The Ultimate Beach Day Guide to San Diego Beaches: Where to Go & What to Bring
With miles of pristine, sandy coastline, it’s no wonder that San Diego beaches are among the most popular in the state. From quiet beaches in a secluded cove and the most popular surfing spots to the best beaches in San Diego for sunbathing or watching hang-gliders in the sky, San Diego beaches truly offer something special for everyone!
When it comes to experiencing the ultimate day at the beach, our comprehensive guide to the best beaches in San Diego will help you plan the perfect fun-in-the-sun day during your stay at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. Located just minutes from all the best beaches in San Diego, our Shelter Island hotel is the perfect place to stay to soak in all the sunshine and tropical beach vibes for a true island getaway in Southern California.
Beach Day Guide to the Best Beaches in San Diego
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach offers old-school beach town vibes and is the place to be for surfers, skaters, and dog lovers! Home to great seaside restaurants, fun surf shops, and lively nightlife, Ocean Beach is one of the best beaches in San Diego for swimming and sunbathing! It also has a cool pier for fishing and nearby Dog Beach, where pets can roam leash-free and mingle. Pack your surfboard, your best furry friend, and a fishing pole for lots of activities with no worries about parking, with several lots and street parking in the residential neighborhoods. Grab some yummy tacos from one of the local stands and shop at the unique local boutiques for a great day at Ocean Beach.
Pacific Beach
With over three miles of boardwalk with trendy shops, exciting beachfront restaurants, and lively bars, Pacific Beach is a great place for rollerblading, biking, and walking along the shore. This upbeat beach is known for its party atmosphere, which makes it popular with college students and the young adult crowd looking for a fun beach vacation experience. Parking can be difficult at Pacific Beach, so try to snag a spot early at a paid lot or along the roads near the north side of the pier. Bring your surfboard or kiteboard and a picnic lunch for a day on the water at Tourmaline Surfing Park, or go for a swim at North Pacific Beach for calmer waters with a lifeguard station!
Mission Beach
This Mission Beach hot spot is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego and offers almost two miles of oceanfront boardwalk, a variety of unique shops, fun restaurants and bars, and a lively nightlife. It is also home to Belmont Park, a boardwalk amusement park, featuring an arcade, mini golf, the famous Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, bumper cars, and rock climbing experiences. Grab a delicious bite to eat at the Beach House Grill, then enjoy some fun in the sun beach activities like boogie boarding, biking, surfing, beach volleyball, whale watching, and SCUBA diving in one of the shipwrecks near Mission Beach. Be sure to pack comfy shoes, lots of sunscreen, and your beach toys. If you need to rent fun beach gear like boogie boards, coolers, chairs, umbrellas, and cornhole games, Beach 2 You will deliver it to your location. Parking is a premium at Mission Beach, so biking here is a good idea, but parking lots around Belmont are your best bet if driving.
La Jolla
When it comes to San Diego beaches, La Jolla offers a unique experience with its playful seals, locally owned shops, and tasty beachside restaurants with a view. La Jolla Shores is a great place for families to spend the ultimate beach day in San Diego with stunning ocean views and scenic coves to explore. La Jolla is constantly rated as one of the top beach destinations in the world due to its dramatic rocky coastline that is surrounded by water on three sides with a gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Soledad’s slopes. Often called "the jewel" of San Diego, La Jolla offers a variety of activities, including world-class golf at the popular Torrey Pines Golf Course, scenic cliffs with well-maintained hiking trails, and even hang-gliding over the water! Grab your golf clubs, bring a picnic lunch, load up your snorkeling gear, or watch a concert under the stars at Scripps Park on one of the best beaches in San Diego.
Windansea Beach
This San Diego beach with huge waves and stunning sunsets is best known as a legendary surfing destination. With a laid-back beach vibe and sandy shore, Windansea is also great for sunbathing, so pack plenty of sunscreen, but the strong currents and large rocks mean it’s not the best for swimming. Catch the stairs that lead to the beach for the best access, and park in one of the 15 spots above the beach if you can snag one. Windansea is also great for surfing and SCUBA diving, and your favorite furry friend is welcome after 4 pm if leashed! For a fun bite to eat while visiting Windansea Beach, try the Shack Bar & Grill, a local favorite for over 30 years. Famous for their fresh fish tacos, delicious burgers, and daily happy hour, this dog-friendly restaurant even serves up a Doggie Menu for their canine patrons!
Torrey Pines State Beach
If experiencing breathtaking ocean views is on your list of things to do during your stay at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, Torrey Pines State Beach is the place to be for rocky cliffs, a pristine shoreline, and unique coastal views of San Diego. Enjoy the natural beauty at this popular San Diego beach that is great for sunbathing, hang-gliding, hiking, and long walks. Pack your hiking boots, golf clubs, and bathing suit…or not…as Black’s Beach on the Southern tip is popular with nudists! There are bathrooms, lifeguards, showers, and a fun spot for the children to explore near the lagoon. Hikers will enjoy dirt hiking trails with sandstone canyons, pine forests, and amazing ocean views from the bluffs. Hiking, swimming, surfing, and guided tours are popular activities at Torrey Pines, and parking is offered for day use with fees being paid at the South Beach kiosk.
Coronado Beach
This two-mile-long, family-friendly beach is a great place for sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, and a bonfire! You’ll want to take in all the views at Coronado Beach, including the stunning sunsets, sandy white beaches, and amazing skyline views from Centennial Park. Guests of Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn will enjoy the 12 parks and the pet-friendly Dog Beach. Coronado is a great place for a family beach escape in San Diego as well as a romantic couple’s getaway. Visit the charming shops and restaurants on Orange Avenue and jump on the Old Town Trolley Tour to see all the best sights! Grab lunch or dinner at the Coronado Brewing Company for an award-winning craft beer, famous fish tacos, and delicious wood-fired pizzas. Pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and boogie board for a fun day of body surfing, paddleboarding, sunbathing, and swimming, and don’t forget a bucket or bag for gathering shells while exploring the tide pools. If you’re looking for a great photo op, check out Ferry Landing Marketplace, where you can also park for free and enjoy the sandy beach near the fishing and ferry pier.
Solana Beach
San Diego beaches just don’t get any better than Solana Beach, a charming California beach town with unique scenic views. Fletcher Cove, a great place for families, has a popular recreational park with a playground and a grassy field. There is a small but free parking lot near the staircases that lead to Fletcher Cove and the most beautiful, secluded San Diego beaches. Enjoy unmatched views including dramatic bluffs, interesting sea caves, and pounding surf. Bring your camera for some amazing scenic photo ops, comfortable shoes for exploring the caves, and a hearty appetite for the amazing local cuisine! Enjoy Cedros Design District, a charming community with unique boutiques, shops, galleries, and restaurants that is just a short walk from Solana Beach. Treat yourself to a meal at Pacific Coast Grill, an award-winning restaurant that sits on the sand of the Pacific Ocean and has two levels of bars, decks, and patios – all with ocean views. From West Coast Oysters to Hawaiian Baby Back Ribs, you’ll have sunset views and the best food in town!
Del Mar
This 2-mile-long family and dog-friendly beach is a great place to swim, surf, and enjoy a nice picnic on the shore. The quaint and charming seaside village of Del Mar offers stunning views, wildlife reserves, dramatic bluffs, and coastal cliffs for a unique beach experience in San Diego. Pack your surfboard, swimsuit, and bicycle for a great day at one of the best beaches in San Diego for sunbathing, swimming, and biking along the coastal paths. Rent an e-Bike from Pedegoe in Del Mar for the ultimate bike-riding experience along the shore. Parking is easy and free at the Del Mar Civic Center, as well as a paid lot in the Del Mar Plaza. Guests at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn will enjoy the oceanfront parks, opportunities for shopping, and fun dining experiences in this popular California seaside village, including horse races at The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and summer carnival fun at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Are You Ready to Visit the Best Beaches in San Diego During Your Summer Vacation at Humphreys Half Moon Inn?
Plan your San Diego beach vacation and escape to Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island. Our waterfront, tropically-inspired resort-style hotel offers guests a casual and laid-back atmosphere with urban amenities everyone will enjoy.
After a great day at one of the best beaches in San Diego, relax poolside, sip cocktails at the Oasis Pool Bar, enjoy live entertainment at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, and soak in the lush, tropical surroundings. Book your stay today and plan the ultimate beach day in San Diego!
