George’s at the Cove’s Ocean Terrace is set to welcome guests again on Feb. 6, after a three-month, top-to-bottom remodel. The rooftop will start with walk-in seating only that first day, with dinner reservations opening the next day, Saturday, Feb. 7. The work focused on beefing up the terrace’s structure and dialing up outdoor comfort while holding tight to the panoramic Pacific views regulars line up for.
Partner and chef Trey Foshee has described the project as careful, mostly behind-the-scenes upgrades, telling WhatNow that the price tag “eclipsed the seven-figure mark.” Coverage of the reopening also names Executive Chef Masa Kojima, Pastry Chef Zach Schneider and General Manager Mike Grave as the leaders steering the refreshed Ocean Terrace.
What the remodel changed
The terrace now sits on a new foundation with updated flooring, plus a four-foot-tall perimeter glass wall that keeps sightlines clear without the need for steel pillars. A revamped umbrella layout with integrated LED lighting, permanent heaters, new wall sconces, refreshed dining tables and a new host stand are all part of the plan to keep the rooftop comfortable year-round, according to Patch.
Capacity: 120 or 142?
Coverage of the reopening notes that the main dining area “remains unchanged” at about 120 guests, per WhatNow. The restaurant’s events information, however, lists the Ocean Terrace as accommodating up to 142 people for seated buyouts, suggesting the discrepancy may come down to different ways of counting the space. For the fine print, the venue details are outlined at George’s at the Cove.
How and when to book
On Feb. 6, the Ocean Terrace will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, then begin taking dinner reservations on Feb. 7. The reopening promotion includes 50 percent off select bottles from Hill Family Estate during the first month of in-person Ocean Terrace service, according to SoCalPulse. Those set on a prime sunset view are encouraged to check the restaurant’s reservation system and any premium seating options.
A La Jolla fixture for decades
George Hauer opened George’s at 1250 Prospect Street in August 1984, then added the rooftop Ocean Terrace in June 1991, helping cement the restaurant as a long-standing La Jolla landmark. The terrace closed for renovation in November 2025 while Level2 and the lower dining room remained open, and the rooftop refresh follows a separate Level2 remodel completed last April, per the Times of San Diego…