The Port of San Diego has been revitalizing Seaport Village for the past few years, adding new dining + retailers to the landmark that has stood along the Embarcadero since 1980. 🌊
Let’s get a taste of what’s new + what’s coming soon to the iconic waterfront complex. 🌮
Inside The Tower by Mike Hess. | Photo via @mikehessbrewing
The Tower by Mike Hess, 879 W. Harbor Dr., Ste. W14-E
Mike Hess Brewing opened its biergarten at Seaport Village in 2021 and earlier this month, the location expanded upwards with the addition of “The Tower” — a second-floor deck overlooking San Diego Bay.
The 750-sqft rooftop area features three TVs, a bartop, 24 taps + a drink rail that wraps around the balcony. Oh, and there are tacos too, whipped up by Quiero Tacos. It opens at 10 a.m Monday-Friday and at 8:30 a.m. on weekends.
Eclectic Boutique, 809 W. Harbor Dr., Ste. 11
Over in the landmark’s Lighthouse District, this biz is a new iteration of Bubbles Boutique (the shop that was in the Gaslamp Quarter for 18 years) and features fun fashion, handbags, accessories + gifts. It opens daily at 10 a.m.
Ocean Avenue, 835 W. Harbor Dr., Ste. C4-CB
Located next door to the longtime Gepetto’s Toys, this coastal-themed shop offers home goods, beach apparel, Hawaiian jewelry + locally-made gifts. It opens daily at 11 a.m.
Louisiana Charlie’s, Carousel District
This New Orleans-inspired eatery will set up shop in the Carousel District (near Edgewater Grill) and is slated to open in a few weeks. The restaurant — which hails from Long Beach, California — specializes in Southern style barbecue, Cajun cuisine + soul food.
Malibu Farm is moving into prime real estate at Seaport Village. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Malibu Farm, 831 W. Harbor Dr.
Remember the landmark’s longtime restaurant, Harbor House? It shuttered a while back, but SoCal’s Malibu Farm has taken over the prime, bayfront real estate in the heart of Seaport Village — and given it a multi-million dollar renovation that’ll turn it into an indoor and outdoor eatery also featuring an ice cream shop + home goods store.
The farm-to-table concept is helmed by celeb chef Helene Henderson + her husband, actor John Stockwell. We’d say this is the highest profile takeover at the landmark thus far.
According to a rep for Seaport Village, the landmark is having a “post-COVID renaissance of sorts.” These restaurants are all set to open sometime in 2022:
Crack Taco Shop, 817 W. Harbor Dr., Ste. D
Joining the Lighthouse District, this casual dining spot near Spill the Beans will offer Mexican food — including the local specialty known as “Cardiff Crack,” burgundy pepper tri-tip steak used in the eatery’s tacos + burritos since 1985. This is the second location for Crack Taco; its flagship shop is in Mission Valley. The new location will open daily at 11 a.m.
Soon, this little spot will churn out that locally famous “Cardiff Crack.” | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Shorebird, 885 W. Harbor Dr.
This is another high-profile swap — Shorebird will take over the landmark’s Pier Café, the well-known structure that sits over the water. The new restaurant will boast a raw bar + wood-fired offerings, plus an impressive wine menu, craft brews + cocktails. Shorebird is scheduled to open by this fall.
Gladstone’s, Carousel District
Founded in Malibu, California, in 1972, this historic SoCal eatery will replace the longstanding Edgewater Grill and will be the first-ever Gladstone’s in San Diego. According to the Port of San Diego, the 9,684-sqft restaurant will feature a wrap-around patio, and its menu will focus on classic seafood dishes.
Old Harbor Distilling Co., 849 W. Harbor Dr.
This will be the first-ever satellite tasting room from the local distillery. The menu will feature flights of craft spirits, cocktails, and fresh seafood dishes like oysters and fish + chips. The signs are up and it looks like the distillery can’t wait to move in.
Zytoun Gourmet Mediterranean, Carousel District
Set to open this summer — along the boardwalk, also in the Carousel District — Zytoun specializes in Mediterranean + Greek cuisine, from hummus and falafels to tabouli, salads, and kabobs. This project comes from the restaurateur behind Clairemont’s popular Aladdin Café.
Check out this full list + map of where to shop and eat right now at Seaport Village.
This sign marks the midpoint between the Carousel and Lighthouse districts at Seaport Village. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
The past and future of Seaport Village
Seaport Village has been a waterfront hub for shopping + dining (and a tourist mecca) for four decades. The Port of San Diego assumed ownership of the landmark in 2018, vowing to invest nearly $8 million to revitalize and diversify its offerings — thus, the attraction’s so-called restaurant renaissance.
As of August 2021, the Port said about $2.5 million had already been spent on “enhancing and elevating” the landmark, including fresh paint, new signage and the addition of “Urban Beach,” a bayfront seating area with Adirondack chairs + native plants.
An early-morning view of Urban Beach at Seaport Village — the chairs are out of frame. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
At that time, the Port also said $1.2 million had been spent to help new tenants renovate their spaces and said it would commit another $4.1 million “towards future tenant improvements for new restaurant concepts that have not yet opened.”
Seaport Village has also been undergoing redevelopment as part of the Port of San Diego’s ongoing Central Embarcadero project, which includes 70 acres of land and water between downtown + the San Diego Bayfront.
In 2016, the Board of Port Commissioners selected the 1HWY1 development team to lead the ambitious effort and in March 2022, the redevelopment team presented its latest details on the project. Keep up with the Port’s updates.
