"This sea-level restaurant is next to the Pacific Beach boardwalk, guaranteeing panoramic views of the ocean and the nearby Cape Cod-style cottages situated on the historic Crystal Pier. Come here for a seaside brunch, afternoon margaritas (try the chili mango or passion fruit variations), and approachable dinners just steps from the sand. From the shareables, visitors can’t go wrong with the ahi nachos loaded with avocado, mango, and Fresno chiles on a bed of crispy wontons chips. More filling dishes include the lobster BLT with tarragon aioli on a brioche toast with a side of crispy french fries." - Roxana Becerril
"Located by the Pacific Beach boardwalk, this modern steak and seafood restaurant anchors the Tower 23 Hotel. Open every day at 9 a.m. for breakfast, it’s business as usual on New Year’s Day. Popular favorites include the citrus scallop salad, poke bowl, chilaquiles with chorizo scrambled eggs, and a wagyu burger with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions, accompanied by truffle fries. Choose your own adventure with Mr. Black’s Espresso Martini or Abuela’s Paloma made with a non-alcoholic agave spirit." - Helen I. Hwang, Candice Woo
"From noon to 8 p.m., this Pacific Beach waterfront restaurant will host a three-course dinner from its new chef, Jerry Ranson. Dishes like pomegranate pork belly, turkey, and puff pastry apple pie are a few of the options to choose from. Prices hover around $70 depending on the main entrée." - Helen I. Hwang
"Served Saturdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., brunch from executive chef Jerry Ranson and pastry chef Justin Sazon includes a morning bun served with chocolate chantilly cream and berry coulis, a short rib Benedict, and a falafel burger topped with tzatziki, grilled squash, arugula. Indulge in the house Bloody Mary, made with cilantro and jalapeno-infused vodka and garnished with a charcuterie stick." - Candice Woo
"JRDN’s stunning beach views and front-and-center boardwalk location makes it the perfect dinner venue for drinking spicy, jalapeno-infused Bloody Marys or chili mango margaritas while you watch the parade of locals and tourists stroll by. Must-try menu items include sushi rolls and steamed mussels with grilled bread, ready for dipping in chorizo, garlic, chardonnay, and tomato-fennel cream sauce. Or opt for larger plates like a whole fried snapper with garlic noodle salad, chile lime gremolata and sweet chili sauce, or northern halibut with corn bread, corn salad and escabeche verde. Desserts are worth saving room for, especially Citrus Tour; a gorgeous combination of ube pavlova, passionfruit curd, yuzu anglaise, lemon poppy wafer, tequila ice cream and dehydrated mandarins, and The Protégé; pistachio mousseline bombe, pomegranate mousse, orange sponge, orange buttercream, mint pomegranate sorbet and pistachio brittle." - Mary Beth Abate