LA JOLLA. This incredible seafood restaurant offers beautiful views of La Jolla Cove amid a relaxed setting of wicker chairs and Impressionist paintings. Besides impeccable seafood that's seasoned and cooked to perfection, you can enjoy a wine and oyster bar. The best place to dine is on the outside terrace, complete with wrought iron tables in a garden setting. Validated underground parking is available. Reservations suggested.

MISSION BAY. Rustic, pungent German cuisine is the delicious focus of this appealing restaurant, whose finely carved wood paneling brings Old World charm to Southern California. The authentic fare includes favorites like wienerschnitzel, bratwurst, sauerbraten and sausages. You can also sample steak tartar, rainbow trout, and a signature beef goulash. In keeping with tradition, the place features an outdoor biergarten where you can enjoy your favorite brew, including a wealth of draft options.

DOWNTOWN. This may very well be the most elegant restaurant on the West Coast. The European-style decor boasts Baccarat crystal chandeliers and plush floral carpeting, along with burgundy brocade chairs. Combining elements of French, Californian, and Asian cuisines, the fare is masterfully prepared and may include delicacies like lobster spiced with ginger, and tenderloin of beef with broccoli puree and black truffle sauce. Decadent desserts and an impressive wine list add further enjoyment.

LA JOLLA. This Tuscanesque cafe is as popular a hangout for surfers as it is with the more senior members of La Jolla society. Terra-cotta tiled floors, bottles of chianti, and a Roman fountain all contribute to the setting for an authentic Italian menu (translations provided). Highlights include gourmet wood oven-fired pizzas, Pappardelle "Fantasia," and Tagliolini con Funghi Arrabiato. A word to the wise ­ this place is extremely popular on the weekend, so come early.

DOWNTOWN. Located upstairs from the more casual Fish Market, this refined venue offers views and cuisine that are nothing short of spectacular. An incredibly broad offering of seafood might include Norwegian salmon, Alaskan halibut, New Zealand mussels, or Chilean sea bass, all flown in daily. The romantic setting features crisp linens, flickering candelight, refined service, and exhibition-style cooking. Red-meat dishes and pastas can also be had. On the edge of Tuna Fleet Park, near the lower end of Harbor Drive.