San Diego, with its 70 miles of coastline, is recognized for its pleasant weather, exquisite cuisine, fantastic museums, high-end shopping, and a wide range of activities. When exploring the city, going to the beach should be one of your top pastimes, and there are numerous beaches to pick from. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the best beaches in San Diego.
San Diego beaches are pristine and idyllic for anyone who loves spending a day under the sun in view of blue, rolling waves. You can go all the way up north to Encinitas for rugged cliffs and bigger waves or drive south to Coronado for calmer waters and a view of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Whether you want to surf, walk your dog, relax in a lounge chair, play volleyball, or go kayaking, the beaches in San Diego have it all.
1. La Jolla Shores
The beach at La Jolla is regarded as among the best beaches in San Diego for families that draw a lot of visitors and locals alike. Thanks to the sandy surface and water accessibility, it is one of the greatest beaches in the area for paddleboarding, scuba diving, and surfing.
You can even visit the nearby Steven Birch Aquarium or make a quick journey to the gorgeous next to Kellogg Park, an ideal spot for picnics. Although fishing is prohibited here, some sections have been allocated for surfing. There is even a wide grassy spot near the shore where people gather from all across town to do yoga classes on a regular basis.
2. Mission Beach
At Mission Beach, there’s a crowded sidewalk with runners and skateboarders and even some large groups of people heading to the beach with chairs, umbrellas, and coolers. Mission Beach is frequented by a large number of college students due to the proximity of two colleges. The calmer waters are perfect for water activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating, even though swimming is banned.
Belmont Park, a seashore amusement park with the classic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, attracts a large number of families. You could take a bike ride down the pier or boogie board in the ocean with equipment rented from Mission Beach Surf and Skate. Ventura Place, a small street that leads to the Mission Beach Boardwalk, is home to a number of casual eateries that serve tacos, pizza, and burgers.
3. Black’s Beach
A two-mile stretch of sand is bordered by stunning bluffs and features some of the powerful waves in Southern California. Aside from the surf, this San Diego beach is a nude beach where many people still sunbathe in public.
The Torrey Pines Gliderport is the most common entrance point, but it is also the most dangerous. It entails descending a steep concrete, sandy, and stair trail. As a gay beach with a beautiful landscape and ideal conditions for surfing, this is one of the best beaches in San Diego. Although it may sound surprising, several families with children come here to appreciate the tranquility and silence that can be found here.
4. Moonlight State Beach
Moonlight Beach is an all-in-one destination, with toilet facilities, volleyball fields, grassy picnic spots, showers, a playground, and even concessions all in one location. As a result, it is a common site to bring toddlers, but it is also trendy enough for teenagers.
Although it can get very overcrowded in the summertime, the well-rounded attractions make it one of the greatest family-friendly San Diego beaches. However, dogs are not permitted.
5. Windansea Beach
Windansea Beach, located near La Jolla, has great surf and beautiful landscape. This location lures in experienced surfers and sunbathers seeking seclusion. Since the waves crash dangerously close to the coast, swimmers should use considerable caution before entering the ocean.
During the migration of whales, Windansea Beach and its steep cliffs are an excellent place for seeing them. However, if you are going down to the coast through these cliffs, bear in mind that the slopes are steep in spots, making it challenging for seniors and persons with reduced mobility.
6. Cardiff State Beach
This San Diego beach is renowned for having several of San Diego’s greatest surfing waves as well as a relaxed atmosphere. Cardiff Reef, on the north side, is the site where professional surfer, Rob Machado, as well as other townspeople, catch waves. Pacific Coast Grill, just a few yards away, has two levels of sea view and delicious lobster tacos. At low tide, you can spot sea snails, hermit crabs, and other sea creatures in the pools of water.
Families frequent the beach at the front of the campsite. There are also public restrooms, showers, and beach wheelchairs at Cardiff State Beach. It is one of the only San Diego beaches where dogs are allowed to be off-leash.
7. Coronado Beach
Coronado Central Beach is a 1.5-mile-long seashore that runs parallel to Ocean Boulevard and is located at the southern end, near the Hotel Del Coronado. The beach is notable not only for the ancient hotel, as well as for the white sand, where shots from Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe were filmed.
Divers and sunbathers flock to this pet-friendly San Diego beach. The beach is level and expansive, making it simpler to choose your spot on the glistening sand, which is enhanced by the abundance of mica. At low tide, tide pools form in front of The Del.
8. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
There are two divisions of Torrey Pines State Beach and Park. One of the state’s wilder locations is a park with eight miles of trails and a distinctive Torrey pine tree. The beach, which is positioned three hundred feet underneath the park, is the other half.
A network of scenic, coastal, hiking, and wildlife trails can be found throughout the Natural Reserve. The Beach Trail descends steeply to the beach beneath the rocks. Swimming, fishing, surfing, sunbathing, and other beach activities are popular, making it one of the best beaches in San Diego.
