24 Best Beaches in San Diego In 2023

San Diego is an exquisite metropolis in southern California, and if you’re searching for sandy seashores, you’re in for a critical deal with. The complete San Diego County area is blessed with beautiful 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 finest issues to do in the 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 one in every of California’s prime 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 gained’t be disenchanted.

Best Beaches in San Diego

This information will introduce you to one of the best seashores in San Diego – the actual showstoppers. Whether you need 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 your prime choices and discover you a sandy seaside that’s proper up your alley.

1. Ski Beach Park

Ski Beach Park is an exquisite spot with an island vibe that’s exhausting to withstand for a quiet seaside day. The seaside is in a spacious park with beautiful 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 best ways to achieve Ski Beach Park is by automobile or public transport. It is vastly standard 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 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 preferrred 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 title is kind of ironic because it nearly totally 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 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 possibly can 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 finest seashores in San Diego if you need a extra off-the-beaten-track seaside day, and if you happen to go to at low tide, you’ll nonetheless discover loads of room in 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 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 finest. You may also 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 an exquisite seaside to go to but in addition 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 possibly can 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 achieve Border Field State Beach. It isn’t fairly accessible by public transport except 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 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 enchantment. Central Beach is the place to go for a preferred seaside day expertise with all of the services you could possibly 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 offers a closely supervised all-rounder seaside day. It is the kind of seaside that will get steered when planning a seaside hangout. We discovered its sociable environment and regular recognition spectacular, bagging it a spot on this listing. 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 seaside choice 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 good if you need a classy seaside day expertise from San Diego and quick access 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 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 if you need 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 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 trying 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 possibly can 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 group. 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 effectively, which is massively standard 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 exterior 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 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 finest seashores in San Diego if you happen to 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 effectively 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 also be standard 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 area to loosen up and luxuriate in your self.

For us, South Carlsbad State Beach is definitely among the best San Diego seashores. If you don’t have a rental automobile, you possibly can 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 seaside has its personal volleyball courts and tennis courts, out of doors showers, a snack bar, and leisure tools leases. If you’re a kind 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 seaside scene is all about enjoyable and easygoing leisure – exactly what you should 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 if you happen to don’t hire a automobile. 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 an exquisite 3,000-acre state park, which means you possibly can instantly entry miles upon miles of scenic mountaineering trails, and the seaside has an remoted appeal. It is de facto standard 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 seaside scene. Surfers ought to observe 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 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 manner too lengthy for the typical traveler to deal with 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 take pleasure in street journeys, bookmark San Onofre Beach in 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 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 group seaside and very standard 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 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 seaside entry.

Law Street Beach is a pleasant place to decide on for a seaside day from San Diego. You can absorb the group vibes or become involved. There are a great deal of free yoga lessons that you could be a part of, so test 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 possibly can 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 in regards to the truth 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 simply accessible by a mountaineering path, so it has an remoted really feel. Black’s Beach is good if you happen to fancy embracing a extra pure manner of sunbathing and beachgoing. It can also be stunningly backed by some awe-inspiring cliffs and ridges. While not family-friendly, it’s preferrred 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 slightly below San Diego Bay and nearer to the Tijuana border. It has a traditional seaside enchantment, with Imperial Beach Pier reducing 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 whenever 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 possibly can 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 just a few hours exterior 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 broad sandy seashores and offers 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 broad sands and fairly calm waters. Its spaciousness is ideal for these wanting a seaside day to take pleasure in their very own firm and ideas. Equally, it’s preferrred 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 possibly can see some spectacular tide swimming pools whereas strolling Cardiff State Beach. Make positive 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 also 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 if you happen to 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 outlets and eating places alongside its shoreline. Solana Beach is a beautiful seaside and has an excellent space for retail remedy whenever you’ve crammed your seaside day bucket.

Solana Beach wins our suggestion as one of the crucial enjoyable seashores in San Diego. Its unshakable environment is an actual plus for anybody desirous to unplug. It is just a little farther from the town heart if you happen to drive, taking half-hour by automobile. But you possibly can take the direct practice to the seaside in simply 50 minutes. Solana Beach Country Park is a superb concept for a seaside day you possibly can 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 finest identified due to Hotel del Coronado. This lodge 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 beautiful views of the well-known lodge and an actual buzz. The seaside is standard for sunbathers, swimmers, and sunbathers. If you get fortunate, you may as well spot dolphins, and it isn’t extraordinary 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 might 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 possibly can’t beat Torrey Pines State Beach, and if you happen to 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 take pleasure in extra distant seashores. There are additionally restrooms and out of doors showers – at all times a superb 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 if you happen to 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 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 available for surfers who get into issue, however non-surfers ought to as an alternative take pleasure in sunbathing in tide swimming pools and seaside walks. This sandy seaside is a peaceable little sunbathing spot preferrred 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 best strategy to attain this seaside when contemplating visitors congestion and parking points. It is simply 45 minutes by bus whenever you take the 923 from the town heart – no parking dramas essential. Ocean Beach City Beach stands out for its suburban surfer enchantment, 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 simply a mile lengthy, but that is simply among the best seashores in San Diego. La Jolla Shores Beach is known for its cute 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 good 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 be taught 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 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 outlets, 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 also be a surprising place to walk alongside, and also you profit from lifeguard supervision safety-wise. South Mission Beach is an exquisite spot, and if you happen to like a resort-style vacation environment, it actually has that traditional seaside vacation spot attract. And it’s best to recognize the beautiful views of the Entrance Channel and Mariners Basin. Mission Beach is simple to take pleasure in, which is an enormous 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 area areas that you could escape to for some shade. It can also 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 beautiful 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 beneath if you happen to’re fortunate. The park acquired its title from its lovely views at sundown, and it’s a vastly standard place to take pleasure in a night stroll. It is hardly a secret, however we couldn’t go away it out of this information as it’s a standard pure attraction in San Diego.

The finest strategy to attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is by automobile, simply 20 minutes from the town heart. You may also attain Sunset Cliffs Natural Park by public transport in underneath 1.5 hours. You’ll doubtless discover it extra handy to journey there by automobile, particularly if you happen to purpose for sundown.

Where to Stay: The Inn at Sunset Cliffs

23. Tourmaline Beach

Tourmaline Beach is an exquisite seaside far too typically ignored in San Diego. Backed by cliffs, it creates a remote-feeling environment 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 if you happen to like browsing, and it additionally has out of doors showers and restroom services. Just bear in mind that road parking might be restricted and that Tourmaline Beach will get fairly standard – learn: packed – in peak occasions. It is the native place to go, so anticipate crowds at occasions 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 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 title is extra simple than you suppose. This San Diego seaside is dog-friendly and a chosen off-leash space for canine walkers to unleash their pups. If you’re 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 if you happen to aren’t, canine lovers will love the environment at Dog Beach. Throw down a seaside towel you aren’t too valuable about and prepare to fulfill a number of excitable canines. Dog Beach has an excellent environment. It is likely one of the solely San Diego seashores to embrace a dog-friendly seaside area absolutely. Everything from the pawprint signal on the seaside entry level to all of the wagging tails makes this an awesome addition to our standard seashores. Dog Beach is dreamy if you happen to 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 beautiful 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 effectively value a go to – it’s only a case of attempting to squeeze essentially 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 possibly can see just a few totally 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 may 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 standard volleyball courts and browsing situations.

What is essentially the most walkable seaside in San Diego?

Bermuda Beach is likely one of the smallest seashores in San Diego and is, due to this fact, 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 finest seashores in San Diego are heavenly. You might spot sea lions or e book a scuba diving lesson at Jolla Shores. Alternatively, you could possibly 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 alternative 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 acquired a complete information on the finest locations to remain in phrases of neighborhoods and lodges. Maximize your journey with the proper base in San Diego and have an exquisite time experiencing its lovely seaside scene.