# I May Have Found World's Best Bacon Cheeseburger at Hodad's Ocean Beach San Diego *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated February 2025* Since 1969, when Byron and Virginia Hardin opened their first location in Ocean Beach, Hodad's has been a legendary burger joint in San Diego. With an atmosphere that borders on kitschy tourist trap but somehow manages to stay authentic, this is a must-visit location for anyone visiting the city. However, what makes it even more awesome is that it is more than just a "cool place" to grab a bite, it is serving up some of the most amazing burgers in the whole world.  For those of you who have never been to Ocean Beach, it is a beach town located just north of the city and is full of hippies / surfer culture, so it is also great for people watching. Before we get into things too deeply, I'll answer a question that I had during my first time here. What on earth is a "hodad"? The answer is a Hodad is a non-surfer that hangs out at the beach masquerading as a surfer. While there are plenty of non surfers that dine here, if you want to get a taste of San Diego's "surf culture" this is a great spot to start. In the afternoons and evenings, there is always a line to get in, but if you go for lunch you will only have to wait a few minutes for a table. However, for the ultimate experience you may want to wait a bit longer and eat inside the VW surf van booth! It's Time To Up Your Grill Game! [MANTRIPPING Weber Spirit EP-435 Gas Grill Review: Premium 4-Burner Grilling Excellence for...   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Fstuff%2Fweber-spirit-ep-435-gas-grill-review.html&id=44&type=blog&site=mantripping) [AMAZON The Ultimate Traeger Recipe Book for Beginners: Simple & Delicious Traeger... $19.99 Buy Now →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0DJ8PYX2Q%3Ftag%3Dmantr0c-20&id=70&type=amazon&site=mantripping) [AMAZON Grillbot Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot with Nylon Brushes $145.99 Buy Now →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07WLZ2W28%3Ftag%3Dmantr0c-20&id=65&type=amazon&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. As mentioned above, the Hodad's atmosphere is legendary, with walls covered in license plates from around the world as well as other "beach" and surfing signs that decorate pretty much every square inch of the restaurant.  The menu at Hodad's is pretty straight forward and it's all about the burger! However, for those of you who would rather have a veggie burger or a tuna sandwich, they offer that as well. Here's where I admit my limits! I HEARTILY recommend the bacon burger and I am never one to say no to a double. However, the double bacon cheeseburger (above) here is simply insane. Instead, I suggest that you go with a single with extra bacon instead. Though, really, the single is pretty massive by itself.  Plus, it's not just the meat, cheese, and bacon, but it is loaded with lettuce, onion, and pickles too. Of course, no burger experience is complete without a milkshake and Hodad's doesn't disappoint here either! While it would probably be sufficient to simply serve the shake in a single cup, these are meant for sharing and are made from real ice cream that literally overflows the mixing cup ready for you to share (or finish yourself!).  If you want something special though, skip the shake and order a malt instead - it is plenty malty and they even sprinkle some extra malt on top to make it extra malty! Good restaurants serve good food, but great ones manage to somehow combine great service, great food, and an awesome atmosphere to deliver a total experience that it's customers dream of returning to again and again. That's what Hodad's somehow manages to deliver in a way that is surprisingly authentic.  For instance, you could create this "concept" and put it in any city in America, but here it is real and not some Disney approximation of what "surf culture" might be like - it's the real thing. This isn't an act and that's what makes it special. While I enjoy this place as a local, if you are looking for an authentic San Diego beach experience, you need to head down to Ocean Beach and grab a bacon burger from Hodad's! [Hodad's](https://hodadies.com/) has three locations - Ocean Beach, downtown San Diego, and Petco Park. Details --- {"html":""} --- Written by: James Hills Published: 19 December 2014 Last Updated: 26 February 2025 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery Feb 23, 2026 [Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/alaska-more-than-just-natural-beauty-wonder-unique-culture-traditions.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) #### Spring Cleanup Done Right: Plano Storage Trunks and Shelving Reviewed Mar 02, 2026 [Spring Cleanup Done Right: Plano Storage Trunks and Shelving Reviewed](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/spring-cleanup-done-right-plano-storage-trunks-and-shelving-reviewed.html) #### How to Pick the Right Generator for Tailgating and Camping Feb 21, 2026 [How to Pick the Right Generator for Tailgating and Camping](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/how-to-pick-the-perfect-generator-for-tailgating-and-camping.html) #### UGREEN's New AI NAS Lineup Is What Power Users Have Been Waiting For Feb 19, 2026 [UGREEN's New AI NAS Lineup Is What Power Users Have Been Waiting For](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/ugreens-new-ai-nas-lineup-is-what-power-users-have-been-waiting-for.html) ### Related Articles #### 10 Boston Food Tours Every Guy Needs to Take [10 Boston Food Tours Every Guy Needs to Take](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/food-tours-boston-guys-trip.html) #### The Nelson Cottage: Park City's Chill Vibes Meet Fine Dining At This Whiskey Pairing Dinner [The Nelson Cottage: Park City's Chill Vibes Meet Fine Dining At This Whiskey Pairing Dinner](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/the-nelson-cottage-where-whiskey-meets-culinary-excellence-in-park-city.html) #### Weekly Meal Prep for Men: How to Eat Well Without the Hassle [Weekly Meal Prep for Men: How to Eat Well Without the Hassle](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/weekly-meal-prep-for-men.html) #### BJ's Restaurants MVP Bundle: The Perfect Homegate Helper For The Big Game [BJ's Restaurants MVP Bundle: The Perfect Homegate Helper For The Big Game](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/bjs-restaurants-mvp-bundle-the-perfect-homegate-helper-for-the-big-game.html) #### Curry Cups Tikka Masala Review: Authentic Indian Flavors Transform Game Day Snacking [Curry Cups Tikka Masala Review: Authentic Indian Flavors Transform Game Day Snacking](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/curry-cups-tikka-masala-review-authentic-indian-flavors.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html?view=html&id=1) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Gift Guides & Roundups Submission Form](https://www.mantripping.com/roundups-form.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) {"html":""} --- ### Need help planning? **Heather** is a cruise and travel specialist at mantripping.com with over 15 years of experience in personalized trip planning. She helps travelers plan cruise vacations tailored to their specific needs — whether it's choosing the right ship, coordinating a group, or finding the best itinerary for your budget and interests. **Get in touch:** - [Request a personalized quote](https://mantripping.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent) - Email: heather@flowmediamarketing.com --- **About mantripping.com:** Men's travel, lifestyle, and adventure since 2010. Honest reviews from 20+ years of travel experience. *Source: [I May Have Found World's Best Bacon Cheeseburger at Hodad's Ocean Beach San Diego](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/i-may-have-found-world-s-best-bacon-cheeseburger-at-hodad-s-ocean-beach-san-diego.html) — mantripping.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Travel guides and destination reviews](https://mantripping.com/travel/) - [Men's lifestyle and gear reviews](https://mantripping.com/mens-lifestyle/)