arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Bird Rock

Surf's up in this San Diego neighborhood

Come for the waves, stay for the incredible food and craft coffee scene in this hidden San Diego neighborhood gem. 

A few minutes’ drive is all that separates it from La Jolla Village, but Bird Rock is a micro-neighborhood unto itself. An easily walkable four-block stretch of La Jolla Boulevard, it has a feel all its own, even boasting one of the most exclusive cups of Java around. By day, discerning coffee drinkers, pastry lovers, and surfers flock to Bird Rock. By noon and night, restaurants and wine bars fill up with gourmands. At any time, take a quick side trip over to the beach, or up to one of San Diego’s dreamiest lookout points.

An Award-Winning Cup of Coffee

Even living in the Golden Age of craft coffee, homegrown purveyor Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has scooped up major awards like it was harvesting beans for a new roast. Alongside quality, this roastery is known for ethics, paying fair wages to its global network of sustainable-bean suppliers. It isn’t just the roasting that’s done locally, either. Bird Rock recently unveiled the first California-grown Geisha coffee, a varietal farmed by singer Jason Mraz just up the coast in Oceanside. There’s exactly one place to get a cup: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.   

A Customized Charcuterie Board

Pick your pairings from Wheat and Water’s charcuterie and cheese options: meats and cheeses plated on a wooden board alongside accents of pickled vegetables, fruit, crostini, and honey. From morning coffee through dessert, there are reasons to stick around any time of day and order wood-fired pizza and craft beer ranging from fruity sours to San Diego-style pale ales. 

A View of San Diego Surfers

Mention Bird Rock to a surfer and the first image in their head won’t be of the funky seaside community. It will be of the jade-green waves at the surf break by the same name. To catch the wave-riding action, head to the bluff-top Calumet Park, just a couple of blocks off the neighborhood’s main drag. Surfers come here to check the waves before heading out along this stretch, as it’s a prime spot to view the swells while sipping coffee.

An Authentic San Diego Surf Shop

A good surf shop is a cornerstone of any town whose mood soars with incoming swells. It’s a place to chat about the surf forecast, run your fingers over a variety of wave-riding crafts, and pick up necessities like wax and sunscreen. Bird Rock Surf Shop supplies all of that, plus rental surfboards for everyone from beginners to rippers, stand-up paddleboards, and beach cruiser bikes.

A San Diego-Inspired Pastry

Any lover of baked goods will find the incredible confections and creations at Wayfarer Bread & Pastry simply delightful. Next to mainstays like almond croissants, chocolate cherry scones and rustic loaves, sandwiches are available for breakfast and lunch, as are salads topped with fresh touches like pomegranate and mandarin slices.

A Truly San Diego View

A 10-minute drive from Bird Rock brings you to one of the most breathtaking views in all of San Diego: the summit of Mount Soledad. Standing at over 800 feet, the summit—a national veterans memorial honoring soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present—grants a sweeping view of La Jolla and the coast stretching to the north.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

POP GOES THE CELEBRATION!

Hotel Z
Valid: Jan 17 - ongoing

It goes without saying that we celebrate the usual events like weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. But what about celebrating the small stuff? Maybe you got a new chair for your home office, or...

Kayaking

10% Off any Adventure with Everyday California

EverydayCalifornia.com
Valid: Apr 12, 2023 - ongoing

This offer allows 10% off any activity that Everyday California offers. Promotion Code: EDCA10 must be used at checkout. We look forward to having you out on the water soon.

Activity

Discount San Diego Attractions Tickets Available at Western Inn San Diego

Western Inn
Valid: Jan 11, 2023 - ongoing

Buy all discounted attractions ticket to all major San Diego Attractions.

Events to check out

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

Event

COASTER Holiday Express

Dec 2 - Dec 10, 2023

Join Santa for a magical experience as the COASTER Holiday Express train travels down the coastline! Santa Claus and his merry carolers will be on board for the hour-long trip full of fun with...

Event

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights

Dec 9, 2023

The Mission Bay Parade of Lights is back and bigger than ever! This festive family fun boat parade on beautiful Mission Bay will take place on Saturday, December 9th at 5:30pm. Kick off this holiday...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish