20 Coastal California Restaurants With Stunning Views And Even Better Cuisine

Chasing waves and world class plates along California’s edge never gets old. From Big Sur cliffs to sandy Laguna coves, these dining rooms turn sunsets into seasoning and ocean breezes into appetite. You will find tasting menus that honor the tide, raw bars that sparkle, and comfort classics polished to a shine. Grab a seat by the glass and let the coastline set the mood for an unforgettable meal.

1. Sierra Mar — Big Sur (Post Ranch Inn)

Perched high above the Pacific, Sierra Mar feels like dining on the edge of the world. Glass walls frame migrating whales and jagged cliffs while a hyper seasonal tasting menu reads like love letters to the coastline. Expect foraged herbs, just caught fish, and desserts kissed with coastal citrus.

You come for the view but stay for the quiet confidence on every plate. Service is warm, polished, and tuned to the rhythm of sunset. Sip a Central Coast pinot, breathe in the sea air, and let Big Sur turn dinner into a memory.

2. Harbor House Inn Restaurant — Elk (Mendocino Coast)

This serene dining room sits on a redwood bluff where the ocean feels close enough to season every bite. Two stars guide a procession of wood fired, sea and garden driven courses with quiet drama. Ferns, seaweeds, and pristine fish whisper of the headlands and fog.

You taste smoke, brine, and herb in delicate balance while waves roll below. The room hums softly, letting craft and produce speak. It is a retreat for palate and mind, where restraint becomes luxury and precision feels comforting, not stiff.

3. Pacific’s Edge — Carmel Highlands

At Pacific’s Edge, the room feels carved from the cliffs themselves. Waves hammer granite beneath sweeping windows while citrus and coastal fish headline polished California plates. Order local rockfish, bright crudos, and a citrus forward dessert that mirrors the ocean’s snap.

You are here for that horizon line and the unfussy elegance that frames it. Service glides, cocktails sparkle, and the soundtrack is surf. Settle in as the light softens, and let dinner stretch into a lingering conversation with the sea.

4. Geoffrey’s Malibu — Malibu

Terraced tables cascade toward a turquoise cove where pelicans skim and champagne flutes gleam. Geoffrey’s delivers refined surf and turf, crisp salads, and classic sauces done right. Think lobster tails, filet mignon with peppercorn, and citrus dressed greens under Pacific light.

You feel the old school Malibu glamour without the fuss. Servers anticipate the moment you want another pour. Come for anniversaries or lazy Sunday lunches, and watch the coastline do its quiet magic while the kitchen keeps everything perfectly dialed.

5. Nobu Malibu — Malibu

Sunset over sashimi never looked sharper than at Nobu Malibu. The patio floats above the surf while pristine fish, bright ponzu, and ethereal tempura set the tone. Yellowtail jalapeño pops, black cod miso melts, and the breeze keeps everything electric.

You come for the scene, stay for the precision, and leave plotting your return. Service moves with confident rhythm, keeping courses timely even when the room buzzes. Order a yuzu cocktail, let the sky go cotton candy, and enjoy a meal that feels impossibly fresh.

6. Waterbar — San Francisco (Embarcadero)

Waterbar sets you right on the Embarcadero with the Bay Bridge glowing like a marquee. Raw bar royalty leads the charge: icy oysters, glossy crudo, and towering platters of shellfish. The menu keeps flavors clean and briny, letting sourcing shine.

You will find crisp wines, polished service, and an urban waterfront energy that feels celebratory. Sit by the floor to ceiling windows and watch ferries cut the bay. It is the kind of place where lunch becomes late afternoon without anyone minding.

7. Greens — San Francisco (Fort Mason)

Greens proves vegetables can own the view and the plate. From Fort Mason, sailboats drift past as peak produce and soulful grains take center stage. Dishes feel grounded yet vibrant, with sauces that hum instead of shout.

You will taste the market in every bite: roasted squash, bright herbs, and grains with satisfying chew. The room is peaceful, the service thoughtful, and the view quietly spectacular. Bring a skeptic and watch them convert by dessert.

8. Nick’s Cove — Tomales Bay (Marshall)

Nick’s Cove delivers shingled charm and dockside sunsets that feel like a postcard. Buttered local oysters, crab, and steaming chowder define the menu, with Dungeness as the hero when the season hits. The dining room is cozy, the pier shack perfect for a nightcap.

You relax the second you arrive, and the bay breeze does the rest. Order something smoky from the grill and a crisp white that loves salt air. It is comfort food made special by place.

9. Hog Island Oyster Co. (Marshall Farm & Oyster Bar) — Tomales Bay

At Hog Island’s farm, brackish breezes meet just shucked brine bombs. Order by the dozen, add grilled specials, and sip something crisp while gulls glide past. The setting is casual, the sourcing impeccable, and the bay provides the soundtrack.

You will learn the difference between varieties by tasting side by side. Bring layers and friends, claim a table, and make an afternoon of it. Few places capture Northern California seafood so simply and joyfully.

10. The Marine Room — La Jolla

High tide turns The Marine Room into dinner theater. Waves slap the windows while elegant seafood and seasonal mains arrive with a flourish. Think lobster bisque, delicately seared scallops, and sauces that balance richness with ocean brightness.

You feel pampered without pretense, and the room glows softly as the surf performs. Time your reservation with the tides for maximum drama. It is classic La Jolla glamour with a pulse.

11. George’s at the Cove (California Modern) — La Jolla

The terrace at George’s stares straight at the cove, where kayaks and sea lions dot the blue. California Modern plates deliver bright SoCal flavors, thoughtful crudos, and fish cooked with confidence. Expect clean acidity, avocado accents, and herbs that taste like sunshine.

You relax into the view while service keeps things breezy and precise. Cocktails lean citrus, wines surf the coast, and the vibe stays effortless. It is the quintessential La Jolla lunch that happily becomes dinner.

12. VAGA Restaurant & Bar — Encinitas (Alila Marea)

VAGA rides the cliff line with confidence, pairing a vast horizon with modern coastal cooking. Vegetables take star turns alongside line caught fish and smart spice. Plates look sculptural but eat comforting, with textures that pop and sauces that hum.

You will watch surfers trace lines as the room warms with sunset. The bar crafts savvy cocktails, and the playlist skews beach modern. It is Encinitas energy with refined edges, perfect for date night or a celebratory brunch.

13. Driftwood Kitchen — Laguna Beach

Driftwood Kitchen floats over the breakers, all glass and golden light. Day boat scallops arrive caramelized, grilled fish flakes just right, and a lemony pasta screams seaside comfort. The menu keeps flavors bright and unfussy.

You settle into Laguna’s easy rhythm while waves roll beneath. Service is friendly, pacing relaxed, and the soundtrack is salt and laughter. Order an Aperol spritz, share starters, and watch the horizon blur into evening.

14. Splashes — Laguna Beach (Surf & Sand Resort)

At Splashes, the surf might as well be your tablemate. Windows swing open to sea spray while Mediterranean leaning seafood arrives with zesty sauces and polished plating. Think branzino, citrusy vinaigrettes, and silky purees.

You feel transported without leaving the beach. Service is gracious and seamless, pacing matches the tide, and desserts keep things bright. It is a classic Laguna date spot that still surprises.

15. Las Brisas — Laguna Beach

Las Brisas is Laguna’s postcard patio, perched on a bluff with sweeping coastal views. The menu leans Baja meets California: zippy ceviches, grilled shrimp, and bright salsas. Margaritas arrive frosty, salt rims sparkling in the sun.

You are here for color, crunch, and the kind of afternoon that turns into sunset. Families, dates, and tourists blend happily while plates keep landing. Order extra chips and keep the guacamole flowing.

16. Toma Restaurant & Bar — Santa Barbara (Harborfront)

Toma glows warmly along the harbor, boats bobbing like punctuation marks. The kitchen leans Italian coastal with burrata, squid ink pasta, and perfectly seared fish. Sauces feel silky, herbs fresh, and timing spot on.

You will find romance without fuss and hospitality that feels personal. Pair a local chardonnay with seafood and linger over tiramisu. Santa Barbara’s lights ripple on the water while conversation stretches sweetly.

17. Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach — Santa Barbara

Boathouse sits right on the sand, perfect for breakfast after a beach walk or a sunset dinner. Dungeness crab, briny oysters, and a killer cioppino headline a menu that keeps things fresh and unfancy. Kids dig it, dates love it, everyone wins.

You feel part of the beach scene, not just near it. Grab a patio seat, watch dogs sprint, and clink something cold. It is the definition of Santa Barbara easygoing.

18. Oyster Loft — Pismo Beach

Oyster Loft peers over the pier with gleaming windows and a polished bar. Start with sashimi or a chilled platter, then move to roasted fish that respects the product. Sauces are balanced, sides seasonal, and timing precise.

You are treated kindly whether celebrating or just hungry for the view. Cocktails lean coastal, service glides, and the sun throws pink across the water. Pismo feels glamorous without trying too hard.

19. Galley Seafood Grill & Bar — Morro Bay

Galley Seafood keeps it simple and lets Morro Rock handle the drama. The catch is local, the cooking restrained, and the plates focused on purity. Think grilled halibut, butter kissed spot prawns, and lemon that earns its keep.

You appreciate how confidence reads as restraint. The room feels nautical without kitsch, and staff know their fisheries. Order what just came in, add a squeeze, and enjoy the view doing the rest.

20. The Spinnaker — Sausalito

The Spinnaker stretches a glass wall across the bay, framing sailboats and skyline in one sweep. Classic seafood and steaks arrive with old school grace, portions generous and sauces correct. It feels like a celebration even on a random Tuesday.

You will want to save room for dessert and a final look at the lights. Service is seasoned, pacing unhurried, and tableside touches charm. Sausalito shines while the city twinkles beyond.