Chef Roberto Alcocer is the visionary behind Valle, Oceanside’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, and a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist. With more than 25 years of experience in acclaimed kitchens across Baja, California, France, and Spain, Alcocer has been at the forefront of modern Mexican cuisine, blending vibrant, playful flavors with refined technique.

He first gained attention at his celebrated Valle de Guadalupe restaurant, Malva, before bringing his distinct perspective north to Oceanside. At Valle, his seasonally inspired, California-sourced menus are elevated through soulful Mexican traditions and nuanced presentation. Every dish reflects both his Baja roots and global training, creating an experience that is simultaneously approachable, refined, and deeply personal.

Through this artistry and storytelling, Alcocer is helping define Southern California’s evolving gastronomic identity – one that celebrates cultural exchange, coastal abundance, and Always O’riginal creativity.

Valle is the first and only restaurant in Oceanside to be honored with a prestigious Michelin Star. Chef Roberto Alcocer’s much-buzzed about restaurant near the Oceanside Pier pays tribute to Baja California’s vineyard-studded Guadalupe Valley, “which furnishes the restaurant’s wine list and serves as inspiration for Chef Alcocer’s refined, modern expression of Mexican cuisine,” Michelin inspectors said. They praised the four-course prix fixe meal, which “might start with a fluffy tamal made with creamy requeson cheese, paired with earthy mole and bright herbs.” The recognition is a major coup for Alcocer, who moved to Oceanside from Baja in 2021 with the express purpose of earning a Michelin star.

Follow Along: @ValleOceanside  

Nestled underneath the Oceanside Pier, Mariposa is a charming ice cream spot that caters to all those passing by and hitting the beach. This beloved local gem is known for its artisanal approach to ice cream making. With a focus on using high-quality, natural ingredients, their handcrafted small-batch ice creams are bursting with delightful flavors. Mariposa prides itself on being family-owned, with the family settling in Oceanside in 1906! The shop’s friendly smiling staff are a welcomed treat, aside from Grandpa Pete’s recipes. 

At Valle, the Chef’s Friends Dinner Series is not just a meal; it’s an immersive experience that bridges the gap between different culinary realms. On April 10th, Michelin-starred Valle will welcome the esteemed guest Chef Val Cantú, a perfect example of how the restaurant transcends its already high standards. Valle’s kitchen, under the guidance of Chef Roberto Alcocer, delivers exceptional Mexican cuisine with a contemporary twist. However, when guest chefs enter the fray, diners are treated to a fusion of styles and techniques that elevate the menu to new heights.

These dinners are a testament to the creative synergy that can occur when chefs from diverse backgrounds and with different skill sets come together. It’s a rare opportunity for food enthusiasts to witness firsthand the magic that happens when culinary giants from all over the state, such as Chef Cantú from the two-Michelin-starred Californios in San Francisco, join forces with Oceanside’s finest, creating dishes that are not just meals but memories.

Future Dinner: TBD, Follow @ValleOceanside for updates

Behind the string lights, picnic tables, and laid-back atmosphere, Pacific Coast Spirits carries a prestigious reputation and countless accolades. This Oceanside star produces its own varieties of single malt whiskey, bourbon, agave spirits, white rye whiskey, gin, brandy and vodka.

Here you’ll find the perfect blend of education and experience. The distilling and production process is front and center – you can’t miss the stunning copper 500-gallon still system or the endless labyrinth of stacked wooden barrels – but a traditional bar/restaurant experience is just as accessible, and the kitchen is just as impressive. A full menu of California classics is available, from bar bites like brussels sprouts and wings, to heartier mains like a 60-ounce filet mignon. Enjoy lunch, dinner, their infamous Sunday brunch, or make Pacific Coast Spirits your next Taco Tuesday or Wing Wednesday outing venue.

*10% off Draft Cocktails when you check in with O’side Sips!*