Will Travel For Beer

The best way to refuel after a perfect day of adventure? With your crew at one of these ideally located watering holes.

- Graham Averill

MIKE HESS BREWING

IMPERIAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA

CLOSE TO: SURFING

Mike Hess is a pillar of San Diego’s robust craft-beer scene, and the new outpost in the funky border town of Imperial Beach is heavy on post-surf vibes. Just north of the pier and steps from the Pacific Ocean, the open-air taproom gives way to a beer garden. While the region has a reputation for busy breaks and occasionally grumpy locals, Imperial Beach is low-key, with crowd-free lineups and shifting sandbars that keep the surf firing year-round. If you can’t find a decent swell near the pier, head south along Seacoast Drive, where breaks can be found at the end of every side street. San Diego is an IPA kind of town, but for your après-surf meal, pair something light and crisp, like the excellent Claritas Kölsch, with a bite courtesy of the popular Mexican restaurant City Tacos. Try the Mahi al Mango, or get weird with a Mexicali—a taco with steak and mashed potatoes.

THE NUGGET MOUNTAIN BAR

DURANGO, COLORADO

CLOSE TO: SKIING