Blacks Beach

Blacks Beach is a two mile long, sandy strip situated at the base of majestic cliffs up to 300 feet high. There is a glider port atop the cliff overlooking the beach where hangliders and paragliders can often be seen soaring.

Access to Blacks Beach is very difficult due to the high cliffs and lack of improved stairways. The safest access is from adjacent beaches to the north and south, but this access may be obstructed by high tides or surf. Although not officially sanctioned, some patrons of Blacks Beach practice nudism.

Find hotel near Black Beach  

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores is a sandy beach approximately one mile long, adjacent to a residential area. In summer, waves at this beach are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches, although rip currents may still be strong at times. For this reason, many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. Kellogg Park, a grassy area, is located behind the main lifeguard station and is ideal for picnicking. A wide cement boardwalk parallels a portion of the beach between the park and the sand.

Find hotel near La Jolla Shores  

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, tucked between adjacent sandstone cliffs. Due to its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. It is within a short walk of the community of La Jolla, but retains a character all it's own.

Water visibility at the Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet, making it a popular location for scuba divers and snorklers. La Jolla Cove lies within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which helps to ensure that marine life remains plentiful. This is a look but don't touch area and the possession of game is unlawful.

Find hotel near La Jolla Cove  

Children's Pool

The Children's Pool is a small beach partially protected by a seawall located within a short walk of the commercial area of the community of La Jolla. This is a very picturesque beach with a panoramic view. During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present on or near the beach.

This is a popular beach for scuba divers because of the reefs just offshore. These same reefs can create very strong currents and other hazards, particularly in high surf conditions.

Find hotel near Children's Pool  

Windansea Beach

The rocky shore of Windansea Beach is perhaps best known for its beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Sandstone rocks act as partitions along the beach offering a secluded atmosphere for sunbathing. Much of the beach at Windansea experiences shorebreak, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. Swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent spinal injuries.

Find hotel near Windansea Beach  

Pacific Beach

The beach area south of Crystal Pier is known as Pacific Beach. This beach continues south for over two miles, becoming Mission Beach and then South Mission Beach, eventually ending at the channel entrance to Mission Bay. This long beach, known as The Strand, lies directly adjacent to the residential and commercial areas of the Pacific Beach and Mission Beach communities. It is the most popular beach in the City of San Diego and draws large crowds in summer. North Pacific Beach continues to the north, but is visually separated by Crystal Pier, a publicly accessible fishing pier.

Find hotel near Pacific Beach  

Mission Bay Beaches

Nestled in the west end of the beach Mission Bay is a network of channels and islands - a perfect spot for everyone from wind surfers to water skiers. It's your choice to swim, enjoy the sun, rent a boat and explore the thousands of acres of waterways, stay on shore and spend the day picnicking or ride a bike along the paths enjoying the majestic scene.

It is also home to many species of birds, fish, and other animals and has a nature reserve at it's northern end near Crown Point.

Find hotel near Mission Bay  

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is the center of a continuous stretch of beach known as The Strand, which extends over two miles, beginning at the Mission Bay channel entrance and ending at the north end of Pacific Beach. The Strand is the most popular beach area in the City of San Diego and draws large crowds in summer.

A somewhat narrow cement boardwalk parallel's the entire beach. Walking, biking, bicycling, and related activities are permitted on the boardwalk, but speed is regulated and must be kept to eight miles per hour or less.

Find hotel near Mission Beach  

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is located in the community of Ocean Beach, just south of the Mission Bay channel entrance. This is a wide beach approximately one mile long. A volleyball area can be found near the north end of the beach.

One unique feature of Ocean Beach is Dog Beach, a sandy area at the north end. This is a dog run area where dogs are permitted without a leash at all hours of the day. Also Ocean Beach is famous for the Sandcastle Building Contest and

Find hotel near Ocean Beach  

Del Mar

Del Mar has one of North County's most popular beaches. Lying just north of Torrey Pines State Beach, Del Mar's beach is perfect for families, tourists and surfers who enjoy it's wide expanse of sand. Swimming, walking, surfing, body boarding, and even grunion hunting are just some of the activities you can enjoy at this beach.

Find hotel near Del Mar