San Diego is a good looking metropolis in southern California, and if you’re searching for sandy seashores, you might be in for a critical deal with. The entire San Diego County area is blessed with gorgeous seaside 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 greatest issues to do in the town. While it’s undoubtedly filled with tradition, with tons of fabulous museums and historic sights, San Diego’s seaside scene is what makes it so spectacular and one in every of California’s prime cities. Choosing between the most effective seashores in San Diego is a particular problem – whether or not you decide Pacific Beach or La Jolla Shores Beach we are able to assure you received’t be disillusioned.
Best Beaches in San Diego
This information will introduce you to the most effective seashores in San Diego – the true showstoppers. Whether you need to tread the hallowed floor outdoors Hotel Coronado or head to extra distant state parks for a quiet seaside expertise, a San Diego seaside will go well with you. Let’s sift by means of your prime choices and discover you a sandy seaside that’s proper up your alley.
1. Ski Beach Park
Ski Beach Park is a good looking 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 entire ‘island’ the Ski Beach Park sits on is linked to the mainland by bridges, and one of the simplest ways to succeed in Ski Beach Park is by automobile or public transport. It is massively common amongst San Diego locals and a hotspot for joggers and households seeking to benefit from the playground and picnic tables. With shallow waters and calm waves, it is usually 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 seaside day. We love Ski Beach Park’s laidback vibe; it’s the perfect 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 sort of ironic because it virtually completely 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 ambiance. Bermuda Beach doesn’t have the clamor of main seashores like Coronado Beach. Instead, it affords a quiet place to recuperate earlier than returning to busy San Diego.
The best strategy 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 seaside is likely one of the greatest seashores in San Diego in order for you a extra off-the-beaten-track seaside day, and when you go to at low tide, you’ll nonetheless discover loads of room to your seaside towel. Kellogg Beach is a dreamy spot to observe 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 right for a quiet seaside to discover whereas having non-public conversations with fellow vacationers.
Street parking round Kellogg Beach can get busy, so visiting outdoors peak instances is greatest. You may entry the seaside by kayak or paddleboard, which is one thing to think about 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 good looking seaside to go to but additionally a significant seaside for endangered fowl conservation. The seaside 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 seaside 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 strategy to prime off a visit to an already memorable seaside.
It is simply half-hour from San Diego by automobile to succeed in 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 automobiles 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 preferred seaside day expertise with all of the amenities you may ask for, together with lifeguard supervision, hearth rings, and outside showers. People head to Central Beach to swim, surf, and sunbathe, and it supplies a closely supervised all-rounder seaside day. It is the form of seaside that will get advised when planning a seaside hangout. We discovered its sociable ambiance and regular recognition spectacular, bagging it a spot on this listing. There’s free and virtually limitless road 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 possibility and one of many prettiest San Diego seashores, providing exclusive-looking vacation houses alongside its shores and cute unbiased memento outlets. Mission Beach Park is right in order for you 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 may 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 the 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 in order for you 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 automobile or 50 minutes by bus. It is our prime suggestion if you wish to check out RV tenting or go attempting to find 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 decide close to San Diego. Pacific Beach is lined with seaside 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 get pleasure from as nicely, which is massively common 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 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 be a best choice, and yow will discover loads of surf rental outlets 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 when you love seaside sports activities and actions.
Where to Stay: Tower 23 Hotel
9. South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is a surprising gray seaside, and regardless of being one of many furthest seashores away from San Diego’s metropolis heart, it’s nicely price the additional effort and 30-minute drive. South Carlsbad State Beach is accessed through a flight of aesthetic picket stairs and is often voted as one of many cleanest seashores to go to in San Diego. This San Diego seaside can be common amongst surfers and robust swimmers who really feel comfy tackling semi-challenging waves. It is a laidback and pleasant spot, with loads of road parking and house to loosen up 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 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 stuffed with amenities. This San Diego seaside has its personal volleyball courts and tennis courts, outside showers, a snack bar, and leisure tools leases. If you might be a kind 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 little thing is collectively. The compact seaside scene is all about enjoyable and easygoing leisure – exactly what you might want to let your hair down after extra critical sightseeing.
Moonlight State Beach is simply an hour from San Diego metropolis heart by public transport, so it’s possible when you don’t lease a automobile. This happy-go-lucky sandy seaside is a perfect spot for a enjoyable time out, and it’s glorious 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 good looking 3,000-acre state park, that means you’ll be able to instantly entry miles upon miles of scenic mountaineering trails, and the seaside has an remoted attraction. It is admittedly common amongst walkers, sunbathers, and surfers. Be ready for a brief hike to succeed in 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 usually extra of a longboard fashion 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 positive 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 approach too lengthy for the typical traveler to sort out 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 get pleasure from 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 seaside city when you’ve gotten a coastal campsite to name dwelling 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 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 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 would be able to 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 seaside spot regardless.
Where to Stay: Pacific Terrace Hotel
13. Black’s Beach
Black’s Beach is well-known amongst locals, a lot of whom giggle concerning the truth it’s a nude seaside – that means beachgoers abide by a clothing-optional coverage. The seaside is secluded in Torrey Pines State Park and is just accessible by a mountaineering path, so it has an remoted really feel. Black’s Beach is right when you fancy embracing a extra pure approach of sunbathing and beachgoing. It can be stunningly backed by some awe-inspiring cliffs and ridges. While not family-friendly, it’s perfect for adults who need 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 observe.
The designated parking space close to Black’s Beach is 25 minutes from the town heart 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 seaside located just below San Diego Bay and nearer to the Tijuana border. It has a traditional seaside attraction, with Imperial Beach Pier chopping an aesthetic architectural look and offering an excellent, much-used place for fishing. This is a relaxing 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 sit back and benefit from the south coast of San Diego.
Imperial Beach is simply 25 minutes south of the town heart 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 seaside city tradition, and it’s a stress-free place to spend just a few hours outdoors of busy central San Diego. It can 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 huge 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 straightforward to see why. This San Diego seaside is serene, with huge 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 perfect 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 positive to completely admire 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 sensible for guests wanting a distinction from the hectic nature of inner-city San Diego. It is simply half-hour away from the town heart 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 when you fancy a leisurely time out. You can entry many seaside trails if you wish to stroll, tide swimming pools to peek at with babies, and plenty of outlets 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 suggestion as one of the crucial stress-free seashores in San Diego. Its unshakable ambiance is an actual plus for anybody desirous to unplug. It is somewhat farther from the town heart when you drive, taking half-hour by automobile. But you’ll be able to take the direct practice to the seaside in simply 50 minutes. Solana Beach Country Park is a wonderful thought for a seaside day you’ll be able to journey to by practice.
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 gotten gorgeous views of the well-known resort and an actual buzz. The seaside is common for sunbathers, swimmers, and sunbathers. If you get fortunate, you may as well spot dolphins, and it isn’t exceptional for swimmers to seek out themselves by chance 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 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 seaside day amidst nature, you’ll be able to’t beat Torrey Pines State Beach, and when you love mountaineering 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 desirous to get pleasure from extra distant seashores. There are additionally restrooms and outside showers – at all times a wonderful comfort.
Torrey Pines State Beach will get some critical brownie factors for its pine forest and cliff views. It is half-hour away from San Diego’s metropolis heart, and when you get fortunate, you might 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 fashionable 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 at all times readily available for surfers who get into issue, 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 perfect 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 automobile. However, public transport is the simplest strategy 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 the town heart – no parking dramas needed. 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 among the finest seashores in San Diego. La Jolla Shores Beach is known for its lovely resident sea lions and improbable 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 packing 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 simple to see why folks 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 possibility amongst the most effective seashores in San Diego. It is your typical seaside 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 seaside actions and sunbathing earlier than a night meal out. The boardwalk can be a surprising place to walk alongside, and also you profit from lifeguard supervision safety-wise. South Mission Beach is a good looking spot, and when you like a resort-style vacation ambiance, it actually has that traditional seaside vacation spot attract. And it is best to admire the gorgeous views of the Entrance Channel and Mariners Basin. Mission Beach is simple to get pleasure from, which is a giant a part of why we had so as to add it to this listing.
South Mission Beach is positioned close to Belmont Park and Mission Bay Park, so there are many inexperienced house areas that you would be able to 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 succeed in the seashores at alternating factors, and luxuriate in Pacific Ocean views. You can spot cliff jumpers tackling leaps into the ocean beneath when you’re fortunate. The park acquired its identify from its lovely views at sundown, and it’s a massively common place to get pleasure from 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 greatest strategy to attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is by automobile, simply 20 minutes from the town heart. You may attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park by public transport in beneath 1.5 hours. You’ll doubtless discover it extra handy to journey there by automobile, particularly when you intention for sundown.
Where to Stay: The Inn at Sunset Cliffs
23. Tourmaline Beach
Tourmaline Beach is a good looking seaside far too usually 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 greatest seashores in San Diego when you like browsing, and it additionally has outside showers and restroom amenities. 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 listing due to its glorious browsing, particularly for longboarders. It can be one of many extra handy seashores in San Diego to go to, only a quick distance away and with loads of amenities.
Where to Stay: Opal Oasia
24. Dog Beach
Dog Beach’s identify is extra simple than you assume. This San Diego seaside is dog-friendly and a delegated off-leash space for canine walkers to unleash their pups. If you might be touring to San Diego with a canine, Dog Beach is one in every of your solely seaside choices – so, fortunately, it’s a lovely setting and simply accessible from the town heart. But even when you aren’t, canine lovers will love the ambiance at Dog Beach. Throw down a seaside towel you aren’t too treasured about and prepare to satisfy a lot of excitable canines. Dog Beach has an excellent ambiance. It is likely one of the solely San Diego seashores to embrace a dog-friendly seaside house totally. Everything from the pawprint signal on the seaside entry level to all of the wagging tails makes this an incredible addition to our common seashores. Dog Beach is dreamy when 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 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 the most effective seashores in San Diego. Hopefully, you now have a handful of seaside day concepts that go well with you as a person. All of those San Diego seashores are nicely price a go to – it’s only a case of making an attempt 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, think about staying at the least three to 4 days so you’ll be able to see just a few completely different seashores. Before you do get planning, although, let’s break down the commonest 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 could be a 30-minute drive north of San Diego, however the journey is worth it because it has one of the crucial clean-rated waters in the area.
What is the most well-liked seaside in San Diego?
Coronado Beach is the most well-liked seaside alternative in San Diego. The well-known Hotel Coronado attracts crowds of vacationers, and the seaside has common 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 one of the crucial 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 e-book 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 the most effective San Diego Beaches. This metropolis is spoiled for alternative relating to seaside day choices. And to spend a day alongside the Pacific Ocean shoreline; it is a lovely 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 acquired a whole information on the greatest locations to remain in phrases of neighborhoods and accommodations. Maximize your journey with the proper base in San Diego and have an exquisite time experiencing its lovely seaside scene.