Celebrate Easter in San Diego
Whether joining in the excitement of an Easter egg hunt on the beach, savoring a festive brunch with the family, or ruining your appetite with jelly beans and chocolate bunnies, San Diego has options for everyone to celebrate the holiday.
Easter Bash at Belmont Park
Belmont Park boasts fun for the entire family with “one festive day, three ways to play.” The Mission Beach egg hunt goes from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and with 10,000 fun-filled eggs hidden on the beach and throughout the park, everyone walks away with a treat. Guests can then brunch at either WaveHouse or Draft, and pose with the Easter Bunny. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.228.9283. belmontpark.com
Hornblower Easter Brunch Cruise
Join Hornblower Cruises and Events for an Easter Champagne Brunch to remember. With beautiful views of the San Diego Bay, entertainment, free flowing champagne, an elaborate brunch buffet and even photo opportunity with the Easter bunny. $62.95/pp, boarding at 10:30 or 11:30. 1800 N. Harbor Dr., 619.686.8715. hornblower.com
Spring Faire & Boutique
Apr. 4, 5. Join Escondido’s Farm Stand West for a Spring faire and Easter celebration. In addition to The Farm Stand’s fresh fruits, berries and vegetables, guests can wander through the displays of local artisans, crafters and bakers. Hayrides will run continuously and a BBQ lunch is available. Sunday, kids grab their baskets for an Easter egg hunt on the farm. 2115 Miller Ave., Escondido, 760.738.9014. thefarmstandwest.com
La Valencia Easter Brunch at THE MED
La Valencia’s Easter brunch at the hotel’s signature restaurant, THE MED features a prime rib carving station, sushi and ceviche bar, omelets to order, bottomless mimosas, a Bloody Mary and sake bar and Easter sweets like cheesecake and carrot cake. Diners enjoy striking views of the Pacific or a causal patio facing Prospect St., while listening to live music. Children can also enjoy a visit from the Easter bunny and an Easter egg hunt. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.0771. lavalencia.com
The Grand Del Mar
With options for everyone, The Grand Del Mar is a favorite place to celebrate Easter with the family. Diners can choose an extravagant Easter Champagne Brunch in the Elizabeth Ballroom, a three-course brunch tasting at Amaya, a three-course dinner at Amaya, or a more casual and relaxing brunch at The Clubhouse Grill with live music on the patio. The big event happens at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as the families gather for an Easter egg hunt on the Aria lawn. 5300 Grand Del Mar Ct., Del Mar, 858.314.1996. thegranddelmar.com
Mister A’s
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the iconic Mister A’s will host a prix fixe Easter Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The three-course meal features Easter favorites such as oven roasted leg of lamb, classic lobster bisque, french toast and local farm strawberry shortcake. 2550 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.239.1377. bertrandatmisteras.com
Kitchen 4140
Sunday brunch is always popular at Kitchen 4140, but on Easter, Chef Kurt Metzger brings a special menu to the table. Featured dishes will include smoked leg of lamb, dry-aged prim rib, heirloom vegetables, as well as Kitchen 4140’s indulgent red velvet waffles. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 4140 Morena Blvd., Bay Park, 858.483.4140. kitchen4140.com
Urban Solace, Sea & Smoke and Solace and the Moonlight Lounge
Chef Matt Gordon offers three special Easter dishes at each of his three restaurants in celebration of the holiday. The Easter menu features bacon-pecan pancakes, house smoked ham plate with poached eggs, mustard hollandaise and asparagus, and seared northern halibut, with spring pea puree, braised radish and king trumpet mushrooms. Urban Solace, 3823 30th St., North Park, 619.295.6464, urbansolace.net; Sea & Smoke, 2690 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, 858.925.8212. seaandsmoke.com; Solace & the Moonlight Lounge, 25 East E St., Encinitas, 760.753.2433. eatatsolace.com
Extraordinary Desserts
The buffet-style brunch at Extraordinary Desserts offers smoked meats, gourmet cheeses, a selection of signature desserts, as well as fruit pastries, coffee and tea. Also featured for the weekend is the rare Princess Kaiulani cake with caramelized pineapple coconut cream vanilla bean mousse white chocolate shortbread chunks and layers of elderberry moistened white cake. extraordinarydesserts.com
Top of the Market
Enjoy Easter brunch with a waterfront view at Top of the Market. With all brunch selections, guests also enjoy a complimentary pastry basket, herb roasted fingerling potatoes and chilled fruits. Special menu items include eggs Benedict with blue lump crab cakes, house smoked salmon eggs Benedict, and a “Surfer’s Breakfast Sandwich.” 750 North Harbor Dr., 619.232.3474. thefishmarket.com