San Diego Beaches

Full of surfing, sunbathing, swimming, bay views, and family fun, the beaches of San Diego are unmatched. See the best of what these beaches have to offer.
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San Diego Beaches
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Explore the San Diego Beaches

With beaches as diverse as its population, San Diego offers the perfect vacation getaway with opportunities for surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, jet skiing, paddle boarding, camping, picnicking, and even seal watching.

There are many flat, sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing and swimming with the family. Other beaches better suited to surfing are rockier and may require you to go down a staircase or rent a boat for access. However, your reward for doing so is well worth the effort. View the tide pools at Tide Beach Park or rent a surfboard and tackle big waves at Bird Rock Beach.

While San Diego weather is great year-round, fall is one of the best seasons to visit, offering warm weather and temperate waters. San Diego surfing culture flourishes in the winter, when far off winter storms create larger waves.

Check Out the Many Kinds of Beaches in San Diego

Surfing Beaches
Family-Friendly Beaches
Sunbathing Beaches
Swimming Beaches
Bay Beaches
Surfing Beaches
Family-Friendly Beaches
Sunbathing Beaches
Swimming Beaches
Bay Beaches

San Diego is full of surfing beaches. Coastal areas like Terramar Beach have great waves for beginners, while Tamarack Surf Beach has more challenging waves. The La Jolla beaches are an especially popular way to experience surfing in San Diego. Save on surfboard rentals with the discounted Go San Diego pass!

San Diego is the perfect family-friendly vacation destination. Head to Mission Point Park for some picnicking or enjoy calm, temperate waters at Pacific Beach. Stay at great San Diego family-friendly hotels like the Paradise Point Resort & Spa, and round out your vacation with a trip to SeaWorld San Diego or the San Diego Zoo.

San Diego is home to plenty of wide beaches with soft sand perfect for sunbathing. There are dozens along the coastline, but especially on Coronado Island. Spend the day tanning and stay the night at a beachside hotel like the iconic Hotel del Coronado, which is a great family option.

San Diego beaches with warm waters and minimal tidal action are ideal for swimming. Some of the best spots to swim are Del Mar City Beach and La Jolla Cove, both of which have lifeguards and other convenient amenities. Stay nearby at a luxury San Diego hotel such as the L'Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa.

Bay beaches are ideal for scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing. Don’t forget to rent some gear! With the Go San Diego pass, you can enjoy discounts on stand up paddle board and kayak rentals, as well as admission to the San Diego Zoo or the Air and Space Museum.

The Beautiful Beaches of San Diego

North County Coastal

Oceanside Beaches
Carlsbad Beaches
Leucadia Beaches
Encinitas Beaches
Cardiff Beaches
Solana Beach - Beaches
Del Mar Beaches

San Diego Central Beaches

La Jolla Beaches
Pacific Beach - Beaches
Mission Bay Park - Bay & Beaches
Mission Beach - Beaches
Ocean Beach - Beaches
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Beaches
Point Loma Beaches

Coronado Island & San Diego Bay

Coronado Island Beaches

South Bay Coastal

Imperial Beach - Beaches

North County Coastal

Oceanside Beaches
Oceanside Beaches
In Oceanside
The Oceanside Beaches feature excellent waves for classic San Diego surfing, not to mention great swimming spots. Each beach offers year-round fun.
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Carlsbad Beaches
Carlsbad Beaches
In Carlsbad
The Carlsbad Beaches are full of fun activities for any vacation, whether you’re a surfing enthusiast or you’re looking for the perfect spot for swimming.
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Leucadia Beaches
Leucadia Beaches
In Leucadia
With exceptional surf schools and the chance to experience the history of San Diego surfing culture first-hand, Leucadia beaches are well worth a day’s visit.
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Encinitas Beaches
Encinitas Beaches
In Encinitas
The more secluded beaches in Encinitas are less typical for tourists, but they’re well worth the trip. Enjoy swimming, surfing, scenery, and midnight strolls.
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Cardiff Beaches
Cardiff Beaches
In Cardiff by the Sea
If you’re looking for an excellent place to surf in the day and camp on the beach at night, the Cardiff beaches are the right choice for you and your family.
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Solana Beach - Beaches
Solana Beach - Beaches
In Solana Beach
The beaches in the Solana Beach neighborhood make for a cozy getaway. Surf, swim, and check out the tide pools, among other beach day activities.
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Del Mar Beaches
Del Mar Beaches
In Del Mar
The Del Mar beaches make for a great getaway whether you’re looking to surf a perfect wave, swim in the ocean, or find a pet-friendly beach for your dog.
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San Diego Central Beaches

La Jolla Beaches
La Jolla Beaches
In La Jolla
With over a dozen beaches, La Jolla is a hub of seaside activities. Its strong swimming culture is complemented by kayaking, scuba diving, tide pools & more.
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Pacific Beach - Beaches
Pacific Beach - Beaches
In Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is an exciting seaside community and its beaches have plenty to offer. Visit surfing hotspots or find a spot to sunbathe for the perfect tan.
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Mission Bay Park - Bay & Beaches
Mission Bay Park - Bay & Beaches
In Mission Bay Park
As one of the largest water parks, Mission Bay Park is full of fun activities like swimming, skiing, sailing, paddle boarding, and bayside picnicking.
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Mission Beach - Beaches
Mission Beach - Beaches
In Mission Beach
The laidback Mission Beach is an excellent spot for surfers and swimmers to enjoy the ocean waves. The beaches here offer the model San Diego experience.
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Ocean Beach - Beaches
Ocean Beach - Beaches
In Ocean Beach
The shores of Ocean Beach are a great vacation destination. Head into the ocean to surf the jetties or play fetch with your dog at the pet-friendly beach.
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Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Beaches
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Beaches
In Sunset Cliffs
With gorgeous views and plenty of towering waves, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is the perfect spot to showcase your surfing prowess or take memorable photos.
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Point Loma Beaches
Point Loma Beaches
In Point Loma
High tide at Point Loma is the perfect opportunity to surf some fun point breaks, while low tide creates tide pools teeming with marine life.
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Coronado Island & San Diego Bay

Coronado Island Beaches
Coronado Island Beaches
In Coronado Island
With wide, sandy beaches and calm waters perfect for relaxing swimming, the Coronado Island Beaches are as enjoyable for humans as they are for pets.
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South Bay Coastal

Imperial Beach - Beaches
Imperial Beach - Beaches
In Imperial Beach
The Imperial Beach coastline has moderate-sized waves and lots of diverse wildlife, making these beaches popular choices for casual surfers and birdwatchers.
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San Diego Beach Map

Popular Activities

San Diego Harbor Cruise
San Diego Harbor Cruise
$36 per person
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La Jolla Kayak & Snorkel Tour
La Jolla Kayak & Snorkel Tour
$188 / group up to 2
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La Jolla Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
La Jolla Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
$41 per person
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Surf Lessons in La Jolla
Surf Lessons in La Jolla
$134 per person
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Find Your Perfect Beach

Sunbathing
Swimming
Surfing
Tide Pools
Dog Park
Paddle Boarding
Seals
Snorkeling
Picnicking
Kayaking
Jet Skiing
Camping
Weddings
Sailing

Tide Pools

Want to see the La Jolla Beaches?
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Guide

Paddle Boarding

Looking to Rent a Paddle Board?
La Jolla: Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

Seals

Would you like to go on a Snorkel Tour?
La Jolla Underwater Park: Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Snorkeling

Would you like to go on a Snorkel Tour?
La Jolla Underwater Park: Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Kayaking

Check out the La Jolla Sea Caves on a Kayak
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Guide

Jet Skiing

Want ride a Jet Ski in San Diego Bay?
Jet Ski Rental - San Diego Harbor

Camping

Want to Rent Gear?
Snorkel Gear, Surfboards, Kayaks & Paddel Boards

Weddings

Want to Cruise San Diego Harbor?
San Diego Harbor Cruise

Sailing

Want to Cruise San Diego Harbor?
San Diego Harbor Cruise

Go Snorkel with Go Pass!

La Jolla - Full Day Snorkel Rental
La Jolla Full Day Snorkel Rental
While visiting San Diego, discover the sea creatures of San Diego with a Full Day Snorkel Rental with your Go Pass in La Jolla. Take pictures of the areas marine life and coral. Snorkel, mask, wet suit and flippers are included in your rental.
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Local Tips
What is a Go City San Diego pass?

The Go City San Diego pass allows visitors to experience more attractions while simultaneously saving money.

With the pass, you can visit San Diego’s top attractions like the San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND, all while saving up to 55% off on admissions. Plus, the pass gives you the ability to skip the line when visiting select attractions.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra

Stay Nearby

Hotel del Coronado
Beachfront
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Hotel del Coronado
from $374 / night
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La Valencia Hotel
Boutique Hotel
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La Valencia Hotel
from $325 / night
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Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Bayfront
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
from $259 / night
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Tower 23 Hotel
Beachfront
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
Tower 23 Hotel
from $249 / night
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