San Diego Coast Life
 
Sun, Sand, & Sea
 

San Diego Beaches

SAN DIEGO BEACH HIGHLIGHTS

From San Onofre to Imperial Beach, the shoreline along San Diego's majestic, sparkling coast and bays can be enjoyed year-around. Take your pick from wide, sandy beaches packed with amenities to more secluded shores tucked below sea bluffs.

Coastal Watersports and Events

Whether you're visiting from out-of-town or on a day vacation, there's a wide range of watersports activities that you can take part in along the beaches, like swimming, surfing, diving, sailing, kayaking, kite surfing, paddle boarding, beach biking, jogging, walking, and of course, sunbathing.

Many events are held along San Diego beaches all around, including trialthalons, ocean swims, surfing and body boarding contests, beach soccer, beach volleyball, concerts, festivals, and meet-ups.

San Diego Beach Culture

There is a distinct beach culture, reflected by San Diego's diverse coastal cities.

On a nice sunny day, there’s nothing like cruz’n up the coast, along historic Coast Hwy 101 in North San Diego County to take in the sun, breeze, beach towns, beaches and environs.

Some people like exploring different beaches, while others have their favorites and stick to them. Whether you're a first-time visitor or life-long resident, the info provided here on the various beaches is intended to help you make the most of your stay.

NORTH COUNTY BEACHES

San Onofre Beach

San Diego's northern most beach, this isolated, long sandy shore is legendary for surfing. The beach and surrounding area are pristine and show what this part of San DIego County and the California coast must have looked like a century ago.

Oceanside to La Jolla Beaches

This part of San Diego County offers miles of continuous sandy beaches, briefly interrupted in only a few spots by water inlets, making them ideal for walking or jogging. In fact, you can easily bypass these inlets by way of a nearby road bridge.

These beaches are also well suited for sun bathing, swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, diving, and fishing.

Some beaches are lined with expensive beachfront homes; others come up to Coast Hwy 101; and still others are secluded, below ocean bluffs.

BEACH CITIES

Beach Cities in San Diego extend from La Jolla to Point Loma

La Jolla Peninsula Beaches

Beaches on the peninsula are small, isolated sandy beaches, separated by rocks and cliffs. The best known beach is La Jolla Cove, a popular swimming and diving spot, near La Jolla Village. These beaches have some of the most scenic views in the San Diego County.

Pacific Beach to South MIssion Beach

Called The Strand, these San Diego beaches stretch over 3 1/2 miles, ideal for walking, jogging, and everything else. Ocean Front Boardwalk, a concrete walkway, runs parallel to these beaches.

Ocean Beach to Point Loma Beaches

Across the San Diego Channel is Ocean Beach. About a half mile long, this beach is isolated from other beaches. At it's north end is Dog Beach and south end, Ocean Beach Pier. Further south in Point Loma, are two small, secluded sandy beaches nestled within the rocks of Sunset Cliffs. 

SOUTH BAY BEACHES

Coronado to Imperial Beach

San Diego's South County offers miles of continuous sandy beaches. You won't be able to walk or jog from one end to the other, since two large sections are under US Navy jurisdiction and off limits to the public. But the public beaches are still long. allowing you to get a good walk or jog in. In addition, these beaches have spectacular views of the Las Coronado Islands.

In all, San Diego has a large variety of beaches. To find the best beach for you, visit San Diego Beach Guide.

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