Sip the Day Away and Celebrate the Start of Summer at These Hotspots!
To be perfectly blunt, there’s something about summertime in San Diego that makes us want a drink. Whether it’s sipping margs by the beach, knocking back a few beers at a brewery or cooling off with an Aperol spritz on one of the city’s stunner rooftops, summertime in San Diego just makes us thirsty! And fortunately, this SoCal city knows how to pour up a good time. Here are seven summertime beverages we love and where to sip them in sun-soaked San Diego.
Credit: Chris Meugniot
Beer in San Diego is not a fad; it’s a movement. And lucky for locals, the city is full of amazing breweries perfect for midday sippin’. This summer, head down to Little Italy’s Ballast Point for some hops! This brewpub was founded in 1996 right here in San Diego and continues to pour its acclaimed beers on tap. If you’re feeling a high-octane beverage, the Watermelon Dorado Double IPA is a fruity choice that’ll have you feeling frisky in no time. If beer isn’t your love language, order a Pineapple Sunset Hard Kombucha or an Orange Passion Mimosa from Flying Embers for a refreshing drink with notes of citrus, tropical passionfruit and guava.
Location: Little Italy
The Holding Company
Summer Sip: “I Dance”
Credit: The Holding Company
Credit: The Holding Company
Credit: The Holding Company
A three-story restaurant, bar and live music venue in Ocean Beach, The Holding Company slays the entertainment scene. Make your way up to the rooftop for views of the pier and waves, and quench your thirst with the I Dance—a cocktail with Divino Tamarindo mezcal, muddled blood orange, Aperol, fresh lemon and agave. And before you go, be sure to check out The Holding Company’s stacked calendar of events! With everything from trivia to karaoke and live bands, you’re sure to find your jam.
Location: Ocean Beach
Balboa Park
Summer Sip: Flying Embers Guava Citra Hard Kombucha
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Balboa Park is one of the few public spaces in San Diego where you can legally crack open a can of your favorite boozy beverage and drink publicly! This historic park is one of history, culture and natural beauty with all sorts of museums, gardens, restaurants, art centers and more—aka, the perfect place to spend a summer day.
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Bring a cooler of Flying Embers Hard Kombucha (we love the Guava Citra flavor!) to sip on as you take in the natural beauty and stunning Spanish architecture of this 1,200-acre park!
Location: Balboa Park
Cody’s La Jolla
Summer Sip: Sparkling White Wine Sangria
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Possibly one of the most picturesque brunch spots in La Jolla, Cody’s overlooks the stunning Scripps Park and La Jolla Cove, offering brunchers a bird’s-eye view of the ocean. Kick back on the breezy patio this summer with a glass of sparkling white wine sangria and indulge in clever comfort foods like the chicken biscuit sandy, crab cake Benedict or the chilaquiles with tortilla chips, housemade Mexican tomato sauce, over medium eggs, black beans, queso fresco and crème fraiche.
Location: La Jolla
Monkey Bar
Summer Sip: Flying Embers Hard Kombucha or The Drunken Monkey
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Briley Pizzelanti
Credit: Town and Country Resort
Credit: Town and Country Resort
Credit: Town and Country Resort
Credit: Justin Kriel
Nothing says summer quite like live music and cocktails, and Monkey Bar at Town & Country Resort serves up both in style. Savor a balmy night around one of the restaurant’s outdoor fire pits and enjoy a wide array of handcrafted cocktails, including The Drunken Monkey cocktail with orange vodka, orange liqueur, coconut rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, lime juice and edible flowers. You’ll fall in love with the indoor-outdoor design and mid-mod style of this Mission Valley hotspot.
Local Insight: Monkey Bar also features live music and monthly events, such as Yappy Hour, where furry friends are invited to join the fun too. To see what’s on the calendar, click here!
Coco Maya
Summer Sip: Peacock Ponche
Credit: Grind & Prosper
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Fresh on the scene in Little Italy is Coco Maya—the neighborhood’s newest Caribbean-inspired hideaway. This stunning new rooftop restaurant and bar is the perfect place to rendezvous this summer, whether you’re in the mood for island-style cuisine, tropical cocktails or both! The Peacock Ponche is our go-to drink this season with its harmonious blend of mezcal, overproof rum, sherry, Jamaica tea, fresh grapefruit, pomegranate and nutmeg. It offers a refreshing, smoky, and smooth sipping experience that’ll put you in a summer state of mind.
Location: Little Italy
