Where to Find Drinks With a View in Oceanside
BY ANDREW BENDER
Among the many reasons to love Oceanside’s beachside location — and there are many — drinks with a view. What better way to experience ocean breezes, the world-class surf scene, and striking sunsets than with a refreshing glass of bubbles or local craft beer?
Read on for some of the best spots to grab a drink with a view in Oceanside. (Then check out our favorite coffee spots to help you get going again in the morning.)
THE ROOFTOP BAR
The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific certainly lives up to its name. Adjacent to the striking pool deck, The Rooftop Bar offers an unobstructed view six stories above Oceanside’s iconic pier, the longest on the West Coast at over 1,942 feet (almost 600 meters), and its perpetual bevy of surfers, cyclists, fitness fanatics, and beach goers. Choose your seating — front-row ocean views, deck chairs, or comfy couches — and watch the sensational scene unfold.
Specialty cocktails span the Mexican-inspired Torrey Pines (tequila, amaro blanc, grapefruit, and palo santo syrup) to the Asian-inflected Seaside (gin, yuzu liqueur, celery bitters, and shiso). Order a Jetty cocktail (mixed rums, mezcal, and bitters), and a portion of the sale goes to support local elite surfers through Mission Pacific’s partnership with USA Surfing. Of course, there’s plenty to choose from for wine and beer lovers as well.
VALLE
Valle’s indoor/outdoor setting right along Pacific Street facing the beach also positions you for some standout sunsets and sundowners. At the Guadalupe Valley-inspired bar and restaurant, Baja vinos and cervezas take center stage. Not to be missed: the dining menu by Executive Chef Roberto Alcocer. It’s a delectable selection echoing his native Baja California designed to be paired with good drinks and celebrate good times.
THE SHORE ROOM
Across the street at The Seabird Resort, The Shore Room has a generous, ocean-view balcony dotted with sofas and fire pits for that California beach vibe. Its streetside location allows for both great people watching and peering through the palms toward the pier and the vast Pacific. Here, you can sample a wide selection of California and international wines, local microbrews on tap, and signature, nautical-themed cocktails like the Yacht Rock (spicy tequila, Chartreuse, honey, celery, and lime) and Captain’s Quarters (bourbon, Madeira, vanilla, and root beer bitters). Plus, on Sunday evenings from 5-8 p.m., look for The Shore Room’s “stripped-down performances” by local artists.
Need something to nibble on? The Shore Room’s food menu stands out from standard bar fare. Case in point: seared tuna comes with fennel pollen crackers, calamansi ponzu aioli, avocado, piquillo peppers, and harissa coulis. Even French fries and fried calamari are zhuzhed up, served with comeback sauce, the sweet and tangy Southern staple. Plus, all ingredients are locally and sustainably sourced.
LIGHTHOUSE OYSTER BAR AND GRILL
You may not want to leave the resorts, but if you do, Oceanside Harbor is just a short hop away. Here, the family-owned Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill has lots of hometown charm and a picture-perfect dockside location. Expect classic cocktails like Bloody Marys, margaritas, mojitos, and mules, popular and “interesting” wines, and beers, both bottled and on draft. Lunch or dinner (and weekend brunch), look for Californian and Mexican favorites from cioppino (Italian fish stew) to surf and turf tacos, pastas, grills, and the freshest of fish and seafood, all of which make the views that much better. Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill, 262 Harbor Drive South, Suite 201, Oceanside
STRATFORD AT THE HARBOR
Another harbor waterfront favorite, Stratford at the Harbor looks out over rows and rows of docked sailboats then out to the ocean. Open only for breakfast and lunch, this casual eatery is a great spot for a lingering afternoon meal or a midday drink break. You’re on vacation, after all. Stratford at the Harbor, 280 Harbor Drive, Oceanside
PACIFIC COAST SPIRITS DISTILLERY AND KITCHEN
Dedicated to crafting small batch spirits that range from brandy to bourbon, gin to vodka, this local distillery also boasts a family-friendly restaurant where you can pair bar food favorites, featuring a fresh, Californian-style twist with the tasty tipples. Located in downtown Oceanside, the outdoor patio is situated near the tall palm-fringed stretch of Coast Highway 101 adding to the sunny, California feel. Pacific Coast Spirits Distillery and Kitchen, 404 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside
DRINK AND DINE DEALS FOR LOCALS
Together with The Seabird Resort, our Hang Ten program offers Oceanside locals 10% off drinks and dining at The Rooftop Bar, The Shore Room, and The Seabird Resort’s Piper.
FIND ALL THE HANG TEN DETAILS HERE
