San Diego is a phenomenal metropolis in southern California, and if you’re searching for sandy seashores, you might be in for a severe deal with. The complete San Diego County area is blessed with gorgeous seaside selections, that are in full swing all yr spherical, due to the nice and cozy local weather. Visiting any of the San Diego seashores is likely one of the greatest issues to do in town. While it’s undoubtedly stuffed with tradition, with tons of fabulous museums and historic points of interest, San Diego’s seaside scene is what makes it so spectacular and considered one of California’s high cities. Choosing between one of the best seashores in San Diego is a particular problem – whether or not you choose Pacific Beach or La Jolla Shores Beach we will assure you received’t be disenchanted.
Best Beaches in San Diego
This information will introduce you to one of the best seashores in San Diego – the true showstoppers. Whether you wish to tread the hallowed floor exterior Hotel Coronado or head to extra distant state parks for a quiet seaside expertise, a San Diego seaside will swimsuit you. Let’s sift by means of your high choices and discover you a sandy seaside that’s proper up your alley.
1. Ski Beach Park
Ski Beach Park is a phenomenal spot with an island vibe that’s onerous to withstand for a quiet seaside day. The seaside is in a spacious park with gorgeous views of the Mission Bay space and lengthy white sands. The complete ‘island’ the Ski Beach Park sits on is related to the mainland by bridges, and one of the simplest ways to achieve Ski Beach Park is by automotive or public transport. It is massively fashionable amongst San Diego locals and a hotspot for joggers and households trying to benefit from the playground and picnic tables. With shallow waters and calm waves, it’s also the right spot for a quiet swim.
Ski Beach Park is close to the amusement park SeaWorld San Diego. Since it’s only a brief drive away, it’s a nice attraction to mix with a seaside day. We love Ski Beach Park’s laidback vibe; it’s the best spot for healthful household time, a quiet jog, or sunbathing with a ebook.
Where to Stay: Paradise Point Resort & Spa
2. Bermuda Beach
Bermuda Beach is someplace to move at low tide – its Bermuda title is kind of ironic because it nearly solely disappears at excessive tide. When you catch it at low tide, this little seaside is the final word spot for a fast sunbathing and native environment. Bermuda Beach doesn’t have the clamor of main seashores like Coronado Beach. Instead, it presents a quiet place to recuperate earlier than returning to busy San Diego.
The best option to attain Bermuda Beach from central San Diego is to drive, which takes simply quarter-hour. Otherwise, you’ll be able to catch the bus in 45 minutes. It is situated in a suburban and residential space close to Sunset Cliffs and the Ocean Beach neighborhoods.
Where to Stay: Samesun Ocean Beach
3. Kellogg Beach
Kellogg Beach completely suits that cliché phrase ‘hidden gem’. This small seaside is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego if you need a extra off-the-beaten-track seaside day, and should you go to at low tide, you’ll nonetheless discover loads of room on your seaside towel. Kellogg Beach is a dreamy spot to look at the close by sailboats. While there are cleaner seaside waters to swim in, Kellogg Beach is extra a spot to take a scenic and peaceable stroll. Kellogg Beach is good for a quiet seaside to discover whereas having non-public conversations with fellow vacationers.
Street parking round Kellogg Beach can get busy, so visiting exterior peak occasions is greatest. You can even entry the seaside by kayak or paddleboard, which is one thing to contemplate if you’re already in watersports in San Diego. Otherwise, it’s only a 20-minute drive from San Diego’s metropolis heart.
Where to Stay: Seaside Point Loma Home
4. Border Field State Park Beach
Border Field State Park Beach is a phenomenal seaside to go to but in addition an important seaside for endangered chicken conservation. The seaside is a hotspot for picnickers and hikers who discover the dunes and hold sharp eyes out for resident and visiting birds. Alternatively, you’ll be able to ebook a seaside horseback driving expertise with native stables close by. Border Field State Park Beach is a spot for immersing your self in nature, wildlife, and conservation. We love the choice for horseback driving, too, which is only a serene option to high off a visit to an already memorable seaside.
It is simply half-hour from San Diego by automotive to achieve Border Field State Beach. It isn’t fairly accessible by public transport until you get an Uber or Lyft for the final a part of the way in which, so this is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego for these with entry to vehicles throughout their keep.
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Imperial Beach
5. Central Beach
Central Beach is a compact 1.5-mile adjoining seaside subsequent to the well-known Coronado Beach. It is equally busy and ‘alive’ as Coronado Beach, with a barely much less well-known attraction. Central Beach is the place to go for a well-liked seaside day expertise with all of the amenities you may ask for, together with lifeguard supervision, hearth rings, and out of doors showers. People head to Central Beach to swim, surf, and sunbathe, and it supplies a closely supervised all-rounder seaside day. It is the kind of seaside that will get prompt when planning a seaside hangout. We discovered its sociable environment and regular reputation spectacular, bagging it a spot on this checklist. There’s free and nearly limitless avenue parking – an enormous win. Central Beach can be simply half-hour away by bus from central San Diego.
Where to Stay: Cherokee Lodge
6. Mission Beach Park
This information covers two ‘Mission Beach’ selections: South Mission Beach and Mission Beach Park. Mission Beach Park is the north seaside choice and one of many prettiest San Diego seashores, providing exclusive-looking vacation houses alongside its shores and cute impartial memento retailers. Mission Beach Park is good if you need a stylish seaside day expertise from San Diego and easy accessibility to Mission Bay.
Mission Beach Park is a Pacific seaside opening onto the attractive Pacific Ocean. However, you may as well detour from Mission Beach Park to the water sports activities actions on Mission Bay. Mission Bay is an actual journey hub, and you’ll rent boats or jet skis to discover this inland space. By selecting the north finish of Mission Beach, you’ve very easy entry to those Mission Bay watersports. Plus, it’s simply quarter-hour away from town heart and has an actual seaside city vibe.
Where to Stay: Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
7. Silver Strand State Beach
Silver Strand State Beach is likely one of the most spacious San Diego seashores, so that is your spot if you need a quiet expertise in San Diego County. It can be one of many few San Diego seashores that provides RV tenting, which is a pleasant contact for anybody wanting an in a single day seaside expertise. Keep your eyes peeled for sand {dollars} and stingrays, too, which frequent the shores.
Silver Strand State Beach is simply 25 minutes from San Diego’s metropolis heart by automotive or 50 minutes by bus. It is our high advice if you wish to check out RV tenting or go looking for sand {dollars}.
Where to Stay: Loews Coronado Bay Resort
8. Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is likely one of the most spacious seaside locations you’ll be able to choose close to San Diego. Pacific Beach is lined with seaside bars and eating places, and regardless of its lengthy sands, it seems like an actual hub in its neighborhood. There’s all the time a little bit of buzz at Pacific Beach. The Ocean Front Walk promenade is all the time busy with joggers, canine walkers, and the odd straying sightseer that managed to stumble out of San Diego. Pacific Beach is spacious and enjoyable. And there’s Crystal Pier to get pleasure from as properly, which is massively fashionable amongst fishing fanatics.
To attain Pacific Beach, it’s only a 20-minute drive from the middle of San Diego, or round 50 minutes by public transport. Pacific Beach is a superb spot to expertise life exterior Downtown San Diego and immerse your self in suburban life in southern California. If you want browsing, Pacific Beach can be a best choice, and you could find loads of surf rental retailers to seize some gear for a day. There are additionally volleyball courts on the south finish of the seaside – Pacific Beach is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego should you love seaside sports activities and actions.
Where to Stay: Tower 23 Hotel
9. South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is a shocking gray seaside, and regardless of being one of many furthest seashores away from San Diego’s metropolis heart, it’s properly value the additional effort and 30-minute drive. South Carlsbad State Beach is accessed by way of a flight of aesthetic wood stairs and is incessantly voted as one of many cleanest seashores to go to in San Diego. This San Diego seaside can be fashionable amongst surfers and powerful swimmers who really feel comfy tackling semi-challenging waves. It is a laidback and pleasant spot, with loads of avenue parking and area to chill out and luxuriate in your self.
For us, South Carlsbad State Beach is definitely among the finest San Diego seashores. If you don’t have a rental automotive, you’ll be able to go to simply utilizing public transport. It takes round an hour and quarter-hour.
Where to Stay: Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort & Spa
10. Moonlight State Beach
Moonlight State Beach is stuffed with amenities. This San Diego seaside has its personal volleyball courts and tennis courts, out of doors showers, a snack bar, and leisure gear leases. If you might be a type of beachgoers who likes actions at hand, Moonlight State Beach is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego. Most of San Diego’s seashores have some amenities and leisure, however what’s distinctive about Moonlight State Beach is how every thing is collectively. The compact seaside scene is all about enjoyable and easygoing leisure – exactly what you’ll want to let your hair down after extra severe sightseeing.
Moonlight State Beach is simply an hour from San Diego metropolis heart by public transport, so it’s possible should you don’t lease a automotive. This happy-go-lucky sandy seaside is a perfect spot for a enjoyable time out, and it’s wonderful for anybody who needs an lively seaside day.
Where to Stay: Inn at Moonlight Beach
11. San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre Beach is located in a phenomenal 3,000-acre state park, which means you’ll be able to instantly entry miles upon miles of scenic climbing trails, and the seaside has an remoted attraction. It is absolutely fashionable amongst walkers, sunbathers, and surfers. Be ready for a brief hike to achieve San Onofre Beach, however once you get there, you’ll be rewarded tenfold by towering cliffs that create a very dramatic seaside scene. Surfers ought to word that that is sometimes extra of a longboard type of seaside, and everybody ought to look into the browsing historical past of San Onofre Beach to grasp the seaside’s tradition earlier than visiting. Make certain to remain for sundown, too, which is notoriously lovely.
Reaching San Onofre Beach is a prolonged hour-long drive from central San Diego. It takes means too lengthy for the common traveler to sort out on public transport, so we’d advocate it for these with entry to vehicles solely. The drive is scenic, although, and also you’ll be hugging the northern shoreline with loads of alternatives to cease at oceanfront cities and cities. You can simply mix it with a detour to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve or the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center. If you get pleasure from highway journeys, bookmark San Onofre Beach on your San Diego itinerary. For a extra adventurous expertise, keep in a single day at San Mateo Campground. Who wants a seaside city when you’ve a coastal campsite to name residence in a single day?
Where to Stay: San Clemente Inn
12. Law Street Beach
Law Street Beach is a beautiful seaside north of San Diego, scenically backed by grassy parkland and an space of cliffs. It is a neighborhood seaside and intensely fashionable amongst joggers and teams doing yoga at dawn and sundown. Law Street Beach has that steadiness between serenity and buzz that appeals to vacationers wanting a extra genuine seaside day expertise. There can be lifeguard supervision, which makes browsing and swimming right here a lot safer than at different unsupervised seashores. And there’s even a ramp for extra accessible seaside entry.
Law Street Beach is a pleasant place to decide on for a seaside day from San Diego. You can take in the neighborhood vibes or get entangled. There are a great deal of free yoga courses that you could be a part of, so examine what’s on. Law Street Beach is simply 20 minutes away from central San Diego by automotive or 50 minutes by public transport, so you’ll be able to simply attain this seaside spot regardless.
Where to Stay: Pacific Terrace Hotel
13. Black’s Beach
Black’s Beach is well-known amongst locals, lots of whom giggle in regards to the reality it’s a nude seaside – which means beachgoers abide by a clothing-optional coverage. The seaside is secluded in Torrey Pines State Park and is barely accessible by a climbing path, so it has an remoted really feel. Black’s Beach is good should you fancy embracing a extra pure means of sunbathing and beachgoing. It can be stunningly backed by some awe-inspiring cliffs and ridges. While not family-friendly, it’s best for adults who wish to expertise a nude seaside and luxuriate in a hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. There’s additionally paragliding overhead, which is entertaining to look at.
The designated parking space close to Black’s Beach is 25 minutes from town heart or an hour by public transport. It is a reasonably easy journey. Just come ready for parking and state park entry charges.
Where to Stay: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
14. Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach is a southern seaside located slightly below San Diego Bay and nearer to the Tijuana border. It has a basic seaside attraction, with Imperial Beach Pier slicing an aesthetic architectural look and offering an excellent, much-used place for fishing. This is a calming spot with many native seaside bars and eating places to hop alongside once you tire of laying on the seaside. The most pleasure at Imperial Beach is the occasional army helicopter flying over to land on the close by base. It is a minimal-effort choice to chill and benefit from the south coast of San Diego.
Imperial Beach is simply 25 minutes south of town heart by automotive, or you’ll be able to take the tram and bus in a 50-minute journey on public transport. For us, it epitomizes that laidback seaside city tradition, and it’s a enjoyable place to spend a number of hours exterior of busy central San Diego. It can be near the Tijuana River National Estuary reserve, which is a reasonably attraction to mix with a go to to Imperial Beach. The protect is a distinction to San Diego’s extensive sandy seashores and supplies you with an perception into protected marshlands and wildlife with particular trails.
Where to Stay: Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection
15. Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach is a protected seaside, and it’s simple to see why. This San Diego seaside is serene, with extensive sands and fairly calm waters. Its spaciousness is ideal for these wanting a seaside day to get pleasure from their very own firm and ideas. Equally, it’s best for the extra lively beachgoer and has the size to draw these wanting a protracted seaside stroll. If you time your go to with low tide, you’ll be able to see some spectacular tide swimming pools whereas strolling Cardiff State Beach. Make certain to totally recognize San Elijo State Marine Conservation Area earlier than returning to San Diego.
Cardiff State Beach’s protected standing is nice to see. Its peaceable high quality can be good for guests wanting a distinction from the hectic nature of inner-city San Diego. It is simply half-hour away from town heart by automotive or an hour by public transport.
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn Encinitas Cardiff Beach Area
16. Solana Beach
Solana Beach Country Park is unproblematic and spacious, with clear sands and walkable environment. Solana Beach is a dependable selection should you fancy a leisurely time out. You can entry many seaside trails if you wish to stroll, tide swimming pools to peek at with young children, and plenty of retailers and eating places alongside its shoreline. Solana Beach is a beautiful seaside and has an excellent space for retail remedy once you’ve crammed your seaside day bucket.
Solana Beach wins our advice as some of the enjoyable seashores in San Diego. Its unshakable environment is an actual plus for anybody eager to unplug. It is slightly farther from town heart should you drive, taking half-hour by automotive. But you’ll be able to take the direct prepare to the seaside in simply 50 minutes. Solana Beach Country Park is a superb concept for a seaside day you’ll be able to journey to by prepare.
Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar/Solana Beach, Solana Beach
17. Coronado Beach
Coronado Beach is that seaside in San Diego. Chances are you’ve already heard of this well-known spot, which is greatest identified due to Hotel del Coronado. This resort was opened in 1888 and has hosted many celebrities, together with Marilyn Monroe. It has additionally been used as a filming location in many films, which is probably going why you acknowledge its terracotta-colored turrets. On Coronado Beach, you’ve gorgeous views of the well-known resort and an actual buzz. The seaside is fashionable for sunbathers, swimmers, and sunbathers. If you get fortunate, you may as well spot dolphins, and it isn’t unprecedented for swimmers to seek out themselves by accident swimming with these lovely marine animals.
The seaside is only a 15-minute drive from San Diego’s metropolis heart however equally a 35-minute breeze by bus. We advocate utilizing public transport, as avenue parking may be difficult.
Where to Stay: Hotel Marisol Coronado
18. Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach is likely one of the prettiest seashores in San Diego and is backed by a serene pine forest nature reserve. For a peaceable seaside day amidst nature, you’ll be able to’t beat Torrey Pines State Beach, and should you love climbing in nature greater than a promenade of seaside bars, that is the seaside for you. The seaside cliffs are equally spectacular, and safety-wise, the lifeguard presence is a plus for solo vacationers nonetheless eager to get pleasure from extra distant seashores. There are additionally restrooms and out of doors showers – all the time a wonderful comfort.
Torrey Pines State Beach will get some severe brownie factors for its pine forest and cliff views. It is half-hour away from San Diego’s metropolis heart, and should you get fortunate, chances are you’ll spot dolphins or bobcats inside the state park boundaries.
Where to Stay: San Diego Marriott del Mar
19. Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach City Beach is the place to be in the stylish suburb of Ocean Beach. You head down Newport Avenue and entry the seaside off Orchard Avenue. It is a particular browsing seaside with tough seas unsuitable for swimmers. The lifeguards are all the time available for surfers who get into problem, however non-surfers ought to as an alternative get pleasure from sunbathing in tide swimming pools and seaside walks. This sandy seaside is a peaceable little sunbathing spot best for these wanting a handy suburban seaside day. And at sundown, Ocean Beach City Beach is simply dreamy.
Ocean Beach City Beach is simply quarter-hour away from central San Diego by automotive. However, public transport is the simplest option to attain this seaside when contemplating site visitors congestion and parking points. It is simply 45 minutes by bus once you take the 923 from town heart – no parking dramas essential. Ocean Beach City Beach stands out for its suburban surfer attraction, and we additionally actually just like the tide pooling alternatives, which assist hold non-surfers entertained.
Where to Stay: Blue Heron Cottages
20. La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores Beach is barely a mile lengthy, but that is simply among the finest seashores in San Diego. La Jolla Shores Beach is legendary for its lovable resident sea lions and unbelievable water sports activities actions. This sandy seaside has a everlasting lifeguard tower and is famend for scuba diving classes and kayaking experiences. You can sunbathe on the shores, meet and greet sea lions (from a decent distance), kayak to La Jolla Cove, or scuba dive in the La Jolla Underwater Park. La Jolla Shores Beach ticks many containers and is thrilling to visit- particularly if you wish to study scuba diving or see sea lions.
La Jolla Shores is simply half-hour to drive from San Diego to La Jolla Shores Beach or 1 hour and 20 minutes by public transport. It is straightforward to see why individuals love this seaside. And whichever of La Jolla’s actions you select, you’ll have a memorable seaside day expertise.
Where to Stay: Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
21. South Mission Beach
South Mission Beach is a well-liked choice amongst one of the best seashores in San Diego. It is your typical seaside vacation spot, with retailers, eating places, and bike paths lining its shores. South Mission Beach is the kind of place you head for a packed day of seaside actions and sunbathing earlier than a night meal out. The boardwalk can be a shocking place to walk alongside, and also you profit from lifeguard supervision safety-wise. South Mission Beach is a phenomenal spot, and should you like a resort-style vacation environment, it actually has that basic seaside vacation spot attract. And it is best to recognize the gorgeous views of the Entrance Channel and Mariners Basin. Mission Beach is straightforward to get pleasure from, which is a giant a part of why we had so as to add it to this checklist.
South Mission Beach is situated close to Belmont Park and Mission Bay Park, so there are many inexperienced area areas that you could escape to for some shade. It can be only a 20-minute drive from San Diego metropolis heart or an hour by public transport.
Where to Stay: Bahia Resort Hotel
22. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is the place San Diego channels Algarve inspiration. There’s even a sea cave, very like the Benagil Cave, with lovely arches and stacks alongside the cliffs. You can stroll the gorgeous clifftop path, climb stairs to achieve the seashores at alternating factors, and luxuriate in Pacific Ocean views. You can spot cliff jumpers tackling leaps into the ocean under should you’re fortunate. The park obtained its title from its lovely views at sundown, and it’s a massively fashionable place to get pleasure from a night stroll. It is hardly a secret, however we couldn’t go away it out of this information as it’s a fashionable pure attraction in San Diego.
The greatest option to attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is by automotive, simply 20 minutes from town heart. You can even attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park by public transport in beneath 1.5 hours. You’ll doubtless discover it extra handy to journey there by automotive, particularly should you intention for sundown.
Where to Stay: The Inn at Sunset Cliffs
23. Tourmaline Beach
Tourmaline Beach is a phenomenal seaside far too usually ignored in San Diego. Backed by cliffs, it creates a remote-feeling environment regardless of being situated in the busy suburbs and residential areas round Bird Rock. Tourmaline Beach is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego should you like browsing, and it additionally has out of doors showers and restroom amenities. Just bear in mind that avenue parking may be restricted and that Tourmaline Beach will get fairly fashionable – learn: packed – in peak occasions. It is the native place to go, so anticipate crowds at occasions like sizzling weekends.
To attain Tourmaline Beach, it’s simply 20 minutes by automotive from central San Diego or an hour on public transport, utilizing the bus and tram. It earned a spot on this checklist due to its wonderful browsing, particularly for longboarders. It can be one of many extra handy seashores in San Diego to go to, only a brief distance away and with loads of amenities.
Where to Stay: Opal Oasia
24. Dog Beach
Dog Beach’s title is extra easy than you assume. This San Diego seaside is dog-friendly and a chosen off-leash space for canine walkers to unleash their pups. If you might be touring to San Diego with a canine, Dog Beach is considered one of your solely seaside choices – so, fortunately, it’s a lovely setting and simply accessible from town heart. But even should you aren’t, canine lovers will love the environment at Dog Beach. Throw down a seaside towel you aren’t too treasured about and prepare to satisfy plenty of excitable canine. Dog Beach has an excellent environment. It is likely one of the solely San Diego seashores to embrace a dog-friendly seaside area totally. Everything from the pawprint signal on the seaside entry level to all of the wagging tails makes this an excellent addition to our fashionable seashores. Dog Beach is dreamy should you like lengthy sandy seashores.
To attain Dog Beach, it’s quarter-hour from central San Diego by automotive or 50 minutes by bus, with a 10-minute stroll afterward. The seaside is in the Ocean Beach neighborhood, proper subsequent to the gorgeous Entrance Channel, so prepare for scenic views.
Where to Stay: Ocean Villa Inn
Best Beaches in San Diego: FAQs
So, there’s little question that you’re as much as scratch on one of the best seashores in San Diego. Hopefully, you now have a handful of seaside day concepts that swimsuit you as a person. All of those San Diego seashores are properly value a go to – it’s only a case of attempting to squeeze probably the most appropriate right into a restricted itinerary. If you haven’t selected the size of your journey to San Diego already, contemplate staying no less than three to 4 days so you’ll be able to see a number of completely different seashores. Before you do get planning, although, let’s break down the most typical FAQs.
Where is the prettiest seaside in San Diego?
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park has the prettiest seashores in San Diego. You can discover seashores undersea caves – very like the Algarve’s Benagil Cave – and numerous sundown and dawn viewpoints.
What seaside in San Diego has the cleanest water?
Carlsbad State Beach may be a 30-minute drive north of San Diego, however the journey is worth it because it has some of the clean-rated waters in the area.
What is the preferred seaside in San Diego?
Coronado Beach is the preferred seaside selection in San Diego. The well-known Hotel Coronado attracts crowds of vacationers, and the seaside has fashionable volleyball courts and browsing situations.
What is probably the most walkable seaside in San Diego?
Bermuda Beach is likely one of the smallest seashores in San Diego and is, subsequently, extremely walkable. In phrases of boardwalks, Mission Beach has some of the lovely boardwalks for seaside walks.
You can see why so many individuals flock from LA to San Diego on a day journey; these greatest seashores in San Diego are heavenly. You might spot sea lions or ebook a scuba diving lesson at Jolla Shores. Alternatively, you may surf at Imperial Beach or go for a sundown fishing session off Imperial Beach Pier. That’s to not point out all of the seaside bars at one of the best San Diego Beaches. This metropolis is spoiled for selection in the case of seaside day choices. And to spend a day alongside the Pacific Ocean shoreline; this can be a lovely spot in southern California.
Are you planning to go to San Diego for longer than only a day? Perfect. The metropolis is good for a 3 to four-day break, and we’ve obtained a complete information on the greatest locations to remain in phrases of neighborhoods and lodges. Maximize your journey with the right base in San Diego and have an exquisite time experiencing its lovely seaside scene.