Ruby's Diner in Southern California

One of my favorite places to go is Ruby's Diner in Southern California, on the Balboa Pier. There is another one along Pacific Coast Highway as well, a little further south. Both are wonderful, and have incredible ocean views.

The one I frequent the most is the one on the Balboa Pier, and its a favorite of family and friends as well. My favorite reasons include the location, its near the beach for one! I love to walk out on the pier, morning or evening and go to Ruby's Diner. There is always some action going on as well. For instance, you will see people fishing from the early morning throughout the day there. You can eat and watch people catching all kinds of fish. They have seating inside, or outside with two separate choices there. One way is to go to the top of the roof, where you get an even better breeze and view. You won't want to forget your camera! If you stay on the level of the pier, there are nice umbrellas to sit under and just enjoy the fresh air and the fun 50's style ambience.

There is a fun 50's style theme at Ruby's, and the one on Pacific Coast Highway even has many old cars parked out front as part of their decor. We took pictures out front of those cars, and afterward bought some flowers from a local florist right there.

The food is great, and you can get the best hamburgers and shakes there. If you are there during breakfast hours, make sure to try the cinnamon roll french toast, which comes with butter and warm syrup and it is simply to die for! Its worth a special trip in the morning hours just to get to try this. You can get your choice of breakfast meat as well, and eggs and trust me you won't go hungry.  For all the times I have been to Ruby's over the years, never did I get something I didn't like there.  We even took out the mothers one year in our family, all to Ruby's to celebrate Mother's day.  So fun!

The decor is a fun red and white with an old fashioned diner in mind, along with music of course. Its nothing overly fancy, but that doesn't matter, because you are sure to make a memory just for the going to Ruby's. When we go, I can often be caught taking pictures before and after of the beautiful coastline along Balboa Beach. You can see Newport Beach down the other direction, and then Corona Del Mar Beach in the opposite direction.

Its not uncommon to see either dolphins, or sea lions, or both while on the Balboa pier as well. If it is low tide, you can look over the side of the pier, and see beautiful colored starfish, like orange and purple and other colors as well. The last time I went there, my son caught a baby baracuda, which was the highlight of his summer, sharp teeth and all!

If you ever get the chance, go and visit Ruby's Diner. You can find them throughout the Southern California locale, but my favorites are the two I mentioned. Other locations include Irvine, and South Coast Plaza area and Tustin, as well as others.