San Diego Family Restaurants

At this colorful '50's diner, wait staff in poodle skirts dance and throw straws and bubble gum at the kids. Lots of loud music, clapping and yelling. No place for a diet (menu loaded with burgers, shakes, fries), but a great place to check out the restaurant's '56 Corvette.

The motto above the door reads "No Shirt. No Shoes. No problem." Locals swear by Hodad's. Dine in an actual VW bus on enormous classic burger. It won't bother you that it's populated with 20-somethings and surfers taking a break; you and the kids will be too busy plowing through what many say are the best burgers in the world.

Joe's Crab Shack in Oceanside is all about a great location. Joe's, perched over the water, allows kids to watch pelicans and boats from your table. The kids can also walk around the harbor, play in the grass nearby and dig on the beach just walking distance away. Kids will also marvel at Joe's vintage toy decorations. Kind wait staff entertain with blow up toys and funny costumes.

When nothing sounds better than leaving the kids with grandma and heading out for a little romance a deux, George's California Modern is waiting. Consisting of two restaurants, the Ocean Terrace (with a cruise ship view) and California Modern (known for its signature AAA diamond cuisine.) has garnered national applause including housing one of our nation's ten best chefs and a suggestion from Gourmet magazine as "where to eat right now". Reservations are recommended.

Located in the heart of historic Old Town, the Old Town Mexican Cafe is treasured by both visitor and local alike. Kids love watching the staff make homemade tortillas. The cafe has a heart-smart selections on their main menu and a kids' menu. Locals come back for their colorful carnitas plate and their roasted chicken right off the rotisserie.

Want to sit on the water and eat great pizza? Pizza Nova is tailor made for families who want a great pizza (hand stretched, wood-fired) at a non-touristy price with a fabulous harbor view. You'll find great salads for eating on the lighter side. The only odd thing about the restaurant? No crowds. Pizza Nova also has locations in Hillcrest and Solana Beach.

San Diego has a jewel in Ruby's diners sprinkled along the entire Southern California coast, but the three you need to know about are the Balboa Park location (which has a patio and sits right on the pier sporting a phenomenal view), the location within minutes of Legoland, the Ruby's at Oceanside Pier in Oceanside (a 30- minute drive north from downtown) and the Laguna Beach location. Totally spiffed up for kids, some Ruby's have trains that circle overhead, others have antique cars. They serve Lilliputian-sized complimentary ice cream cones at the end of the meal and have a menu loaded with burgers, shakes, fries and great breakfasts too. The Ruby's at Oceanside Pier is particularly great for families because it's close to a beach playground as well as a half mile long walk on the pier. Kids can also catch the surfers and peek into the fishermen's catch barrels. (Consider pairing this Ruby's with the Surf Museum.)

Carlsbad location, near Legoland, 5630 Paseo del Norte Blvd., Carlsbad, 760-931-7829.
Balboa Pier, #1 Balboa Pier, Balboa 949-675-7829.
Laguna Beach, 30622 South Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 949-497-7829.
Oceanside, 1 Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, 760-433-7829.