From rocky coasts to beautiful stretches of crisp white sand, San Diego has something to offer for every beach lover. The area boasts a rich history tied into the surfing culture that grew up in the 1960’s and is still growing today. Start your day with a breakfast at one of these great locations. Those wishing to explore the waters of San Diego will find a beautiful variety of fish and sea birds while they snorkel, dive, or take a scenic boat cruise. Families and visitors of all ages can find a variety of fun and relaxing activities to do at any number of San Diego beaches on their day trip.
Cardiff-by-the Sea
Cardiff-by-the Sea is a small community situated just north of San Diego, California. The community features 2 miles of walkable beach and 900 acre Elijo lagoon. Surfers will love the Cardiff Reef, the area's most popular surf spot.
Sightseers can stop along historic Highway 101 and watch the surfers or take in the breathtaking views of the lagoon.
The San Elijo Park and Campground offers 171 campsites which include a picnic table and fire ring on each site. Along the beach is an area known as Restaurant Row which offers some of the best cuisine on the west coast and plenty of casual dining opportunities in the town. This is one of the best San Diego beaches.
124 Aberdeen Dr, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007, Phone: 760-436-0431
Coronado Beach
The four beach areas of Coronado City Beach, Centennial Park, Glorietta Bay Park, and Tidelands Park make up the Coronado Municipal Beach. Mica partials in the sand make the beach sparkle adding an extra glint of gold for travelers to enjoy. Due to the flat profile of the beach the area is very popular for skim boarding and kite flying. The northern part of the beach is open to dogs who are allowed to roam off their leashes and enjoy the sand and surf.
The beach is also the home of the Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888 and a popular destination for celebrities and royalty since.
Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118, Phone: 619-552-7300
Ocean Beach
Dog loves will want to check out the first leash-free beach in the US located at Ocean Beach. The area is located at the end of the San Diego river and lets beach lovers, pet lovers, and surfers all enjoy the charm of a classic beach town.
Standing for 50 years the Ocean Beach Pier is one of the most visited Landmarks in San Diego.
Just south of the pier is Sunset Cliffs National Park, a 68 acre park those wanting to enjoy the cliff views or pounding surf. Visitors just wanting a stroll should take in the Ocean Beach self-guided Historic Walking Tour through the areas historic district with buildings dating back to the early 1900's.
1868 Bacon St., #A, San Diego, CA 92107, Phone: 619-224-4906
La Jolla Cove
The small area of La Jolla Cove is often cited as the most photographed beach in San Diego. The cove is hidden among the cliffs and caves of the area and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Nearby Ellen Browning Scripps Park offers room for spreading out for those visitors who wish to picnic and let their children enjoy the soft grass. The cove is San Diego's most popular area for diving, kayaking, and snorkeling due to the areas calm waters. Beautiful orange garibaldi, yellowfin tuna, and rays fill the areas for divers and snorkelers to enjoy and the occasional leopard shark may even join the party.
1162 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037,Phone: 858-454-5718
Quick weekend itinerary:
Where to Stay: | Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, La Valencia, The Lodge at Torrey Pines |
Where to Eat: | |
Nearby: | La Jolla Underwater Park, Birch Aquarium, Museum of Making Music |
Mission Beach
Located on a sand bar between Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean is Sand Diego's own take on a Boardwalk town. Visitors can't help making one stop the Belmont Park which is home to the Giant Dipper which is the second oldest wooden roller coaster in the US.
Popular with the 20-something crowd the areas offers a variety of nightlife bars and restaurants. The Bahi Bell paddleboat offers visitors an unforgettable night with live music and the beautiful sunset views. A handful of shipwrecks off the coast offer a great place for divers to explore. Mission Bay is also home to SeaWorld San Diego.
4475 Mission Blvd, Suite 212 Pacific Beach, CA 92109, Phone: 858-274-5439
Pacific Beach, San Diego Area
Located between La Jolla and Mission Beach the Pacific Beach area offers an wonderful nightlife scene for the younger crowd visiting the area. The beach houses numerous bars and restaurants including the popular JRDN Lounge and Raw Bar. The Pacific Beach Ocean Front Walk is filled with those wanting to enjoy a jog, get in some inline skating, or just cruise the numerous shops.
Garnet Avenue, the areas spot for trendy boutique shops, also hosts a farmers market on Tuesdays. The numerous beach front hotels and beach houses also attract families who wish to enjoy the sun and sand and maybe even some surfing.
Grand and Ocean Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, Phone: 619-221-8899
Silver Strand
Located on San Diego Bay the Silver Strand Park is one of the city's finest camping and recreation areas. The calm waters make the area perfect for sail boating and swimming if visitors want to avoid the rougher waves of the open ocean.
Due to the calm waters the beach is a great spot for shell collectors. Anglers and those wishing to fish off their boats can enjoy a variety of fish from perch to yellow-fin croaker.
During summertime there are fire rings available for those visitors wanting to enjoy a cookout. Cars are not allowed on the bay side of the park to keep the beaches clean and protected.
G5000 Highway 75, Coronado, CA 92118, Phone: 619-435-5184
Solana Beach, San Diego Area
Solana Beach is renowned in the areas for its art and music venues. Families can enjoy waterfront parks and let the little ones splash in tide pools. Couples may wish to take a drip to the local craft brewery or the local winery.
While the beach is secluded and more difficult to access visiting Fletcher Cove is well worth it. Visitors can explore the secluded beaches and the numerous caves that have been carved into the cliffs by the ocean waves.
The northern area of Seaside, home to the Table Tops, is the perfect surfing spot for those wanting larger waves. Those wishing to enjoy shopping and good food should visit the Cedros Design District which is home to 85 unique boutiques and restaurants.
210 West Plaza Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075, Phone: 858-755-4775
Imperial Beach
Located just five miles north west of Tijuana Mexico is Imperial Beach, the southernmost beach in California. The beach is home to more than 300 species of bird making it one of the most popular bird watching areas in southern Cali. For the last thirty one years the beach has been home to the US Open Sand Castle Building Contest. The pier at Imperial Beach is one of the area's most popular fishing spots and offers beautiful views of the Los Coronados islands. The area is very popular with surfers and is also home to the Surfboard Museum along with numerous surfboard shapers and designers.
Elder Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Phone: 619-423-0704
Windansea Beach
Visitors wanting to enjoy the sound of crashing waves and won't miss soft sand will enjoy Windansea Beach. Due to the rocky cliffs and rough surf the area the area is more popular with experienced surfers and swimmer and divers are cautioned to be wary of the heavy shore-break. The cliffs offer wonderful views for those taking a stroll in the area and couples wanting a romantic backdrop for photos. The Windansea Surf Shack is a handmade palm covered structure that is now a protected historical landmark thanks to its connection to the local surfing history.
1162 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858-454-5718
Black's Beach
Black's Beach has arguably some of the best waves in the San Diego area, but it can be a hike to get there due to it being located under the Torrey Pines bluffs. It’s also known as San Diego’s “nudist beach,” or a “clothing-optional” beach. There are four different routes visitors can take to reach Black’s Beach: a 3-mile hike during low tide from La Jolla SHores beach, a two-mile hike from Torrey Pines State Reserve’s parking lot during low tide, a clearly marked and well-maintained trail from Torrey Pines State Park, or from Torrey Pines Glider Port Trail.
Del Mar City Beach
Del Mar City Beach consists of the Main Beach and the Del Mar North Beach. The Main Beach begins at Powerhouse Park, extending north to the lagoon entrance at the river, while the North Beach is located on the lagoon entrance’s other side.
As dogs can frequently be spotted at Del Mar North Beach, it has become known among locals as the “Dog Beach.” Del Mar City Beach is considered to be one of the most versatile beaches in the San Diego area, offering a wide variety of activities that include games, taking a stroll, shelling, sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.
Del Mar is 25 minutes (20.3 miles via I-5 N) from San Diego.
Tourmaline Surf Park
Situated on the border of San Diego’s La Jolla and Pacific Beach districts, Tourmaline Surf Park is a “surfers’ mecca” in the San Diego area and is home to Tourmaline Beach.
Tourmaline isn’t really a beach for swimming, as the activity isn’t allowed in most areas, and the park doesn’t have much grass. The beach is excellent, however, for surfers or visitors wanting to sunbathe and simply watch windsurfers, kiteboards, and surfers.
Just to the south is Pacific Beach’s Crystal Pier, while heading north will lead visitors to tide pools and a rocky beach at the Linda Way Beach Access.
San Onofre State Beach
One of the most popular beaches in the state, San Onofre State Beach attracts surfers, kayakers, sunbathers, swimmers, bicyclists, anglers, birders, and campers.
It’s also possible to do some wildlife viewing from the beach with sea lions, dolphins, and whales sometimes spotted offshore.
The park is one of California’s top five most visited state parks, drawing nearly 2.5 million visitors every year.
San Onofre State Beach consists of three different areas: the San Onofre Surf Beach, San Mateo Campground, and the San Onofre Bluffs, which is home to beach access and a camping area as well.
Torrey Pines State Beach
Stretching around 4.5 miles, Torrey Pines State Beach is easily accessible from the Pacific Coast Highway and historic Highway 101, just to the north from La Jolla, and offers plenty of parking for summer crowds.
With sandy stretches of beach, it’s a great spot for sunbathing and watching hang gliders soaring above as they launch from the cliff top.
Visitors can also take a nature hike on the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Park trails, guiding them through the namesake pine trees of the area, and take in the views from the high bluff overlooking the ocean.
Encinitas Beaches
Encinitas Beaches are a hidden gem along California’s historic Highway 101 and feature terrain ranging from rocky bluffs to white sand beaches.
They are also home to some of the North County Coastal region’s legendary surf spots. Perhaps the easiest Encinitas beach to find, Moonlight State Beach can be found where the shore starts to drop closer to sea level off of Encinitas Boulevard.
There is abundant parking, volleyball courts, bathrooms, a snack bar, playground, and a spacious sandy area. D Streets provides access to the Boneyards, a mile-long beach, while Swami’s, a popular surf break, is located at Encinitas’ southernmost end.
Leucadia State Beach
Possibly the least touristy out of all the California state beaches, Leucadia State Beach is considered by many to be one of the most local state beaches. Two different beaches make up the state beach: Grandview off of Grandview Street and Beacon’s off of Leucadia Boulevard. Both of these beach access points provide small parking lots, but visitors should note that on sunny days they typically fill up quickly.
Sunbathing and surfing are the most popular activities at Leucadia State Beach. It’s also possible to walk the sandy one-mile between the two beaches when the tide isn’t high.
