Despite any animosity between the city and event producers, the Pacific Airshow, Huntington Beach’s annual aerial acrobatics show featuring military and civilian aviators from around the globe, returns for its seventh year from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.
In lieu of trudging through the sand to find a spot on the beach to watch the show, head to one of these restaurants, which all come with choice vantage points for seeing the airplane extravaganza. Some of them have special packages available, others are walk-in and come as you are. All of them will provide you with good grub while you watch aircrafts zoom overhead.
The Bungalow: Brent Bolthouse’s upscale bar and lounge will open early at 11 a.m. for all three days of the airshow. Guests can enjoy libations galore and light bites. (You can also order food from Bear Flag Fish Co. located downstairs.) While the chicly designed spot offers several seating areas, the outdoor patio, naturally, overlooking the Pacific will offer the best place to catch the show. Reserve your table sooner rather than later. 21058 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-374-0399. thebungalow.com/huntington-beach/
Duke’s: You won’t need a reservation at this seafood and Hawaiian-inspired restaurant. Simply show up and (hopefully) you can get a table to take in all the action. Highlights here include poke, Korean sticky ribs with gochujang glaze, lobster Benedict, fish tacos, and more. 317 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-374-6446. dukeshuntington.com.
Fred’s Mexican Cafe: This chips-and-guac chain, a more casual and festive affair, will open early on Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of the air show. A reservation and ticket system will be used for seating; call in advance for pricing. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows and exterior patio provide patrons indoor and outdoor options for viewing the aerial feats in the sky. 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste 201, Huntington Beach. 714-374-8226. fredshb.com.
Huntington Beach House: This beachside venue offers multiple outdoor seating areas (surrounding fire pits, no less) and a 120-foot-long seated counter that looks over the boardwalk with unobstructed views of the beach and the airshow. Guests can look forward to chilaquiles, burgers, poke, salads, and libations. 21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. thehbhouse.com
Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge: The Waterfront Beach Resort’s hotel’s rooftop venue will offer a variety of upscale options for experiencing the feats of aviation taking place over the Pacific all weekend. Prices range from $200 to $250 for general admission, $1,600 to $2,600 for table seating, and for seating at the north corner area, which overlooks the ocean and pier, prices range from $6,500 on Friday, Sept. 29 to $7,500 on Saturday, Sept. 30 per seating area. Depending on where you sit, guests can expect nibbles like grilled seasonal fruit and burrata, chicken satay, ahi poke nachos, champagne and gift bag. Reservations are a must as seating is limited. Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-845-8000. waterfrontresort.com/specials/pacific-airshow-2023
Ola Mexican Kitchen: No reservations needed for the daytime airshow at this Mexican eatery (though you will need a reservation from 4:30 p.m. onward). The restaurant, located inside the Pacific City complex, will take guests on a first-come-first-served basis. Menu highlights include enchiladas aplenty; a lengthy taco menu with carnitas, fish, shrimp, and pork belly options; elote corn; spicy seafood cocktail; and a staggering tequila menu with more than 50 varieties. 21040 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste F200, Huntington Beach. 714-969-7300. olamexicankitchen.com/locations/hungtingtonbeach
Pacific Hideaway: Located on the second floor of Shorebreak Resort and one block away from Main Street, this aprés-surf spot requires no special reservation or extra costs during the airshow. Simply head over, grab one of their craft cocktails, and enjoy the spectacle while chilling on the patio. Another visual don’t-miss: The venue’s painted breezeblocks and glorious tile flooring. 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-965-4448. pacifichideawayhb.com
Sandy’s Beach Shack: The beachside pier-adjacent eatery with more than 25 surf-themed specialty drinks and a slew of craft beers on tap will have you close to all the action. Table reservation will run $100. Diners can munch on fish and chips; mahi, steak, and chicken tacos; and shrimp kabobs while checking out the show from the expansive open-air patio. 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-374-7273. sandysbeachshack.com
Simmzy’s: Every table, inside and out, overlooks the beach, sky, and ocean at this classic American fare gastropub. No matter when you sit you’re bound to catch views of the planes whizzing by. Each table will have a 90-minute limit for seating. 21028 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite E-100, Huntington Beach. 714-831-1240. simmzys.com/locations/huntington-beach
Tanner’s: Located inside the Paséa Hotel, Tanner’s, a high-end restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, will require reservations during the weekend of the Pacific Airshow. There will be a 90-minute limit for all diners. Guests can enjoy blackened salmon tacos, shrimp ceviche, chorizo biscuits and gravy, lobster rolls, and more. If you want to hang out on the venue’s rooftop bar, which comes with panoramic views of the ocean, ticket prices are $200 per guest. 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 714-698-6130. tannershb.com
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included a restaurant that will not be open during the air show.
