Beaches in San Diego

THE 10 BEST San Diego Beaches

Beaches in San Diego

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25 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travellers are saying

  • Wanderer
    Holbeach, UK401 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A lovely cove to sit up and watch sea lions and seals from in the natural habitats, watching them dive, play and sunbathe was a special experience.
    Written 17 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chantae R
    Suva, Fiji3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are few places nicer than LJ shores to spend a day. Sea lions and seals so close by, scuba diving, surfing, lounging in the sand... plus a park for the kids. This beach is usually patrolled and also super clean. Great way to spend a day and cafes/restaurants are just a short walk away. TIP -- shuffle your feet when in the water to scoot away stingrays.
    Written 25 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pedro Alexander
    San Diego, CA9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The quintessential California beach experience. Ocean Front Walk is great boardwalk; rent a bicycle and ride from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach and La Jolla. Waterfront amusement park with historic roller coaster and arcades, nightclubs, bars and restaurants on the beach. Wavepool and indoor aquatic center "The Plunge".
    Written 16 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • T M
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clean beach! Beautiful surf. We went during the week and the beach was not very crowded. Stairs are available to access beach.
    Written 27 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VegEcoFriendly
    40 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent for surfing and lazing. Great bike pathway that goes all the way from pacific beach to ocean beach and beyond. Soft white sand!
    Written 23 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hotweatherfan1
    Indianapolis, IN519 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stopped here after catching a glimpse of it from the highway. We were very happy that we did. The walking trail provided a great way of seeing the area. It wasn't super crowded. There were plenty of restrooms and trash cans along the way as well. The only downside were the homeless that were there.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wren52681
    Gaithersburg, MD253 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arrived at children's pool beach to see the seals. It was about 5:30 when I arrived and when we got there, there were about 20 seals sleeping on the beach. They were so cute, and then some awful human being snuck up on them from the rocks and scared them and they all slid into the water. The beach is closed this time of year because it is pupping season, and they don't want the seals to be bothered. I am lucky I got there when I did because if I had arrived just 5 minutes later, they would have been gone.
    Written 21 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Geoff H
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    People are friendly and you can always find someone to put centennial on you and it's a nice Beach to walk on and it's a difficult hike
    Written 28 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wireless_in_CA
    United States5,029 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We found street parking by the Del Mar Canyon Preserve and was able to pay a reasonable hourly rate instead of the flat rate in the parking lot.

    It took us around 10 minutes to get to the beach. We took a short cut down that crossed over the railroad tracks. Not as nice compared to the beach parking lot but not difficult to navigate.

    The beach itself was expansive and not crowded at all. The views were beautiful as we wandered on the soft sand.
    Written 7 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jennifer B
    Green Valley, AZ47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Will bring our dogs next time. We really enjoyed all the different breeds of dogs and puppies running on the beach. What fun they were all having in the sunshine.
    Written 6 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Beth K
    Shawnee, KS1,690 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I love a great beach and this one was good. The beach itself is nice, clean, and contained a few seashells. I enjoyed walking under the pier at low tide on the rocks.

    What I didn't like was all of the druggies surrrounding the area. The pot smell was at times unbearable and I thought smoking marijuana was illegal in public places. That was a turn-off for me. I saw several people that were so high they were stumbling around.
    Written 1 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kyendley
    Kelowna, Canada57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great beach for walking, relaxing and people watching. Lots of shops and restaurants near by. Also saw lots of surfers.
    Written 12 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michelle B
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful location! We stayed in space 72 overlooking the beach. Bathrooms close by, stairs to the beach close by, but all the way to the north end of the south entry. There's a camp store by the south entry, too. It's a great place for families and couples too.
    Written 12 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Travels With Martin
    Boston, MA18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cool pier..... long pier! I was here a few months back and it was closed. I was happy to see it open this time so took a leisurely walk to the end. Stopped at the cafe for fries on the way back!
    Written 7 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Doug B
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States700 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful beach in all regards—-walking, surfing, wading, or just viewing. We spent about an hour, and will be back frequently.
    Written 24 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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