Although the place was almost empty when we arrived, it was before 5 pm and there were 5 of us ,they forced us into a small booth. When we asked for a larger table we were told they were held for parties with reservations coming in. The entire time we were there no large parties ever came in. My husband's food, a special of the night, came just warm. The balance of the party's food came hot. We were trying to have a pleasant conversation but help kept trying to remove our plates before everyone was done. We are locals in the neighborhood and had been here before the new current owners took the place over. We were disappointed before and tonight was not much better of an experience. Had hoped we would find the atmosphere and service better but was disappointed again. Probably not going to frequent again anytime soon. read more

Had the most amazing dinner and the U2 tribute band was fun Yvette the new manager has really been an asset to the restaurant! Completely turned the food and service around pretty quickly! Restaurant is really nice and the outdoor space is incredible with a sand pit area and everything! Also dog friendly so that's always a plus!! Parking is easy because it's a huge lot! We had NY steaks and the char was delicious and meat very tender! The sourdough stuffed loaf is to die for and the Ahi tower is a must!! Can't wait to see the new menu and the grilled Romaine salad will be going back on the menu! You can thank me later for that one!! read more

Ordered their Creek Burger and fries. Food was really good. It's all the other aspects that fell apart. There were a ton of tables open and we had a reservation. Still had to wait between 5-10 minutes passed our time for a table. Not so fun with 2 toddlers. Then it took about 20 minutes to get our drinks. I saw about 7 waiters around the outside bar at one point. No clue why it took so long. And then when I got my draft beer, it was 12 oz in a plastic wine shaped glass. How is a pint not the standard size? And in plastic? The food came out quickly after ordering. The outside sand area that's enclosed is a great idea, with view of street. Would not recommend this place based on poor service. read more

Salt Creek Grille - Outside sand enclosed area - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

After a subpar brunch a while back, we needed time before returning to Salt Creek Grill. After last night's experience, we might be done with them. - 35 minutes to get drinks - 45 minutes to place food order - Entrees arrived literally -one- minute after salads and soup. They did not remake, but put under lamps for five minutes to nicely dry out our fish dish - Had to ask for water refills multiple times - Got attitude from server towards us when our dishes came out with wrong sides and we asked for a correction - If we have to pay for a birthday dessert on top of a $500 tab, at least let us choose which dessert There is a certain level of service and quality control we expect when paying $56/entree, and SCG is missing the mark on both. We live nearby and used to come here all the time, but just can't support their current state. We appreciate how beautiful the patio area is and that they are bringing in live music, so would consider returning for drinks and a band but not likely anything else. read more

We were celebrating my cousin's birthday, and from the moment we sat down, Kiana brought such a warm, positive energy to our table. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure everyone was having a great time. Her positive attitude and joyful spirit was infectious, Kiana was very sweet and attentive. She constantly checked in to make sure we had everything we needed without ever being overbearing, allowing us to enjoy our time together while still feeling well taken care of. She also gave fantastic recommendations, and everything we ordered came out timely and perfectly prepared. One thing that really stood out was when I asked if they happened to have truffle fries, even though they weren't on the menu. She explained that they normally only serve them during happy hour, but she offered to check anyway...and to my surprise, she was able to bring them out for us! That small gesture meant so much and showed how willing she was to go above and beyond for her guests. To make the birthday celebration even more special, she brought out a beautiful tres leches cake with a candle so we could all sing happy birthday to my cousin. It was such a thoughtful touch and made the moment feel truly special. After we paid, we had the chance to chat with her, and it only confirmed what we had already experienced throughout the meal--she is such a positive, uplifting person. She's the kind of employee who lights up an establishment and makes people want to come back. We left talking about how wonderful she was, and she played a huge role in making our celebration so memorable. The food was just as amazing as the service. We started with the crab and spinach dip and the bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer, both of which were absolutely delicious and the perfect way to start our meal. I ordered the Caesar salad with steak, and it was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Everything we ordered came out fresh, timely, and exactly as expected. From the appetizers to the desserts, every dish was excellent and made the experience even more enjoyable. FYI if you're going to get any appetizer the CRAB & SPINACH DIP + THE BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP IS THE WAY TO GO!!!! The ambience is perfection, beautifully decorated with lights. Such a great experience. read more

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This place is a complete disappointment. Staying in Monarch Beach and thought we would visit this local hotspot. I was disgusted to be seated at a table with cigarette ashes, or some sort of black residue on the seat. In addition, there were dirty plates given to us as well as dirty silverware. We ordered two fillets & the ribs. The fillets were so hard to cut through there is no way that was a premium cut of beef. Also heavily over seasoned to compensate for the texture. My husband's ribs were average. They came out so hot. He couldn't eat them for several minutes which indicates to me they were probably microwaved. I don't know how these people get away with charging so much money for this below average food quality. Not to mention half the restaurant seems to be renovated while the other half looks depressing with carpet. I would never recommend this place for your family to come eat. It's basically an elevated Sizzler type place, but you pay $$$$. read more

Salt Creek Grille - Hard as a rock "filet" - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

This has been the first time going to Salt Creek since the remodel and it will probably be the last time. How on a Friday night at 6:00pm can I order beers and they are out of them, a Trestles and then an 805. So I order another beer and they did actually have it but are you kidding me $12.00 for the beer. Not even a 12 oz pour because we measured it with a Pacifico bottle. Then the food was so so. I got the wedge salad and you would have thought it came off the kids menu as small as it was. My son got the steak which he said was not that great as were the fish and chips we got. From the cost, the portions and being out of stock I don't recommend this at all. Sorry Salt Creek. read more

Salt Creek Grille - The@12 oz" pour. - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

Last time we were here was a year ago, and it was great.... all I can say now is that the service and food have declined dramatically!! They were out of half the beers on draft. It took more than 20 minutes to get our first drinks, and we had to wave down our waiter to get more. My filet was overly salty and my wife's garlic shrimp linguine was just ok. For a $175 dinner for two, we expected much, much more! Hope this was just an off day for them, but we won't be back to try it again. read more

We came down to San Clemente on Sunday and stayed and extra night in Dana point. We had my husband's birthday dinner here he ordered the local rock crab dip appetizer and it was delicious. Our server was very kind and welcoming her name was Kiana. I enjoyed the lychee martini that was made so well. He had a ribeye that was supposed to be rare but came out a little more medium they were able to fix it and I had the sea bass that was so good! The Brussels as a side were delicious. It was pet friendly on the patio because we brought our dog along for the trip! Friendly staff and our experience was great overall, his steak is why I didn't leave 5 starts, but the service was perfect. They have a nice outdoor patio we went on a Monday so it was quiet. The patio looks like it has a stage so I imagine they do live music out there when it's busier. Great time! read more

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Salt Creek is my go to place for steak. They always cook it to perfection. The staff is incredibly kind and provides exceptional service. The place is always spotless, and the overall ambiance is great for date nights. Also, a big shoutout to Nasmy. She's the best. She remembers your name and always greets you if she's ever served you before. That alone makes me return. read more

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Went to this place for brunch for the first time. The ambiance was beautiful and they had great service. The food here was very delicious, I had ordered a crab omelette and it was fresh crab . I definitely recommend this place if you are in this area. read more

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Salt Creek Grille absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everything we ordered was incredible from start to finish. We started with the bacon wrapped shrimp and the crab dip, and both were packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. The wedge salad was crisp and refreshing, and for our mains we had the sea bass, pork chop, and the French dip. Every single dish was cooked beautifully and tasted amazing. The sea bass was especially outstanding, but honestly there were no weak dishes at all. And then there was the butter cake. Wow. It was the perfect ending to an already fantastic meal and easily one of the best desserts we have had in a long time. On top of the food, our server was wonderful. Attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We will absolutely be coming back. Highly recommend! read more

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Came to dine here on. Sunday night, our server was an older women with a short black ponytail, she seemed very upset with us after not ordering drink or an appetizer. Once we put our order in her mood and service changed we basically never saw her again unless calling her over. The pasta was bland and the meat was dry my $40 Caesar salad had literally 3oz of salmon. We were just visiting in the area and wanted to explore what's around us. We frequent the area but will definitely NEVER be back read more

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, OR HOME ALONE, COME HERE, FOR SOME CHEERS... SALT CREEK GRILLE, Dana Point, California! Family in Town, or if you're Home Alone, You Gotta come here for some Happy Holiday Cheers! My Husband and I have been coming back to Salt Creek Grille for so many many (27) years! And we were sad to see the original owners sell, but excited for the New Owners to do well! And I must say, all the renovations they have made to this place, are better then ever and made the place Great Again, ever since they opened in June 2024! It's definitely a more Upscale Dining Experience indeed! I Love how they've brought back the Welcoming Fireplace at the front entrance! Their outdoor patio is lovely too! It's a perfect place for their evening concerts & a great space to host a private party! There is even an area with Sand for the Kids to play! Their updated menu has some Delicious Options! And I love how they've kept some of original SCG favorites! Their Chilean Sea Bass is Always Ahh~Mazing! My Husband and I often share our version of a Surf & Turf... We Love their Blue Fin Tuna, so Fresh & Delicious and it pairs well with their Mesquite Grilled Double R Ranch Filet or their 18 oz. Ribeye! Their Steaks are Melt in your Mouth delicious and pairs Wonderfully with one of their Fine Wines! OMG! ~25+ Year Old 5.5 lbs of California Grown Spiny Lobster Sighting Found Here! We rarely have room for Dessert, but when I do, I'm going to get their Butter or Lava Cake! And I Must mention their MONDAY NIGHT Worthy SPECIALS... Ohhh, My Oh My, they have a Freaking Massive Chicken Pot Pie and their Prime Rib Special is also a Touchdown, it's so tender & both are more than enough to share! They have a Lively Lounge with a Piano Man! And their back door "Walker Lounge" space has been recently expanded! It's a Great Spot to Watch a game! And now they're Hosting Cool Party Events there, too! They Have a "Locals Only" Menu in the Lounge M-F, 4-6pm, Sat & Sun, 3-6pm, and All Day on Mondays! Their Weekend Brunch is a Must! We Love their Bloody Mary's and Egg Benny's! Service has Always been Superb here and we Always can't wait to come back to SALT CREEK GRILLE again! read more

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We were once regulars there. Always had a great service, friendly service and good times. However, lately there seems to be a change. We ordered our drinks which were served promptly. Afterwards, we ordered on more drink and Chilean sea bass. We waited and waited. We noticed that people who came before us were being served. However, we were waiting for our second cocktail for over 45 minutes. I had to flag down our server to remind her of our order. No effect. We continued to wait. We made the conscious decision to leave. The manager apologized and did not charge us. We went to Coastal Kitchen because we were starving. We got seated and fed right away. The experiences couldn't be more different. After several years of loyalty we will not be returning to Salt Creek. We are sad because it was a wonderful place. Coastal Kitchen will appreciate your business. I did tip the Server. It is not their fault for a poorly managed restaurant read more

This place is outstanding, I'll say it again this place is F&@ken OUTSTANDING. The service was excellent!!!!!! The outside patio was amazing ! Me and my wife said it's one of the best meals we've had in years at a restaurant!!!! We orders a sourdough cheese, garlic bread that was insane !!!!! Chicken piccata and Short rib dish. Do not miss not coming here if your in the area. read more

Came to celebrate the birthdays of myself and my husband. The food was delicious, we specially liked the stroganoff. Drinks were delicious, they had live music going on and that was very nice. Our server was great. He was very attentive and surprised us with 2 birthday deserts. Definitely coming back again. read more

Eek!! What's going on here - prices skyrocketing and portions disappearing oh no - service is lacking but ambiance is great. Tortilla soup looked like an enchilada can warmed up with strips not good Chicken sandwich lacks chicken not sure how that happened - manager and chef came by to apologize but no they forgot Not looking good ti come back unfortunately read more

We were really excited to try this restaurant because we were considering having a private dinner here after our elopement with 40+ guests. Unfortunately, our first experience was disappointing. The restaurant was not busy at all and there were plenty of open seats. We were seated and given water, but after 20 minutes, no one had checked in on us or taken our order, even though the guests at the table next to us were being attended to. We understand that restaurants can get busy, but given how quiet it was and the fact that we were hoping to potentially host such an important celebration here, the lack of attention left a poor first impression. We ultimately left feeling disappointed and will likely look elsewhere for our private dinner. read more

Shout out to Colton!! The service was impeccable. I went with a group of friends to celebrate my birthday on a Thursday afternoon (before line dancing). I was a little disappointed to find out happy hour only applied to the bar, but we sat on the patio and still had a great experience. When we got there around 4:30, it was quiet and we had the whole patio to ourselves. Eventually it started filling up and service became slower (reasonably so). But, I ended up missing all of line dancing! A little disappointing, but I still was able to enjoy the live band and pretty atmosphere. All our food was fabulous and I LOVED the complementary birthday cake! We had such a great experience and I can't wait go back soon! read more

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Sorry to report. Not a good experience. First thing we see when sitting down is how dirty the water glasses were... some just had water spots, but others had greasy fingerprints all over them... one steak knife was "sticky". Get a better dish washer and polish your glasses and check the utensils. The service was extremely slow, due to the kitchen that was way backed up. We waited 75 minutes for our entrees. The chicken was dry, but my braised short-rib was delicious. And the restaurant was only 25% occupied from 6pm to 8:30pm on a Sunday night. The molten lava cake wasn't, the creambrule had zero carmelized sugar (it was torched hours before being taken out of the refrigerator). This restaurant has seen better days. Sad to see. read more

It's okay. The creek burger is not what it use to be and fries meh!! The Friday music... I felt bored with too much rap. I left. I tried another week, the club music was okay. Service is still great and wine is still good, but it's not classy like it use to be. read more

Sadly this was my birthday dinner and our experience wasn't great. Our waitress Chelsy was so rude and not professional. She was upset that I sent my soda back for not being fizzy. Come to find out the machine wasn't working correctly. She gave my husband such a hard time he wanted to leave. The manager came and apologized to us about the soda machine so my husband provided feedback. We ended up getting a new waiter who was much nicer and was in fun sprites. Be mindful when going here. As for food: yellow tail crudo - not worth the price, all the add ons took away from the fish. It also needed some salt Seared ahi tuna - delicious, perfectly balanced and full of flavor Firewood steak - Juicy and perfectly cooked. The fire really enhanced the meat, 10 out of 10 Desserts - Butter cake was good but very sweet and rich Tres Leches - moist and delicious read more

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The last time I was here was before Covid. I started coming here two weeks ago because my girls wanted to do line dancing on Thursdays. We've asked for our favorite waiter, Sterling, for the second time. He is awesome, tentative, cheerful, personable, and most of all great customer service! The food we ordered were tasty and great for sharing: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp , Baked Sourdough Loaf, and Brussels Sprouts. And, you can't get any fresher than this...they have a tank full of live crabs that are FRESH served to order. Under new management, this place has completely come alive! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, making anyone feel right at home. The staff and customers are so friendly, and visits are always looked forward to with live entertainment. read more

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What a shock we had the other night--it was our first time visiting since the new owners took over, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. The four of us were seated at 7:00 p.m. and ordered drinks, which took approximately 25 minutes to arrive. Ivan was kind enough to offer us an appetizer to hold us over while we waited. When our dinners finally arrived, the presentation was lackluster for three of us, while our fourth guest had to wait at least another five minutes for their meal. Fortunately, the food itself was good. We then ordered a second round of drinks, but unfortunately, those did not arrive until all four of us were about 90% finished with our meals. To make matters worse, we were shocked to see that we were charged $32.00 for two baked potatoes. Really? Unfortunately, the numerous service issues, extended delays, and beverage shortages overshadowed what otherwise could have been a great dining experience. We sincerely hope these issues are addressed, as we would like to see the restaurant succeed under its new ownership. read more

We came here for a belated Father's Day brunch to celebrate my father-in-law and Sarah was absolutely fantastic! Service was incredible, the crab omelette, crab eggs benedict and banana pancakes were delicious, drinks were absolutely amazing; Sarah was so attentive and hilarious. We loved our time here and would absolutely come back for brunch to see Sarah again!! She even made sure he got a special little cake for Father's Day. Thank you Sarah, you were wonderful! read more

Salt Creek Grille - Eggs Benedict with crab - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

Easy to find, ample parking and plenty of seating on a Tuesday night. Met girlfriends for appetizers and girl time. Servers were attentive. Live music was a plus. Booths were comfy and the fireplace added a nice ambiance. Indoor and outdoor seating. Extending dry January so can't comment on the bar offerings. Appetizers were a gold mine. Bacon wrapped shrimp - nice and crispy while the shrimp remained juicy. 3 per order. Yum. Taquitos - star of the night. Served two (cut into halves) per order with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and some amazing crema sauce. So good we ordered 2! Steak bites - holy moly. Served 3 skewers per order and accompanied by a side of chimichurri sauce. If only I'd have paused to snap a photo. Again, ordered 2 of these and split among 3 of us we all enjoyed this app. Finally the sourdough bread. Cut into 6 wedges this small boule was the perfect size with garlic and cheese stuffed into the center. A nice way to mop up any leftover chimi, I really enjoyed downing these carbs. Pleasant experience and would definitely come back for happy hour, live music or a nice dinner out. read more

We came on a Sunday evening with reservations. Checking in was easy and we got seated right away. We seemed to get a lot of attention and so hospitality is great at Salt Creek Grille. We wanted to try the Rock Crab Dip but they were out that day which was fine because the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Roasted Bone Marrow hit the spot! I literally crave the Roasted Bone Marrow. Our server recommended the Coffee Crusted NY which was a great rec! We also ordered the braised short ribs - no regrets there! So much flavor! Our server also recommended the brussels sprouts which was soooo good! The butter cake also hit the spot. I totally appreciated the conversation we had with our server after our meal. I know the restaurant was closed so I appreciate the time he took to chat with us. read more

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Had not been here since they changed hands. Very good! Very very nice Aaron helped us pick out something delicious on the menu. He took his time to explain the menu. Such a pleasant experience. He made it even more pleasant! Very warm and friendly, very sincere. I will definitely be back read more

Salt Creek Grille - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

What a disappointing experience. We arrived around 4:30 PM, and the restaurant was uncomfortably hot. It was obvious the air conditioning either wasn't on or wasn't being used until the early dinner rush started coming in. For a restaurant charging these prices, guests shouldn't have to sit through dinner sweating and uncomfortable. The cleanliness was also a major issue. Our water glasses were stained and dirty, and the tables were sticky, making the entire place feel poorly maintained. These are basic details that should never be overlooked, especially at this price point. Considering how much our bill was, we left feeling like we had wasted our evening. We honestly would have had a much better experience at Houston's or Nick's. What makes it even more disappointing is that the location is absolutely phenomenal and has so much potential. Unfortunately, the atmosphere, cleanliness, and overall experience simply did not justify the cost. A beautiful location can only take a restaurant so far. We learned our lesson and will not be dining here again. read more

So my husband and I came here for our date night. The remodel looks really good. The booths are comfortable... thankfully the right height for the table! ( a pet peeve of mine ) the lighting, just right and the live music is great without being too loud to talk Tonight we had a server and a server in training, both were fantastic. My husband had the lamb chops because apparently those are amazing here!! I had the salmon and for appetizers we had the steamed artichoke and the shrimp cocktail. I don't know how they make their artichokes, but I find them absolutely delicious ! Because it was a special occasion, we finished up with crème brûlée and shots of espresso. Everything was really good! read more

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My husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere is charming, warm lighting and lively environment. Our server Shanna, made suggestions to fit our pain in the butt allergies and recommended the sea bass, it's INCREDIBLE. Do yourself a favor and order this, I was genuinely stuck between sea bass or the New York strip she suggested. If you like to drink, the cucumber kiss is amazing, it's refreshing and I'll be back for more for a girl's night out. Shanna was funny and absolutely made our night. We agreed before dinner was over to come back to see all the other items she recommended. Love this place and the service! read more

I grew up in DP and this was my first time dining at salt creek grill. I got the chicken piccata and it was really delicious. Our server Shanna was really helpful with the menu and helping us make a choice on what to order. She was very friendly, attentive and funny too. We celebrated a friend birthday and they brought out a cute dessert with a sparkling candle! The whole experience was really great! I will definitely be coming back soon. read more

Salt Creek Grille - chicken picatta - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

Had early Christmas dinner with my in laws on a Sunday. We sat outdoor where they had a tent set up with a Christmas tree and pretty lights. Service was great, got our food in a timely manner. I had the sea bass which was cooked well but had a bit of fishy taste to it. Hubbs got a burger which he enjoyed. read more

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Went here with my bestie to celebrate the night before her wedding day. We decided to share the ceasar salad, chicken sandwich and fish and chips. They were all good, but for the prices I was expecting a higher quality of food. Same went for the $20 cocktails, it was just lacking for me. The service was great and had a really nice ambiance. They even had a piano player singing, thus the 4 stars I gave them. But for the amount of money we spent ($65 pp) I just expected more. It would have been nice if they did a little something special for my friend as well! read more

Salt Creek Grille - Shared half blackened chicken sandwich and order of fish and chips - Steakhouses Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Love this place! I come here a couple times per month and I always sit in the bar area because the bar staff is always on point! Ted, Luis and brother/sister team, Andy and Mo, are all the best! My favorite drinks are the beach bunny and espresso martini. The bacon wrapped shrimp and artichoke are my fav apps and the braised short ribs and shrimp linguini are the tastiest entrees. read more

Update: My mom and I keep coming back and thing just keep getting better and better. My mom had had the sliders for Happy Hour and loved them and the last time we were in there she tried the steak bites of the Happy Hour again and this time it was perfect. Everything was cooked and delicious as is my virgin passion fruit martini. Luis, Ted and Thomas are all phenomenal people behind the bar. This is one of the best places to go in OC for Happy Hour or dinner or just to bring your family and friends who are visiting from out of town. I know you'll be completely satisfied from the moment you step foot into this wonderful establishment. read more

Happy Hour = Sad Hour! Prices too high for "happy hour". Ordered a lemon drop martini for $18 and the bartender did a short pour. When I asked him he rudely said everything is pre measured and there was nothing he could do for me. Rude and couldn't care less about customers. His name is Tyler! Would not recommend going there unless you want to spend a lot of money!! read more

We had dinner at Salt Creek Grille last night. Keep in mind, we had my son's rehearsal dinner there a few years ago and had a great experience. We have been many times over the years and always have good service and food. Last night was the exception. It was too busy for the kitchen to keep up. They had a band outside and it was packed. Standing room and a long wait at the inside bar for any drinks. We finally say for dinner. No water even though I asked 4 times. Our drinks took 45 minutes. There was also a mix up at the bar on my friend's credit card they had to refund. Our steaks were over cooked and took so long to come out. Our reservation was for 8pm and our dinner came after 9. I hope this is a one off and not how it is there now. Too expensive for the poor experience read more

We've found the Salt Creek Grille a very worthy return over the last several years - from Sunday Brunch to date nights. The atmosphere is always most pleasant inside and they've continued to provide outdoor opportunities worthy of one's consideration. The sand play area outside is great for small children with lounge seating to enjoy spirits and conversation. The entry deck has nice high tops - with glimpses of the ocean across PCH. Heaters scattered throughout. Note: PCH drivers / vehicles can be interruptive when trying to enjoy the outdoor settings - but it is typically brief and intermittent. Host / Service staff have always been knowledgeable, attentive and on point. Food (options / preparation) is consistently well done with delicious options to indulge or share together. read more