San Diego is a lovely metropolis in southern California, and if you’re in search of sandy seashores, you might be in for a severe deal with. The complete San Diego County area is blessed with gorgeous seashore selections, that are in full swing all 12 months spherical, due to the nice and cozy local weather. Visiting any of the San Diego seashores is likely one of the finest issues to do in town. While it’s undoubtedly stuffed with tradition, with tons of fabulous museums and historic sights, San Diego’s seashore 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 upset.
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 outdoors Hotel Coronado or head to extra distant state parks for a quiet seashore expertise, a San Diego seashore will swimsuit you. Let’s sift by your high choices and discover you a sandy seashore that’s proper up your alley.
1. Ski Beach Park
Ski Beach Park is a lovely spot with an island vibe that’s laborious to withstand for a quiet seashore day. The seashore 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 linked to the mainland by bridges, and one of the simplest ways to achieve Ski Beach Park is by automobile or public transport. It is vastly common 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 proper spot for a quiet swim.
Ski Beach Park is close to the amusement park SeaWorld San Diego. Since it’s only a quick drive away, it’s a nice attraction to mix with a seashore day. We love Ski Beach Park’s laidback vibe; it’s the very best spot for healthful household time, a quiet jog, or sunbathing with a e book.
Where to Stay: Paradise Point Resort & Spa
2. Bermuda Beach
Bermuda Beach is someplace to go at low tide – its Bermuda identify is kind of ironic because it nearly completely disappears at excessive tide. When you catch it at low tide, this little seashore is the final word spot for a fast sunbathing and native ambiance. Bermuda Beach doesn’t have the clamor of main seashores like Coronado Beach. Instead, it gives a quiet place to recuperate earlier than returning to busy San Diego.
The best method 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 positioned 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 seashore is likely one of the finest seashores in San Diego in order for you a extra off-the-beaten-track seashore day, and should you go to at low tide, you’ll nonetheless discover loads of room to your seashore towel. Kellogg Beach is a dreamy spot to observe the close by sailboats. While there are cleaner seashore waters to swim in, Kellogg Beach is extra a spot to take a scenic and peaceable stroll. Kellogg Beach is right for a quiet seashore to discover whereas having non-public conversations with fellow vacationers.
Street parking round Kellogg Beach can get busy, so visiting outdoors peak instances is finest. You may also entry the seashore 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 middle.
Where to Stay: Seaside Point Loma Home
4. Border Field State Park Beach
Border Field State Park Beach is a lovely seashore to go to but additionally an important seashore for endangered hen conservation. The seashore is a hotspot for picnickers and hikers who discover the dunes and preserve sharp eyes out for resident and visiting birds. Alternatively, you’ll be able to e book a seashore horseback using 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 using, too, which is only a serene method to high off a visit to an already memorable seashore.
It is simply half-hour from San Diego by automobile 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 finest seashores in San Diego for these with entry to automobiles throughout their keep.
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Imperial Beach
5. Central Beach
Central Beach is a compact 1.5-mile adjoining seashore 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 preferred seashore day expertise with all of the services you would ask for, together with lifeguard supervision, fireplace rings, and outside showers. People head to Central Beach to swim, surf, and sunbathe, and it gives a closely supervised all-rounder seashore day. It is the form of seashore that will get instructed when planning a seashore hangout. We discovered its sociable ambiance and regular reputation spectacular, bagging it a spot on this checklist. There’s free and nearly limitless road parking – an enormous win. Central Beach can also 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 seashore possibility and one of many prettiest San Diego seashores, providing exclusive-looking vacation houses alongside its shores and cute impartial memento outlets. Mission Beach Park is right in order for you a classy seashore day expertise from San Diego and quick access to Mission Bay.
Mission Beach Park is a Pacific seashore opening onto the attractive Pacific Ocean. However, you may also 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 gotten very easy entry to those Mission Bay watersports. Plus, it’s simply quarter-hour away from town middle and has an actual seashore 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 in order for you a quiet expertise in San Diego County. It can also 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 seashore 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 middle by automobile or 50 minutes by bus. It is our high suggestion 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 seashore locations you’ll be able to choose close to San Diego. Pacific Beach is lined with seashore bars and eating places, and regardless of its lengthy sands, it looks like an actual hub in its neighborhood. There’s at all times a little bit of buzz at Pacific Beach. The Ocean Front Walk promenade is at all times 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 take pleasure in as nicely, which is massively common amongst fishing lovers.
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 an excellent spot to expertise life outdoors Downtown San Diego and immerse your self in suburban life in southern California. If you want browsing, Pacific Beach can also be a best choice, and you could find loads of surf rental outlets to seize some gear for a day. There are additionally volleyball courts on the south finish of the seashore – Pacific Beach is likely one of the finest seashores in San Diego should you love seashore sports activities and actions.
Where to Stay: Tower 23 Hotel
9. South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is a shocking gray seashore, and regardless of being one of many furthest seashores away from San Diego’s metropolis middle, it’s nicely value the additional effort and 30-minute drive. South Carlsbad State Beach is accessed through a flight of aesthetic wood stairs and is ceaselessly voted as one of many cleanest seashores to go to in San Diego. This San Diego seashore can also be common amongst surfers and robust swimmers who really feel snug tackling semi-challenging waves. It is a laidback and pleasant spot, with loads of road parking and house to calm down and revel in your self.
For us, South Carlsbad State Beach is definitely probably the greatest San Diego seashores. If you don’t have a rental automobile, 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 filled with services. This San Diego seashore has its personal volleyball courts and tennis courts, outside 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 finest seashores in San Diego. Most of San Diego’s seashores have some services and leisure, however what’s distinctive about Moonlight State Beach is how every part is collectively. The compact seashore scene is all about enjoyable and easygoing leisure – exactly what it’s worthwhile to let your hair down after extra severe sightseeing.
Moonlight State Beach is simply an hour from San Diego metropolis middle by public transport, so it’s possible should you don’t hire a automobile. This happy-go-lucky sandy seashore is a perfect spot for a enjoyable day trip, and it’s wonderful for anybody who needs an energetic seashore day.
Where to Stay: Inn at Moonlight Beach
11. San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre Beach is located in a lovely 3,000-acre state park, which means you’ll be able to instantly entry miles upon miles of scenic mountain climbing trails, and the seashore has an remoted attraction. It is admittedly common amongst walkers, sunbathers, and surfers. Be ready for a brief hike to achieve San Onofre Beach, however whenever you get there, you’ll be rewarded tenfold by towering cliffs that create a extremely dramatic seashore scene. Surfers ought to be aware that that is usually extra of a longboard model of seashore, and everybody ought to look into the browsing historical past of San Onofre Beach to grasp the seashore’s tradition earlier than visiting. Make positive to remain for sundown, too, which is notoriously stunning.
Reaching San Onofre Beach is a prolonged hour-long drive from central San Diego. It takes means too lengthy for the typical traveler to deal with on public transport, so we’d advocate it for these with entry to automobiles 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 take pleasure in street journeys, bookmark San Onofre Beach to your San Diego itinerary. For a extra adventurous expertise, keep in a single day at San Mateo Campground. Who wants a seashore city when you’ve gotten a coastal campsite to name house in a single day?
Where to Stay: San Clemente Inn
12. Law Street Beach
Law Street Beach is a beautiful seashore north of San Diego, scenically backed by grassy parkland and an space of cliffs. It is a neighborhood seashore and very common amongst joggers and teams doing yoga at dawn and sundown. Law Street Beach has that stability between serenity and buzz that appeals to vacationers wanting a extra genuine seashore day expertise. There can also 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 seashore entry.
Law Street Beach is a pleasant place to decide on for a seashore day from San Diego. You can absorb the neighborhood vibes or get entangled. There are a great deal of free yoga courses that you may be part of, so examine what’s on. Law Street Beach is simply 20 minutes away from central San Diego by automobile or 50 minutes by public transport, so you’ll be able to simply attain this seashore 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 seashore – which means beachgoers abide by a clothing-optional coverage. The seashore is secluded in Torrey Pines State Park and is just accessible by a mountain climbing path, so it has an remoted really feel. Black’s Beach is right should you fancy embracing a extra pure means of sunbathing and beachgoing. It can also be stunningly backed by some awe-inspiring cliffs and ridges. While not family-friendly, it’s very best for adults who wish to expertise a nude seashore and revel in a hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. There’s additionally paragliding overhead, which is entertaining to observe.
The designated parking space close to Black’s Beach is 25 minutes from town middle or an hour by public transport. It is a reasonably simple 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 seashore located just below San Diego Bay and nearer to the Tijuana border. It has a traditional seashore attraction, with Imperial Beach Pier reducing an aesthetic architectural look and offering a superb, much-used place for fishing. This is a relaxing spot with many native seashore bars and eating places to hop alongside whenever you tire of laying on the seashore. The most pleasure at Imperial Beach is the occasional navy helicopter flying over to land on the close by base. It is a minimal-effort choice to relax and benefit from the south coast of San Diego.
Imperial Beach is simply 25 minutes south of town middle by automobile, 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 seashore city tradition, and it’s a stress-free place to spend a number of hours outdoors of busy central San Diego. It can also be near the Tijuana River National Estuary reserve, which is a fairly attraction to mix with a go to to Imperial Beach. The protect is a distinction to San Diego’s large sandy seashores and gives 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 seashore, and it’s simple to see why. This San Diego seashore is serene, with large sands and fairly calm waters. Its spaciousness is ideal for these wanting a seashore day to take pleasure in their very own firm and ideas. Equally, it’s very best for the extra energetic beachgoer and has the size to draw these wanting an extended seashore 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 positive to completely respect 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 also be sensible for guests wanting a distinction from the hectic nature of inner-city San Diego. It is simply half-hour away from town middle by automobile 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 alternative should you fancy a leisurely day trip. You can entry many seashore trails if you wish to stroll, tide swimming pools to peek at with young children, and plenty of outlets and eating places alongside its shoreline. Solana Beach is a beautiful seashore and has a superb space for retail remedy whenever you’ve crammed your seashore day bucket.
Solana Beach wins our suggestion as probably the most stress-free seashores in San Diego. Its unshakable ambiance is an actual plus for anybody desirous to unplug. It is a bit of farther from town middle should you drive, taking half-hour by automobile. But you’ll be able to take the direct prepare to the seashore in simply 50 minutes. Solana Beach Country Park is a superb thought for a seashore 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 seashore in San Diego. Chances are you’ve already heard of this well-known spot, which is finest recognized 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 gotten gorgeous views of the well-known resort and an actual buzz. The seashore is common for sunbathers, swimmers, and sunbathers. If you get fortunate, you may also spot dolphins, and it isn’t exceptional for swimmers to seek out themselves by chance swimming with these stunning marine animals.
The seashore is only a 15-minute drive from San Diego’s metropolis middle however equally a 35-minute breeze by bus. We advocate utilizing public transport, as road parking will 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 seashore day amidst nature, you’ll be able to’t beat Torrey Pines State Beach, and should you love mountain climbing in nature greater than a promenade of seashore bars, that is the seashore for you. The seashore cliffs are equally spectacular, and safety-wise, the lifeguard presence is a plus for solo vacationers nonetheless desirous to take pleasure in extra distant seashores. There are additionally restrooms and outside showers – at all times a superb 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 middle, and should you get fortunate, it’s possible you’ll spot dolphins or bobcats throughout 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 seashore off Orchard Avenue. It is a particular browsing seashore with tough seas unsuitable for swimmers. The lifeguards are at all times available for surfers who get into issue, however non-surfers ought to as an alternative take pleasure in sunbathing in tide swimming pools and seashore walks. This sandy seashore is a peaceable little sunbathing spot very best for these wanting a handy suburban seashore 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 automobile. However, public transport is the simplest method to attain this seashore when contemplating visitors congestion and parking points. It is simply 45 minutes by bus whenever you take the 923 from town middle – no parking dramas obligatory. Ocean Beach City Beach stands out for its suburban surfer attraction, and we additionally actually just like the tide pooling alternatives, which assist preserve non-surfers entertained.
Where to Stay: Blue Heron Cottages
20. La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores Beach is just a mile lengthy, but that is simply probably the greatest seashores in San Diego. La Jolla Shores Beach is legendary for its cute resident sea lions and implausible water sports activities actions. This sandy seashore 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 good distance), kayak to La Jolla Cove, or scuba dive in the La Jolla Underwater Park. La Jolla Shores Beach ticks many bins 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 simple to see why folks love this seashore. And whichever of La Jolla’s actions you select, you’ll have a memorable seashore day expertise.
Where to Stay: Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
21. South Mission Beach
South Mission Beach is a well-liked possibility amongst one of the best seashores in San Diego. It is your typical seashore vacation spot, with outlets, eating places, and bike paths lining its shores. South Mission Beach is the form of place you head for a packed day of seashore actions and sunbathing earlier than a night meal out. The boardwalk can also be a shocking place to walk alongside, and also you profit from lifeguard supervision safety-wise. South Mission Beach is a lovely spot, and should you like a resort-style vacation ambiance, it actually has that traditional seashore vacation spot attract. And it’s best to respect the gorgeous views of the Entrance Channel and Mariners Basin. Mission Beach is simple to take pleasure in, which is a giant a part of why we had so as to add it to this checklist.
South Mission Beach is positioned close to Belmont Park and Mission Bay Park, so there are many inexperienced house areas that you may escape to for some shade. It can also be only a 20-minute drive from San Diego metropolis middle 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 similar to the Benagil Cave, with stunning arches and stacks alongside the cliffs. You can stroll the gorgeous clifftop path, climb stairs to achieve the seashores at alternating factors, and revel in Pacific Ocean views. You can spot cliff jumpers tackling leaps into the ocean under should you’re fortunate. The park obtained its identify from its stunning views at sundown, and it’s a vastly common place to take pleasure in a night stroll. It is hardly a secret, however we couldn’t depart it out of this information as it’s a common pure attraction in San Diego.
The finest method to attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is by automobile, simply 20 minutes from town middle. You may also attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park by public transport in beneath 1.5 hours. You’ll possible discover it extra handy to journey there by automobile, particularly should you intention for sundown.
Where to Stay: The Inn at Sunset Cliffs
23. Tourmaline Beach
Tourmaline Beach is a lovely seashore far too typically ignored in San Diego. Backed by cliffs, it creates a remote-feeling ambiance regardless of being positioned in the busy suburbs and residential areas round Bird Rock. Tourmaline Beach is likely one of the finest seashores in San Diego should you like browsing, and it additionally has outside showers and restroom services. Just remember that road parking will be restricted and that Tourmaline Beach will get fairly common – learn: packed – in peak instances. It is the native place to go, so anticipate crowds at instances like scorching weekends.
To attain Tourmaline Beach, it’s simply 20 minutes by automobile 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 also be one of many extra handy seashores in San Diego to go to, only a quick distance away and with loads of services.
Where to Stay: Opal Oasia
24. Dog Beach
Dog Beach’s identify is extra simple than you assume. This San Diego seashore 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 seashore choices – so, fortunately, it’s a stunning setting and simply accessible from town middle. But even should you aren’t, canine lovers will love the ambiance at Dog Beach. Throw down a seashore towel you aren’t too valuable about and prepare to fulfill numerous excitable canines. Dog Beach has a superb ambiance. It is likely one of the solely San Diego seashores to embrace a dog-friendly seashore house absolutely. Everything from the pawprint signal on the seashore entry level to all of the wagging tails makes this an amazing addition to our common seashores. Dog Beach is dreamy should you like lengthy sandy seashores.
To attain Dog Beach, it’s quarter-hour from central San Diego by automobile or 50 minutes by bus, with a 10-minute stroll afterward. The seashore 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 seashore day concepts that swimsuit you as a person. All of those San Diego seashores are nicely 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, take into account staying at the very least 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 commonest FAQs.
Where is the prettiest seashore in San Diego?
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park has the prettiest seashores in San Diego. You can discover seashores undersea caves – very similar to the Algarve’s Benagil Cave – and numerous sundown and dawn viewpoints.
What seashore in San Diego has the cleanest water?
Carlsbad State Beach could be a 30-minute drive north of San Diego, however the journey is worth it because it has probably the most clean-rated waters in the area.
What is the preferred seashore in San Diego?
Coronado Beach is the preferred seashore alternative in San Diego. The well-known Hotel Coronado attracts crowds of vacationers, and the seashore has common volleyball courts and browsing circumstances.
What is probably the most walkable seashore 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 probably the most stunning boardwalks for seashore walks.
You can see why so many individuals flock from LA to San Diego on a day journey; these finest seashores in San Diego are heavenly. You might spot sea lions or e book a scuba diving lesson at Jolla Shores. Alternatively, you would surf at Imperial Beach or go for a sundown fishing session off Imperial Beach Pier. That’s to not point out all of the seashore bars at one of the best San Diego Beaches. This metropolis is spoiled for alternative in the case of seashore day choices. And to spend a day alongside the Pacific Ocean shoreline; this can be a stunning spot in southern California.
Are you planning to go to San Diego for longer than only a day? Perfect. The metropolis is right for a 3 to four-day break, and we’ve obtained a complete information on the finest locations to remain in phrases of neighborhoods and inns. Maximize your journey with the proper base in San Diego and have an exquisite time experiencing its stunning seashore scene.