San Diego, with its year-round sunshine and coastal charm, is home to a variety of both ocean and bay beaches.
On the oceanfront, the timeless allure of Coronado Beach or the pristine beauty of Silver Strand offer a classic SoCal experience.
If tranquility is what you seek, the bay beaches of San Diego – like the family-friendly Glorietta Bay Park or picturesque Shelter Island Shoreline Park – provide calm waters for paddling and swimming.
Most of the beaches on the list are within 10 miles of Downtown San Diego, so you are never too far from sand and surf.
Discover the options!
1. Coronado Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 5 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, surfing, volleyball
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables, volleyball nets, lifeguards
Drenched in golden sunshine, Coronado Beach is more than just a sunbather’s paradise.
Located just 5 miles from Downtown San Diego, the shimmering mica sands welcome all to a quintessential Southern California experience.
From invigorating surfing to exploring fascinating tide pools at low tide, this beach offers an array of recreational opportunities.
Dog owners can let their furry friends run free at the dog-friendly North Beach.
Amenities including restrooms, showers, and lifeguard services offer convenience, while fire pits provide the perfect setting for a beachside s’mores session.
The beach’s accessibility, complemented by diverse eateries at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, make Coronado Beach a treasure on San Diego’s coastline.
Bask in the laid-back ambiance or partake in vibrant activities, Coronado Beach promises a memorable beach vacation for all.
2. Stan’s Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, surfing, bodyboarding
- Facilities: restrooms, picnic tables
Nestled on the southern stretch of Coronado Beach, Stan’s Beach — also known as Shipwreck Beach — provides a unique seaside experience near Downtown San Diego.
The beach is steeped in history, with the semi-submerged remains of the SS Monte Carlo, a former pleasure ship, appearing during low tide.
This spectral sight lends an intriguing allure to the beach’s pristine sands.
It’s not all about the past though; Stan’s Beach is a present-day haven for activities like swimming and boogie boarding.
Though it’s a smaller part of the expansive Coronado Beach, it captures the spirit of the local community, symbolized in the bronze plaque dedicated to the beloved local surfer, Stan Searfus.
From maritime history to sun-soaked relaxation, Stan’s Beach offers a multifaceted beach escapade.
3. Silver Strand State Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 10 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, surfing, bodyboarding, camping, volleyball
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables, volleyball nets, fire pits, campground
Located 10 miles from downtown San Diego, Silver Strand State Beach offers a multitude of activities and amenities, with the added lure of overnight camping.
This recreational destination is a paradise for water enthusiasts who enjoy swimming, surfing, and paddling.
Anglers can spend their days catching perch, corbina, grunion, and yellow-fin croaker.
Day-use and overnight RV camping facilities beckon visitors to extend their stay and enjoy the beach at all hours.
The park is equipped with a range of amenities including ample parking, restrooms, showers, and fire rings for those memorable beach cookouts.
Come summer, Loews Coronado Bay Resort adds beach chairs, umbrellas, and food services for an enhanced beach experience.
With the Silver Strand Beach Café serving delightful fare, visitors can unwind, dine, and camp at this coastal retreat.
Dogs, while not allowed on the beach, can enjoy the camping area.
4. Glorietta Bay Park
- Distance from San Diego: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables
Situated on Coronado Island, Glorietta Bay Park is a sanctuary for water sports and family fun.
Boasting a north-facing beach on the calm San Diego Bay, the park provides an ideal spot for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Children can take their first swimming strides in the bay’s protected waters.
The park is not just about water activities, its expansive green spaces offer perfect picnic spots, while the playground keeps kids entertained.
The Coronado Clubroom & Boathouse, open seven days a week, provides lessons and rents out paddleboards and kayaks.
Easy to access, with ample parking on Strand Way, and breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline and Coronado Bridge, Glorietta Bay Park promises a fun-filled day for all visitors.
5. Shelter Island Shoreline Park
- Distance from San Diego: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables
Shelter Island Shoreline Park, just 6 miles from downtown San Diego, is a picturesque haven for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a serene getaway.
A mile-long scenic park, it offers captivating views of the Bay and city skyline.
The park’s small yet inviting beach, with its proximity to parking and clean environment, is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, and provides a safe place for kids learning to swim.
It’s rich in amenities, featuring an accessible boat launch, fishing pier, bike paths, picnic tables, and fire rings for cozy bonfires.
Dotted with public art and play equipment, the park caters to all ages.
Its vibrant surroundings include a plethora of restaurants and fine-dining options at the resorts.
Whether you’re up for a vigorous paddleboard session or a relaxing evening bonfire, Shelter Island Shoreline Park has you covered.
6. Kellogg Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Facilities:
Situated in the La Playa neighborhood, Kellogg Beach is a captivating hidden gem.
Favored by locals, it offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Downtown.
Enclosed by quaint residential areas, this beachfront is family-friendly, making it a perfect spot for building sandcastles or simply basking in the sun.
Its calm waters are ideal for a range of activities, from stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking to leisurely swimming.
Though street parking can be a challenge, and restrooms are absent, the picturesque views and abundant activities outweigh these minor drawbacks.
With trails connecting to Bessemer Path for scenic waterfront walks and a dog-friendly policy, Kellogg Beach indeed offers a wholesome beach experience.
7. Ocean Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 8 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, bodyboarding, surfing
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, volleyball nets, pier, lifeguards
Ocean Beach City Beach, 8 miles from Downtown San Diego, is a sandy paradise catering to diverse interests.
The standout feature is its lengthy pier, a hotspot for fishing and sightseeing.
Uniquely, the beach segregates zones for dog lovers, swimmers, and surfers, creating a harmonious recreational environment.
Ample parking is provided, along with lifeguard-supervised areas for safety.
It also boasts public restrooms and showers adjacent to the main lifeguard station.
The vicinity brims with dining spots and boutiques, adding a city buzz to this coastal retreat.
From soaking up the sun to riding the waves, Ocean Beach City Beach offers a mix of activities, painting a vibrant picture of vintage Southern Californian life.
8. Mission Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 8 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, bodyboarding, surfing, walking, cycling, rollerblading
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, volleyball nets, lifeguards, boardwalk
Just 8 miles from Downtown San Diego, Mission Beach offers a vibrant, two-mile boardwalk, acclaimed as one of the finest in the region.
This energetic beachfront teems with activities, from boating to beach volleyball, surfing to cycling.
Anchoring the locale is the historic Belmont Park, an amusement park dating back to 1925, famed for its restored Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.
The beachfront and adjacent boulevard buzz with a plethora of shops, bars, and eateries, intensifying in the summer and after sundown.
Lifeguard-supervised swimming areas, restrooms, and showers enhance visitor comfort.
With easy access to Mission Bay’s aquatic parks and SeaWorld, Mission Beach effortlessly blends a classic beach town vibe with exciting leisure prospects, making it a must-visit spot in San Diego.
9. Mission Bay Beaches
- Distance from San Diego: 7 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, jet skiing
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, volleyball nets, lifeguards, piers, boat ramps, rentals
San Diego’s Mission Bay, a watersport haven, is teeming with exciting activities for all ages.
The bay offers an array of aquatic adventures like jet skiing, kite surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding, promising an adrenaline-filled day out.
For those who prefer terrestrial pastimes, the shores of the bay provide ample opportunities for picnics, bike rentals, and warming bonfires as the sun sets.
The jewel of the bay is Fiesta Island, a welcoming park that hosts various events and is notably pet-friendly.
Its youth camp and aquatic center cater to a variety of community interests.
Whether it’s the thrill of the kayak adventures or the tranquility of a beachside barbecue, Mission Bay’s diverse beaches offer the perfect blend of relaxation and recreational activities.
10. Imperial Beach
- Distance from San Diego: 14 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, bodyboarding, surfing, walking
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, volleyball nets, lifeguards, pier
Imperial Beach, California’s southernmost beach town, offers a unique blend of activities and amenities.
Visitors are drawn to the 1,491-foot-long wooden pier, extending towards the horizon and encapsulating a seafood restaurant.
Here, one can enjoy a meal amidst the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
The beach itself, just 14 miles from downtown San Diego, provides ample opportunity for surfing, beach volleyball, and sport fishing.
Its lifeguard services and shower facilities ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all.
Nestled next to the Tijuana River National Estuary, a top bird-watching location in San Diego, Imperial Beach offers more than just sand and surf, making it a versatile destination for both relaxation and adventure.
