Looking for a fun and fresh restaurant to go to on a hot, summer day? From eateries on the San Diego coastline to more suburban food joints, there’s a wide variety of places to choose from. You can enjoy award-winning burgers from Hodad’s, mouth-watering wings from Epic Wings-N-Things, California-style cuisine from Caroline’s Seaside Cafe, refreshing bowls from Everbowl, and lastly, authentic Italian dishes and handcrafted gelato at Pappalecco.

   Nothing can get better than an all American burger and a walk by the beach. In the heart of Ocean Beach, Hodad’s has the “World’s Best Burgers.” In a room full of surfboards, stickers, license-plate covered walls and a variety of artwork, you will never experience a dull moment here. According to the official Hodad’s website, they have cheeseburgers, bacon burgers, veggie burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes. After a legendary meal at this one of a kind burger joint, you can take a relaxing stroll down by the pier, which is a great way to burn off all of those delicious calories (hodadies.com).

   “Hodad’s is one of my favorite spots to go out to eat with friends,” said Senior Brittany Alvarez. “I always like to look at the cool license plates while I eat my food,” she added.

   If you’re into spicy food, then Wings-N-Things is the place for you. It’s an amazing spot to watch sports games and hang out with friends. According to the Wings-N-Things website, they have different chicken meals to choose from along with salads, fries and breadsticks. They have all sorts of options, from tenderloin strips to boneless wings to original buffalo wings, as well as a variety of sauces. The food definitely lives up to the name of the restaurant; it’s truly epic (epicwingsnthings.com).

   In the jewel of San Diego (La Jolla), a hidden gem called Caroline’s Seaside Cafe lies on the campus of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. According to the Caroline’s website, “The café features breakfast and lunch with a selection of seasonal specials.” If you like to carbo-load at breakfast, they have incredible chocolate chip pancakes. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t think a meal is complete without eggs, they have options ranging from a Mediterranean egg scramble to breakfast burritos. Sitting on the deck, devouring your food while feeling the fresh air and appreciating the sunlit sea, it is a perfect restaurant to cool down and chill out at on a sunny day (carolinesseasidecafe.com).

   At Everbowl, freshly made acai bowls and tasty smoothies are calling your name. According to the Everbowl official website, “We are a San Diego based company proudly offering 100 percent organic, pure, raw, unsweetened acai, pitaya, graviola and acerola bowls throughout Southern California.” You can either pick a predesigned bowl/smoothie, or create your own. With healthy toppings such as raw and dried fruit, cacao nibs, peanut butter, and granola, as well as superfoods like agave, hemp seeds, and bee pollen, this is an awesome way to start the day. Indulging in these cold and crisp delicacies is also a smart way to beat the summer heat (everbowl.com).

   In Hillcrest, Little Italy, and Kensington, you can experience real Tuscan food creations from Pappalecco. From hand-tossed pizzas to paninis and salads, they’ve got it all. According to the Pappalecco website, just a few delicious choices include the margherita pizza, the diavola pizza, the salmone panini, the caprese panini and the pollo salad. Not to mention, the gelato is out-of-this-world, “handcrafted using time-honored Tuscan traditions” (pappalecco.com). Who wouldn’t want to indulge in a delightful meal and cool off after with a scoop of your favorite flavor of gelato?

   Summer is the time to experience new things and make memories that will last you a lifetime. After trying one of these unique places, you might find your new, go-to restaurant. So get out there and go eat.