Hi, due to an airline move, my two teenagers(16,18), my husband and I will be in San Diego, (Pacific Beach area) on Christmas Day. The rest of our party will be arriving late Christmas night. Where can we go to have Christmas Dinner? I know here in Massachusetts most places are closed. Is that true there also? We will be arriving Christmas Eve late and have never been to the area. We will be renting a car. Thank you everyone. We are looking forward to Southern California after all the great posts I have read.

Personally, I would leave Pacific beach for my Christmas dinner. If you don't mind paying a bit, the hotel del Coronado would be perfect - gorgeous decorations and a great view. Or the Marine Room in La Jolla at high tide could get you quite a show if you enjoy waves crashing up against the windows.

We can list many different places but maybe you could post with what you're looking for food/atmosphere.

the Hotel del Coronado Crown room would be nice. They'll have a huge tree in the lobby and the crown room will be fully decorated for the holiday. Expensive, but you'll certainly feel like its Christmas!

I hate to be a naysayer here because I love the Del... it is a lovely hotel and I enjoy walking around it whenever I'm in San Diego. But we had one of the worst Christmas dinners there a few (5 or 6?) years ago. The Crown Room was beautiful and we had a great table near the window. It was a buffet service for a very large number of people, and perhaps we hit it at the wrong time, but it was like a pack of hungry animals attacking the food. The lines were long, people were crowding, the staff had a difficult time keeping everything well stocked, and it looked very picked over -- almost to the point of being unappetizing. Not a real memorable meal for the amount of money we paid. Hopefully they've improved it or moved away the buffet concept.

Most hotels will have dinner or a buffet and quite a few restaurants also serve Christmas dinner. I'm assuming you are staying at a hotel in Pacific Beach and since you have a car both La Jolla and the Gaslamp are within 15 to 20 minute drive and this is where you would want to eat. You might check Georges at the Cove. The Marine room would be nice but real expense.

Thanks for the ideas. We are staying in a hotel in Pacific Beach near the World Famous Restaurant, but would not mind traveling for a nice Christmas Dinner. We will look into the restuarants you mentioned. A friend mentioned Georges at the Cove also, then I just read about it in Mens Journal. As far as food, my kids are easy and like to try new things. So thanks for taking the time to write.

World Famous is actually really good - I eat there quite often and always take visitors there for the casual atmosphere, great view and good food. Don't know if I'd do Christmas there though...

Go to the Union-Tribune and/or San Diego magazine to find out what Chinese restaurants or deli's are nearby and see their reviews. They tend to be open on Christmas.
Jasmine, in the Clairemont area is a good Chinese possibility.
Another hotel restaurant to consider is Humphrey's on Shelter Island, which is not too far from Pacific Beach.

The Del, George's at the Cove, the Marine Room, all classic, big, pricey options. For something more relaxed but tastey, Thee Bungalow (theebungalow.com) or 3rd Corner or in La Jolla, Brockton Villa.