Quick answer
San Diego's rooftop bars, ranging from $7-$22 for drinks, offer diverse experiences, but Mister A's is a top recommendation for fine dining. The best time to visit is September through November for warm days and spectacular sunsets. This guide, curated from local local consensus, highlights the best spots, from Gaslamp to La Jolla.
- Best overall
- Mister A's
- Top pick
- Mister A's
Top verdicts
- Mister A's: The undisputed king of San Diego rooftop bars.
- The Nolen Rooftop: The best pure cocktail bar on a rooftop in San Diego.
- Top of the Hyatt: The highest rooftop bar in San Diego.
What we found: the city's rooftop scene spans everything from white-tablecloth fine dining 12 stories up (Mister A's) to a 10,000 sq ft dog-friendly brewery patio (Kairoa). The Gaslamp and Little Italy dominate, but La Jolla and Mission Beach have some of the best ocean-view options. Cocktails typically run $14–$22, with happy hours offering the best value.
Area map
1. Mister A's
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mister A's | Fine Dining Rooftop | $100+ | |
| 2 | The Nolen Rooftop | Craft Cocktails | $20-30 | |
| 3 | Top of the Hyatt | 40Th Floor Views | $20-30 | |
| 4 | Born and Raised | Steakhouse Rooftop | $100+ | |
| 5 | Lumi | Japanese-Peruvian Fusion | $50-100 | |
| 6 | Kettner Exchange | Craft Cocktails | $50-100 | |
| 7 | Altitude Sky Lounge | Hotel Rooftop | $20-30 | |
| 8 | Seneca Trattoria | Italian Rooftop | $50-100 | |
| 9 | George's at the Cove | Ocean Terrace | $$$ | |
| 10 | Cannonball | Rooftop Sushi | $$ | |
| 11 | Kairoa Brewing Company | Rooftop Brewery | $20-30 | |
| 12 | Coco Maya | Tropical Cocktails | $$$ |
1Mister A's
Fine Dining Rooftop💴 $100+
Verdict: The undisputed king of San Diego rooftop bars.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Fine Dining Rooftop in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Fine Dining Rooftop
- Price / value
- $100+
- Why it made the list
- The undisputed king of San Diego rooftop bars.
- What to order
- Potato-crusted sea bass and the Sunday Jazz Brunch.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue3:30-10 PM
Wed3:30-10 PM
Thu3:30-10 PM
Fri3:30-11 PM
Sat3:30-11 PM
Sun10 AM-2 PM, 3:30-10 PM
“Mister A's is the classic San Diego rooftop experience. The views are insane.”
— Editor's note
“If you want THE rooftop experience in SD, it's Mister A's.”
— Editor's note
2The Nolen Rooftop
Craft Cocktails💴 $20-30
Verdict: The best pure cocktail bar on a rooftop in San Diego.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Craft Cocktails in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Craft Cocktails
- Price / value
- $20-30
- Why it made the list
- The best pure cocktail bar on a rooftop in San Diego.
- What to order
- Seasonal craft cocktails and enjoy the fire pit area.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed3 PM-12 AM
Thu3 PM-12 AM
Fri3 PM-2 AM
Sat12 PM-2 AM
Sun12 PM-12 AM
“The Nolen has a great view of downtown. Good cocktails, nice vibe.”
— Editor's note
“The Nolen downtown is the answer if you want cocktails with a view.”
— Editor's note
3Top of the Hyatt
40Th Floor Views💴 $20-30
Verdict: The highest rooftop bar in San Diego.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- 40Th Floor Views in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for 40Th Floor Views
- Price / value
- $20-30
- Why it made the list
- The highest rooftop bar in San Diego. 40 stories up.
- What to order
- Neighborhood-inspired cocktails while taking in the scenery.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon3 PM-12 AM
Tue3 PM-12 AM
Wed3 PM-12 AM
Thu3 PM-12 AM
Fri3 PM-12 AM
Sat3 PM-12 AM
Sun3 PM-12 AM
“Top of the Hyatt. 40 stories up, great views, good drinks.”
— Editor's note
“Harbor views with the bridge and Coronado are amazing from up there.”
— Editor's note
4Born and Raised
Steakhouse Rooftop💴 $100+
Verdict: Two personalities — glamorous dining room downstairs, breezy rooftop terrace upstairs.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Steakhouse Rooftop in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Steakhouse Rooftop
- Price / value
- $100+
- Why it made the list
- Two personalities — glamorous dining room downstairs, breezy rooftop terrace upstairs.
- What to order
- Dry-aged steaks, tableside Caesar salad, and Otoro tartare.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue3-10 PM
Wed3-10 PM
Thu3-10 PM
Fri3-11 PM
Sat3-11 PM
Sun3-10 PM
“Born and Raised, Altitude Sky Lounge, The Nolen, Cannonball are some of the best rooftop bars.”
— Editor's note
“Born and Raised has an amazing rooftop. Great steaks, great cocktails.”
— Editor's note
5Lumi
Japanese-Peruvian Fusion💴 $50-100
Verdict: Celebrity chef Akira Back's 5,000 sq ft Gaslamp rooftop.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Japanese-Peruvian Fusion in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Japanese-Peruvian Fusion
- Price / value
- $50-100
- Why it made the list
- Celebrity chef Akira Back's 5,000 sq ft Gaslamp rooftop.
- What to order
- Akira Back Pizza and Kanpachi Ceviche.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed5:30-11 PM
Thu5:30 PM-12 AM
Fri5:30 PM-1:30 AM
Sat6 PM-1:30 AM
Sun5:30-11 PM
“Lumi Rooftop brings an artful, energetic experience to downtown San Diego.”
— San Diego Magazine - 2025
“Lumi is the spot for great sushi, creative cocktails, and a rooftop party vibe.”
— Editor's note
6Kettner Exchange
Craft Cocktails💴 $50-100
Verdict: One of Little Italy's anchor spots and Michelin-recognized.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Craft Cocktails in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Craft Cocktails
- Price / value
- $50-100
- Why it made the list
- One of Little Italy's anchor spots and Michelin-recognized.
- What to order
- Handcrafted cocktails and spicy tuna crispy rice.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue5-10 PM
Wed5-10 PM
Thu5-10 PM
Fri5-11 PM
Sat10 AM-11 PM
Sun10 AM-10 PM
“Kettner Exchange has a rooftop bar. Both in Little Italy.”
— Editor's note
“Kettner Exchange rooftop is great — good cocktails, good food.”
— Editor's note
7Altitude Sky Lounge
Hotel Rooftop💴 $20-30
Verdict: The party rooftop.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Hotel Rooftop in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Hotel Rooftop
- Price / value
- $20-30
- Why it made the list
- The party rooftop. DJs, fire pits, and Petco Park views.
- What to order
- Cocktails with views, especially during Padres games.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon5 PM-12 AM
Tue5 PM-12 AM
Wed5 PM-12 AM
Thu5 PM-1 AM
Fri5 PM-2 AM
Sat12 PM-2 AM
Sun12 PM-12 AM
“Altitude Sky Lounge at the Marriott downtown. Great views during Padres games.”
— Editor's note
“Altitude is more of a party vibe — DJs, fire pits, outdoor club feel.”
— Editor's note
8Seneca Trattoria
Italian Rooftop💴 $50-100
Verdict: Luxury cruise ship vibes on the 19th floor of the InterContinental.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Italian Rooftop in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Italian Rooftop
- Price / value
- $50-100
- Why it made the list
- Luxury cruise ship vibes on the 19th floor of the InterContinental.
- What to order
- Wagyu bolognese and wood-fired pizzas.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM-10 PM
Tue11 AM-10 PM
Wed11 AM-10 PM
Thu11 AM-10 PM
Fri11 AM-11 PM
Sat11 AM-11 PM
Sun11 AM-10 PM
“Seneca on the 19th floor — dramatic views and solid Italian food.”
— San Diego Magazine - 2025
“Like dining on a Mediterranean cruise ship.”
— Editor's note
9George's at the Cove
Ocean Terrace💴 $$$
Verdict: A La Jolla institution.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Ocean Terrace in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Ocean Terrace
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- A La Jolla institution. Sunset here is a bucket-list moment.
- What to order
- Enjoy casual sunset cocktails on the Ocean Terrace.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM-9 PM
Tue11 AM-9 PM
Wed11 AM-9 PM
Thu11 AM-9 PM
Fri11 AM-10 PM
Sat11 AM-10 PM
Sun11 AM-9 PM
“The view of La Jolla Cove is unreal. Best sunset spot in San Diego.”
— Editor's note
“George's at the Cove is a rooftop option in La Jolla.”
— Editor's note
10Cannonball
Rooftop Sushi💴 $$
Verdict: The beach rooftop.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Rooftop Sushi in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Rooftop Sushi
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- The beach rooftop. Ocean views that downtown bars dream of.
- What to order
- Creative sushi rolls and specialty cocktails with ocean views.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon12-9 PM
Tue12-9 PM
Wed12-9 PM
Thu12-9 PM
Fri12-10 PM
Sat11 AM-10 PM
Sun11 AM-9 PM
“Cannonball — rooftop sushi with ocean views. Best beachside rooftop.”
— Editor's note
“You're literally sitting above the beach.”
— Editor's note
11Kairoa Brewing Company
Rooftop Brewery💴 $20-30
Verdict: San Diego's best brewery rooftop.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Rooftop Brewery in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Rooftop Brewery
- Price / value
- $20-30
- Why it made the list
- San Diego's best brewery rooftop. 10,000+ sq ft, dog-friendly.
- What to order
- House-brewed pilsner, rack of lamb, and items from the dog menu.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed5-11 PM
Thu5-11 PM
Fri4-11 PM
Sat12-11 PM
Sun10 AM-8 PM
“Kairoa — great rooftop, good beers, NZ-inspired food. Dog-friendly.”
— San Diego Eater - 2024
“Kairoa is the best rooftop brewery in SD.”
— Editor's note
12Coco Maya
Tropical Cocktails💴 $$$
Verdict: Little Italy's tropical escape.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Tropical Cocktails in San Diego
- Strengths
- Known for Tropical Cocktails
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Little Italy's tropical escape. Killer brunch game.
- What to order
- Lobster caviar benedict, spicy mango ceviche, and mimosas.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon10:30 AM-10 PM
Tue10:30 AM-10 PM
Wed10:30 AM-10 PM
Thu10:30 AM-11 PM
Fri9 AM-12 AM
Sat9 AM-12 AM
Sun9 AM-9 PM
“Great rooftop — tropical vibes, good brunch, fun cocktails.”
— San Diego Magazine - 2025
“Most fun rooftop brunch in SD. Great mimosas, colorful food.”
— Editor's note
Frequently asked questions
What is the best rooftop bar in San Diego?
Mister A s on the 12th floor in Bankers Hill is widely considered the best, with 180-degree views of the skyline, Balboa Park, and the harbor.
Are there rooftop bars with ocean views?
Yes. Cannonball at Belmont Park, Georges at the Cove in La Jolla, and Top of the Hyatt all offer ocean or harbor views.
How much do drinks cost at San Diego rooftop bars?
Cocktails typically range from 14-22 dollars. Budget options like Kairoa Brewing offer craft beers from 7-10 dollars.
Do I need reservations?
Reservations are strongly recommended for Mister As, Born and Raised, Seneca Trattoria, and Lumi. The Nolen, Altitude, and Top of the Hyatt are walk-in friendly.
Best time to visit rooftop bars in San Diego?
September through November is the sweet spot. Arrive 60-90 minutes before sunset for golden hour.
What should I wear?
Mister As and Born and Raised expect smart-casual. Kairoa, Cannonball, and Coco Maya are casual-friendly.