San Diego likes to promote itself as the best city in America. While that may be debatable, there’s no question that beaches have a lot to offer. If you’re planning to take a trip to the city, you might be surprised to learn that beaches come in many shapes and flavors. Here’s an insider’s guide to your options.
When many people think of the beach, they think of hard bodies and golden tans. If this is your idea of a good beach, then there are two beaches that you must visit: Mission and Pacific Beach.
Mission Beach is located about 5 minutes north of downtown San Diego [and the airport]. It is a wide white sand beach with a boardwalk behind it. This is a good place to skate, ride a bike and relax on the sand. The only drawback to Mission Beach is that the houses run along the back and parking can be brutal. This brings us to Pacific Beach.
Pacific Beach is the next beach north of Mission Beach. It offers the same basic design with one exception. The beach is backed by bars, places to eat, a pier and, well, you get the picture. This is a good place for some serious people watching. If you want to wet your whistle with an adult beverage or three, Lahaina’s is a legendary spot. You just sit on a terrace outside that is full of people having fun.
Ah, but what if you are looking for more of a family beach since you have children? Without worries. There are many beaches in San Diego that are perfect. Del Mar is perhaps one of the most popular. The beach is quite wide and beautiful. The northern section also adjoins the Del Mar Fairgrounds. In June, the Del Mar Fair offers all-day entertainment, while in the latter part of the summer, the Fair turns into Del Mar horse racing.
For those looking for a secluded beach, there are even more options in San Diego. An excellent option is Solana Beach. This is a coastal town north of Del Mar. Much of the beach is isolated because it meets cliffs. Take the various beach access points and you can walk north or south along the cliffs for a hundred feet and find your own quiet spot in the sky.
San Diego has a lot to offer beyond the beaches and you should take the time to visit things like the zoo, Balboa Park, etc. Still, most visitors are looking to burn off some stress by lounging on the beach. Any beach will do, but the above represent some quality places.