PHOTOS: Jogging on Silver Strand Beach
San Diego Beaches
San Diego Beaches, bays, and parks are free to enter. All beach parking includes metered parking and in some cases, all-day parking is available for $6-8 per day. Enjoy!
Embarcadero Marina Park
DESCRIPTION: This popular park on the rejuvenated southern waterfront near modern high-rise hotels features stunning views of San Diego Bay and is within walking distance from San Diego Convention Center. As locals know, this is a great park to cast a fishing rod, jog or bike, people-watch and gaze at million-dollar yachts and the post-card skyline. As conventioneers quickly discover, the vendor kiosks, inviting gift shops, and seafood restaurants lining the marina walkway and next to Seaport Village can easily soak up hours and make your wallet pleasantly lighter.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-10:30p
ADDRESS: between Kettner Blvd and Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: paid lot on premises
PHONE: 619-686-6570
WEBSITE: https://www.portofsandiego.org/
La Jolla Shores and Cove
DESCRIPTION: La Jolla Shores is a sandy one-mile-long beach adjacent to a residential area. In summer, waves are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches, making them perfect for families. A permanent lifeguard station is located adjacent to the main parking lot at the foot of Calle Frescota. The south end of the beach near the foot of Vallecitos is heavily used by scuba diving classes. La Jolla Cove is one of America’s premier intimate beaches and is so romantic that it has been featured in several movies and TV programs. You can scuba dive or snorkel in the underwater park. It sits between the La Jolla shopping district and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
DAYS & HOURS: dawn to dusk
ADDRESS: 8200 Camino del Oro, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: Plenty at the foot of Calle Frescota
PHONE: 619-235-1169
WEBSITE: Link
Pacific Beach
DESCRIPTION: A 2-mile stretch of beach along the ocean that connects to the Mission Beach District, The Strand (not to be confused with Silver Strand) is known as San Diego’s most popular beach area and draws large crowds in the summer. As always, check out surfers and divers, play volleyball, or just lounge. A narrow cement boardwalk parallels the entire beach for walking and biking. Use caution and courtesy in using the popular boardwalk. Gift shops, restaurants, and beach rental outfits can be found north of Pacific Beach drive. The southern end is predominately residential. The main lifeguard station and restrooms are at the foot of Grand Avenue.
DAYS & HOURS: dawn to dusk
ADDRESS: Mission Beach, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 619-235-1169
WEBSITE: link
Mission Bay Park
DESCRIPTION: This is a case of urban re-development gone right. This aquatic park was dredged, filled in, and landscaped in all the right places on its 4600 acres. The world’s largest aquatic park has separate areas for swimming, fishing, powerboating, and sailing. Bike riders, kite fliers, and joggers also experience a taste of heaven here. World famous attraction, Sea World headlines a collection of trained dolphin, otter, penguin, polar bear and sea lion acts.
DAYS & HOURS: dawn to dusk
ADDRESS: 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: paid lot on premises
PHONE: 619-221-8900
WEBSITE: link
Mission Beach
DESCRIPTION: As the center of a 2-mile stretch of beach beginning at the Mission Bay channel entrance and ending at the north end of Pacific Beach, the Strand is the most popular beach in the City of San Diego. It draws large summer crowds. For people-watching, check out surfers and divers, play volleyball, or lounge on this classic California beach. The main lifeguard station and restrooms are at the foot of Ventura Place, the south side of Belmont Park, and at the commercial mall adjacent to the Mission Beach lifeguard station.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-dusk
ADDRESS: Mission Beach, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: free spaces next to Belmont Park
PHONE: 619-235-1169
WEBSITE: link
Ocean Beach
DESCRIPTION: Municipal Pier is located at the south end of the beach and is available to the public for walking and fishing. There is a restaurant and bait shop on the pier. Fishing from the pier does not require a fishing license, but catch regulations are enforced. Numerous restaurants, surf shops, and other commercial establishments are available near the south end of the beach for seasonal information. The north end of the beach is primarily bordered by residential properties. Check out surfers and divers, play volleyball, or just lounge on this classic California beach. The main lifeguard station and restrooms are at 1950 Abbott Street.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-dusk
ADDRESS: 1950 Abbott Street, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: Plenty at the foot of Voltaire Street
PHONE: 619-235-1169
WEBSITE: https://oceanbeachsandiego.com
Cabrillo National Monument
DESCRIPTION: Perched on a bluff near the tip of this rocky green Point Loma peninsula, this park is immaculately beautiful. In Spanish, “Loma” means “hill”, a fitting description of the rolling topography of the area. Archaeological remnants tell of human occupation of the Point as far back as 7,000 years. The large stone monument is dedicated to Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to lay eyes on it in 1542. Visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse from the outside and inside. As both the entrance to San Diego Harbor and a peninsula on the windy Pacific Ocean, plants and animals have adapted to this harsh environment which can go months without rain followed by morning chills. Point Loma plays an important role in this country’s military history. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery honors over 86,000 veterans and dependents who are interred here. Catalina Boulevard is part of San Diego’s 59-mile Scenic Drive. It affords panoramic and bucolic views of the ocean and city on your way to Cabrillo National Monument.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: Point Loma, San Diego, CA MAP
PARKING: free on premises
PHONE: 619-557-5450
WEBSITE: https://www.nps.gov/cabr/
Silver Strand State Beach
DESCRIPTION: This long strand of beach no more than a few blocks wide in sections, spans several miles while connecting Coronado with the South Bay. Visit Hotel Del Coronado along the way. This beach is well known for camping, swimming, surfing, boating, water-skiing, volleyball, and picnicking. Navy SEALs often run along the beach for exercise. Anglers fish for perch, corbina, grunion, and yellow-fin croaker. The beach also attracts party hounds. So if you’re looking for quiet relaxation, pick your location carefully. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but are allowed in the camping spaces. The beach also offers Wi-Fi service.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-dusk
ADDRESS: 5000 Highway 75, Coronado, CA MAP
PARKING: hundreds of public parking spaces
PHONE: 619-435-5184
WEBSITE: Link
