The Ocean Terrace is expected to reopen in mid-January 2026 with structural and cosmetic updates including a new floor, glass wall, tabletops, umbrellas, and permanent heaters. During the remodel, George’s Level 2 dining room and bar will remain open for lunch and dinner, while the lower-level dining room will expand service when not booked for private events.
The renovation comes just days after the George’s team shuttered Sandpiper on Avenida de la Playa, which served its last meals on November 1 after a four-year run. Sandpiper - like its predecessor Galaxy Taco - was an offshoot of the George’s brand led by owner George Hauer and executive chef-partner Trey Foshee. Both satellite projects failed to match the staying power of the flagship La Jolla Cove location, underscoring the challenges of replicating one of San Diego’s most enduring restaurant models outside its core property.
In a message to SanDiegoVille last month, Foshee emphasized that the Sandpiper closure was a practical decision tied to lease terms rather than performance, noting that the lease extended through the end of the year but that he “did not want to re-up another 10-year lease” as he approached his 60th birthday. He defended both Sandpiper and Galaxy as meaningful ventures that trained and employed hundreds of staff over the years and reflected culinary experimentation within the broader George’s group.
George’s at the Cove, founded by Hauer in 1984, has remained one of La Jolla’s most recognizable dining landmarks for over four decades. The Ocean Terrace, added in 1991, became a defining feature of the restaurant, offering open-air views of the Pacific and anchoring the brand’s identity as a destination for both visitors and locals.
The rooftop remodel follows a recent renovation of the Level 2 dining room and bar, completed in April, that added retractable awnings, updated furnishings, and a new high-top oceanfront counter. These back-to-back improvement projects signal a period of reinvestment for George’s even as its satellite ventures contract.
Despite the temporary closure, George’s plans to continue its holiday dining events as scheduled, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. After Sandpiper’s closure and amid continued operational changes, the renovation represents a strategic focus on preserving the flagship’s relevance in San Diego’s competitive coastal dining market.
George's at the Cove is located at 1250 Prospect Street in La Jolla. For more information, visit georgesatthecove.com.
Originally published on November 6, 2025.
