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BEYOND THE SEA

Restaurateur, bon vivant and outdoorsman Matt Rimel introduces you to his side of San Diego.

Whether spearing a marlin as it sleeps at the surface of the ocean, taking the kids to see rhinos and lions, or watching the sunset over an aircraft carrier with a fine meal in front of him, Matt Rimel loves his city.

San Diego, with its incredible natural diversity, eerily good weather, and long list of cultural and culinary diversions, is one of the reasons why this 40-year-old restaurateur has kept his rapidly growing enterprise within the county lines. Born in the exclusive enclave of La Jolla, just north of downtown San Diego, Rimel grew up on the ocean, surfing the city’s notoriously territorial breaks and fishing whenever he had the chance. At 25, Rimel and his wife, Jacqueline, opened their first of five restaurants (they have two more planned). Over the course of 15 years, they have opened three grills and two sushi restaurants. The underlying theme at each eatery is the great fish found in the Pacific. “If I go out there and spear something good, it’ll be in one of my restaurants,” he says.

But Rimel points out that San Diego is about more than just the sand and barreling breaks.

How would you describe San Diego to someone who has never visited?
“It’s so lush and diverse. You have everything: desert, mountains and the ocean. To me, it always looks so good.”

What is the appeal of this city for an outdoor enthusiast like yourself?
“You can go fishing in the ocean. Some of the best is for tuna and yellowtail. Beyond the fishing, it’s just amazing to see San Diego from the water. And then you have incredible bass fishing lakes. The mountain climbing is amazing. For an outdoor person, this is one of best places on Earth year round. Just in terms of climate, it never rains here, and the temperature averages 68 degrees.”

Do you have a favorite place to visit in the fall?
“I head to the mountains, either Palomar Mountain (www.parks. ca.gov) or Julian (www.julianca. com). I like the backcountry because you can see seasons change. You don’t see that until you get higher in elevation; you miss it when you’re down on the coast.”

Where is the best place to see Southern California’s famous desert? “Anza Borrego State Park (www.parks.ca.gov) has one of the biggest populations of unique desert bighorn sheep. They run the length of the mountain range to the tip of Baja. You have amazing rock formations, plant life, deer and coyote, and it’s an hour drive from San Diego. In spring, it’s full of flowers and the desert lights up.

When I go, I stay at La Casa del Zorro (www.lacasadelzorro.com). It’s super private—you can even have your own pool. Service is excellent, and the food is excellent. You can do whatever you want to do, and it’s very low key. It’s great to take your wife or a date—not the kids. It’s just exquisite.”

And the kids?
“I take them to the Wild Animal Park (www.sandiegozoo.org/wap). You can get on this open-air tram. It takes you through the park and all the animals—rhinos, lions and gazelle—are running free like on the open African plains.”

Do you have a favorite restaurant that you recommend to visitors? “Las Cuatro Milpas (619-234-4460) for sure… my favorite dish is chorizo and pork tacos. It’s [unhealthy], so you can only eat there once a month, but you have to eat there because it’s really good.

In Solana Beach, I like the Pacific Coast Grill (www.. pacificcoastgrill.com). They have good fresh fish and great burgers. Girls really dig it, and it’s a locals’ hang out.

I also tell people they have to go to the Top of the Market (www.thefishmarket.com) in downtown San Diego’s fish market. You can sit next to an old aircraft carrier and watch the military do its thing. It’s high end, and it’s great to start a night out watching a sunset from up there.” —D. Heimpel