While Cliff House has historic character worth exploration, this is the most modern oceanside restaurant, with commanding views of the Pacific Ocean (fog permitting). The Chalet occupies the upper floor of a historic public lounge that originally opened in 1900, was renovated, closed, and was reopened in 1997. Today, the main floor's wonderful restored WPA frescoes and historical displays on the area are enough to lure tourists and locals, but there's nothing historic about the bright and cheery restaurant, which does the trick when you're in the 'hood, but is not a destination in itself. In fact, a great beer selection and live music have been the primary nighttime draw of late.

Dinner is pricey, and the view disappears with the sun, so come for breakfast or lunch when you can eat your Niman Ranch hamburger, rock shrimp nachos, or salmon-stuffed rainbow trout with one of the best vistas around. After dinner, it's a more local thing, especially on select evenings when live bands accompany the cocktails and house-made English-style ales and root beer. (Call for schedules.) Note: Be careful getting into the parking lot (accessible only from the northbound side of the highway); it's a quick, sandy turn.