HWY 1 RESTAURANTS - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Moss Beach/Half Moon Bay
Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach
www.mossbeachdistillery.com Entree: $15-32 (restaurant), $ 10-20 (bar/snacks), Sunday brunch The restaurant and patio are located on the cliff overlooking the rough shore. From both areas you have spectacular views over the ocean. My favorite is the outside patio, which has nice wooden sofas and fireplaces and a cheaper menu. |
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Road
http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/ Entree: $10-20 Happy Hour Mon-Thur 3-6pm: beer and snacks from $6.99. The small restaurant and pub is known for yummy fish sandwiches, good beer and a nice atmosphere. The outside patio has fireplaces and faces the harbor while the bar features live music almost every night. |
Highway 1 Brewing Company, 5720 Cabrillo Highway, Pescadero
http://www.highway1brewing.com Entrée $15. The brewery is located next to the gas station across Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Besides a large beer selection they offer food that is made with ingredients of local farms. |
Santa Cruz/Capitola
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Hula’s Bar and Grill, 221 Carthart Street, Santa Cruz
http://www.hulastiki.com/sc_video.htm Entrée: $13-20. For a delicious Hawaiian fare and cozy Hawaiian atmosphere head to Hula’s in the city center. BTW – the happy hour is decent with pupus and drinks for $5 each (7 days a week from 2-6pm). |
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
http://elpalomarsantacruz.com/ Entrée: $15-20. The Mexican restaurant is located within the oldest hotels in Santa Cruz. The former lobby was transformed into an impressive dining room and the menu is outstanding. |
Breakwater Grill (above Crow’s Nest), Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, 2218 East Cliff Drive
http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/home/home.php Entree: $ 5-15. The upper bar and grill has two outside patios that are facing the lighthouse, harbor, Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. It is by far the most scenic eatery in the city and the place to be during sunset. Allow some time to catch a table. The Crow’s Nest downstairs in more fancy and offers entrees for about $25. |
Monterey/Carmel
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Schooners Bistro on the Bay, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey
http://www.montereyplazahotel.com/hotel-schooners.html Entree: $10-22. The Schooners belongs to Monterey Plaza Hotel and has an outside patio that opens great views over the bay. The menu includes many fish dishes, tapas, sandwiches, burgers, and salads. |
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Big Sur
Sierra Mar, 47000 Highway 1, Bug Sur
http://www.postranchinn.com/dining.shtml Lunch Entree: $ 20-26. Dinner $120/6-course-menu. The restaurant belongs to the super exclusive Post Ranch Inn and is located above the cliffs overlooking Big Sur and the ocean. Although it’s a bit pricey the lunch is worth it to catch a glimpse at the inn and to enjoy the amazing view. Reservation recommended. |
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HWY 1 RESTAURANTS - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Cambria/Morro Bay/Pismo Beach
Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, 6550 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria
http://www.moonstonebeach.com/ Entrée: 10 – 28. The restaurant is located at scenic Moonstone Beach. Its outdoor patio faces the ocean and is a nice place to watch sunsets. |
Galley Seafood Grill and Bar, 899 Embarcadero, Morro Bay
http://www.galleymorrobay.com Entrée: 12-45. Located at the harbor, a bit pricey but the food is excellent. |
Pismo Fish & Chips & Seafood, 505 Cypress Street, Pismo Beach
http://www.pismofishandchips.com Entrée: 10-15. Originally run by Dutch owners this restaurant is an institution in Pismo Beach serving grilled and fried fish. |
Santa Barbara/Ventura
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Opal Bar & Restaurant, 1325 State Street, Santa Barbara
http://opalrestaurantandbar.com Entrée: 14-23. Good homemade pizza and Californian cuisine. The restaurant is located on State Street, north of Victoria Street. |
The Beach Grill at Padaro, 3765 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria
http://www.beachgrillpadaro.com Entrée: $10 – 22. Good fish and seafood place that is located above the cliff. It has a huge garden from where you can overlook the ocean. Try the steamed shellfish dishes or fish tacos! |
Brophy Bros., 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura
http://www.brophybros.com Entrée: $10-20. Daily changing fresh fish specials, fried fish and sandwiches, moderate prices. Nice outdoor patio facing the yacht harbor. |
Santa Monica/Venice/Marina del Rey
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Neptune’s Net, 42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
http://www.neptunesnet.com You might know the restaurant from the movie “Point Break”. It’s more a beach shack than restaurant, but they serve delicious grilled and fried fish. Sitting at their patio you will have a nice view over the ocean. The restaurant is located at HWY1, in this part also known as Pacifc Coast Highway, north of Malibu. |
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La Grande Orange, 2000 Main Street, Santa Monica
http://www.lagrandeorangesm.com Entree: $9-20. Californian cuisine, sushi and burgers in a rustic wine bar atmosphere. It can get noisy. Happy Hour until 7pm. |
Gjenlina, 1429 Abbot Kiney Blvd., Venice Beach (L.A.)
http://gjelina.com/ Entree: $10-20. Good and decent priced Mediterranean restaurant. A popular spot, so make sure you are reserving a table in advance; otherwise you are waiting in line for 2 hours! |
Cheesecake Factory, 4142 Via Marina, Marina del Rey (L.A.)
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com Entree: 10-25. My favorite US chain restaurant with consistently good food. This one is located at Marina del Rey habor having an outdoor patio facing the yachts and sailing boats. |
Anaheim (Disneyland)
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Cheesecake Factory, 321 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim
Entree: $10-20. Located next to Anaheim GardenWalk. Real good American chain restaurant. |
PF Chang’s, W West Katella Avenue, Anaheim
Entree: $10-20. At Anaheim GardenWalk. Asian chain restaurant. |
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, 321 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim
Entree: $12-20. Fish restaurant next to PF Chang’s and Cheesecake Factory. In case you are ordering a large beer, tell your waiter/waitress that you do not intend to take your glass home, otherwise you are paying both. The beer and the glass ($12)! |
Huntington Beach/Newport Beach/Laguna Beach
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Duke’s Huntington Beach, 317 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach
http://www.dukeshuntington.com/ Entree: $ 10-20. Happy hour Tue-Fri 3:30-6:30 (Mon 3:30 – close). The Hawaiian chain restaurant offers affordable dishes in the Barefoot Bar. The more fancy restaurant is higher priced but offers nice views over Huntington Pier and the ocean. |
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Beachcomber Café, Crystal Cove State Park - 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Beach
http://www.thebeachcombercafe.com/ Casual and laidback waterfront restaurant in a historic beach park with a nice patio. Try to come here for breakfast ($8-12) or lunch ($13-15) time otherwise it’s pricey ($19-37). A nice alternative is the beach bar in the back! |
Las Brisas, 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach
http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/ The Mexican restaurant overlooks the shoreline and beach. The food that is served on the patio is less expensive than in the dining room ($10-13 vs. $20-30). Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-6p.m. |
Nicks, 440 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
http://www.thenickco.com/laguna.php Entrée: $12-20.The new American restaurant offers a varied menu and no matter what you go for, it is outstanding. If you are undecided try the Ribeye Melt or Prime Rib Dip! Make sure you make a reservation. |