San Diego Beaches
San Diego beaches are fabulous year-round as guests of | vacation rentals in San Diego | enjoy the mild weather, sunny skies, and 75 miles of beautiful coastline. Many San Diego beaches have strong rip currents; use caution when swimming and try to swim near a lifeguard. Popular San Diego surfing spots include Windansea Beach and the rocky points around Point Loma and La Jolla. Watersports rentals are available at various San Diego beaches.
Black's Beach (officially known as Torrey Pines City Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach) features more than two miles of sandy beachfront backed by 300-foot tall cliffs that are popular with paragliders and hangliders. Vacationers staying in San Diego beachfront rentals | can enjoy surfing and beach volleyball here. Since access is difficult, due to the cliffs, the safest route is to walk from adjacent beaches. Lifeguards are usually on duty from March to October. Portable toilets are located at the top of the cliffs next to the Glider Port, and there is also a large public parking lot.
La Jolla Shores, located at 8200 Camino del Oro, features a mile-long sandy beach with a gentle slope and calm water, perfect for swimming. La Jolla Shores is also a popular spot for beginner SCUBA diving classes. This family-friendly beach offers lifeguards, picnic areas, a paved boardwalk, a playground, restrooms, showers, a parking lot, and the only beachfront boat launch within the city limits.
The small beach at La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Boulevard, is known for its spectacular beauty and clear water. Guests of beach rentals in San Diego | will find excellent snorkeling and diving. Lifeguards are usually on duty by 10:00 a.m. and the adjacent Scripps Park offers restrooms, showers, and a picnic area.
One of the best San Diego beaches for families is the Children's Pool, located at 850 Coast Boulevard. This small beach offers beautiful views, a protected swimming area with lifeguards, restrooms, and showers. The offshore reefs are popular with divers.
Surfing is popular at Windansea Beach, located at 6800 Neptune Place. Vacationers staying in San Diego oceanfront rentals | will find secluded spots for sunbathing along the rocky shoreline. Lifeguards are usually on duty daily in the summertime along with weekends in the spring and September. Windansea has a very small parking lot and no restrooms.
Another great San Diego beach is North Pacific Beach, a mile-long stretch of sand backed by 75-foot high cliffs located north of Crystal Pier. Tourmaline Surfing Park, at the north end of the beach, is very popular with surfers and sailboarders. Lifeguards are usually on duty year-round. Facilities include a parking lot, restrooms, and showers.
Pacific Beach, located just south of Crystal Pier, is one of the most popular San Diego beaches. Surfing is permitted in designated areas. Shops, restaurants, and beach rental vendors are located at the north end the beach and the paved boardwalk is great for walking and biking. Lifeguards on are duty year-round with additional stations in the summertime. Facilities include restrooms and showers; parking is limited.
The area's largest beach destination, Mission Bay Park, boasts 19 miles of sandy San Diego beaches and is a popular spot for boating, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and water skiing. The water on Mission Bay is calm but the steep drop off can be dangerous, especially for small children and non-swimmers. Guests of San Diego beach vacation rentals | can surf in designated areas.
The numerous recreational areas in Mission Bay Park offer free parking, restrooms, and showers. Lifeguards are generally available on weekends in the spring and fall and daily during the summertime. Mission Bay Park also includes 90 acres of parkland. Popular activities for visitors staying in San Diego condo rentals | include beach pursuits, kite flying, bicycling, and in-line skating.
Mission Beach lies at the center of the most popular San Diego beach area, which begins at the Mission Bay channel entrance and extends to the north end of Pacific Beach. The paved boardwalk, known as Ocean Front Walk, is crowded with walkers, cyclists, and skaters and a variety of shops, restaurants, and beach rental vendors line the area. Families staying in San Diego beach rentals | will enjoy the Belmont Park amusement park. Lifeguards are usually posted daily with additional lifeguard stations in the summertime. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and large parking lots.
South Mission Beach, bordered on the south by the Mission Bay Channel, is a popular spot for beach volleyball and basketball. Surfing is permitted in designated areas. Lifeguards are available year-round. The park has restrooms, showers, and free parking.
Ocean Beach, situated in the community of Ocean Beach, lies just south of the Mission Bay channel entrance. This wide beach offers volleyball courts and the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier is a great spot for fishing (no license required). Surfing is permitted at this beach in designated areas. At the north end of the beach is Dog Beach, where dogs are permitted off leash. Lifeguards are available all year, and restrooms, showers, and parking lots are also available.
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