Category: Beaches

For a taste of younger, hipper, less trendy San Diego, Ocean Beach (O.B. to its friends) offers the experience of a neighborhood nestled against the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Having largely resisted the trend toward the mall, the multiplex, and the franchise chain in general, O.B. has remained true to its roots in 1960’s attitudes, allowing the visitor a glimpse into several generations of youth culture of the last 40 years. Here, surfers, hippies, punks, and college-types peacefully co-exist in this reprieve from corporate San Diego just 7 miles removed from Downtown. Right on, brothers and sisters!

Long a bastion for alternative lifestyles, Ocean Beach offers its own Jazz Festival in late June, the Ocean Beach Christmas Parade in early December, a March Kite Festival, and their Annual Chili Cook Off every June, so if you think you’re gonna drive down and find nothing to do in O.B., think again. Better yet – just go!

You can fish year 'round off the West Coast’s second-longest pier, home of the Ocean Beach Pier Bait Shop and the Ocean Beach Pier Café. Load up on chum in the morning and shovel in some chow in the afternoon right after you land the big one. Don’t forget to tell 'em the story of the one that got away – they never get tired of hearing that one. Or, you may just want to walk the pier for the view and the fresh air alone. Tens of thousands of visitors apply their own two feet to the nearly 2,000 feet of the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier marking O.B’s southern end. On the northern end, meanwhile, a local ordinance provides for a section of the beach where man’s best friend can roam free, if you know what we mean. That’s right, leash-free living is the promise offered every canine visitor on the "Dog Beach" end of O.B.

Between the two poles is a mile of boardwalk, sea and sand, as well as dozens of local shops, eateries, music venues, and single-family dwellings defining the very individual character and charm of the area. You may not find your Starbucks, but you will enjoy your fresh ground coffee, tea, pastry and the full breakfast menu at The News Room. With a view facing the undulating waves, you’ll love reading the morning paper courteously left for the next fellow to read by the guy just finishing his Mexican omelet with croissant and homemade jam – its that kind of place, it’s that kind of neighborhood.

Comfortably residing alongside numerous Mexican Restaurants and beer 'n seafood establishments is yet another Ocean Beach staple: its live music scene. You can shake it on down to Winston’s to get your reggae on, mon, then have your Latin, Jazz, Funk itch scratched at Portugalia.

Mom 'n pop surf shops abound, and if you like your t-shirts tie-dyed and psychedelic, this is San Diego’s Mecca for the retro fashions you’ll love. The second-hand stores are all first-rate! All in all, Ocean Beach has got a vibe that just won’t quit, and once you get there – neither will you!

Feeling the need to get your sea and sand on? Then Mission Beach is the place you want to go. With miles of continuous boardwalk running north from Ocean Beach to and beyond Pacific Beach along the Southern California coast, the beach known for the giant roller coaster ride has almost as many attractions as an amusement park. Ask not "what's there to do there besides swim?" but rather: "what don't they do down on Mission Beach?"

Care to shop? You can buy your swimwear, t-shirt, towels, and tanning lotion at Gone Bananas Swimwear, or right across the boardwalk at the Wings Swimwear Store #101, while cute-girl shopping goes on relentlessly at The Basement.

If you've forgotten your board at the office, try Emerald City Surf and Sport or Liquid Foundation Surfboards. They'll sell you all the long or short boards you need to begin your professional career. You say you don't already know how to surf? Impossible! That's why there's Endless Summer – an official surf camp for the City of San Diego. They'll rent you a board, teach you to surf, provide you the latest surf conditions – even congratulate you when you win your first competition. They do it all! You can test your new-found skills "surfing" the artificial wave machine at Mission Beach's famous WaveHouse.

Of course if you're not quite ready to hang ten just yet, why not surf the boardwalk instead? Try hanging two, four, or eight with the bike, skateboard, or rollerblades available at Cheap Rentals.

Now since all this activity is sure to work up an appetite, you'll want to remember to bring your burgers, buns, and charcoal briquettes to the BBQ containers the city provides (on a first come, first served basis, of course). Not that you have to cook for yourself, of course. At Mission Beach?!?! You'd never begin to run out of places to get your food and beverage on if you tried: Cane's Bar & Grill serves food and beer all day and live bands (and more beer) all night; Saska's Steak & Seafood's got your surf and turf, while Mission Bar-B-Que…well, you can guess their specialty. And there are more burger joints and taco stands than you can shake a burrito at.

You only think you're having fun now! Get yourself down to Mission Beach and find out where it's really happening – and don't forget to park in the public lot!

If you are looking for an exciting day of sand, surf and amusement then Belmont Park will suit your needs perfectly!

Made famous by their historic "Giant Dipper" wooden roller coaster, this sea-side amusement park offers several thrilling rides, various concession stands, shops and an indoor arcade that rivals Chuck E. Cheese ANY day.

Pal around on Bumper Cars, spin around in random circles on The Chaos or hone your surfing prowess on The Flowrider, a wave simulator unlike anything you've ever experienced before.

Now that Summer is fast approaching, you can afford to take your family out on the town - every Tuesday night is half-price night at Belmont Park! Your kids can ride all night long and you only pay half price. What a deal!

Whether you sit back and relax while eating an ice cream cone or play air hockey for hours in their large arcade, there's something for everyone at Belmont Park.

Located within the beautiful city of San Diego, Torrey Pines State Reserve offers a picturesque view of what nature has to offer.

One of the few remaining nature preserves left in San Diego that hasn't been spoiled by development, Torrey Pines State Reserve affords breathtaking views of unique plants, humongous Torrey Pine trees and amazing beaches that stretch out for miles. Additionally, the lagoon nestled in the center of the reserve serves as a comforting habitat for migrating seabirds.

If you'd like to imagine what early life was like for settlers in this area, one doesn't need to look much farther than Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Traverse the 8 miles of walking/hiking trails, explore the lagoon and beaches and take a picnic lunch to enjoy the views. For less than $10, visiting the reserve is an excellent activity for families, solo adventurers and couples looking to enjoy a romantic rendezvous for two.

Make sure to stop by the Visitor Center to ensure you are up to date and informed about the latest happenings at Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Enjoy your visit!

Whether you're looking to plan a romantic date or simply enjoy the sand and surf, La Jolla Cove offers a versatile way to explore the best of San Diego.

This beautiful, small beach tucked away between sandstone cliffs affords breathtaking views of the ocean. The Cove, only a few minutes away from the city of La Jolla itself, also offers plenty of beach fun for a date or a family getaway.

If you're into picnicking, visit Grassy Scripps Park adjacent to the Cove. It provides an excellent area for an outdoor picnic, and afterwards you can attempt snorkeling or scuba diving at the Cove, favored for its excellent water visibility at deeper levels.

If you plan to take a trip out there, visit their website for driving directions. Also, keep in mind that there is no public parking lot for La Jolla Cove - plan to arrive early to find decent on-street parking, or park in one of the paid lots downtown.

Whether you're planning an intimate moonlit stroll along the shore or a family outing, La Jolla Cove offers the perfect setting for any adventure you can dream up.