Looking for happy hour in La Jolla? You’ve come to the right place because my family loves happy hour, and we live here.
You’ll need to check the menu online or call before you go to make sure the special you’d like is on offer. San Diego restaurants are known for seasonal menus, meaning food and even fantastic craft cocktail offerings change quite a bit.
Most La Jolla happy hours happen in the bar area of restaurants. However, you can make reservations at a few La Jolla restaurants to enjoy happy hour at a regular table.
1. Beaumont’s
Times: Happy Hour seven days a week! 4–6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 3–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Also Wine Wednesdays and Bottomless Mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays.
Specials: $5 Margaritas and Mules until 5 p.m. Happy Hour food specials currently include items like Smoked Salmon Dip and Flatbread, and Canitas Lettuce Wraps
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Beaumont’s is popular with locals in Bird Rock as you can sit anywhere in the restaurant (main dining room, covered patio, or bar) to enjoy a mellow La Jolla happy hour
Neighborhood: Bird Rock
Address: 5662 La Jolla Blvd. San Diego, CA 92037
2. Bella Vista Social Club & Café
Time: Wednesday–Friday after 4–8 p.m.
Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specials
Ocean View: Panoramic ocean view
Why Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seating
Neighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSD
Address: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037
3. Whaling Bar
Time: Their ‘Martini Hour’ is daily from 3–5 p.m.
Specials: Their Martni Hour specials include the Whaling Vesper and Duck meatballs.
Ocean View: No, however, it’s located inside the La Valencia Hotel, which does have ocean views from its lobby
Why Go: It’s a historical cocktail lounge that originally opened in 1949, very conveniently located along bustling Prospect Street
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
4. Duke’s La Jolla
Time: “Aloha Fridays” are every Friday from 3–6 p.m. in the upstairs Barefoot Bar
Specials: $10 Mai Tais are currently the only special
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: Ocean views in family-friendly restaurants with Hawaiian roots that has hula pie
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1216 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
5. Eddie V’s (Top Pick)
Time: Sunday to Thursday from 4–6:30 p.m. in the bar
Specials: Among the multiple specials are a Dapper Martini and Lollipop Lamb Chops.
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: High-end steak and seafood with great views that are popular for special occasions and date nights
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1270 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
6. George’s LEVEL2 (Top Pick)
Time: Monday–Friday from 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Specials: The specials include 1/2 off all beers and wines by the glass, parmesan herb fries, and a double cheeseburger.
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: Famous views and a great location in downtown La Jolla with excellent California cuisine and an upbeat vibe (you’ll love it)
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
7. Hennessey’s Tavern
Time: Monday–Friday from 4–7 p.m.
Specials: Specials include $6, $7, $8 drinks, and $7 snacks.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: If you’d like an evening at a casual, Irish-style pub that’s also a chain
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 7811 Herschel Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
8. Isola Pizza Bar
Time: Monday–Friday from 4–5 p.m.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Enjoy a $6 Margherita pizza at this casual La Jolla restaurant in between shopping on Girard Avenue
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 7734 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
9. Jose’s Court Room
Time: Monday – Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Specials: Their specials vary by the day of the week.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Casual, festive sports bar featuring Mexican food
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1037 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
10. Queenstown Village
Time: Monday–Friday from 3–6 p.m.
Specials: Happy Hour includes $10 cocktails and $10 wines by the glass.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Their wine markup is very low even outside of happy hour and the burger is great!
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1044 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
11. The Lot
Time: Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 p.m in the bar and lounge only
Specials: Specials include specialty cocktails, draft beers, and ‘shareables’ like Parsley Truffle Fries.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Grab a discounted drink and bite to eat before catching a movie in La Jolla’s deluxe theater, however, if you’re hungry during the movie, they can deliver food and drinks to your chair
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 4836, 7611 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
12. Nautilus Tavern
Time: Monday–Friday from 3–6 p.m.
Specials: $2 off all appetizers, and 1/2 off select beers, well liquor, and house wines.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: A casual neighborhood bar/restaurant with a front and back patio, TVs for sports, and local food.
Neighborhood: Windansea
Address: 6830 La Jolla Boulevard #103, La Jolla, CA 92037
13. Promiscuous Fork
Time: Monday–Friday from 3–6 p.m.
Specials: $2 off select draft beers and wines by the glass, as well as food specials.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: A casual spot with a trendy, innovative menu served with wines and craft beers.
Neighborhood: Windansea
Address: 6984 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, CA 92037
14. Public House
Time: Monday–Friday from 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Specials: $2 off craft beers and glasses of wine, as well as several food specials (scroll down to the bottom of their menu for the Happy Hour section).
Ocean View: No
Why Go: For burgers and ales in a pub setting with rotating taps of Belgian and German beers, local San Diego beers, and hard-to-find craft beers and microbrews from all around the globe
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 830 Kline Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
15. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill
Time: Daily from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Specials: $2 off beers and ½ priced shareables truffle fries and more
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Happy hour in a family-friendly restaurant that kids love offering pizzas, salads, pasta and more
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 702 Pearl Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
16. The Shack Bar & Grill
Time: Daily from 3–7 p.m.
Specials: $2 off draft beers, well drinks, and wines by the glass, as well as daily food specials
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Family and dog-friendly place to watch sports and grab a burger, but also more bar than grill
Neighborhood: Windansea
Address: 6941 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, CA 92037
17. The Shores Restaurant
Time: Monday–Thursday from 2–p.m.
Specials: Daily specials on drinks and food are on their happy hour menu (under their Bar & Cocktail menu).
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: Inside the oceanfront La Jolla Shores Hotel, very close to the sand so the sunsets flood the windows. This La Jolla happy hour spot is kind of a hidden gem with good food and you can take a walk on the beach before or after.
Neighborhood: La Jolla Shores
Address: 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
18. The Spot
Time: Monday–Friday from 3–6 p.m.
Specials: $3 off appetizers and $1 off well drinks, draft beers, and house wines by the glass
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Casual pub centrally located on Prospect with a good burger
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1005 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
19. We Olive
Time: Monday–Friday from 4–7 p.m.
Specials: $3 off wines by the glass | $2 off bottled beer | $3 off artisan cheese plate, caprese & dip duo
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: Great ocean views from above La Jolla Cove in this gem of an olive oil shop (so many varieties to sample) with a neat cheese, charcuterie, and wine menu to enjoy on its back patio
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1158 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
20. Wheat & Water
Time: Monday–Friday from 4–5 p.m.
Specials: $5 beers, $6 spirits, $7 wines, as well as food specials.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: Wood-fired pizza and shared plates at a discount in a casual spot with an outdoor patio
Neighborhood: Bird Rock
Address: 5737 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, CA 92037
21. Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters
Time: Sunday–Thursday from 4–5:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Specials: They offer several food and drink specials.
Ocean View: No
Why Go: It’s the sister restaurant of George’s at the Cove
Neighborhood: La Jolla Shores
Address: 2259 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
22. Candor
Time: Tuesday–Saturday from 4–6 p.m.
ASpecials: $6 draft beers, $9 wine by the glass, $10 cocktails, and $10 ‘afternoon bites’
Ocean View: No
Why Go: You want the best Negroni in town and pretty good Italian inspired shared plates
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1030 Torrey Pines Road B, La Jolla, CA 92037
23. Cody’s La Jolla
Time: Monday–Friday from 3–6 p.m.
Specials: There are several food specials on their Happy Hour menu. Their ‘Sunset Happy Hour’ is currently Friday and Saturday evenings 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
Ocean View: Yes
Why Go: Casual indoor-outdoor dining with views over Prospect to the Cove
Neighborhood: Village of La Jolla
Address: 1025 Prospect Street #210, La Jolla, CA 92037
Don’t forget to check out where to find Wine Wednesday in La Jolla and best restaurants in Coronado.
Where is your favorite La Jolla happy hour?
Top photo credit: NINE-TEN
Katie Dillon
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