Vaga Restaurant & Bar

About

Overlooking California’s infamous Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean is Vaga Lounge & Bar, which is located adjacent to the upscale Vaga Restaurant at the Alila Marea Beach Resort.

Gorgeous patio spaces with fireside tables, hammock-inspired chairs, and table ottomans on the grassy perch overlook Ponto State Beach. This is a perfect place to sip one of their fun, expressive cocktails and enjoy a small bite to eat while soaking in the beautiful SoCal coastline.

This ‘rooftop’ bar was recommended by a local Encinitas family member, who said that it was a beautiful observation spot with great cocktails…and he was correct!

After spending a day at Swami Beach and the Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, I decided to check out Vaga Lounge with my sister-in-law and learned that Vaga actually has three sections – the restaurant, the bar, and the lounge—all of which has absolutely gorgeous views.

We arrived early so we could secure a couple of chairs on the grassy hillside overlooking Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean. What a fantastic ending to a great day!

And while soaking up the last bit of sunshine, Cambria our server, brought us a lounge menu to peruse. The menu offered a variety of spirits, wine, cocktails, and a few ‘bites’ so we started off with a couple of cocktails while we decided on which bites to order.

The bar and lounge area are open from 3 PM to 9 PM offering ‘Bites’ that are served from 3:30 PM to 9 PM. This includes Parmesan Fries, Crispy Chickarrones, Pretzel Bites, and Vegetable Crudité.

Heartier ‘Additional Bites’ are also served from 5 PM to 9 PM and include the Vaga Burger (beef or meatless), Beef Tartare, and Local Hamachi Crudo.

We settled on the Parmesan Fries, which is actually a vegetarian dish made with fresh herb mix and served with a herbed labneh dip, and the Crispy Chickarrones which are the chicken skins—like chicharrónes (pork skins) tossed in a choice umami glaze or passion fruit, mojito sauce, green onion and served with fennel slaw.

We chose the passion fruit and I admit that we were a little hesitant about ordering chicken skins, who ever heard of such a thing? We both love chicharrónes, but were a little weirded out at chicken skin, even though that is no doubt the most delicious part of the chicken! When in Rome as they say…

Home runs on both orders!

We did a good number on the fries and enjoyed our cocktails, but as the sun dipped behind the ocean it was getting a bit chilly. So we packed up the rest of the Chickarrones and headed home.

I did eat the rest of them later that night and they were just as delicious heated up—still crispy and yummy!

I would definitely recommend Vaga Lounge & Bar if you’re in the area. The outdoor space is absolutely gorgeous whether you opt for the tables, couches, or hammock chairs. It is definitely a great spot to spend a few hours and I have heard amazing things about Vaga Restaurant for those interested in dinner.

Vibe

Upscale, yet casual California vibes. Even though we were dressed extremely beach casual, we didn’t feel out of place at all—which is definitely a nod to the staff.

Vaga: Menu & Drinks

With a lounge menu in hand, we decided drinks were in order first.

I opted for the No Place Like Home (Absolut Vodka, Plum, Grapefruit, and Caribbean Spices) and my sister-in-law chose the Convoy (Toki Japanese Whiskey, Citrus, Lemongrass, Five Spice, and Seltzer). Both were nice, refined sipping cocktails appropriate for the atmosphere.

Sipping on our cocktails we enjoyed the ocean view and decided to order some happy hour ‘bites’.

That led us to discover the Crispy Chickarrones. Even though I was skeptical at first, I quickly discovered that they are so delicious and unique! And though mostly skin, many of them had chicken meat on them so they were kinda more long wings.

Definitely, one of those dishes you think about long after you’ve left!

Helpful Tips

Outdoor spots fill up fast, but you can always take advantage of their breezy indoor bar with its expansive retractable panoramic window.

Vaga serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Vaga Lounge, Bar & Restaurant are all located at the Alila Marea Resort and there is no on-street parking close by—or very little—so you will have to valet which will cost you $14.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to get to San Diego and how far is it from L.A.?

When flying in, the San Diego International Airport (SAN) is only about 5 miles from downtown and with easy access to major highways so you can make your way to your Southern California getaway. Notably, for travelers that fly into Tijuana, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) readily connects the two international airports.

As a top drive-to destination in Southern California, San Diego and its surrounding communities are easily accessible via I-8 coming from the east, as well as I-5 and I-15 the north. It’s about 125 miles from San Diego to L.A., via 1-5.

Are the beaches in San Diego swimmable?

San Diego’s coast stretches over 70 miles from Oceanside to the north to Imperial Beach to the south. With more than 33 beaches lining San Diego’s sandy shore, there’s certainly an ideal beach for your entire crew. Family-friendly spots with calmer waves include Cardiff-by-the-Sea and numerous Carlsbad beaches, while the surfer havens of Black’s Beach and Windansea Beach can offer waves that are not for the faint of heart. La Jolla Shores is a good spot for beginner-surfers.

What’s the weather like in San Diego and when is the best time to visit?

San Diego’s average temperature of about 71°F year-round makes any time a great time to visit “America’s Finest City”. With its mild Mediterranean climate, San Diego generally has the most stable and inviting weather in the country, topped with cooler evenings even in summer.

Spring and fall are some of the best times to visit San Diego, with fewer crowds and great temperatures. Summer is peak season in San Diego, with plenty of festivals and activity, though this also coincides with more precipitation particularly in May and June. Winter temperatures in San Diego can drop into the 60s during the day. Rather than dipping into the chilly waves, winter in San Diego provides a great opportunity to head out on a whale watching tour.

What’s the best way to visit Balboa Park museums and the San Diego Zoo?

The San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park is world-renowned as a must-visit destination. In addition to the vast array of animals and exhibits within the Zoo, Balboa Park in San Diego also houses over a dozen museums. The Go City Card or a Balboa Park Explorer One-Day Pass are great options when exploring the area. Check with the Balboa Park Visitors Center online for more information.