With 70 miles of coastline, San Diego treats sunbathers, surfers and boogie boarders to many beautiful bays and beaches. Whether you’re playing volleyball, hiking on seaside trails or catching waves, you can find it all here:
San Diego Bay
Play, shop and dine on San Diego’s waterfront, spanning 34 miles and seven picturesque locales: Chula Vista Bayfront, Coronado Bayside, the Embarcadero, Harbor Island, Imperial Beach Pier, National City Marina District, and Shelter Island.
Coronado Beaches White, glistening sand attracts both locals and tourists to Coronado’s beaches, which include Coronado Central Beach along Ocean Boulevard; dog-friendly North Beach; Glorietta Bay, offering a great view of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, a large grass-filled park, playground equipment and a small beach area; Silver Strand State Beach; and the Coronado Ferry Landing Shops & Restaurants (with a small beach to get your toes wet) adjacent to a fishing/ferry pier.
Ocean Beach
Laid-back perhaps best describes this funky and cool beach, where drum circles and sunset gatherings are common. Ocean Beach is perfect for surfers riding waves created by jetties and bring your dog to explore at Dog Beach.
Mission & Pacific Beach
San Diego’s most iconic beach, known for its Coney Island-like feel, teems with both land and water activities. Joggers, bicyclists, Rollerbladers, and casual strollers ply the oceanfront boardwalk leading 3 miles north to Pacific Beach. Mission Beach is also home to the amusement park Belmont Park, famous for its Giant Dipper roller coaster, which was originally built in 1925, but has since been restored. While many congregate at Mission Beach, many of the city’s longtime surfers hang out at Pacific Beach, specifically at Tourmaline, about a mile north of PB’s Crystal Pier.
La Jolla Cove
Tucked between sandstone cliffs, lovely La Jolla Cove attracts divers, snorkelers and kayakers, who like exploring the protected cove. Paddle close to sea lions and brightly colored schools of fish with premier ocean outfitters at La Jolla Shores a beach community home to gentle waves and beautiful Parks.
Del Mar Beach
Stretching from 15th Street near Seagrove Park and Powerhouse Park northward to the cliffs at Dog Beach. Del Mar Beach is a great place for surfing, walking and jogging. A popular swimming spot lies near the main lifeguard station at 17th Street.
Fletcher Cove Beach, Solana Beach
Those who prefer an ocean view without having to get sand between their toes will like Fletcher Cove, as its park is the main attraction, with level grassy areas, a small playground and benches that invite reading.
Cardiff Beaches
Long a haven for local surfers, Cardiff-By-the-Sea is flanked by San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff State Beach and extends north to Swami’s Point in Encinitas. This stretch of coastline offers expansive sandy beaches, towering cliffs and arguably the best surfing in Southern California.
Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas
Moonlight’s name traces back to the early 1900s, when residents used to have midnight picnics at this pretty, peaceful place. It has since undergone a major renovation and now features a new concession stand, sand volleyball, showers/bathrooms, and great park for kids, complete with a grassy playground area.
South Carlsbad State Beach
Happy campers can be found at this state beach. Children can ride their bikes around and boogie board on the uncrowded beach below.
Oceanside City Beach (aka The Strand)
The classic Southern California beach offers a vast shoreline for catching rays and building sandcastles, but is famous for its 1,954-foot long wooden pier. Surfers will find a home at this beach as well, with the summer surf averaging 4 to 7 feet. To explore, rent a bike or Surrey at Wheel Fun Rentals.
