken Noodles, Korean Asada Fries, and a SKA Bar Double-Double.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

George’s at the Cove’s Ocean Terrace has stunning panoramic views of La Jolla Cove from nearly every seat in the house. The upscale cocktail menu by Trey Foshee features all the summery drinks you’d imagine, from margs and martinis to mojitos and micheladas. Stop by at lunchtime for achiote-marinated local Yellowtail Tacos on heirloom corn tortillas, or George’s famous black bean, broccoli, and smoked chicken soup, or at dinner for Steak Frites and Harissa Grilled Eggplant over lentil stew.
How to book: Reserve your table online. Prepaid, premium seating is also available for groups of one to four. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Perched atop the luxurious InterContinental San Diego, Garibaldi’s speakeasy-style rooftop bar and Sardinian-influenced restaurant feels like the perfect Mediterranean escape. Think handmade pastas, local seafood, and wild game; vibrant cocktails like the Sardinian Old Fashioned made with Longbranch Bourbon and Mirto liqueur; and curated selections of Italian beer and regional wines.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

If drinking outdoors is a San Diego tradition, then drinking outdoors at a brewery must be a local rite of passage. Kairoa pays homage to the owner’s New Zealand heritage with a menu replete with Kiwi-inspired food and brews. That means hearty dishes like Smoked Barbacoa Lamb Fries, and beers that utilize the country’s crown jewel hop varietal, Nelson hops. You’ll be hard pressed to find a joy more simple than digging into a juicy burger and chasing it down with a New Zealand IPA on this sunny, modern rooftop.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Blade 1936 is a welcome addition to Oceanside’s rapidly emerging dining scene. Located in the same building that housed the former Oceanside Blade-Tribune newsroom, Blade 1936 pays homage to the heritage of America’s Finest City (with authentic retro newsprint covering the walls), while offering a modern take on Neapolitan-style Italian cuisine just a few blocks from the pier. Wood-fired pizza with rooftop ocean views will never not be good.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Firehouse has become a Pacific Beach institution by f​​ocusing on two things: offering an excellent boozy brunch during the daytime (Crème Brûlée French Toast!), and really leaning into the dance lounge vibes at night, all with an ocean view. Brunch is served every day until 3 pm, and dinner features a menu of American comfort favorites like a Firehouse Burger with maple-peppercorn bacon and New England Clam Chowder. Day or night, the chill atmosphere and gorgeous views keep us coming back.
How to book: Reserve a table online via Tock. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Spend any amount of time at Born & Raised, and the adjective “elevated” will likely come to mind. The entire experience is opulent yet eccentric; the decor is ornate and seemingly inspired by the roaring ‘20s (think marble bar tops and waiters in white dinner coats), but sprinkled with recent pop culture references. The menu reflects that eccentricity as well: there’s a 21-day Dry-Aged Duck to pair with an over-the-top dessert like a giant Chocolate Macaron emblazoned with the Wu-Tang logo. Come prepared to spend a pretty penny in exchange for one of the best food and beverage experiences of your life.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

At 22 stories, ALTITUDE is the highest open-air rooftop bar in the area, which means you’ll have better views of the city here than anywhere else. In addition to the bird's eye view of the city, ALTITUDE’s location next to Petco Park also means you can catch a free ball game, as well as views of the Coronado Bridge and Point Loma. The bar rarely has a cover, but it does have a dress code, so don’t show up dressed like you just rolled out of bed and you should be good.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

Whether you choose Pacific Beach’s panoramic ocean vistas or the East Village’s bird’s eye view into Petco Park, head brewer Cy Henley’s musically inspired tap list and celebrated collection of music memorabilia make Amplified Ale works a must-visit on any beer lover’s best brewery list. The kitchen creates some of the tastiest kebabs in San Diego, too, so it’s the perfect stop if you’re craving lunch or dinner.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

Apart from the scores of tourists that are sure to be at Cannonball on any given day, the bar has an unobstructed view of the beach and the best people watching in San Diego with the crowds that populate Ocean Front Walk. Seafood dominates the menu, with sushi rolls, sashimi, oysters, and crab legs, plus a Cannonball Burrito in a sesame soy wrap with shrimp tempura, crab, tuna, avocado, cream cheese, cucumber, cilantro, green onions, and spicy mayo. The beverage menu features a handful of classic cocktails with beach-inspired ingredients, like the Mission Beach Mai Tai with white rum, pineapple, orange juice, and dark rum, local draft beers, seltzers, plenty of wine by the glass or bottle, as well as sake and Japanese whisky.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

An excellent date spot, Catania serves up some of the best coastal Italian food in San Diego in a relaxed environment with a view of La Jolla’s picturesque downtown. Start with one of their spirit-forward craft cocktails, like a Maple Old Fashioned, or a selection from the ever-changing wine list. Handmade pastas are the stars of the menu: try the Duck Sugo Orecchiette, or order the wood-fired Pizza Margherita.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Too often, lists like these neglect North County, which is outright silly. Just one block off the beach, Hello Betty presents stunning views of the Oceanside Pier. It can get busy up there with people throwing back oyster shooters and ceviche and beers, but the unparalleled surf and sunset views make it worth the wait.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

There might not be a more “hip” neighborhood right now than Little Italy. Between flashy new spots like Wolfie’s Carousel Bar and Camino Riviera to tried-and-true mainstays such as Ironside Fish & Oyster and Juniper & Ivy opening in the past few years, Little Italy has become THE place for daring new restaurant ventures, and Kettner Exchange is here to make sure libations are taken care of in a gorgeous, two-story rooftop setting. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, book a cabana and enjoy craft cocktail decanters and private, self-serve beer taps, plus unique chef creations.
How to book: Reserve a table online via Tock. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

A 14-story jewel in the Gaslamp, The Nolen features a patio and a rooftop—including a communal fire pit—because why not? Its beautiful setting underlies an immersive cocktail menu, featuring can't-miss drinks like the Nolen Old Fashion and new-age cocktails like a Nolen Smash. Soak up the booze with bar bites like Buratta and Roasted Peach and Chili Glazed Meatballs. Happy hour discounts select cocktails and snacks to $7 on Monday–Wednesday from 5–7 pm and Sunday from 3–7 pm.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Straight up, the best view in San Diego might be from Mister A’s. Its location just outside the heart of downtown in Banker’s Hill gives you a view of the entire city in all its splendor, from the airport to the bay. The kitchen makes incredible Mac and Cheese with black truffle and pancetta that we won’t judge you for ordering as your main. Sip on a signature Burnt Orange Old Fashioned, or a retro, barrel-aged Espresso Martini for a sophisticated finish.
How to book: Reservations are required.

When Gaslamp is a complete shitshow and you want a bit of a reprieve from insane lines and fighting for first-come table space, head to Rustic Root. The super-relaxed atmosphere pairs really well with the rooftop view for watching the masses as they roll down Sixth Ave. The cocktail menu showcases classics like daiquiris and sidecars, while the food highlights New American comfort dishes with a California twist, like the Filet Frites, featuring pan-roasted filet mignon, blue cheese butter, truffle fries, and black garlic aioli.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Another Downtown rooftop bar located in the shadow of Petco Park, Level 9 has one advantage over all the other rooftop bars—it’s dog friendly. Located atop the Hotel Indigo, Level 9 lets you have a beer or three with your canine pal at elevation, and you’ve never experienced a conversation like having a boozy heart-to-heart with your dog about how much you love him/her while standing nine floors up.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

Sometimes, the designers of rooftop spaces will sacrifice atmosphere in order to make a location look chic. Far too often a rooftop will look awesome, but be filled with stuffy people. That’s definitely not the case at El Prez. If you’re looking to let your hair down and have a good time, this is the spot. Margaritas and slushies rule here, and they make a mean Mai Tai.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

Much like Altitude and Level 9, Fairweather offers a great view of Petco, but unlike the former two options, Fairweather is a bit more intimate and laidback. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in killer cocktails; the bartenders here are some of the best in San Diego, and their gin drinks (particularly the Singapore Sling) are all to die for.
How to book: Rooftop seats are available on a first-come basis.

This fine dining Italian restaurant isn’t exactly the “sandals and tequila shots” rooftop joint you might be looking for, but if you're after great food for a decent price that comes with a stunning view, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location. Get the antipasto della casa, a sampler that includes prosciutto di Parma, caprese, bruschetta, and grilled artichoke—it's what Enoteca is known for.