Dinner With a Side of Danger

Lots of restaurants can say they have an up-close view of the ocean, but how many can claim that waves have actually crashed through their windows?

That's what I thought.

It's that upfront view that's made the Marine Room the finest restaurant in San Diego for nearly 60 years and one of the best in the country. The French-based cuisine is a culinary adventure by award-winning Executive Chef Bernard Guillas, and its waterfront location in La Jolla offers great ocean views all year round. That said, the very best time to experience the Marine Room is during one of its summer high-tide dinners.

It's during these dinners that the waves often crash against the windows themselves like in the 1949 photo below. But don't worry, there's no need to wear a bathing suit under that dress or three-piece. After the waves crashed through the glass for a second time in 1982 (thanks Il Nino), the restaurant shut down for nearly a year to reinforce the glass so they won't break again … or so they hope.

This summer's high-tide dinners take place June 19 to 24, July 4, July 18 to 23 and Aug. 16 to 21. Though high tides occur all year, they reach their highest points in the summer and winter. The difference, however, is that they peak at night in the summer and in the morning during the winter. Hence, in the colder months, the Marine Room hosts high-tide brunches.

As someone who's experienced both, the brunches are cool, but the dinners are off the hook! Obviously, though, you'll want to make reservations far in advance (and that goes double for Valentine's Day, high tides or not).

The Marine Room is located at 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla and reservations can be at (858) 459-7222.