With 70 miles of pristine coastline, San Diego’s beaches are a must-visit. From secluded coves perfect for swimming to scenic shores prized for surfing, every beach (and surrounding seaside community) has a unique character. Check out these coastal communities and experience our local beach culture and SoCal lifestyle.
With its quirky shops and laid-back nature, Ocean Beach (or O.B. to the locals) moves to a beat all its own.
Beach Antique Mall (4926 Newport Ave.).
OB Brewery (5051 Newport Ave.).
The calm waters of Mission Bay are great for kayaking, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding almost any time of year, and the Mission Bay Aquatic Center (1001 Santa Clara Place) has classes and all the equipment you could possibly need for a day on the water. For lunch, post up on the patio for seafood and people watching at the Catamaran Resort Hotel’s Oceana Coastal Kitchen (3999 Mission Blvd.), or grab some Chinese-style steamed buns filled with carnitas or fried chicken at the new Bao Beach (3735 Mission Blvd).
Conquer the Giant Dipper, a towering wooden roller coaster built in 1925, or ride the wave machines at Belmont Park (3146 Mission Blvd.). Discover fun flavors with a communal cocktail for three to five people served in a copper flamingo at Miss B’s Coconut Club (3704 Mission Blvd.), sushi and sake at Cannonball (3105 Ocean Front Walk) or a customized ice cream sandwich at The Baked Bear (4516 Mission Blvd.).