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This spot was so cool! Watching people casually take off from right in front of me for paragliding and hang gliding was awesome. The sandwiches were delicious, and the craft beer selection was great! You order at the window and sit wherever to eat and drink. It was busy, but there was a lot of outdoor seating available . For me, this is now a must-visit spot when I go to San Diego.
Views are 10/10.. This is a great spot to grab a snack and a refreshing beverage. The place can get really busy so be patient, tip well, and enjoy the ocean breeze!
It's was a gorgeous day with a light breeze and sun shining bright. Perfect to enjoy sitting on the patio while watching the paragliders. We planned to get a bite then head to the Birch Aquarium. Parking was easy even though the place was hoping. Ordering was quick and everyone was very friendly. You go to the cafe counter to order and pick up your food when your number is called. We ordered cheeseburgers and they were really good, perfectly cooked, well seasoned and served on a potato bun with ripe tomatoes and lettuce. Sooo good! I want to come back again soon.
Watching the paragliders from the cafe is a real treat! I had the Turkey California and it was ok. They have burgers and pizza on the weekends and those might be good. I came on a Friday and the had ample seating, but it does get busy.
The View? 5 The Service? 4 The Food? 3 Let's be honest here - I needed a good digital nomad seat to complete some work, make some calls, and get outside. Cliff Hanger Cafe provided all of that. While not necessarily quiet due to the large crowds that gather to say OMG I'd never do something like that, that's crazy, as they watch paragliders soar along the cliffs and those waiting for their tandems. But come early enough, on a weekday, with meh weather? Still better than sitting in an office~! The food was less expensive than I thought it would be - reasonable actually for something that is pulled from a cooler and tossed onto a grill with little effort behind the makeshift kitchen. Orders are a bit hard to hear, but damnit - why did it have to be okay tasting?! I thought for sure it would be the worst - but a solid three out of five. Will I be back? Yep. Order food? Yep. Coffee? Nope. We could still use some work there.
Arrived on a late Friday morning. This was a fluke stop. Generally the hubby is not the best on finding anything quickly off the road when traveling. I was again concerned that we were walking into another a dud and lo and behold the man outdid himself! This was not the experience I expected and I was so pleased with the Cliff Hanger Cafe! Not only was my food great, but the views and watching experience was out of this world. I had never seen or heard of a glider port and am so glad that I got to experience it (way to go hubby). While enjoying a beverage and sandwich, we were able to watch gliders starting/stopping and of course gliding. Amazing to see how it is done and the view from the cliff is poetic. Not to mention you are right next to Torrey Pines (WHAT). La Jolla in the distance, the vast ocean, a meal and watching gliders start and land, yep a very fulfilling morning! Only downside, port-a-potty's! But I would do it again for the experience!
The food is really cheap! I was expecting to pay $15+ for my sandwiches since it's a cafe next to the cliff but it was only around $13 which is really nice. Not much service since it's all self serve but the view is amazing and I really enjoyed the vibe there.
My husband and I stopped here for the views and a quick bite to eat while leaving La Jolla recently. It's located on the cliffs overlooking Torrey Pines Gliderport. Parking was a challenge - it's a dirt lot and things were packed on our mid-week visit. We both had chicken pesto sandwiches which were nothing special - the pesto was soaked through the bread, which the menu labeled as "rosemary bread" but appeared to be regular white bread. Service was fairly quick. It was extremely windy and yes, the ocean views were great. We didn't get to see much in terms of gliders. One woman was getting a paragliding lesson but wasn't at the point of actually taking off over the cliff, so honestly, not much to see. In summary, this is a super casual spot with nice views and so-so food. Oh and the only bathrooms available are porta-potties.
The turkey was good and the bread was good and there was avocado on it, ripe the way it is here, and lettuce that still had some crunch left in it. It was a good sandwich. Below it the ocean did what the ocean does, moving without hurry, blue where the sun hit it and gray where it didn't, and you sat there and ate and looked at it and did not need anything else. This was California and it was a good day to be alive in it.
Came for the views and experience, stayed for the amazing food. Fresh sandwiches and piping hot pizza-YUM! Both were perfect to enjoy on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Cliff Hanger Cafe. Side note, this place gets PACKED so go early or you'll have a bit of a long wait for food/seating.
Only had coffee but it was good and the server was very friendly. The most beautiful view possible of the coast, paragliders. Lots of outdoor seating plus dog friendly. Porta potas available. You can also take a hike down to the beach. The menu has a lot of choices so we will definitely come hungry ,!prices seem reasonable.
Wonderful place and wonderful food. Such a hidden gem of a place! After we ate, we were able to hike around the area. So much fun.
What a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Drinking a few beers & watching the many paragliders set up, glide and then land. This is literally right on the same field & right next to them. We got there early so walked right up. Our bartender was so nice and offered me to try a couple variety of beers on tap. So very nice. After our mid-day walk along Black Beach we came back and the line was long to order with only the same bartender. But, it was a nice day so we took our time and chilled. Didn't order food since we had a big breakfast but still this is the place to be for a beautiful day in Torrey Pines/La Jolla.
Cool spot to check out what seems to be a San Diego type of thing to do with the gliding. FYI porta potties is all they have. The good is really good, but confusing to figure out. I believe you can order all the food options and drinks at the bar. That's what I did and it seemed to work out. The place is a cool odd doorsy, sports place. Glad I got to visit. read more
23 hours ago
My first time at this place, the view is great and the drinks are perfect. Everything was great until my friend decided to order food. Our order took around 1:30 mins to come out. When I asked the lady on the back cooking was very rude. The place was super busy if you're going to use the bathroom bring your own paper. Over all the drinks were good. I did not want to try the food as it seems the people preparing it are rude. read more
This spot was so cool! Watching people casually take off from right in front of me for paragliding and hang gliding was awesome. The sandwiches were delicious, and the craft beer selection was great! You order at the window and sit wherever to eat and drink. It was busy, but there was a lot of outdoor seating available . For me, this is now a must-visit spot when I go to San Diego. read more
It's was a gorgeous day with a light breeze and sun shining bright. Perfect to enjoy sitting on the patio while watching the paragliders. We planned to get a bite then head to the Birch Aquarium. Parking was easy even though the place was hoping. Ordering was quick and everyone was very friendly. You go to the cafe counter to order and pick up your food when your number is called. We ordered cheeseburgers and they were really good, perfectly cooked, well seasoned and served on a potato bun with ripe tomatoes and lettuce. Sooo good! I want to come back again soon. read more
2 months ago
Watching the paragliders from the cafe is a real treat! I had the Turkey California and it was ok. They have burgers and pizza on the weekends and those might be good. I came on a Friday and the had ample seating, but it does get busy. read more
The View? 5 The Service? 4 The Food? 3 Let's be honest here - I needed a good digital nomad seat to complete some work, make some calls, and get outside. Cliff Hanger Cafe provided all of that. While not necessarily quiet due to the large crowds that gather to say OMG I'd never do something like that, that's crazy, as they watch paragliders soar along the cliffs and those waiting for their tandems. But come early enough, on a weekday, with meh weather? Still better than sitting in an office~! The food was less expensive than I thought it would be - reasonable actually for something that is pulled from a cooler and tossed onto a grill with little effort behind the makeshift kitchen. Orders are a bit hard to hear, but damnit - why did it have to be okay tasting?! I thought for sure it would be the worst - but a solid three out of five. Will I be back? Yep. Order food? Yep. Coffee? Nope. We could still use some work there. read more
4 months ago
Arrived on a late Friday morning. This was a fluke stop. Generally the hubby is not the best on finding anything quickly off the road when traveling. I was again concerned that we were walking into another a dud and lo and behold the man outdid himself! This was not the experience I expected and I was so pleased with the Cliff Hanger Cafe! Not only was my food great, but the views and watching experience was out of this world. I had never seen or heard of a glider port and am so glad that I got to experience it (way to go hubby). While enjoying a beverage and sandwich, we were able to watch gliders starting/stopping and of course gliding. Amazing to see how it is done and the view from the cliff is poetic. Not to mention you are right next to Torrey Pines (WHAT). La Jolla in the distance, the vast ocean, a meal and watching gliders start and land, yep a very fulfilling morning! Only downside, port-a-potty's! But I would do it again for the experience! read more
The food is really cheap! I was expecting to pay $15+ for my sandwiches since it's a cafe next to the cliff but it was only around $13 which is really nice. Not much service since it's all self serve but the view is amazing and I really enjoyed the vibe there. read more
My husband and I stopped here for the views and a quick bite to eat while leaving La Jolla recently. It's located on the cliffs overlooking Torrey Pines Gliderport. Parking was a challenge - it's a dirt lot and things were packed on our mid-week visit. We both had chicken pesto sandwiches which were nothing special - the pesto was soaked through the bread, which the menu labeled as "rosemary bread" but appeared to be regular white bread. Service was fairly quick. It was extremely windy and yes, the ocean views were great. We didn't get to see much in terms of gliders. One woman was getting a paragliding lesson but wasn't at the point of actually taking off over the cliff, so honestly, not much to see. In summary, this is a super casual spot with nice views and so-so food. Oh and the only bathrooms available are porta-potties. read more
11 days ago
The turkey was good and the bread was good and there was avocado on it, ripe the way it is here, and lettuce that still had some crunch left in it. It was a good sandwich. Below it the ocean did what the ocean does, moving without hurry, blue where the sun hit it and gray where it didn't, and you sat there and ate and looked at it and did not need anything else. This was California and it was a good day to be alive in it. read more
3 months ago
Came for the views and experience, stayed for the amazing food. Fresh sandwiches and piping hot pizza-YUM! Both were perfect to enjoy on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Cliff Hanger Cafe. Side note, this place gets PACKED so go early or you'll have a bit of a long wait for food/seating. read more
Only had coffee but it was good and the server was very friendly. The most beautiful view possible of the coast, paragliders. Lots of outdoor seating plus dog friendly. Porta potas available. You can also take a hike down to the beach. The menu has a lot of choices so we will definitely come hungry ,!prices seem reasonable. read more
26 days ago
Wonderful place and wonderful food. Such a hidden gem of a place! After we ate, we were able to hike around the area. So much fun. read more
What a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Drinking a few beers & watching the many paragliders set up, glide and then land. This is literally right on the same field & right next to them. We got there early so walked right up. Our bartender was so nice and offered me to try a couple variety of beers on tap. So very nice. After our mid-day walk along Black Beach we came back and the line was long to order with only the same bartender. But, it was a nice day so we took our time and chilled. Didn't order food since we had a big breakfast but still this is the place to be for a beautiful day in Torrey Pines/La Jolla. read more
11 days ago
First time coming here yesterday and the view alone is absolutely stunning. Such a cool spot to hang out by the coast/Gliderport or take a walk, and there's tons of outdoor seating for bigger groups. It's also dog friendly! The food, wasn't quite what I expected. I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich, and it came out bland and dry, with very little pesto but a lot of lettuce. Just not the sandwich for me, which was a bummer. My friend's sandwich was made incorrectly, and because it involved an allergy, we had to have it remade -- the staff handled it kindly! If I were to come back, I would be open to trying something different on their menu! Quick note: no restrooms, only porta potties. read more
9 months ago
This spot has *amazing* views of the water and nonstop paragliding--such a cool backdrop for lunch! I ordered the Chicken Acapulco sandwich and it was HUGE, super filling, and really flavorful. The only downside was the bees. They were everywhere the day we visited, and we ended up moving seats a few times because they kept swarming us. Not sure if that's normal, but it was definitely noticeable. Aside from that, watching the paragliders while enjoying a delicious lunch felt like "lunch and a show." On a perfect windy day, you really can't beat the views, the vibe, and the food! read more
Came on a Friday morning. The views are to die for! The large patio has plenty of high top seating plus benches with umbrellas, so it's easy to just sit back and take it all in. Didn't try the food (so I'm not sure about the quality or service) but grabbed a few beers and some chips and hung out until about noon. Super relaxing vibe overall. Was hoping to catch some hang gliders but no luck this time , but still a great spot to unwind! Saw a trainer testing out a sail, so I snapped a quick picture. read more
The good : amazing views and it's fun to watch the paragliding and the prices are reasonable . It's worth visiting for the views alone The bad: we came the Sunday during Labor Day so it may have been busier than usual but it took 50 minutes for us to get our food after waiting in line for 15 minutes to order. We ordered a salad and a sandwich. The people in line in front of us ordered pizza and got their food about 20 minutes before us. They only have port a potties . As we were leaving I did notice a portable sink to wash your hands which I wish I would have noticed before eating The food was just okay. I probably would have ranked it higher if we hadn't waited so long and was getting hangry after our Torrey Pines hike Parking - there is a giant parking lot and I got lucky finding a spot but you may have to park on the street . read more
The location is what makes this place great. It's nice to sit there and watch the paragliders practice, takeoff, and land. There's a beautiful view of the beach below. Service is ok. Ordered at the counter and was given a receipt with a number that they will call out when our food is ready is be picked up at the trailer in the back. Prices are $12 for a sandwich by itself. There were no sides included. I ordered the Chicken pesto sandwich and it was good. Bought an overpriced bag of chips and a small bottle of iced tea too. read more
4 months ago
The sandwiches were underwhelming!! One, maybe two slices of meat, cheese, lettuce and toasted bread (I took off the tomato) That's it!!! Location was awesome and fun to watch the paragliders. read more
3 months ago
Amazing ambiance, great sandwiches and vibes. Came on Memorial Day only recommendation would be having fries on holiday. 10/10 would return read more
6 days ago
30 days ago
Excellent casual spot with epic views and vibes! I love this spot for a casual drink or two (there's even live music sometimes!) but for a number of reasons, not a meal or a longer hang. Pros: good, reasonably priced drinks and the views and vibes can't be beat. Cons: almost no gluten free food options (only some salads w modifications); the bathrooms (porta potties); and the wait for drinks and food can be *long*. Also worth noting is the dirt lot parking situation can be tricky if you have an especially low car. Overall highly recommend this spot for a drink and to watch the hang gliders and generally take in the views, but we typically don't linger here long in light of the food/drink slow moving line and the bathroom situation. read more
5 months ago
Nice view !!! Badly customer service ( Rude girl at the register) mostly sold out!!! Food is okay not bad... read more
27 days ago
7 months ago
Ambiance : Multiple places to sit and chat with friends. Service : was quick and helpful. Food: honestly so good. Fries (Only available Saturday and Sunday) perfect. Ceaser Wrap sauced up and refreshing, had one half of it there then took the other half home, refrigerated it and had it later and it held up perfectly fine. Margarita pizza was cheesy and flavorful. read more
10 months ago
Such a beautiful spot to have lunch. Came here after a hike and enjoyed the view and the food. We had a roast beef sandwich and the Bianca pizza. The sandwich was ok, I think the Bianca was what I like the most. It was a bit of a wait for the pizza but worth it. Downside to this place is there's only port a potties. read more
Note- this place is housed with glider port. It was a good find for us after Torrey Pines as we were dressed in hiking gear. We ordered at side window and weren't told to pick the food up at another location. We eventually figured it out. It was a nice place to wait with sea breeze and watching the falconry. As the wind picked up the hand gliders came out. They usually will take off from there but the wind was not quite strong enough while we were there. We ordered burger (special of the day) and chicken Caesar wrap. Burger was very good. The wrap had too much dressing on it. Good beer selection. read more
1 year ago
Awesome spot! Grab a beer and watch the gliders. The food is also pretty good, I enjoyed the Caesar wrap. I really like sitting on the upstairs deck for the best view. read more
1 year ago
What a cool little gem hidden in Torrey Pines beach I love this café. It has so many options to offer besides food and drinks. I mean you can get a pizza a burger, fries, salad ice cream so many options but besides that the view is absolutely beautiful and to top it off, you can watch people paragliding. Will never do that, but I love to watch people in the sky, just being fearless. They also have a really cool birds of a prey experience that you can do Anyhow, if you have family visiting or just wanna have some delicious woodfired pizza while looking at the Pacific Ocean, this is the place. Service is super casual. Nothing big but the boys are on it. Thank you read more
6 months ago
The Chicken Caesar wrap was the best I've had in a while! It had the perfect ratio of chicken to lettuce to dressing and the Caesar dressing was creamy with the right amount of tanginess to it! I'd come back just for this alone! The views and vibes are great too. Come on a windier day if you want to catch people hang gliding! read more
3 months ago
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More info about Cliff Hanger Cafe
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla Shores
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(858) 452-9858
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https://www.flytorrey.com/the-cafe/
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Ask the Community - Cliff Hanger Cafe
How is the parking situation?
There is a dirt lot right by the glider point/cliff Hanger cafe. Also a second lot for pilots only. There's a sign to warn ya. There is street parking but you might have to walk a bit. Interesting layout to the lot but it's doable. It's free…
I use a walker. Is it easy to access?
There is dirt and gravel in the parking lot and a bit of an incline going up to the patio. With some assistance, and getting dropped off, I see no problem. Enjoy!
Does the cafe have real restrooms or is it just the portapotties in the parking lot?
Hi Tiffany, Unfortunately we only have port-o-potties in the parking.
Is this place Kid friendly?
Hi Denise, We are kid friendly. Kids love to fly and watch the gliders. But we don't have a specific menu for kids, we can just customize the order for them.
Are there gluten free options?
Good morning Christina, yes we have a variety of salads and we could also make you a wrap. Just speak to one of our chefs who will be happy to oblige.
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Cliff Hanger Cafe - sandwiches - Updated August 2026
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