San Diego Beaches

Mission Beach.

A local favorite for surfing, body boarding, swimming, kayaking, sunbathing, picnicking, and playing volleyball, Mission Beach spans 2 miles of ocean between Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. The boardwalk at Mission Beach offers the best people watching in San Diego, and is a booming scene of bicycling, rollerblading, running, and skateboarding. Ride the Big Dipper at Belmont Park for the thrill of a beachfront rollercoaster and 1920’s nostalgia. Kids love the Mission Beach Arcade and Olympic-sized swimming pool called “the Plunge.”

Fiesta Island.

Located in Mission Bay Park, Fiesta Island is wonderful retreat for picnics, bonfires, water skiing, jet skiing, walking, and jogging. The 5 MPH zone on the island is popular for water sports, tournaments, walks/runs, bicycle races/time trials and special events. There is a permitted water ski area in Hidden Cove, and dogs are allowed off leash. Enjoy boating, catamaraning, sailing, water-skiing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, swimming and windsurfing at the San Diego Youth Aquatic Center, nestled in a protected cove surrounded by beaches.

Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach’s brilliant sunshine and blue ocean swells greet its soft sand and boardwalk. This ultra casual San Diego beach blends an eccentric mix of surfers, beach bums, students, professionals, and families. With the ocean, bay, and 3 miles of bike paths, Pacific Beach is an idyllic spot for surfing, swimming, kayaking, and body boarding.

Bicyclists, skaters, walkers, and joggers play on miles of paved paths winding between the ocean and Mission Bay. The paths afford spectacular views and lead to basketball games, picnics, Frisbee, kite flying, and barbecues. Sunbathing abounds on the beach and a grassy knoll. Pets are permitted on a leash.