Pacific Beach -
Mission Beach Beaches

Beach Highlights

The Pacific Beach - Mission Beach coast is a continuous stretch of sandy shoreline about four miles long. The beaches are popular with the younger crowd, who make up much of the local community. Of the five beaches, all the beaches, with the exception of Tourmaline Surfing Park, up north, are connected by Oceanfront Boardwalk, about 3 1/2 miles long. These lower beaches are known as The Strand.

North of Crystal Pier
Tourmaline Surfing Park is an isolated beach hidden below sea cliffs, in a residential neighborhood near the La Jolla border. Also in a residential area and secluded below cliffs, North Pacific Beach is easily accessed from several stairways and ramps from the boardwalk atop the bluffs.

South of Crystal Pier
Crystal Pier separates North Pacific Beach from Pacific Beach. South of the pier, the cliffs quickly taper off and the beach is flush with the boardwalk. Shops and restaurants soon return to residential homes, condos, hotels, and rentals.

Mission Beach merges into Pacific Beach without any fanfare. The boardwalk, neighborhood, and beaches look similiar. Mission Bay is now just two blocks east. Further south along the beach, at Ventura Place, is a return to shops, restaurants, with the addition of Belmont Park and The Wave House.

Beyond that is South Mission Beach and the disappearance of retail. The boardwalk is lined with small funky homes, duplexes, apartments and beach rentals. The sand gradually becomes wider and finishes off at several beach volleyball courts, a grassy park, a jetty and the Mission Bay inlet.

Beaches

Pacific Beach
Tourmaline Surfing Park
North Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach

Mission Beach
Mission Beach
South Mission Beach

From north to south

Tourmaline Surfing Park
map | photos
About a mile north of Crystal Pier, Tourmaline is set below ocean bluffs, except for the only access road that leads to the parking lot at beach level. Although Oceanfront Boardwalk falls short of reaching this beach, Tourmaline's sandy shoreline does connect to the beaches further south.
• Good romantic beach
• Good walking beach
• Good surfing beach
• Tourmaline Tide Pools
• Restrooms and outdoor showers.
• Dining along nearby La Jolla Blvd.
• Large parking lot
• No alcohol
• No dogs on beach.

North Pacific Beach
map | photos
Set below cliffs, this beach extends from Law Street to Crystal Pier and marks the northern most beach in The Strand. North Pacific Beach is a popular hangout for the younger crowd, especially during spring break and summer. On the cliff above Oceanfront Boardwalk follows the beach with several access stairways and ramps to the sand.
• Good family beach
• Good romantic beach
• Good walking beach
• Oceanfront Boardwalk
• Pacific Beach Palisades
• Near Mission Blvd and Garnet Ave District
• Crystal Pier
• Restrooms and showers and various points
• Parking on neighborhood streets
• No alcohol
• No dogs on beach
• Dogs allowed leashed on boardwalk

Pacific Beach
map | photos
About a mile long, this popular beach stretches from Crystal Pier to Pacific Beach Drive. The cliffs have disappeared and now only a short concrete wall separates the beach from Oceanfront Boardwalk. The boardwalk and surrounding funky shops, restaurants, hotels, and neighborhoods largely define the beach culture.
• Good family beach
• Good romantic beach
• Good walking beach
• Oceanfront Boardwalk
• Crystal Pier
• Fire pits near pier
• Permanent Life Guard Tower near pier
• Near Garnet Ave and Mission Blvd District
• Restrooms at various points
• Parking on adjacent streets and paid parking lots.
• No alcohol
• No dogs on beach.
• Dogs allowed leashed on boardwalk

Mission Beach
map | photos
Mission Beach begins at Pacific Beach Drive and ends at the grassy park past Belmont Park. Although sharing the same boardwalk as the beaches above and below, Mission Beach has a distinct funky feel, reflected by the local flavor of the shops, restaurants, and neighborhoods that hug its shoreline. The heart of Mission Beach is at Belmont Park and Ventura Place, a side road from Mission Blvd, lined with funky storefronts.
• Good family beach
• Good romantic beach
• Good walking beach
• Oceanfront Boardwalk
• Ventural Place
• Belmont Park and The Wave House
• Permanent Life Guard Tower near Ventura Place
• Near Mission Blvd
• Near Mission Bay
• Restrooms at various points
• Parking on adjacent streets and paid parking lots
• No alcohol
• No dogs on beach.
• Dogs allowed leashed on boardwalk

South Mission Beach
map | photos
South Mission Beach is much quieter than the other beaches in The Strand. Level with the beach, Oceanfront Boardwalk separates the sand from small funky beach cottages and duplexes. The short wall that stood between the boardwalk and the beach has now disppeared. Beach Volleyball is a popular pastime on South Mission Beach, especially at the south end next to the grassy park.
• Good family beach
• Good romantic beach
• Good walking beach
• Oceanfront Boardwalk
• Near Mission Blvd
• Near Mission Bay
• Restrooms at north and south ends
• Parking on adjacent streets and paid parking lots
• No alcohol
• No dogs on beach.
• Dogs allowed leashed on boardwalk