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Along the west 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline supports ear-round outdoor recreation such as surfing, boating, sailing, fishing and swimming. San Diego Beaches are acclaimed as some of the best beach areas in the United States. San Diego possesses over seventy miles of sandy coastline and warm, clear waters ranging from tranquil snorkeling coves and ecological preserves. Here one may find some of the best surf spots in the world. San Diego epitomizes the Southern California beach culture--from level, family-friendly beaches to nudist coves backed by 300-foot cliffs.In addition to San Diego beaches, the city is also home to Mission Bay, a massive, inland harbour and prime water-wonderland for water and jet-skiing, kayaking and windsurfing. Further north toward the San Diego coastline there are excellent surf spots favored by locals, as well as significantly less-crowded beaches. |
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Coronado |
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The long expanse of Coronado Beach is located on Ocean Boulevard in front of the famous Hotel del Coronado. This brilliantly white stretch of San Diego coastline first gained fame in 1959 due to its prominence in the classic Marilyn Monroe film, "Some Like It Hot". Today, Coronado is one of the most family-friendly beaches in San Diego. As twilight approaches you will find it a highly romantic setting for a stroll over the sand as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Coronado Beach was voted the fourth "Best Beach" in the U.S., as well as the "Best Weekend Getaway Beach" by the Travel Channel. BACK TO TOP |
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Just south of Pacific Beach is one of San Diego's most popular beaches for tanning, volleyball, horseshoes, surfing, and socializing. Although there is a high number of rental properties along the ocean, there is a significant amount of year-round residents, making Mission Beach more of a "locals' beach" than its northern neighbor. South Mission beach, marked by the historic roller coaster and the Plunge--an indoor swimming pool--has two famous beach bars: the Beachcomber and the Pennant, both South Mission Beach institutions. These bars have been popular with the locals (as well as college students that crowd Mission Beach) for decades. |
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The summer waves at the Shores are some of San Diego's most gentle, making this a popular beach for scuba diving. It is also the only beach boat launch in San Diego. "The Shores" are an ideal place to learn how to surf. There are many surf camps that teach student essential surfing skills before braving some of La Jolla's other famous surf-breaks. An underwater canyon off of La Jolla Shores is designated as an ecological preserve, making this beach a rich one for varied marine life. Bonfires at night are popular at La Jolla Shores Beach. Just be sure to leave glass bottles at home at any beach picnic in San Diego. Glass Bottles are illegal on San Diego beaches--breaking that law can incur a hefty and undesirable fine! |
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The City of Del Mar,"'where the surf meets the turf" (in reference to its famous horse racing track), has one of North County's most popular beaches. Del Mar Beach is both wide and long, with several great surfing spots for both beginners and enthusiasts. Lying just north of Torrey Pines State Beach, Del Mar Beach is a favorite for swimmers, surfers, body boarders, walkers/hikers, and even grunion hunters. |
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Called "Black's Beach" by locals, its official name is Torrey Pines State Beach and is home to one of San Diego's most famous surf spots. Black's Beach is also a notoriously (though not explicitly sanctioned) nude beach. The sand and surf of "Black's Beach" stretches for two miles and is backed by majestic, 300-foot cliffs. Potential beach-goers and surfers must hike down the trial leading from these cliffs to reach the wide beach. Hang-gliders may take the easy route down from the Glider Port at the top of the cliffs of this most popular of San Diego beaches. |
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Imperial Beach is San Diego County's southernmost beach, and is famous not only for its annual sand castle contest but for its vast expanse and easy access, as well. Imperial Beach boasts ample parking with clusters of restaurants and shops where the visitor can dine while enjoying a view, browse through boutiques, or pick up a picnic meal. One can also enjoy tranquil moonlight strolls and magnificent sunset views. Imperial Beach is another family-friendly beach. Dunes Park, a new beachfront park with state-of-the-art playground equipment, a volleyball area, and picnic tables is a perfect place for the kids to enjoy a sunny day. BACK TO TOP |
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La Jolla Cove, a small, idyllic beach, is one of the most photographed beaches in San Diego for its breathtaking views and quaint atmosphere. Its setting between sandstone cliffs and proximity to La Jolla's upscale shopping and dining make the Cove one of the most admired and most visited areas in San Diego. You can also gaze at the view from superb restaurants and cafes that overlook the cliffs, or stroll patio and gardens of in the world-famous La Valencia Hotel. The cove is ideal for snorkling, with water so clear that you can often see up to thirty feet. This is also a great place for kids to explore tide pools filled with sea anemones, crabs, and tiny schools of fish.BACK TO TOP |
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Considered the nearest equivalent to Venice Beach, Pacific Beach is more energetic than other San Diego beaches. A boardwalk skirts the beach and in the summer months is teeming with rollerbladers, runners, and bike riders, in addition to the local population that frequents the sea-wall during warm weather. There are several hubs of activity, especially the junction where Pacific Beach Drive adjuncts the boardwalk. Here you'll find funky, affordable cafes and a few great restaurants where you can watch the sun slip below the horizon while enjoying a fine meal. |
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Mission Bay Park is everything the rowdier Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are not: family friendly, uncrowded, laced with wide, winding paths, and scattered with picnic areas. Usually only long-time locals are found under an umbrella at the edge of the bay or enjoying the solitude from their patios, but in the summer even the bayside sees a rise in visitors. If you're looking for a place to spend time with your children Mission Bay is great. There are also parks with swings, slides, and merry-go-rounds for the smaller kids who are weary of looking for sand dollars on the shore. The bay itself is popular with windsurfers, sailors, jet-skiers, and water-skiers. |
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Ocean Beach is one of San Diego's most eclectic and unique neighborhood beaches. It possesses an atmosphere like Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco, except for the salt-water breeze. Stroll along Newport Avenue with its cross-streets and peruse surf shops, funky boutiques, cafes, vegan restaurants, tattoo parlors, and a noteworthy antique row. The southern end of Ocean Beach is typically for board surfers--both swimmers and surfers should be wary of strong rip tides. To the north is "Dog Beach" where owners can let their pups run leash-free all day. (Bring plenty of plastic bags, though, for the poo.) |
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One of the loveliest beaches in San Diego, Windansea has launched quite a few famous surfers and is regularly featured in surf-genre magazines. Marked by the famous shack, Windansea is home to a notorious shore break that is ideal for surfers and body surfers but can be dangerous for the inexperienced. Windansea has a reputation for being a "locals-only" beach but in the summer there are normally large numbers of global travelers basking in the sand throughout scattered, small coves. South of the shack--near the pump house made famous by Tom Wolfe's "The Pump House Gang"--the beach widens. One may see clusters of kids, families, and friendly horse-shoe games in progress.BACK TO TOP |
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Carlsbad's seven miles of beautiful beaches are fantastic for surfing, swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. With loads of amenities like showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and nearby parking, Carlsbad Beach is great for families with children of all ages as well as a favorite place for young adults. The Carlsbad Seawall is a great place to gather and watch the sunset or embark on a seaside stroll. Carlsbad boasts three picturesque lagoons; these delicate ecosystems are ideal for bird watching and nature hikes. |
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Fletcher Cove, a part of the Solana Beach coastline, has lifeguards, restrooms, showers, basketball, volleyball, as well as shuffleboard courts and is ideal for surfers or body boarders. Sand erosion, narrow beach and pounding waves, however, restrict most activity to ocean sports--space for sunbathing here is limited. If you wish to ride waves, explore tide pools, then wander around town--Solana Beach is idyllic. The town has a unique feel: the boutiques, art galleries, and design center add to the feeling of an upscale community while the surf shops and funky cafes remind you that the surf lifestyle still thrives. |
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The Children's Pool, also known as the Casa, is a small, picturesque beach partially protected by a sea-wall. In the winter you will be awed to catch sight of an enormous storm wave breaking over the top of the wall that encloses this pool. Originally intended as a fully protected swimming area in the early 20th century, this beach is no longer accessible as the seals have claimed it as their own. Even though swimming is prohibited, it is worth a trip there just to see the seals basking on the shoreline. |
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