Best San Diego County Beaches

BY BEACH TOWN

OCEANSIDE
Harbor Beach
Widest, sandy beach in the county. Next to harbor. Great for family, romance, walking. Playground, fire rings, overnight camping, nearby dining.

Pier View North
Wide, sandy beach, just north of Oceanside Pier. Good family beach. Much more quiet than Pier View South. Dining at pier and nearby downtown Oceanside. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking.

Pier View South
Sandy beach, just south of Oceanside Pier. Good family beach. Dining at pier and nearby downtown Oceanside. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Next to Oceanside Pier Amphitheater.

Tyson Street Beach
Good family beach. Next to Tyson Street Park with children's playground. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Easy access to Oceanside Pier and pier dining. Dining in nearby downtown Oceanside.

CARLSBAD
Carlsbad State Beach
Wide, sandy beach. Great for family and kids. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Next to Carlsbad Seawall, palisades, Frazee Park, hotels, quaint Carlsbad Village.

South Carlsbad State Beach
Wide, pleasant, sandy beach. Away from urban life. Next to overnight beach campground. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Next to jetty.
Only restrooms are at campground.

South Ponto Beach
Wide, sandy beach. Away from urban life. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Next to jetty. Dining and shops on Coast Hwy 101 in nearby Leucadia.

ENCINITAS
Moonlight State Beach
Great family beach. Playground, snack bar, fire rings, large sandy area. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking. Dining and shops in nearby downtown Encinitas.

CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA
Cardiff State Beach
Campground at north end; tide pools at south end. Great for family. Good swimming, boogie boarding, and walking. Near Cardiff Town Center. Next to Restaurant Row.

SOLANA BEACH
Fletcher Cove Beach
Small, secluded beach with good swimming, boogie boarding and walking. Good family beach. Next to Fletcher Cove Park, with children's playground, grassy area, picnic area and viewing deck. Dining and shops in nearby downtown Solana Beach and Cedros Design District.

DEL MAR
Del Mar City Beach
Resort-style beach, with grassy park, dining and nearby Del Mar Village at south end. Expensive homes line the beach to Dog Beach at north end. Great for family. Good swimming, boogie boarding, and walking.

TORREY PINES - DEL MAR
Torrey Pines State Beach
More secluded, away from urban life. Beautiful, tall Torrey Pines cliffs on south side. Park your camper or RV nearby. No overnight camping. Great for family, walking, or romance. Good swimming, boogie boarding, and walking. Dining a short drive away.

LA JOLLA SHORES
La Jolla Shores
Great family beach. Large grassy park with playground. Beautiful view of La Jolla peninsula. Dining nearby. Surf more gentle than at other beaches. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking, romance. Popular spot for scuba diving.

La Jolla Cove
Small, secluded sandy beach. Very romantic. Good for swimming, sunbathing. Next to large grassy park, La Jolla Coast Walk, and La Jolla Village. Fantastic ocean views and natural rock formations. The beach and vicinity is a great family destination.

PACIFIC BEACH
North Pacific Beach
More secluded, hidden by short bluffs. Good family beach. Oceanfront Boardwalk atop bluff palisades. Crystal Pier, shops and dining on south end. Good view of coastline. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking, romance.

Pacific Beach
Next to Crystal Pier, Oceanfront Boardwalk, funky shops and restaurants. Just a block from Mission Blvd. Near Mission Bay. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking, romance.

MISSION BEACH
Mission Beach
Next to Oceanfront Boardwalk, funky shops and restaurants, Belmont Park, The Wave House. Near Mission Bay. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking, romance.

OCEAN BEACH
Ocean Beach
All around funkiest beach in county. Next to Ocean Beach Pier, tide pools, dining and shops. Good family beach. Fire rings. Good swimming, boogie boarding, walking, romance. Dog Beach at north end.

CORONADO
Coronado City Beach
Voted of USA's best beaches. Wide, sandy, resort-style beach. Best family and romantic beach in county. Surf more gentle than at other beaches. Ideal for swimming and walking. Next to Hotel Del Coronado and historic homes with nearby downtown shops and restaurants. Beautiful views of Las Coronado Island, boats, and Point Loma peninsula.

Silver Strand State Beach
Seclude beach away from urban life. Good family beach. Includes overnight campgrounds. Beautiful views of Las Coronado Island, boats, and Point Loma peninsula. Good swimming, boogie boarding and walking,

IMPERIAL BEACH
Imperial Beach
County's most southern beach. Good for family. Next to Imperial Beach Pier, park and small playground. Next to dining and shopping. Good swimming, boogie boarding and walking.