Sunny-side up

Scott Hocker, Sarah Mueller Bossenbroek, and Natasha Sarkisian

BY THE BAY
Grumble all you want about the prices and the cash-or-check-only policy: Fish’s sustainably sourced seafood is worth every penny. Impeccable fish tacos, fish-and-chips, BBQ oysters, and innovative starters like roasted sardines with meaty tomato sauce prove that food with a conscience does not have to come up short on taste. That alone would reel in the customers, but the sun-drenched deck, right alongside Sausalito’s moored boats, makes for a setting so idyllic, it makes the screech of seagulls sound like a lullaby.
350 Harbor Dr., Sausalito, 415-331-3474.

ON THE STREET
The Last Supper Club has only a handful of outdoor tables, so on a warm day, they’re in demand. The sun beats down, keeping the temperature toasty; the umbrellas prevent any serious exposure; and the view of Mission habitués is unparalleled. The menu is familiar—tuna melts, poached eggs—but with a southern Italian twist. The tuna, under a blanket of provolone, is tossed with capers, and the eggs are served in a spicy tomato sauce with chickpeas and topped with ricotta salata. Even the roasted tomato Bloody Mary feels Mediterranean.
1199 Valencia St., S.F., 415-695-1199.

WITH AN OCEAN VIEW
From a wind-protected perch above Half Moon Bay, you can enjoy Atlantic coastal specialties like crab rolls and chowder while gazing out at sailboats on the Pacific. Proprietor Paul Shenkman named Sam’s Chowder House for his impossibly adorable son, and some of the tot’s favorite foods, including soft-serve ice cream, make an appearance on the menu. The dining room and covered terrace have great views, too, but the prime seats are on the patio, where you’ll find heat lamps, breeze blockers, and rows of Adirondack chairs.
4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay, 650-712-0245.

IN THE GARDEN
Brunch at Rockridge’s Somerset is a head-spinning experience by virtue of the sheer number of items on the menu. But choosing between lemon-ricotta pancakes or steak and eggs with balsamic-marinated tomatoes—and deciding which flavor of mimosa to wash it down with—feels luxurious when you’re sitting on the partially covered back patio. Wisteria vines twist in the trellis overhead, their lavender blooms cascading down in thick, fragrant clusters. It’s College Avenue’s version of an English tea garden, with a breakfast worth a BART ride.
5912 College Ave., Oakland, 510-428-1823.

IN THE WOODS
Real estate may be pricey on the peninsula, but there’s still a place to get cheap pitchers of beer. On sunny days, venture capitalists, Stanford students, and flannel-shirt-sporting locals fill the tables in the 150-year-old beer garden at the Alpine Inn, known to all as Zott’s, short for its former name, Rossotti’s. A meandering creek lines one side of the patio; umbrellas and trees provide the shade. The curmudgeonly staff is part of the charm: they’ll probably tell you what to order—and it will probably be their popular burgers and fries.
3915 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley, 650-854-4004.