Miramar

Enjoy the outdoors in Miramar! Visit for hiking, the parks or a bike ride in the lovely sunshine. Walk to the local breweries, cafés, and local museums.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Miramar
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Hikes, Parks & Breweries of Miramar

Marine Av 8B Harrier II Hovering Over the GroundOutside Saint Archer Brewing Company in Miramar

Located in the northern part of the city of San Diego, the Miramar neighborhood is known for its fine residential districts and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar). This was the scene of Tom Cruise’s hit movie Top Gun from 1986, though the military program for jet fighters no longer exists in this locale. Nonetheless, a strong military presence exists here, with military personnel and their families forming a large part of the community.

The neighborhood carries its California suburban vibe with grace and beauty, making it a desirable place to live and visit. The area is one of the safest places in California, a fact enjoyed by its nearly 20,000 residents. Like the rest of San Diego, the weather is nice year-round and offers an abundance of sunshine.

The name Miramar means essentially to have a view of the sea, though the community is located a couple of miles from the Pacific Ocean. The neighborhood is known for its stable government workforce and for its walkability. A preponderance of row house homes also adds to the uniqueness of the area, as well as its diversified community.

In addition to enjoying the sunny days and pleasant nights of the climate, residents and visitors have access to a variety of shops, restaurants and breweries as well as the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. The nearby Miramar Reservoir has miles of trails to walk around the perimeter of the large body of water. Other activities include the Miramar Memorial Golf Course, a visit to the campus of San Diego Miramar College, and an exploration of the Miramar National Cemetery.

The community of Miramar is bordered on the east by Interstate 15 and the 805 Freeway to the west, granting uncomplicated routes to the many well-known sites of San Diego. Balboa Park, downtown San Diego, the beaches and grounds of Mission Bay Park and the San Diego Zoo are all a short drive from Miramar.

A trip to the Miramar community brings you within reach of Mexico to the south and Los Angeles a bit further to the north. With the San Diego International Airport nearby, and a complete network of freeways, it is an area that offers easy access to the diversity of San Diego.

Miramar
Why you'll love Miramar
Enjoy the outdoors in Miramar! Visit for hiking, the parks or a bike ride in the lovely sunshine. Walk to the local breweries, cafés, and local museums.

Ballast Point Brewing Company is a highly popular brand along the West Coast. With tasting rooms in Little Italy and Miramar, see why it's achieved such acclaim on a tour of the premises with Todd.

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Things to Do

Biking
Biking
Museums
Museums

What to See and Do in Miramar San Diego

While the Miramar community is dominated by the MCAS Miramar, there are still a number of interesting areas to explore within the community and just a few miles away. When the entire San Diego city is considered, the number of places to check out grows into hundreds of possibilities. While the MCAS Miramar is normally off-limits to most people, a few military destinations offer some quality entertainment.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

This is the only museum in the world dedicated primarily to the history of United States Marine Corps aviation. Some highlights of the museum include the following exhibits and events:

  • Picnic with pilots
  • Open cockpit days
  • Military working dog events
  • Aviation gallery

The museum restores and maintains a variety of vintage aircraft. Around 28,000 people visit the museum each year.

The Miramar Memorial Golf Course

This 18-hole golf course offers visitors a chance to get out and chase the little white ball around, while enjoying the California sunshine. The best advice is to hit it in the fairway, otherwise the rough is a tough place to be.

Local Tips
Tour the many Breweries in Miramar
There are at least 8 micro breweries located along Miramar Rd next to MCAS Miramar. This hot spot for breweries features great breweries such at Saint Archer Brewery, Ballast Point Miramar & AleSmith Brewing Company to mention a few. Make sure to catch an Uber or Lyft so you do not have to drive.

The Brewery Scene

A number of breweries in and around Miramar offer beer lovers and fans of fun plenty of choices for a good time. Each brewery has its own personality and features specialty beers made in the local community. You can find a place that has pool tables, offers bites to eat to go with the beer and that has a relaxing vibe or a trendy feel.

With more than twenty breweries in the vicinity, you can visit a different establishment nearly every night. The brewery scene in the area has grown in the last ten years or so to become a vibrant part of the neighborhood.

The Miramar Reservoir

For those looking to combine a visit with some exercise, the Miramar Reservoir provides a place to hike, bike, rollerblade, picnic and jog. A number of facilities including restrooms and watercraft rentals accompany the nearly five miles of trails that circle the large body of water. The reservoir is located in the nearby Scripps Ranch area.

Shopping

While most of the best shopping opportunities are not right in Miramar, you needn’t travel far for a great experience. Places such as the newly renovated Westfield UTC Mall, Fashion Valley Mall, Mission Valley Mall are just a few minutes away by car. You can check out the latest fashions or pick up needed supplies at these and other locations.

Balboa Park

This is one of San Diego’s iconic destinations, so if you haven’t been before it is a fun place to spend a day. There are a variety of walking paths that lead all around the large grounds, which include gardens, vegetation zones and 17 museums and counting. Vendors on the grounds sell ice cream and food to keep the children happy and the adults energetic.

The San Diego Zoo is located on the grounds and includes hundreds of wild animals from all around the world in large enclosures. Many of the animals are endangered and are hard to see in the wild. The zoo is also a leader in conservation programs.

If you are looking for a discount on tickets to the San Diego Zoo as well as many other attractions and activities around San Diego consider purchasing the Go San Diego Card. With the Go San Diego Card you can get major discounts off of regular admission costs to places like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, USS Midway Aircraft Museum, most museums in Balboa Park and gear rentals on activities like surfing, paddle boarding and kayaking. You can even get an additional discount if you use this link to purchase the Go San Diego Card.

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USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Explore the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum with your All-Inclusive Go City pass! Check out the hangar deck and flight deck, plus over 60 exhibits, displays and interactive experiences. Enjoy an authentic tour narrated by Midway sailors!
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Local Tips
What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

The Best Times to Visit Miramar San Diego

The sunny weather of San Diego is always a draw for visitors, especially for those coming from colder regions during the winter months. As such, the months of January, February and March are very popular with tourists. Day time temperatures in January average around 67 degrees and rarely reach higher than 79 degrees.

December is normally the coolest month of the year in Miramar and August is typically the warmest month. The year-round temperature range for this area is daytime highs in the mid-80s in the summer months and highs in the 50s and 60s in the winter months. The summer months tend to be clear and dry, while winter is more likely to have cloudy days.

It is not unusual for people to plan a visit to the area during a popular event. The MCAS Miramar Air Show is one the nation’s biggest air shows and it usually occurs in September. It features such performances as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs.

The broader San Diego area is full of parades and festivals throughout the year. It’s easy to plan a visit around an event such as a San Diego Padres baseball game at Petco Park or a gathering at the San Diego Convention Center, like Comic Con San Diego.

Featured Activity

Kids next to gorilla statue at the San Diego Zoo
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
Spend the day at the iconic San Diego Zoo! Featuring over 3,500 animals and 650 species, this zoo is the heart of Balboa Park. There are multiple exhibits & experiences for all ages to learn about animals and their habitats.
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Who Should Visit Miramar, San Diego

One of the main reasons people head to Miramar is to visit friends or relatives who are employed by the military. The MCAS Miramar has many active military members and since San Diego is a warm-weather destination, it makes sense to pay them a visit. You can enjoy the neighborhood and go out in the evening for dinner or some entertainment.

In addition to the highlights of the immediate area, Miramar also provides a pleasant and safe spot to access the rest of the San Diego area. Sites such as the San Diego Zoo, beaches, the waterfront, SeaWorld San Diego, the USS Midway Museum and others are close by. The Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town San Diego offer dining, nightlife and shopping.

On the San Diego waterfront, a nearly unlimited number of tours can bring people out on the water to look for whales and other marine life. There is also the chance to take a San Diego harbor cruise and to get out on a sailboat. A variety of free activities such as Sunset Cliffs are great for the family, too.

Miramar makes a nice home base from which to explore the greater southern California environs. A wide choice of hotels provides good deals for visitors throughout the year. The young and old, and everyone in between, can find something to their liking in this community.

Featured Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego - La Jolla
Exterior view at Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego - La Jolla
Families
Families
Near Beach
Near Beach
Shopping
Shopping
3 Stars3 Stars3 Stars
Get the best of city convenience, beach town atmosphere, and homey amenities when you book a room at Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego-La Jolla.
Prices Starting at $152
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Know Before You Go & Tips

Amazing Sunsets
Amazing Sunsets
Breweries
Breweries
Cafes
Cafes
Parks
Parks
Walkable
Walkable

What to Bring

Because of the abundant sunshine it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a swimming suit and shorts with you. Many people spend a large portion of their day outdoors, and the safe sidewalks of Miramar encourage walking in selected areas. The nights get a bit cooler, so a light jacket or sweater may come in handy in the evenings.

If you plan to explore far and wide, you might consider bringing some good walking shoes or even lightweight boots to explore trails. If you decide to slip into nearby Tijuana, Mexico, be sure to bring your passport. Finally, if you are looking forward to some fine dining it never hurts to bring along a nice shirt and pants or a comfortable dress.

Miramar
is Famous For:
Breweries
Breweries
Hiking
Hiking
Known For:
Parks
Parks
Sunshine
Sunshine
This Month's Forecast
53°F / 75°F
Sunny in November
Dec
48°F / 69°F
Sunny in December
Jan
48°F / 68°F
Sunny in January
Feb
49°F / 69°F
Sunny in February

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Comfort Inn San Diego Miramar
Budget Hotel
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Comfort Inn San Diego Miramar
from $81 / night
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Holiday Inn San Diego Miramar
Family Friendly
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Holiday Inn San Diego Miramar
from $152 / night
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