Is there parking at The Sandbox in Pacific Beach?

There's street parking available on Garnet Ave, though it can get tight during peak dinner hours and game nights. Arrive early on weekends or consider parking on nearby side streets if the main strip is full.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

The Sandbox takes reservations and has the space to handle walk-ins, especially since they expanded to their larger location. For big groups or during major sporting events, call ahead—otherwise, showing up on a casual weeknight is usually fine.

What's the vibe like—can I bring kids?

It's totally kid-friendly during the day and early evening, with a laid-back neighborhood feel and plenty of room to spread out. Once it gets late on game nights, it leans more toward the adult crowd, but families are welcome anytime.

Are dogs allowed at The Sandbox?

Yes, they're pet-friendly on the outdoor seating area, so bring your dog along if you're sitting outside on the patio.

What should I order first?

Start with the pizza—reviewers rave about the cheesy, flavorful crust, and you can build your own if you want to customize. Grab the tots as an appetizer too, though skip the wings if you prefer meat that's not fatty. Fair warning: their drinks are strong, so pace yourself.

When's the best time to go if I want to avoid a crowd?

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are laid-back with good vibes and no wait. Hit them up for a chill dinner before it gets packed on weekends and game days.

Can you customize pizzas, and are there dietary options?

You can definitely build your own pizza by choosing your toppings, though be aware the meat portions can be light for the price. They serve lunch and dinner with dine-in, takeout, and delivery options, so you've got flexibility on how you want to order.

The Sandbox — Pizza in Pacific Beach, San Diego

“The Sandbox is Pacific Beach's answer to the sports bar that grew up — same pizza-and-pitchers setup, now with space to breathe and a second bar for overflow.”

Unlike The Fishery's fish-market formality or Rocky's single-minded burger focus, The Sandbox operates in the PB sweet spot: build-your-own pizzas, 10+ screens running simultaneous games, and a recent expansion that turned a cramped Garnet Avenue crush into something you can actually navigate with a pint in hand. The old location was shoulder-to-shoulder chaos on game nights; the new spot added a pool table, a second bar, and enough square footage that you don't have to fight for a sightline to the Warriors game.

The pizza's the anchor — **build-your-own** lets you stack toppings, though reviews suggest they go light on premium add-ons like meatballs, so budget accordingly if you're loading up. The **crust** gets praise for flavor, and the cheese pull is legit. Wings are hit-or-miss depending on the batch; some reviewers found them too fatty. The **tots** come with a standout dipping sauce that's worth ordering as a pre-game snack.

Drinks pour strong — strong enough that multiple regulars mentioned Ubering home — and the bartenders know the room well enough to flip to your game without prompting. It's explicitly kid-friendly, which is rare for a bar this tuned to the sports calendar, and the back patio keeps the vibe loose when the marine layer rolls in. Parking on Garnet is the usual nightmare, so aim for side streets or resign yourself to circling.

This is the spot when your group can't agree on anything beyond "beer and something shareable" — casual enough for a solo bar seat on a Tuesday, accommodating enough for families, and loud enough on weekends that you won't hear your own conversation anyway.

The Sandbox

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