Paul Kushner
Elevate your San Diego experience with our latest article, a tribute to the best rooftop bars in San Diego.
Perched above the urban hustle, these elevated havens offer not just drinks, but stunning panoramic views of sunsets over the Pacific and city lights.
From chic lounges to vibrant hangouts, join us in discovering where to sip, savor, and socialize while soaking in the skyline’s splendor.
Get ready to raise your glass to the pinnacle of San Diego’s nightlife.
The Nolen
453 Sixth Ave #7007, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 796-6536
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The Nolen is a 14-story high rooftop bar and lounge at the corner of Island Ave and 6th, near the Gaslamp district.
It offers incredible panoramic city views, the perfect backdrop for swanky cocktails or Saturday brunch.
They have an impressive selection of small-batch spirits from San Diego and across the US, which you can enjoy in drinks like the Padre Punch and, my favorite, You Had Me at Aloha.
Cannonball
3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 228-9304
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Cannonball is one of the best places to get a drink in San Diego because it combines three of my favorite things: ocean views, fresh sushi, and beachy cocktails.
It’s the perfect spot to cool off after a day soaking up the sun on Mission Beach.
They have plenty of libations, including three San Diego craft beers on tap and a sake menu worthy of any restaurant in Tokyo.
They’re best known for their cocktails, so sample a Poolside Sangria or Mission Beach Mai Tai.
Altitude Sky Lounge
660 K Street Atop, 660 K St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 696-0234
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Altitude Sky Lounge is my top pick for the city’s best view of San Diego Bay.
It towers 22 stories above the Gaslamp Quarter, so you can watch a Padres game from a new perspective or watch the sunset over Coronado Island.
I stopped by during their Sunset Hour Specials, which they host Tuesday through Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM, and enjoyed their $5 deal on domestics next to one of their many rooftop firepits.
It’s an experience I’d recommend to any San Diegan tourist.
Mister A’s
2550 Fifth Ave 12th floor, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 239-1377
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Fine dining and fantastic views come together at Mister A’s, a San Diego fixture for over 50 years.
Its prime location near Balboa Park offers a rooftop patio lounge with an unbeatable view spanning from the downtown skyline to Point Loma.
If you were to pick one drink off their cocktail menu, go for the Chocolate & Cherries.
It’s a dessert-worthy blend of vanilla-infused vodka, tuaca, dark creme de cacao, cherries, and chocolate bitters.
Or, if vino is more your style, they have an impressive 15-page wine menu.
Catania
7863 Girard Avenue #301 F3, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 551-5105
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I was delighted to find a little slice of coastal Italy in the heart of La Jolla Village at Catania.
It’s a delicious pitstop after a day shopping on Girard or beachcombing at La Jolla Cove, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from three floors up.
They specialize in homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood, which you can enjoy alongside one of their seasonal signature cocktails.
I visited in the summer and was pleased to partake in a bourbon-based Dolce Vita with cynar, vanilla, and mint.
Rustic Root
535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 232-1747
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Rustic Root is one of my favorite downtown destinations for getting a drink after a show at Balboa Theatre.
It’s also conveniently located five minutes from Gaslamp Quarter Station if you walk down 4th Ave.
Stop by for Rooftop Revelry on Friday and Saturday nights to see Rustic Root at its best.
You can socialize with the locals while enjoying cocktails and a meal under the stars.
They also have an impressive list of whites, reds, and beers, including over a dozen craft brews on draft.
Lumi
366 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 329-5864
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Lumi is another favorite of mine in the Gaslamp Quarter for its rooftop locale and the incredibly immersive dining experience curated by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back.
The mixture of traditional Japanese architecture, pops of modern design, and cozy fire pits create just the right ambiance for enjoying small plates and sake cocktails.
Splurge on bottle service and the 7-course Omakase menu, or delight in the flavors of the deep with a chef’s selection of nigiri & sashimi.
Whatever Japanese fusion fare you’re craving, Lumi’s is the place to get it.
Level 9 Rooftop Bar
509 Ninth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 727-4000
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Next time you find yourself wandering around East Village, head to the top of the Hotel Indigo for an intimate dining experience with an unbeatable view of Petco Park.
After sundown, you can soak in the city lights while enjoying locally-inspired cuisine and classy cocktails.
If you can’t decide what to order, I suggest a scrumptious Red Vanilla Sangria or the Indigo Mule with house-infused green tea vodka.
Pair with an order of Baja Fish Tacos and Truffle Fries.
Garibaldi
901 Bayfront Ct Suite 1, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 436-1081
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Named after the iconic Californian fish, Garibaldi is the place to be for stunning views of the San Diego Bay and a Mediterranean menu that will transport you to the Amalfi coast.
It’s near many San Diego hot spots, including the Embarcadero and Seaport Village.
On my visit, I tried their Sardian Old Fashioned, but they’ve crafted quite a menu of Italian wines, bitters, and “enhancing spirits.”
Try the Sardinian Limoncello to cap off your meal.
Born and Raised
1909 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 202-4577
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Have you been looking for the best steak dinner in San Diego? Do you have a special occasion and want to celebrate in style?
Then put Born and Raised at the top of your must-visit list for San Diego.
This old-school-meets-new-school steakhouse has a stunning rooftop patio overlooking Little Italy, so you can cozy up next to the fire while you order drinks from their circular bar.
Splash out for the Steak Sampler and a Tableside Martini, Manhattan, or Rob Roy.
Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 255-2001
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Kettner Exchange is one of the most unique rooftop bars in San Diego, with enclosed cabanas on their open-air rooftop lounge.
They have smaller lounge-style cabanas for up to six guests and a large cabana for up to 10, but you’ll need to book ahead.
Head chef Brian Redzikowski’s menu of progressive American cuisine pairs beautifully with their extensive wine selections.
You can choose something from local wineries, like a Paul Lato Sauuvigno Blanc from Santa Ynes Valley, or something more exotic.
Ocean Beach Brewery
5041 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 955-8053
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Boasting the title of Ocean Beach’s first microbrewery on Newport Ave., Ocean Beach Brewery is an eclectic mix of old and new.
The building’s modern third-story rooftop lounge is complemented by 100-year-old wood salvaged during the remodel, and it’s an architectural wonder you don’t want to miss.
As far as drinks, OB Brewery is host to some truly incredible craft beers.
I sampled the Hidden Gem Dunkelweizen, a cream ale with undertones of sweet corn, and You Down With OBP, a chocolaty porter.
The Rooftop by STK
600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 814-2002
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Take in all the beauty of the Gaslamp Quarter from the top of the Andaz San Diego, a building constructed in 1913 to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal.
The Rooftop by STK offers a poolside, 360-degree view of the San Diego skyline and some of the best SoCal-inspired dishes in the city.
They put a lot of love into their handcrafted cocktail list, from the jammy flavors of the Blue and Gold to their apple-spiced Canella Mule.
The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel
201 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: (760) 512-3331
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Take a tropical vacation to The Rooftop Bar, where you can get bottle service while you lounge in luxury.
And, thanks to its location atop the Mission Pacific Hotel, you can experience the Oceanside Coast without getting sand in your shoes.
You can indulge in Mediterranean cuisine on their chic and spacious outdoor terrace or grab a spot next to the pool while sipping a refreshingly sunny cocktail.
I recommend the sweet, spicy Stone Steps or a bubbly Moonlight with prosecco and strawberry.
Seneca Trattoria
901 Bayfront Ct Level 19, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 877-8642
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The saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and Seneca Trattoria lets you do just that with their al fresco dining and hearty Italian meals.
Perched above the Embarcadero on the InterContinental San Diego, you’ll get stunning panoramic views of the Bay while feasting on Truffle Arancini or Wood-Fired Prawns.
The drinks menu comprises five categories: Spritz, Long, Fix, Gin Down, and Whiskey & Agave Down.
I favored the Spritz selections, which featured refreshing, citrusy drinks like the Dire Promise and Pesca Bianca.
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