Complete guide

Rooftop bars San Diego

2024 update

Enjoy California’s beach city from above, mixing vibes and drinks with both ocean and skyline views.

Country United States

Currency US Dollar

Best time to visit Year round

Courtesy of The Nolen Rooftop Bar

San Diego Rooftop Guide

By:Rikard Fredricson

Updated:April 12, 2024

San Diego rooftop map

With a year-round warm climate and relaxing oceanside vibes, San Diego is pretty much a perfect rooftop city. But which is the best rooftop bar in San Diego?

This compete guide will help you find out, packed with all the info you need about each elevated venue: opening hours, dress code, pics, maps and much more. From stylish rooftop lounges in the Gaslamp and Downtown district, to relaxing terraces in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Just scroll down and find the San Diego rooftop bar best suited for you.

The list

22 best rooftop bars in San Diego

Rooftop bar San Diego The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific in San Diego — 1

The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific

6th floor | Oceanside

Highlights

Sultry sunsets

Live DJs

$$$

Found just by the beach in Oceanside, on the sixth floor of Mission Pacific Hotel, The Rooftop Bar invites to **expansive views and gorgeous sunsets**. Experience lounge seating, a vibrant pool deck, service by the bottle, craft cocktails and Mediterranean-isnpired small bites. Savor the sounds of live DJs and vibrant music as you marvel at Oceanside's coastline with a drink in hand. Everything is possible at this rooftop clubhouse, open from day to night.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Borrego Kitchen & Cocktails in San Diego — 2

Borrego Kitchen & Cocktails

9th floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

San Diego influenced

Petco Park views

$$$

Taking over from Level 9 Rooftop Bar, Borrego Kitchen & Cocktails is San Diego's newest rooftop retreat, offering dynamic **food and beverage pairings rooted in the city's diverse collection of cuisines**. Inspired by the Borrego desert, the completely redesigned ninth floor of Hotel Indigo in Gaslamp Quarter comes surrounded with a spectacular view of the city skyline and Petco Park. Indulge in a dynamic menu, featuring a playful selection of shareables, as well as a wide array of local beers and surprising signature cocktails.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Harbor & Sky in San Diego — 3

Harbor & Sky

5th floor | Downtown/Bayfront

Highlights

Chill

Bay & city views

$$$

Nestled above the hustle and bustle of downtown, Harbor & Sky invites to **San Diego's chillest rooftop experience**. Modern yet inviting, this airy, spacious and charming 5th floor rooftop oasis comes surrounded with incredible views over the bay & city skyline. Up here you can enjoy a seasonal, light and fun menu, featuring handcrafted cocktails, frozen margaritas and local beers, as well as artisan bites with an elevated Cali twist. Kkick back and relax with a view, during happy hour, the incredible sunsets, or evenings by the firepit.

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Play

10 Spectacular Rooftop Bars in San Diego

Rooftop bar San Diego The Nolen Rooftop Bar in San Diego — 4

The Nolen Rooftop Bar

14th floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Crafted cocktails

Panoramic sunset views

$$$$

Modern and trendy, The Nolen rooftop bar offers spectacular city views, from the Coronado Bridge to Point Loma. Located 14 floors up in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego, The Nolen specializes in **stunning and well-crafted cocktails**. A true paradise for cocktail-lovers, with selections ranging from timeless classics to Nolen Originals. Complemented with a set of delicious bar bites, beautiful in design, and a sophisticated and swanky lounge in ambience, this is a perfect spot for a fun night out with a group of friends.

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Rooftop bar 5 O'Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar in San Diego — 5

5 O'Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar

4th floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Tropical oasis

Live entertainment

$$$

Set 4 floors up and a world away, 5 O'Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar is a colorful and tropical rooftop oasis. The centerpiece of the rooftop is the glittering rooftop pool, which comes surrounded by cabanas, comfy lounge beds, dining tables and sweeping views of the city. A place where locals and visitors alike come to mix, meet, mingle and munch, the vibrant rooftop offers tropical specialty cocktails, draft brews and tasty bites, as well as **a regular schedule of top entertainment**.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Seneca Trattoria in San Diego — 6

Seneca Trattoria

19th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Roman trattoria

Panoramic views

$$$$

Floating high above San Diego, Seneca Trattoria **invites to a true Roman holiday**, with panoramic San Diego Bay views. Elegant, timeless and lush, the indoor-outdoor rooftop aims to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available in San Diego. This means classic Roman dishes with a modern flair served as lunch and dinner, complemented with crafted cocktails, local beer and a fine selection of wines.

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Rooftop bar San Diego The Rooftop by STK in San Diego — 7

The Rooftop by STK

7th floor | Gaslamp District

Highlights

Rooftop pool

Panoramic views

$$$$

Located on the 7th floor of Andaz San Diego, The Rooftop by STK offers an absolutely magical 360-degree view of the San Diego skyline. Both **rooftop restaurant and bar**, offering American fare with a creative SoCal twists from breakfast and onwards, along with a wide range of signature cocktails, local beers on draft, wines and bottle service. Relaxing and elevated lounge on weekdays, while on weekends the space transforms into a high-energy, chic nightclub. Also home to one of San Diego's best rooftop pools, available to hotel guests or by renting a cabana.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Lumi Rooftop in San Diego — 8

Lumi Rooftop

4th floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Japanese-inspired

Vibrant

$$$$

Lumi Rooftop brings an artful, energetic and elevated rooftop restaurant and bar experience to the heart of downtown San Diego. The spacious venue mixes covered dining tables and al fresco lounge seating with colorful murals, fire-pits and pink neon lighting. In a glamorous setting, here you can indulge in creative Japanese fare **created by the Michelin Star Chef Akira Back**, along with a selection of unique Japanese-inspired cocktails and an extensive array of sake. Come for a stylish after-work dinner and drinks, or really vibrant weekends.

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Rooftop bar San Diego ALTITUDE Sky Lounge in San Diego — 9

Altitude Sky Lounge

22nd floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Petco Park views

Vibrant

$$$

Altitude is a stunning San Diego rooftop bar, that with its double-terrace setup offers one of **the most impressive views** the city has to offer. From one terrace you can catch beautiful sunsets over the ocean and Coronado Island, and also see into the Petco Park arena, and from the smaller terrace on the opposite side you get lovely vistas over the skyline. Decorated with lounge sofas, cosy fire-pits and front row bar stool seats, the rooftop has a vibrant, sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for fun after works, weekend vibes or just some relaxed lounging.

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Rooftop Bar Garibaldi in San Diego — 10

Garibaldi

| 3rd floor | Downtown

Highlights

Italian-inspired

Speakeasy style

$$$

Located on the San Diego waterfront, at the InterContinental San Diego, Garibaldi comes with Mediterranean vibes and fantastic views over San Diego Bay. The speakeasy-style rooftop bar and restaurant offers both food and drinks **filled with Italian inspiration**. From handmade pastas and local seafood, to crafted cocktails, a selection of Italian beer and regional wines. Trendy yet relaxing atmosphere, the rooftop is open most nights for dinner and drinks, and during spring and summer also for weekend brunch.

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Rooftop bar Rustic Root in San Diego — 11

Rustic Root

2nd floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Energetic

Weekend brunch

$$$

Rustic Root is a buzzing and friendly San Diego **rooftop bar and restaurant**, located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Set in a two story building on Fifth Ave, here you can enjoy a food- and drink menu that is rooted in tradition, yet has a modern and creative flare and features high-quality ingredients. Either inside or up on the modern yet whimsical rooftop terrace. Gather some friends and enjoy happy hour cocktails, late night vibes or a weekend brunch.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Cannonball in San Diego — 12

Cannonball

2nd floor | Mission Beach

Highlights

Ocean views

Sushi

$$$

San Diego's largest oceanfront rooftop and a fantastic venue, especially if you are a fan of **great sushi and panoramic ocean views**. Located right on Mission beach, the rooftop terrace might only be two floors up, but it still offers one of San Diegos best ocean views. Spacious and modern, Cannonball rooftop offers lots of different seatings, from regular dining tables to cosy lounge areas with fire-pits. Casual, relaxing and fun in vibe, this rooftop almost feels like a beach club, and some evenings local live bands play.

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Rooftop Bar Catania in San Diego — 13

Catania

3rd floor | La Jolla

Highlights

Italian restaurant

Sunset views

$$$

A charming and genuine Italian rooftop restaurant and bar, located on top of the La Plaza shopping center in La Jolla. Stylish and modern in decor, the indoor reastaurant expands to a lovely rooftop terrace with both dining area and a more narrow part with a cool, dual indoor-outdoor bar. Open seven days a week, Catania offers **authentic Italian coastal cuisine** for lunch and dinner, an Italian wine & craft beer program and cocktails like 'Santa Maria' and 'Amalfi Coast'. Complemented with ocean views and a relaxed and friendly vibe.

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Rooftop Bar SKA Bar in San Diego — 14

SKA Bar

4th floor | Normal Heights

Highlights

360° views

Craft cocktails

$$$

Located in the lively and trendy Normal Heights neighborhood, SKA Bar offers cocktails, food, vibes and views over several levels. While the ground floor dining room and bar is open and airy, the real al fresco vibes are found an elevator ride away, up on the 2 500-square-foot rooftop terrace. Surrounded with **amazing and panoramic 360-views**, this is a laid back and urban oasis where you can indulge in a large selection of signature craft cocktails, crafted beers and an Asian-inspired menu of small plates.

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Rooftop Bar Mister A's in San Diego — 15

Mister A's

12th floor | Bankers Hill

Highlights

Fine dining restaurant

Panoramic views

$$$$

Located in downtown San Diego, just west of Balboa Park, this may very well be the best place in the city to **combine fine dining with views to die for**. Long time runner and famous for it’s attentive service, fantastic food and beautiful views, the terrace at Mister A's also offers a chance to catch the airplanes landing and taking of from San Diego airport. Serving crafted cocktails, a top-rated wine list and modern American cuisine as dinner, Friday lunch and Sunday brunch, Mister A's is a great spot for celebrating special occasions.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Leave Of Absence in San Diego — 16

Leave Of Absence

4th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Wood-fired pizza

Summer hot-spot

$$$$

Leave Of Absence is an elevated vacation escape where you can leave your worries behind. The creative, vibrant and urban terrace features a stylish San Diego rooftop pool, open to guests staying at Kimpton Alma year round. Starting late May, the season at LOA starts, turning the 4th floor into a vibrant and public hot-spot. The rooftop menu is crafted to enhance your poolside enjoyment, and comes filled with everything from wood-fired pizzas, to artfully crafted cocktails, frozen margaritas, fine wines, and craft beers.

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Rooftop Bar Born & Raised in San Diego — 17

Born & Raised

2nd floor | Little Italy

Highlights

Upscale

Steakhouse

$$$$

Found in the Little Italy area of San Diego, Born & Raised is one of the most impressive spots in town to enjoy dining and drinking. From the ground floor dining room to the top floor rooftop terrace. The glamorous interior comes packed with classic elegance, and the lantern-lit rooftop is not far behind. Velvet chairs, plaid booths and a marble bar sets the tone, overlooking the Little Italy rooftops. The restaurant serves modern Steakhouse dishes of the highest class, while the rooftop bar is a great option to enjoy selections of **crafted seasonal cocktails** just about as good as the food.

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Rooftop bar Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar in San Diego — 18

Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar

3rd floor | Downtown

Highlights

Contemporary cocktails

Weekend brunch

$$$

Located at the Hotel Republic San Diego, not on top, but as a spacious 3rd floor terrace. Specializing in happy hour, small bites, and weekend brunch, this rooftop lounge is **a relaxing oasis** in the heart of downtown San Diego, offering cool views amid the city sky scrapers. Open daily and to all, Topside Terrace is trendy in decoration with its lounge couches, fireplaces and cabanas. Relaxing and chill in vibe, this is a great spot for a pre dinner cocktail, long and loungy hours in the sun or for a great rooftop brunch.

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Kettner Exchange in San Diego — 19

Kettner Exchange

2nd floor | Little Italy

Highlights

Handcrafted cocktails

Weekend brunch

$$$

Great in design and atmosphere, Kettner Exchange is a **trendy and chic rooftop bar and restaurant**, located in the Little Italy part of downton San Diego. Boasting two levels of outdoor and indoor drinking and eating, the views are not panoramic, but location near the airport means can catch airplanes flying over the terrace, which is cool. Maybe not reason enough to visit, but the wide-range food menu o new American dishes and cocktail list of hand-crafted and creative creations sure are. Beautiful and trendy, but managing to also be fun and friendly.

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Rooftop bar Fairweather in San Diego — 20

Fairweather

2nd floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Park-views

Intimate & laidback

$$$

Located just by Petco Park, the **intimate and laidback** Fairweather rooftop bar is somewhat a hidden gem. Mediterranen-styled in decoration, the rooftop terrace is a great and relaxing spot to enjoy the warm San Diego climate and cool views over the stadium and the greenery of the Park at the Park. The rooftop bar offers unique and hand-crafted cocktails, as well as a gastropub style food menu. A top venue for pre- or post baseball game drinks, but also just about anytime for fine vibes, cocktails and views

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Rooftop bar Ocean Beach Brewery in San Diego — 21

Ocean Beach Brewery

3rd floor | Ocean Beach

Highlights

Brew pub

Ocean views

$$

The vibrant Ocean Beach Brewery occupies a three story building on Newport Avenue, where the real gem is the top floor rooftop deck. The charming and rustic terrace offers some fantastic **panoramic views over the ocean**, the Ocean Beach Pier and the surrounding neighborhood. While trying one of the unique OB brews is almost mandatory, the menu also includes a large selection of wine and cocktails, as well as tasty, pub-style food.

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Rooftop bar San Diego Float in San Diego — 22

Float

4th floor | Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights

Night time DJs

Rooftop pool

$$$

Perched on the 4th floor of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, this large rooftop bar overlooks the Gaslamp Quarter's. The terrace comes with a stylish **rooftop pool, private cabanas and a lounge area** with comfy sofas and fireplaces. A stylish oasis during daytime, where you can lounge poolside or rent private cabanas for rooftop swimming. Higher vibes with live DJs and a trendy crowd during evening, and also during the summer Saturday's 'Liquid Sunshine' pool party.

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Rikard Fredricson

Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.