California Pizza Kitchen's incoming Encinitas location marks the company's fourth outpost in the San Diego area, filling the space formerly occupied by Corner Bakery Cafe near the Encinitas Village Shopping Center. This move comes after the closure of the company's Solana Beach restaurant, which had been a fixture in the Beachwalk Shopping Center since 1992. That location played a key role in CPK’s early growth across California and was one of the first to feature the brand’s updated design. Despite its closure, the new Encinitas location signals a renewed focus on expanding within the region.
California Pizza Kitchen, founded in Beverly Hills in 1985, became known for its creative, California-inspired pizzas, offering innovative toppings that reflected the state’s diverse culinary landscape. Over the years, the chain has grown significantly, with more than 130 locations across the U.S., including over 50 in California alone. The brand also operates nearly 30 international outposts.
The Encinitas expansion comes as California Pizza Kitchen works to rebuild its presence after a series of closures, including the Solana Beach and Escondido branches. Nationwide, the company has scaled back in several markets, including the closure of a high-traffic location at the Fountains at Roseville Mall in Northern California. Despite these setbacks, California Pizza Kitchen continues to operate, having emerged from bankruptcy in 2020.
