One of the bonuses of living in Southern California is enjoying the outdoor dining scene all year long. Even though we are able to grab a seat outside most every day of the year, summertime is definitely the sweetest time of all to linger in the fresh outdoor air while enjoying an epic meal.

Here are 11 of our favorite spots to dine al fresco in the SoCal breeze. Are any of your personal favorites on the list? Do us a favor and let us know what other outdoor patios you’d love to make the list.

  1. The Ponte – 8265 Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles.

The Ponte

The Ponte Contemporary Italian food with a glamorous outdoor patio for an elegant feast is what you’ll find at Ponte. This magical outdoor space adds an extra dose of ambiance to an already gorgeous dining experience.

  1. Ports O’ Call Waterfront Dining – 1200 Nagoya Way in San Pedro.

yelp/Ports O’ Call Waterfront Dining

Facebook/Ports O’ Call Waterfront Dining Waterfront dining is the sign that summer is officially here. You can soak up the sun and the fresh outdoor breeze on this waterfront patio while enjoying fantastic food, an ice cold drink, and even some live music depending on what day you visit.

  1. Shenandoah Restaurant – 10631 Los Alamitos Blvd in Los Alamitos.

facebook/shenandoah at the arbor

facebook/shenandoah at the arbor Nothing beats lounging on an outdoor patio that’s covered with a lush canopy of trees. Shenandoah at the Arbor is where you’ll want to be when you want to enjoy a hot summer day under an umbrella of shady trees.

  1. Orange Hill Restaurant – 6410 East Chapman Avenue in Orange, CA.

yelp/juliann t.

Orange Hill Restaurant

Orange Hill Restaurant Whether you want to huddle around an outdoor fire pit or grab a cozy seat at one of the outdoor dining tables, you’ll be perched high above the hills of Orange County with a stellar view of the surrounding hillside.

  1. Pedalers Fork – 23504 Calabasas Rd in Calabasas, CA.

yelp/chris c.

yelp/hugh g. This casual eatery offers a little something for everyone. It’s a restaurant, a bike shop, and a coffee shop. And, the best part is that you can enjoy all three of these things on their cozy outdoor patio.

  1. Geoffrey’s Malibu – 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu.

yelp/mike s.

yelp/geoffrey’s malibu You’ll never want to leave this outdoor patio in Malibu that will surround you with the sound of crashing ocean waves and serene SoCal scenery. For one of the best patios in SoCal, Geoffrey’s Malibu is a classic that is hard to beat.

  1. Hacienda de Vega – 2608 S Escondido Blvd in Escondido, CA

tripadvisor/kathy j.

Hacienda de Vega If you’re seeking an outdoor patio with calming and serene water, a resort-like setting, and tucked inside a secluded sanctuary that feels like it’s a million miles from the outside world then you’ll want to check out Hacienda de Vega in Escondido.

  1. Cliff’s Edge – 3626 W Sunset Boulevard.

facebook/cliff’s edge

facebook/cliff’s edge Devouring mouthwatering comfort food while lounging in an outdoor treehouse patio is pretty much what dreams are made of. Grab a seat and sink in for the night because you’ll never want to leave this beautiful oasis that makes outdoor dining an experience you won’t forget.

  1. Inn of the Seventh Ray – 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road in Topanga, CA.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

yelp/cristalle t. The heavenly outdoor patio at Inn of the Seventh Ray is a true SoCal treasure. You’ll be dazzled by the fairytale setting of the secret patio garden filled with lush greenery and twinkly lights in this picturesque destination in Topanga Canyon.

  1. Watermans’ Harbor – 34661 Golden Lantern St in Dana Point.

yelp/austin t.

yelp/dan e. How about a glorious harbor view while dining on scrumptious food? At Waterman’s Harbor in Dana Point you’ll be treated to a breathtaking harbor view while indulging in some of the tastiest seafood you can imagine like these incredible crab legs.

  1. Island Prime/C-Level – 880 Harbor Island Drive in San Diego.

Cohn Restaurant Group

Cohn Restaurant Group For a breathtaking outdoor patio that overlooks all the beauty that San Diego has to offer, you must try Island Prime/C-Level for an outdoor dining experience that has it all. Waterfront views, exceptionally flavorful cuisine, and the perfect Southern California breeze to enhance your experience.

Excited to check out all of these outdoor patios in Southern California? With summer fast approaching, it’s time to update your dining bucket list — these restaurants are a perfect addition to make your summer happy.

The Ponte

The Ponte

Contemporary Italian food with a glamorous outdoor patio for an elegant feast is what you’ll find at Ponte. This magical outdoor space adds an extra dose of ambiance to an already gorgeous dining experience.

yelp/Ports O’ Call Waterfront Dining

Facebook/Ports O’ Call Waterfront Dining

Waterfront dining is the sign that summer is officially here. You can soak up the sun and the fresh outdoor breeze on this waterfront patio while enjoying fantastic food, an ice cold drink, and even some live music depending on what day you visit.

facebook/shenandoah at the arbor

Nothing beats lounging on an outdoor patio that’s covered with a lush canopy of trees. Shenandoah at the Arbor is where you’ll want to be when you want to enjoy a hot summer day under an umbrella of shady trees.

yelp/juliann t.

Orange Hill Restaurant

Orange Hill Restaurant

Whether you want to huddle around an outdoor fire pit or grab a cozy seat at one of the outdoor dining tables, you’ll be perched high above the hills of Orange County with a stellar view of the surrounding hillside.

yelp/chris c.

yelp/hugh g.

This casual eatery offers a little something for everyone. It’s a restaurant, a bike shop, and a coffee shop. And, the best part is that you can enjoy all three of these things on their cozy outdoor patio.

yelp/mike s.

yelp/geoffrey’s malibu

You’ll never want to leave this outdoor patio in Malibu that will surround you with the sound of crashing ocean waves and serene SoCal scenery. For one of the best patios in SoCal, Geoffrey’s Malibu is a classic that is hard to beat.

tripadvisor/kathy j.

Hacienda de Vega

If you’re seeking an outdoor patio with calming and serene water, a resort-like setting, and tucked inside a secluded sanctuary that feels like it’s a million miles from the outside world then you’ll want to check out Hacienda de Vega in Escondido.

facebook/cliff’s edge

Devouring mouthwatering comfort food while lounging in an outdoor treehouse patio is pretty much what dreams are made of. Grab a seat and sink in for the night because you’ll never want to leave this beautiful oasis that makes outdoor dining an experience you won’t forget.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

yelp/cristalle t.

The heavenly outdoor patio at Inn of the Seventh Ray is a true SoCal treasure. You’ll be dazzled by the fairytale setting of the secret patio garden filled with lush greenery and twinkly lights in this picturesque destination in Topanga Canyon.

yelp/austin t.

yelp/dan e.

How about a glorious harbor view while dining on scrumptious food? At Waterman’s Harbor in Dana Point you’ll be treated to a breathtaking harbor view while indulging in some of the tastiest seafood you can imagine like these incredible crab legs.

Cohn Restaurant Group

For a breathtaking outdoor patio that overlooks all the beauty that San Diego has to offer, you must try Island Prime/C-Level for an outdoor dining experience that has it all. Waterfront views, exceptionally flavorful cuisine, and the perfect Southern California breeze to enhance your experience.

If you love learning about all of the treasures that Southern California has to offer, please take a look at our SoCal homepage and browse through our many articles about all the gems to enjoy in this part of the state.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.