Pacific Coast Grill Is Closing in January and Coming Back Bigger

by Nicolle Monico

For the past 12 years, anyone traveling on Highway 101 through Cardiff drove past a strange void on prime beach real estate. Previously, the space next to Pacific Coast Grill was home to The Beach House for 20 years. Before that, it was the iconic restaurant The Triton for 40 years, known for its unique, whimsical stained glass and other artistic motifs by beloved local artist and architect James Hubbell.

Ever since Pacific Coast Grill owners Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkovitz bought the building and land on August 11, 2014, it’s been a work-in-very-slow-progress. But they had big plans—permit applications were filed, Covid ran its course, permit applications were re-filed, and design plans took shape, all while Pacific Coast Grill kept slinging shrimp dumplings and pan-seared sea bass with an oceanfront view.

Come 2027, the pair will (finally) breathe new life into the Cardiff community when Pacific Coast Grill will massively expand into the vacated space, after a temporary closure.

The restaurant’s last day of service will be January 3, 2027, with the goal of reopening in a few months. The expansion will double the square footage to around 16,000-square-feet, increase seating capacity from 220 to 440, triple the amount of kitchen space, add a patio, and add an additional back kitchen to accommodate an increasing number of private events without having to sacrifice normal service. Goldberg says they hope to expedite joining the buildings as quickly as possible, while the existing restaurant is remodeled and freshened up.

Don’t expect major changes to the decor or menu, although they’ll likely add a few new menu items and expand the sushi menu. “We’re not going to change who we are,” he promises. “It’s an opportunity for us to just take what we do to another level.”

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To maintain the signature coastal vibe, they’ll use the same architect (John Daniels at Primary General) and designer (Georgia Goldberg, who happens to be married to Steve) that they’ve used since 1987. The partners have been North County mainstays for nearly 40 years, with ventures including Solana Beach’s The Belly Up, the adjacent Tavern, and associated music promotion and production company Belly Up Entertainment.

Once the new, improved, and expanded Pacific Coast Grill reopens, guests will enter through the same entrance as they do now, but the current bar will be relocated to increase the number of seats directly facing the ocean. The new side includes a main bar, more seating, and two stories of windows plus an entryway flowing between the two spaces. The first floor is the main dining area, which will allow for more private events.

“The views from the new side are spectacular,” says Goldberg, adding that on clear days, guests will be able to see as far south as La Jolla.

A multi-month closure means some layoffs, but hopefully as few as possible.Goldberg says they plan to utilize some staff at Belly Up as much as they can, and keep chef Israel Balderas and general manager Miguel Zamora for the long haul. And if everything goes right, this will be the crowning jewel of a partnership that goes back decades.

“This is the ultimate for us,” says Goldberg. “This is what we’re going to focus on for the rest of our restaurant careers.” Berkovitz agrees. “It’s really going to be worth the wait.”

Pacific Coast Grill is located at 2526 S. Coast Hwy. 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

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