Food Scene / Dining Guide
Bars & Nightlife
First off you should know that *most* of the places around here cater to more of a 'middle-aged' crowd, so if you're looking for music get ready for a classic rock or hits of the 80's event. Most of these bars are also restaurants and serve food ranging from bar eats to fine dining but primarily these are drinking establishments.
24701 Del Prado Ave. Dana Point ★★★★ $$$ :
Dance floor with live bands most nights. Good drink selection. Inside can be a bit loud but outside patio is comfortable with fireplaces.
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StillWater Spirits & Sounds
24701 Del Prado Ave24701 Del Prado Ave. Dana Point ★★★★ $$$ :
Dance floor with live bands most nights. Good drink selection. Inside can be a bit loud but outside patio is comfortable with fireplaces.
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point. ★★★ $$$ : Convenient to some great views of the harbor and ocean.
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The Point Restaurant & Bar
34085 CA-134085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point. ★★★ $$$ : Convenient to some great views of the harbor and ocean.
201 Avenida Del Mar, SC. ★★★★ $$$ : Slightly younger, hipper crowd than most in the area and a bit more upscale (read pricier). Nice place to have a drink along Del Mar before dinner.
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H.H. Cotton's
201 Avenida Del Mar201 Avenida Del Mar, SC. ★★★★ $$$ : Slightly younger, hipper crowd than most in the area and a bit more upscale (read pricier). Nice place to have a drink along Del Mar before dinner.
206 S. El Camino Real, SC. ★★★ $$ : Might be the oldest bar in town. Lots of TV's and pool tables. Has the makings of a dive bar
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Goody's Tavern
206 S El Camino Real206 S. El Camino Real, SC. ★★★ $$ : Might be the oldest bar in town. Lots of TV's and pool tables. Has the makings of a dive bar
220 S. El Camino Real, SC. ★★★ $$ : Vying with Goody's for oldest bar in town (shares the same parking lot). Old school spot for serious drinking. Decent burgers too.
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Red Fox Lounge
220 S El Camino Real220 S. El Camino Real, SC. ★★★ $$ : Vying with Goody's for oldest bar in town (shares the same parking lot). Old school spot for serious drinking. Decent burgers too.
127 S. El Camino Real, SC ★★ $$ : Definitely a local hangout. Great for people watching or having a beer after working out at the gym next door. Good sports bar.
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Ole's Tavern
127 S El Camino Real127 S. El Camino Real, SC ★★ $$ : Definitely a local hangout. Great for people watching or having a beer after working out at the gym next door. Good sports bar.
31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC ★★★★ $$ : Right in the heart of San Juan. Great place for dancing. Looks like a cross between a cowboy bar and biker bar and the live bands reflect that mix. This is place you ought to go at least once if you're in the area.
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Swallows Inn
31786 Camino Capistrano31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC ★★★★ $$ : Right in the heart of San Juan. Great place for dancing. Looks like a cross between a cowboy bar and biker bar and the live bands reflect that mix. This is place you ought to go at least once if you're in the area.
Restaurant and bar on opposite sides of the pier. Can't beat the view - you're literally sitting over the breaking waves. Food is ok but nothing special. Drinks and view are what this is all about. Can be busy leading up to sundown - you'll know why if you go - but nothing to see after dark.
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Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar San Clemente
611 Avenida VictoriaRestaurant and bar on opposite sides of the pier. Can't beat the view - you're literally sitting over the breaking waves. Food is ok but nothing special. Drinks and view are what this is all about. Can be busy leading up to sundown - you'll know why if you go - but nothing to see after dark.
26701 Verdugo St, SJC ★★★★ $$$ : In the old Union Pacific train station. Great drinks, great food, very convenient if you're taking Amtrak or Metrolink
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Trevor's at the Tracks
26701 Verdugo St26701 Verdugo St, SJC ★★★★ $$$ : In the old Union Pacific train station. Great drinks, great food, very convenient if you're taking Amtrak or Metrolink
34700 PCH, Capo Beach ★★★ $$ :
Across PCH from Doheny State Beach. Great place to watch the sunset, shoot some pool, and enjoy an adult beverage.
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Sunsets Bar
34700 Pacific Coast Hwy34700 PCH, Capo Beach ★★★ $$ :
Across PCH from Doheny State Beach. Great place to watch the sunset, shoot some pool, and enjoy an adult beverage.
Breakfast & Coffee
Antoine's Cafe
218 S El Camino Real
Rose Donuts & Cafe
624 Camino De Los MaresGreat breakfast burritos
Cafe Mimosa
243 Avenida Del MarAnother of the French inspired places in San Clemente.
This one is in San Clemente - right across from the pier. Our favorite coffee place!
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Bear Coast Coffee
618 1/2 Avenida VictoriaThis one is in San Clemente - right across from the pier. Our favorite coffee place!
A little bit of France in the heart of San Clemente. Try the almond croissant - tres bien!
Chaupain Bakery
211 Avenida Del MarA little bit of France in the heart of San Clemente. Try the almond croissant - tres bien!
J'Adore Café
165a Avenida Del MarAnother French patisserie in SC!
Bonjour Cafe
24633 Del Prado AveGood french toast and eggs benedict
Mexican & Latin American
Asada Cantina + Kitchen
225 West Avenida Vista HermosaUpscale Mexican with plenty of parking at the Outlet Mall
Good Mexican food in a family owned chain. Right in the middle of downtown SC.
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Avila's El Ranchito
318 Main StGood Mexican food in a family owned chain. Right in the middle of downtown SC.
One of a chain of Mexican restaurants. Been here for years. Great view of the harbor.
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El Torito
34521 Golden LanternOne of a chain of Mexican restaurants. Been here for years. Great view of the harbor.
La Colombiana
1640 N El Camino RealColombian food.
The Shwack Cantina
1527 N El Camino RealA little bit beach, a little bit Mexican. Try the tacos!
Seafood & Sushi
A landmark in the harbor for years. Great for appetizers and drinks
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Wind & Sea Restaurant
34699 Golden LanternA landmark in the harbor for years. Great for appetizers and drinks
Waterman’s Harbor
34661 Golden LanternNice food, nice views
Right in the heart of the harbor. Great place to see the boats, have a drink and watch the action.
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Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant
34555 Golden LanternRight in the heart of the harbor. Great place to see the boats, have a drink and watch the action.
Fish & chips type of place but a good one. Tucked in next to Waterman's in the harbor.
Jon's Fish Market
34665 Golden LanternFish & chips type of place but a good one. Tucked in next to Waterman's in the harbor.
Full Moon Sushi
498 E 1st StNot fancy but good sushi. Walking distance from our house.
Very popular Poke spot within walking distance. Not much seating so pick up and go.
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Kawamata Seafood
26881 Camino De EstrellaVery popular Poke spot within walking distance. Not much seating so pick up and go.
Fine Dining
Across the street from the pier. Upscale and nice. Try to get a seat on the patio if you're going for the sunset view.
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Pierside Restaurant & Bar
610 Avenida VictoriaAcross the street from the pier. Upscale and nice. Try to get a seat on the patio if you're going for the sunset view.
On the bluff overlooking the harbor - view can't be beat! Seafood, steaks, and other classics
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Chart House
34442 Street of the Green LanternOn the bluff overlooking the harbor - view can't be beat! Seafood, steaks, and other classics
A modern classic in Dana Point. Very popular spot - make reservations
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Coastal Kitchen
34091 CA-1A modern classic in Dana Point. Very popular spot - make reservations
Across the street from Coastal Kitchen - another great new restaurant in Dana Point
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Chart House
34442 Street of the Green LanternAcross the street from Coastal Kitchen - another great new restaurant in Dana Point
Italian & Pizza
Sonny's Pizza & Pasta
429 N El Camino RealOld school Italian place in San Clemente.
A take-out Italian kitchen. Very good but just a couple of tables on the sidewalk. Pick it up and walk to Pines Park for the sunset.
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Guichos Eatery
1110 S El Camino RealA take-out Italian kitchen. Very good but just a couple of tables on the sidewalk. Pick it up and walk to Pines Park for the sunset.
Great pizza done in several different style including a woodfired oven! Very good. Walking distance from the house.
TJ's Woodfire Pizza
641 Camino De Los MaresGreat pizza done in several different style including a woodfired oven! Very good. Walking distance from the house.
Good Italian food with a great view of Doheny Beach and Dana Point Harbor.
Agostino's Italian Restaurant
34700 Coast HwyGood Italian food with a great view of Doheny Beach and Dana Point Harbor.
Burgers & Fast Food
The Riders Club Cafe
1701 N El Camino RealThe best burgers!
The original Shwack - burgers are good, tacos are good, heck their breakfast burritos are good! Pretty good beer selection too.
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The Shwack Beach Grill
24502 Del Prado AveThe original Shwack - burgers are good, tacos are good, heck their breakfast burritos are good! Pretty good beer selection too.
Not much to look at but a great old time drive-thru. Get some onion rings or fried zucchini and a shake.
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A's Burgers
34344 CA-1Not much to look at but a great old time drive-thru. Get some onion rings or fried zucchini and a shake.