San Diego Bay vs Mission Bay

If you’re looking for a low-key day of shopping and grabbing something to eat, you won’t have to look far when you’re visiting any of the bayside neighborhoods that surround each bay.

Seaport Village in San Diego

Bayside Shopping at San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay offers the unique experience to walk around an outdoor shopping complex right along the waterfront. Seaport Village, one of our picks for San Diego’s best malls, has more than 70 retailers including tons of boutique stores and locally-owned restaurants.

You can easily spend an afternoon or evening along the Embarcadero and if you like tacos, this area sports some of my favorite tacos in all of San Diego.

Boardwalk next to World Famous Restaurant, in Pacific Beach

Restaurants and More at Mission Bay

Mission Bay doesn’t offer the same bayside shopping, but you can still find great stores nearby in Pacific Beach.

Like San Diego Bay, there are some excellent restaurants here as well, and some of those do overlook the water if you like to enjoy the view while you eat like I do.

Seaport Village in the Embarcadero of San Diego

The Better Stores and Eateries: San Diego Bay

Seaport Village tips the scales in favor of San Diego Bay, making it my personal pick for this category.

They might seem similar on the surface, but with San Diego Bay being natural and Mission Bay being man-made, you’ll find different types of activities you can do at these spots.

Sunset of the Coronado Bridge Over San Diego Bay

Things to Do at San Diego Bay

Looking at the layout, San Diego Bay is much larger than Mission Bay with greater accessibility from the Pacific Ocean for large ships. This makes it the perfect spot for boat tours and cruises, with tons of traffic at the cruise port.

Some of my top-recommended activities on the bay are whale watching cruises and the San Diego Harbor Tour, which is one of my favorite ways to watch the sunset in town.

You’ll also find lots of large sailboats here, plus some speed boat tours. If you’re visiting with the family, hit the beach and boardwalk, which has shops and games.

But I will say for activities like kayaking or stand up paddle boarding (SUP), this may not be the best choice as there are large ships and areas you would need to avoid.

Kids Sailing in Sail Bay

Mission Bay Activities

Mission Bay’s entrance is narrower and the bridge isn’t tall enough for many boats, so large cruise ships can’t access it. However, don’t let this trouble you - it makes up for it by having more recreation options overall. I’d consider Mission Bay to be a water sport lover’s paradise!

Smaller boats can navigate the bay just fine, so there’s lots of sailing. You’ll also find water skiing and fishing, plus calm waters for swimming near the beach. And in my opinion, Mission Bay is an incredible choice for stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking!

There are lots of parks and other open areas along Mission Bay as well, which are ideal for a romantic picnic or a bayside barbecue with the family.

There’s a boardwalk here as well in Mission Beach, but there are fewer shops and it’s mainly used as a running and biking spot with some great views.

The neighborhood is synonymous with outdoor recreation, and it’s a big part of its history. In fact, it was actually the birthplace of the triathlon, with the Mission Bay triathlon predating the first Iron Man event by about four years - and it’s still held annually!

Fly Boarding in Mission Bay

Our Preferred Spot: Mission Bay

You just can’t beat Mission Bay when it comes to recreation and leisure, though San Diego Bay isn’t too far behind.

I’m a huge fan of concerts to cultural celebrations. Let’s check out the events and community activities you can find at each bay.

Seating Arrangement at the Rady Shell Theater

Events on the San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay has lots of waterfront venues that let you enjoy live shows, music, and more at the marina. Many concerts are held on the bay in Harborview, and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is a permanent theater overlooking the water which hosts the San Diego Symphony and hundreds of other performances throughout the year.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels here, too. See our list of the best hotels near the cruise port (or see lists of neighboring areas like the San Diego International Airport (SAN) hotels) for some suggestions.

Community Activities in Mission Bay

Since Mission Bay is almost more water than land, it’s no surprise that many of its most famous events are aquatic. The San Diego Bayfair is a power boat race and beach festival that runs each year in the fall.

Some cultural festivals call Mission Bay home as well, like the Pacific Islander Festival (PIFA), which is the largest of its kind on the west coast.

Lake next to the Main Swimming Pool at Paradise Point Resort and Spa

A Note on Mission Bay Hotels

If you’re looking to attend one of Mission Bay’s community events, staying at a hotel on the bay or even a Mission Bay resort can elevate the experience. I love Paradise Point Resort & Spa, a 4-star hotel right in the middle of the bay on Vacation Isle, but it’s far from the only excellent place to stay here.

Our Verdict: A Tie

Since both neighborhoods have some excellent cultural and entertainment events each year, this comparison is a tie.

Whether you drive or make use of public transit, you’ve got options for getting to both bays and their nearby neighborhoods.

Long MTS Bus in Downtown San Diego

San Diego Bay Transport Options

It’s often harder to find parking in San Diego Bay because of the crowds, so I suggest skipping the car and using public transit here.

You’ve got access to both the trolley and the FRED electric shuttle all throughout Downtown, including at the bay.

Kids Riding the MTS Trolley in San Diego

Getting Around Mission Bay

Mission Bay has fewer crowds, but if you’re looking to ditch the car, you’ll mostly have to rely on transit in Pacific Beach. Thankfully, there’s a trolley station just as you enter PB.

The More Navigable Neighborhood: San Diego Bay

With a few more options available, San Diego Bay is easier to get around and wins this category in my book.

Southern Portion of Mission Bay

The team and I really went back and forth on which of our city’s big bays is the best, and I can say that if you have time, visit both as they are quite different in their feel and what they have to offer.

In terms of which bay is best, if you’re asking me personally, I like Mission Bay better overall thanks to its outdoor recreation and attractions. But San Diego Bay is hugely popular due to the cruise hub and location in the Downtown San Diego area.

So after much debate, it’s only fair to call it a tie!