New heights in sight for Oceanside’s Flying Bridge

The Flying Bridge Restaurant, once a stop for movie stars, politicians and special events, soon may return to the North County firmament.

The 1960s-era, rock-faced building on North Coast Highway overlooks the San Luis Rey River, the Oceanside harbor and the ocean, but it’s been closed for more than 10 years. The paint is peeling, plywood covers the windows, and transients often sleep in the doorway.

Last week, the Oceanside City Council approved construction of a new Flying Bridge, along with a four-story, 117-room Marriott Residence Inn, meeting space and more for the three-acre site, a spot that has been feeding and lodging Coast Highway travelers since the 1920s.

In its heyday, the eatery served Bing Crosby, Sean Connery and Debbie Reynolds. Ronald Reagan stopped in when he was governor of California, according to old news stories. Weddings, family reunions and other celebrations were held there, along with regular meetings of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary clubs and other community organizations.

Across the parking lot from the restaurant is a two-story motel, now an 80-room Rodeway Inn, that remains open, but business there is slow. The larger-than-life mermaid and pirate near the entrance look sadly sun-scorched. Soon they will have to find a new home.

Construction is expected to begin in a year and take about two years to complete, the property owner said.

North County physician Shantu Patel bought the restaurant and motel almost 20 years ago. He remodeled at the time, with long-term plans to rebuild, but progress has been slow.

The city approved his plans in 2010 for a 127-room Hyatt Place hotel and 24 condominiums on the site, with a larger restaurant and more meeting space. However, after funding difficulties and other issues emerged, the condos were eliminated and the size was scaled back. But his overall plan remains the same.

“The Flying Bridge has a long history, and we want to maintain that,” Patel said Wednesday.

He wants to keep the name “Flying Bridge,” he said, and the restaurant’s rooms will have memorabilia and photos of local celebrities such as country music star Barbara Mandrell and Chargers linebacker Junior Seau.

Many people consider the location the northern gateway to downtown Oceanside. The hotel’s private pool, outdoor terrace and many of the rooms will have harbor and ocean views.

“This project is going to be a gem of Oceanside,” said Allan Teta, a Carlsbad architect working on the design.

“The restaurant will be operated by families of Oceanside for the people of Oceanside ... with upscale dining in a casual setting,” Teta said. “It really captures some of the Mediterranean coastal vibe.”

The existing motel has nine employees and generates $14,000 in annual property taxes and $130,000 in transient occupancy tax revenue for the city, according to a staff report. The new buildings are expected to employ 80 people and will bring the city $157,000 in property tax and $714,000 in TOT tax revenue, along with $25,000 in sales tax revenue each year.

Plans call for the new restaurant to be built some distance back from the site of the existing structure, which is cantilevered out over a bluff atop the river valley.

While the replacement buildings will be taller, they will have a smaller footprint on the property. The tallest feature of the hotel will be 65 feet above the ground, with most of the top at 53 feet.

Patel bought the restaurant and motel from Dorothy Satten. She and her husband, Frank Satten, purchased the property in 1943, when it was the El Real Auto Court, a 1920s-era collection of bungalows separated by carports. At the time, Oceanside had about 4,000 residents.

Over the years, the Sattens turned the auto court into the Bridge Motor Inn. They added the Flying Bridge restaurant in the mid-1960s.

The motor inn may have been named for the nearby Coast Highway bridge across the San Luis Rey River. However, a “flying bridge” is an open area atop a ship that offers the best views for the captain and officers.

Two other multi-story developments are planned for vacant and under-used properties nearby on North Coast Highway, according to city records.

One is Alta Oceanside, a five-story, mixed-use project with 309 apartments and 5,600 square feet of commercial space. That development is expected to go to the City Council for approval later this year.

Adjacent to Alta Oceanside, at the southwest corner of Coast Highway and Costa Pacifica Way, plans are developing for Seacliff Terrace, a four-story building with 52 residential condominiums, retail space and two levels of underground parking.

Concordia Homes, the applicant for the Seacliff project, recently requested a one-year extension before the plans go to the City Council for final approval.