Caroline's Seaside Cafe by Giuseppe

Caroline’s Seaside Cafe by Giuseppe is the kind of Southern California haunt that makes you wonder if you could ever return to a landlocked city. Perched atop the sand of La Jolla, this breezy, eco-chic spot sits just steps from the Pacific, drawing sun-kissed locals fresh off a volleyball game and wetsuit-clad surfers seeking post-session sustenance. Mornings here unfold under a marine haze, with families and university researchers alike staking out tables for blueberry pancakes or a sturdy short rib hash. The draw is palpable: open-air patios with sweeping blue horizon views, a salty breeze in your coffee, and the low hum of conversation blending with seagull cries. Don’t expect white tablecloths or fussy service. Orders are placed at the counter; seating is first-come, first-served—no reservations, no saving tables ahead of time. On weekends, lines snake out the door as visitors chase that quintessential SoCal brunch against an ocean backdrop. Locals know to swerve for takeout or come midweek when the pace slows and the staff—often friendly but sometimes harried—can linger to chat about menu tweaks or offer tips on parking. The kitchen leans into California’s best instincts: hormone-free meats, organic produce, flexible substitutions for vegetarians and vegans, all executed with an unfussy hand. The food is honest—a fresh Caesar salad with grilled chicken tastes like something you’d make for yourself if you lived in a beach bungalow nearby. There are occasional misses: a limp salad here or a slow kitchen during peak hours there. But even on days when the weather turns gray or the wait stretches past patience, that view remains undefeated. Caroline’s serves as both neighborhood canteen and tourist daydream—an anchor for La Jolla’s beach culture where community rituals play out over lattes and watermelon juice, and where everyone—researchers, families, travelers—mingles under one endless sky.