After a sunny day of paddle boarding and kayaking through the clear, glassy waters of Mission Bay, the next non-negotiable stop is a cold and refreshing acai bowl. Tucked away in the midst of surf shops and taco spots on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach is Rush Bowls, welcoming customers with its colorful lightning on the outside, laid-back vibe and friendly faces behind the counter. Even though it is only 20 minutes from the school, it feels like a whole new neighborhood, full of other various shops. If you are not already spending the day at Pacific Beach, it is nice to get out and explore a new community. For those who want to make a full afternoon out of it, Brandy Melville is just three minutes away — a little shopping with an acai bowl afterward is the ideal way to spend an afternoon. 

Rush Bowls prioritizes nutrition by incorporating fresh produce into their bowls, steering clear from artificial sweeteners and added sugars while also offering gluten and dairy free options. Each bowl packs up to five servings of fruits and vegetables, designed to fuel whatever your day looks like, whether it is a morning surf session or an afternoon at the beach.

Beach Bowl

This signature bowl is built on a thick base of acai, banana, mango and guava juice blended together. The guava, an unusual acai bowl ingredient, gives it a tropical flavor and the mango rounds it out with a natural sweetness without it being too cloying. It is topped with crunchy hemp granola, a drizzle of honey and a free topping of choice – strawberry slices or blueberries are the go-to move. It is blended to order, which means the texture is creamy and consistent all the way through without any icy chunks. This fresh, filling and fully loaded bowl is worth its price of $14.99.

Rating: 4.7/5. 

PB&J Bowl

This bowl is made for PB&J lovers — the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The base is blended to a thick and smooth pulp of strawberry, banana, fresh peanut butter and your choice of milk. It is coated generously with their rich and creamy peanut butter, made in-house daily. The sweet strawberries on top contrast the savory peanut butter, creating a flavor profile ranging  from sweet and fruity to smooth and rich. This bowl is also offered as a smoothie, which does not include the toppings. While  $14.99 may seem a bit high, everything is fresh and made daily in the kitchen.

Rate: 4.5/5. 

Berry Fresh

This bowl tastes like summer in a cup: refreshing and naturally sweet without feeling heavy. It blends a smooth base of strawberry, blueberry and raspberry juice, highlighting the fresh fruit flavors. This is the essential bowl after a long and hot day outside when you want something fruity and cold to feel energized. It also costs $14.99, a reasonable price for the high quality ingredients, fresh fruit and nut butters. For those who choose the granola topping, there is a gluten-free granola option that is celiac certified (for those who need it).

Rate: 4.4/5 

Rush Bowls is made to order. Fresh, real ingredients are blended according to customer preference. The menu has something for everyone, whether you are in the mood for a loaded bowl or something lighter you can sip on the walk back to your car. 

For a spot that is relatively new to the San Diego acai bowl scene, it has already built up enough of a following that it has lines out the door on weekend mornings. It is a great addition to the Pacific Beach neighborhood. 

Overall Rating: 4.5/5