The Whaling Bar

Came for Sunday happy hour and it’s now one of my favorite happy hours in all of San Diego. I review happy hours across the city and this one stands out! The martinis were great and we ordered everything on the happy hour menu (Caesar Twinkies and fried chicken were the standouts, though honestly everything was good). LOOK HOW CUTE THE WHALE BUTTER IS! And it was served with this sweet pumpkin bread baked fresh so it came out warm and oh Jesus, it was just amazing. Fries were cooked perfectly, service was incredible, everything came out at once, we were in and out in 20 minutes. They also have their signature cocktails for $15 on happy hour. It’s a Beautiful space inside La Valencia hotel, you can sit inside or outside. And don’t sleep on the weekday special either!! burger, fries, and a martini for $22 Monday through Thursday

I’m proud to call myself a regular here for happy hour from 4–5 pm. I’m vegetarian and skip the cheese, and I find the dishes incredibly tasty, inventive, and unadulterated. Everyone is so kind, and the whole bar has a great vibe. I recommend The Whaling Bar to everyone I end up talking food and drinks with. If you come after happy hour, the kale salad will not disappoint.

Great spot for a drink or tapas-style dinner. Wine was about $25 per glass, with cocktails the same price. Standouts were the kale salad, duck meatballs, and octopus, with the salad being large and the octopus a tad on the small side. Whipped ricotta was rich and smooth, but the grilled bread was mostly burned, which I never enjoy. This octopus will now be my top favorite preparation. Service was good but not great, with some delays or miscommunication. The interior is dark and a bit eclectic with a sliver area for some outdoor seating out front, no views. It can be loud if there is a large party. A lot of date nights happening here, but I was with a group of friends. Great jump off point for some bar hopping and the hotel has nice views. Due to drink prices, this was a bit more expensive of a meal than expected. 4.5 for me.

Yummy food with bursting flavors!!! Beautiful atmosphere. And George was the kindest & accommodating server, adding to a pleasant experience. So glad we went!!

Celebrated our anniversary here — we always love coming to La Valencia Hotel, but this visit felt a bit off. The vibe wasn’t quite right; everyone seemed new to each other, no real energy in the room. Drinks were $25 each, which felt steep even accounting for La Jolla pricing — $16 is more typical. The duck meatballs were good, but nothing special, and the crudo was only lukewarm and light on seafood. Overall a decent experience, but nothing memorable. We ended up at La Sala inside the hotel afterward for a nightcap, and that was so much better — live music and a much better atmosphere.