Clayton's

 

Somehow it took us having out-of-the-country guest to visit this cool diner on Coronado: Clayton's! Apparently the restaurant has been here since 1938, changing hands (and names) in 1952. Alas, the cool neon sign is gone, but many of the original elements remain, including the excellent horseshoe counter. Love it! 

Casa de Pancakes

 We love a good old-fashioned breakfast restaurant/diner. This one LOOKED the part...food was only so-so (and the coffee was, in the time-honored diner tradition, WRETCHED). Still, glad these places still exist and am happy to give them our business.

Diner Vibes

A diner breakfast can't be beat! (Even if no one in California knows how to make a proper biscuit!)

Rudford's

Nothing like an old-fashioned diner and old-fashioned diner food! Yum!

This is Rudford's, which has been operating in San Diego since 1949.

(There used to be a really cool vintage bowling alley next door, but because everyone always has to ruin everything, it was torn down and some hideous and nondescript "luxury condos" replaced it.)