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Salt Creek Grille Orange County, Dana Point, CA

Salt Creek Grille Orange County

4.4 (464)
$31 to $50
American
32802 CA-1, Dana Point, CA 92629

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
animated flamesBooked 30 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Lively
Nestled along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, Salt Creek Grille proudly returns to the Dana Point community under new ownership. Our newly remodeled interiors and stunning outdoor patio exude elegance and comfort for unparalleled ambiance, setting the perfect stage for savoring our enhanced menu that features a true, wood-fired American steakhouse with a California coastal twist.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Barbecue
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Nestled along the iconic Highway 1, Salt Creek Grille proudly returns to Dana Point under new ownership. Our newly remodeled interiors and stunning outdoor patio exude elegance, setting the stage to celebrate life’s most memorable moments including intimate gatherings, weddings, receptions, in addition to business functions and corporate events.
  • Neighborhood
    Dana Point / Monarch Beach
  • Cross street
    Crown Valley Pkwy
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    Nil
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Wine Wednesday

    Multiple dates available
    Unwind midweek with Wine Down Wednesday at Salt Creek Grille Dana Point! Enjoy half-priced bottles of select wines from our curated list, perfectly paired with our signature wood-fired dishes. Whether relaxing on the patio with ocean views or catching up with friends, Wine Down Wednesday offers the ideal blend of great wine, delicious food, and coastal ambiance. Join us for a laid-back evening of indulgence every Wednesday!
    Wine Wednesday Photo
  • By popular demand, now serving Weekend Brunch!

    Multiple dates available
    Join us this weekend for a beautiful brunch on Salt Creek Grille's stunning outdoor patio! Surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in warm sunshine, it's the perfect setting to savor our mouthwatering brunch menu. Whether you're indulging in French Toast with guava puree, savory Crab Eggs Benedict, or a refreshing mimosa, every bite is elevated by the serene ambiance of our newly renovated space. At Salt Creek Grille, your perfect weekend starts with us!
    By popular demand, now serving Weekend Brunch! Photo

Offers

  • 50% Off Wine Bottles + Glass | Wine Wednesday

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 4:00 PM - 8:45 PM
    Every Wednesday, we're uncorking pure joy with an irresistible 50% off all wines by the glass and bottle. Whether you're a fan of crisp whites, bold reds, or something bubbly, this is your chance to explore our curated wine list at half the price. Gather your friends, savor the moment, and let the good times flow—because Wednesdays are now all about great wine, great company, and unbeatable deals! Cheers to making it through the week in style!

What 464 people are saying

Salt Creek Grille Orange County reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.0Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Salt Creek Grille Orange County boasts a lively atmosphere with live music, an inviting patio, and a playful sand area for children. Guests commend its "delicious food" and "attentive service." Highlights include the "amazing ambience" and "wonderful setting." While some note occasional service hiccups, the overall experience is praised as "excellent."
464 Reviews
  1. Anne VIP

    Phoenix / Arizona14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of our favorites! Great menu, service and ambiance.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 2 days ago
    Hi Anne, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and continued support of Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA! We're honored to be one of your favorites and are so glad to hear you enjoy our menu, service, and ambiance. It’s our mission to create a warm and memorable dining experience every time, and knowing we’ve earned a place on your go-to list truly means the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more great moments!

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  2. anne

    Cincinnati / Dayton9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved everything about it!! Great food great atmosphere
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 2 days ago
    Hi Anne, Thank you so much for your kind words and for joining us at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear you loved everything about your experience—from the food to the atmosphere. Creating memorable moments with great cuisine and warm hospitality is what we’re all about, and it means the world to know it resonated with you. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable visit!

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  3. Beau and Shari VIP

    Orange County27 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We love this place and are so glad that the new owners re-opened it and preserved most everything that worked about it. The service really sets Salt Creek apart. It's reliably courteous, and attentive without making you feel like someone is hovering over you. This is classic American fare--wedge salads, steak, chicken, fish, etc. And they know how to cook a steak here. On our most recent visit, we all had the 8 oz. filet, and they done just right (2 medium rare, 1 medium). Of particular note here is that the steaks didn't come out overly salted. You can add salt, but you can't remove it, so that was they way it should be done. Our server steered me away (gently) from my choice for a glass of wine and recommended another instead, and the recommendation was spot-on. The wedge salad was generously portioned, as were the 2 Caesars that came to the table. All were delicious, which is what we count on when we come here. My one reservation here is price. We knew the job was dangerous when we took it, but still coming out well over $400.00 for three after a 20% tip was still a little bracing. We had 1 appetizer, 3 salads, 3 entrees, 3 cocktails, 1 glass of wine, and 1 dessert. No sides--the entrees come basically naked on the plate except for a cute confit tomato. So you should just be sure to come ready to spend some money. If you stuck with the cheaper entrees like chicken or stroganoff, your results would be different, but you'd still be over $100/person if I'm doing the math correctly. So to sum it up, Really good food, stellar service, great location, and fairly expensive.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 2 days ago
    Hello Beau and Shari, Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA. We’re truly grateful to have guests like you who not only appreciate the classic American dishes we serve, but also recognize the effort our team puts into creating exceptional service with just the right balance of attentiveness and warmth. It’s especially rewarding to hear that your steaks were cooked to perfection and that our wine recommendation hit the mark—those small touches matter deeply to us. Thank you for continuing to support us through this new chapter—it means everything. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon.

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  4. Brittney VIP

    Orange County12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great time visiting. The new remodel is nice and fits the beach vibe. The outdoor patio is beautiful. Delicious food and great service.

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  5. Michael

    Orange County19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It's been a number of years since my wife and I have been to the SCG. Went with another couple to have a Memorial Day brunch on CCG's patio while listening to a very good live Band that covered some great rock classics like Tom Petty, The Eagles, and Bob Seger. Everything was excellent - the food, the music, the setting, and the service. Would highly recommend making reservations to make sure you can sit outside if the patio is your thing. The rest of the restaurant appears to have been remodeled and is also very inviting. We'll definitely be going back.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hi Michael, Thank you so much for joining us at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA for Memorial Day brunch and for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and generous review. We’re so glad to hear that your return visit after a few years was filled with great food, classic rock vibes on the patio, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s wonderful to know that the live music, service, and refreshed space made your experience memorable from start to finish. We truly appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you and your wife back again soon—whether it’s on the patio or inside our newly remodeled dining room!

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  6. David VIP

    Orange County91 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great local restaurant - very good food, great ambiance, attentive service and great location and view. Look forward to going again.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hello David, Thank you so much for your kind words and for supporting Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA! We’re so grateful to hear you enjoyed the food, ambiance, service, and our beautiful coastal location—it's everything we hope to deliver to each and every guest. Knowing you’re looking forward to your next visit truly means the world to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon for another memorable experience by the water.

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  7. Nicole VIP

    Orange County26 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Everything started off great exept we were seated at the very back of the restaurant, which felt a bit disconnected from the main vibe. We asked if we could move to a different table, but were told the place was too busy. Unfortunately, a few things left us disappointed. Online it clearly says they’re open until 11 PM, but by 10 PM the staff had already started cleaning up and packing things away. They were moving tables around us, making noise, and honestly, it felt like we were being pushed out. When we asked our server what time they closed, he just said, “We’re already closed,” with no effort to make us feel welcome or let us know we could still enjoy our time. It was awkward and uncomfortable, so we decided to just leave. On our way out, we noticed plenty of people still sitting and enjoying their meals in other areas. So why were we made to feel like we had to leave? It was our friend’s anniversary, and sadly, the evening didn’t end on a good note. A little communication or even offering us to sit by the firepit, like other guests, would’ve made a big difference. Just disappointed with how we were treated.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hello Nicole, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA. We're truly sorry to hear that what started as a special evening turned into a disappointing experience. It’s clear we missed the mark in both communication and hospitality, and for that, we deeply apologize. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and will be shared with our management team to ensure we do better moving forward. We would love the opportunity to make things right and provide the memorable, gracious experience you came to us for.

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  8. Tracy

    Louisville3 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    We made a reservation, confirmed the day before that per the request it would be outside (was told 'yes') and when we showed up there was no table, we were told it was first come first serve, we asked for a manager and were told they were all in a meeting then finally got a manager 20min later who found a table for us...waited another 15min for it, and then horrible service. Beautiful place, good food, but not sure I'll come back.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hello Tracy, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA. We're truly sorry to hear that what should have been a seamless and enjoyable reservation turned into a frustrating and disappointing experience. We understand how important it is to feel taken care of. This is not the level of hospitality we strive for, and your feedback will be shared with our team so we can improve. We hope you’ll consider giving us another chance in the future to provide the warm, thoughtful experience you deserve.

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  9. Brianna VIP

    Orange County6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the live music on the new patio! The kids also enjoyed playing in the sand area.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hello Brianna, Thank you so much for joining us at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA—we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the live music on our new patio! It’s wonderful to know the kids had fun in the sand area too; creating a space where families can relax and enjoy great food, music, and a bit of play is exactly what we hoped for. Your kind words mean so much to our team, and we can’t wait to welcome you and your family back for more good times by the coast!

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  10. Ruth VIP

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan9 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Staff was doing clean up at bar while we were eating, not pleasant.
    Salt Creek Grille Orange CountyResponded 6 days ago
    Hi Ruth, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us about your recent visit to Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, CA. We’re truly sorry to hear that the timing of our cleanup at the bar disrupted your dining experience—your comfort and enjoyment are incredibly important to us, and we sincerely regret that this left a negative impression. We appreciate you bringing it to our attention, and we’ll be addressing this with our team to ensure a more thoughtful approach moving forward. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.

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FAQs

Salt Creek Grille Orange County is rated 4.4 stars by 464 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
animated flamesBooked 30 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Salt Creek Grille Orange County

32802 CA-1, Dana Point, CA 92629

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Crown Valley Pkwy
  • Neighborhood
    Dana Point / Monarch Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Barbecue
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    Nil
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Nestled along the iconic Highway 1, Salt Creek Grille proudly returns to Dana Point under new ownership. Our newly remodeled interiors and stunning outdoor patio exude elegance, setting the stage to celebrate life’s most memorable moments including intimate gatherings, weddings, receptions, in addition to business functions and corporate events.
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