(North County Beat) – Professional surfer Benji Weatherley is preparing to open a Hawaiian-themed restaurant named “Breakers” along Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas.
The restaurant will occupy the location formerly held by several pizza establishments, most recently Schooner Station Pizzeria & Sports Pub, which closed in 2021. Breakers will be located at 481 Santa Fe Drive, within the Santa Fe Plaza, directly across from Scripps Memorial Hospital, and visible from Interstate 5.
The restaurant will bring a taste of Oahu to Encinitas, featuring live Hawaiian music, outdoor games, and an indoor arcade area, creating a family-friendly atmosphere. The Encinitas Planning Commission voted unanimously on August 1 to approve the project, granting minor use, design review, and coastal development permits, as well as an alcohol service license.
Marcela Escobar, president and CEO of Atlantis Land Use Consultants, described the restaurant as an “amazing Hawaiian concept” that reflects Weatherley’s upbringing in Hawaii and honors the local community. She noted that the interior would feature vintage signs from Encinitas, adding a nostalgic touch to the design.
The new restaurant has been well-received by the Encinitas Planning Commission. Commissioner Chris Ryan expressed enthusiasm for a family-friendly venue returning to the location, recalling past visits when it was a pizza place. Commissioner Brent Whitteker called the building a “cornerstone of our community,” and Commissioner Susan Sherod praised the restaurant’s design as “delightful.”
Although an opening date has not been set, work on the building has already commenced, and a temporary sign has been installed on the roof, visible from the freeway.
