Entrance to Viewpoint Brewing Company

From time to time I write about “Places to Know” around San Diego County which are special. Viewpoint Brewing Company is one of them. I had heard about this Del Mar brewing company located near the water, but never explored it until recently. Located across from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and along side the San Diego Lagoon and trails of the San Diego River Park, it is a very well done 7,000 sq foot restaurant and experienced brewery offering 20 tasty beers that is a real surprise.

A Partial Glimpse Inside Viewpoint Brewing Company

The menu is as diverse as the crowd that sips the beer and soaks in the view. Open Tuesday through Friday noon to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 9:00pm, and closed on Mondays. When I walked into Viewpoint Brewing Company for the first time, it was packed for one thing, but I thought what a great place for weekend brunch before or after a walk on the river trail. The valet service confirmed that before noon on weekends is a good time to come.

Can’t Go Wrong with the Food, Flatbread and Caesar Salad

Viewpoint Brewing Company Has Great Views

After you have had your brunch and hike around the trail, if you are heading north for home, why not stop at the Sunday Solana Beach Farmers Market on the south end of Cedros Avenue, noon to 4pm, for fresh vegetables, flowers, and more.

Solana Beach Sunday Farmers Market on Cedros Ave.

A Few Related Past Posts on “Places to Know”

The Flower Palette

Oceanside's Seabird Resort

Wicked Maine Lobster

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie

I want to share with you some of the exceptional places that I come across from time to time. These places are gems and not to be missed if you are in the area, or they could even be a destination. Most have a "garden thread" to them. "Places To Know" can be retail, restaurants, nurseries, and other. Whatever the place, expect the unusual.

If you are familiar with San Diego, than maybe you know about beautiful Solana Beach, 20 miles up the coast, with its shopping plethora, Cedros Design District on South Cedros. Well, North Cedros is starting to get some attention now thanks to Claire's On Cedros, a scrumptious breakfast and lunch hot spot. Hot, because of its natural ingredients and tasty menu. Hot, because it is a green and sustainable restaurant landscaped with edible gardens.

Claire's On Cedros is a successful collaboration of  friends, Terrie Boley, on the entrepreneur side, and Claire Allison, on the food side. Their menus are seasonal to take advantage of the freshest local ingredients in a classic bistro style. Breakfast is served all day, along with in-house baked goods. For lunch you have your choice of generous salads, sandwiches, and specials.

What once was a neglected cottage on North Cedros with a large lot and garages, has been transformed into a cottage style restaurant, edible landscape gardens, parking, and professional office space. Claire's On Cedros has been deemed a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) restaurant, and has been certified by the Green Restaurant Association.

The charm and footprint of the cottage has been kept, and been nicely  transformed into a jazzy, hip, happening bakery and cafe. Recycled and re-purposed materials, plus off-beat clever decor touches instantly invite you in. You enter Claire's On Cedros through the front porch, where in the fall, you might even be greeted by a Halloween scarecrow. Although, it seems Claire's is always bustling, you have your choice of eating inside or outside on the back patio.

That's not all. Claire's has been professionally landscaped-designed and installed  by Eco-Greenscape. You are encouraged to stroll the edible gardens, and are even provided with a "Strolling Garden Guide" and map. Mature trees kept, stand tall and proudly appreciate this property's transformation.

If you are looking for a great place to meet a friend, celebrate a birthday, or just indulge on a Sunday morning, try Claire's On Cedros. You will love it.  Claire's On Cedros, 246 North Cedros, Solana Beach, California  92075,     (tel) (858) 259-8597   Hours:   Monday - Friday, 6am -3pm, Saturday & Sunday, 7am-3pm.

Please share if you have a special spot in your community which serves local seasonal food, in a green sustainable-minded locale. Please comment if you have been to Claire's On Cedros.