Best Beaches In San Diego

Listed below are the best beaches in San Diego. Surfing beaches, volleyball beaches and secluded, romantic beaches in the San Diego County area.

If you have a dog, you'll like the San Diego Dog Beaches, where you can have fun with your dog in the surf without a dog leash.

The dog beaches in San Diego are at the north end of Ocean Beach, and at Rivermouth in Del Mar.

You are not allowed to camp overnight on any San Diego City Beaches. However, at some San Diego State Beaches there are campgrounds. For campsite reservations call. Phone: (800)444-7275.

The water temperatures at the San Diego beaches can be a bit chilly. They range from 55F - 65F from October to June, and 65F - 75F from July through September. For beach and weather report call (619)289-1212.

SILVER STRAND STATE BEACH: An ideal Coronado San Diego beach for families, one of the best beaches in San Diego for kids. Calm waters, lifeguards year around, and a quiet atmosphere, plus plenty of parking, is what you can expect here. There are places for rollerblading, bike riding, and campsite spaces for self-contained RV's, available on a first come basis. You can only stay for 7 nights. Camp fees are between $15-$26. Directions: from San Diego Coronado bridge, turn left at Orange Ave, which turns into Rte 75, and follow the signs. Phone: 9619)435-5184.

CORONADO BEACH: This sandy wide beach is where the famous Hotel Del Coronado is located. It's San Diego's largest and most beautiful beach, and tops the best beaches in San Diego in my book, so perfect for sunbathing and people watching. After all, many celebs stay at this hotel with their families, and use the beach. Directions: from Coronado bridge turn left on Orange Ave and follow signs.

SUNSET CLIFFS BEACH: Located on the west end of the Point Loma peninsula, beneath the cliffs is a very quiet and secluded San Diego beach. It's a couple of miles long, and a hangout for surfers and locals who don't like crowded beaches. At the very south end of the peninsula, close to Cabrillo Point, there are wonderful tide pools with lots of small sea creatures to look at when the tide is low. Directions: exit freeway 1-8 at Sunset Cliffs Blvd, and go west, Point Loma.

OCEAN BEACH SAN DIEGO: This mile long beach is one of the best beaches in San Diego for volleyball, sunbathing and swimming. Watch out for signs about rip currents, which occur occasionally. There is a pier at the south end, and it's open to the public 24 hours a day for walking, or fishing. A restaurant is in the middle of the pier. Parking is available, but it's limited, so come early. Directions: exit freeway 1-8 at Sunset Cliffs Blvd and go west. Turn right on Santa Monica Ave, Ocean Beach.

MISSION BEACH SAN DIEGO: Top of the list of the best beaches in San Diego, it's supposed to be the most popular beach in San Diego, and it can get quite crowded during warm summer days. It stretches for 2 miles from the northern entrance to Mission Bay to the Pacific Beach. The popular boardwalk along the beach is full of walkers, rollerbladers, and bike riders. The south end is a hangout for surfers, swimmers and volleyball players. At the north end, close to Belmont Park, the water is too rough for me, and the crowds are rowdier also. Directions: exit freway 1-5 at Grand Ave, go west on Mission Blvd. There is parking lot near the roller coaster (Belmont Park) at West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Beach.

PACIFIC BEACH SAN DIEGO: There are bike paths and picnic tables all along the waterfront. The Pacific Beach goes from the north end of Mission Beach to the Crystal Pier. It tends to get crowded on weekends. You can only surf in certain areas, and there are fire-rings on the beach. Restrooms, showers and many restaurants in the area close to the beach. Come early because parking can can be tough later on weekends. Directions: exit freeway 1-5 at Grand Ave, go west to Mission Blvd. Go north and start looking for parking at Pacific Beach.

TORMALINE SURFING PARK: One of the best beaches in San Diego for surfing and sailboarding, and a very popular beach in the La Jolla area of San Diego. Parking is available at the foot of Tourmaline Street. Arrive before noon to find a parking spot. Directions: take Mission Blvd north, it will turn into La Jolla Blvd, and turn west on Tourmaline Street, La Jolla.

WINDANDSEA BEACH: There is an underwater reef that causes huge waves at times. Most likely one of the best beaches in San Diego if you like a secluded and romantic San Diego beach, with stunning views and spectacular sunsets. Directions: go Mission Blvd north, it turns into La Jolla Blvd, turn west on Nautilus Street, La Jolla.

MARINE STREET BEACH: A good beach for body surfing, but be aware of rip tides, so be careful. The beach is wide, sandy and full of sunbathers, swimmers and joggers. Directions: enter from marine Street, off la Jolla Blvd, La Jolla.

SHELL BEACH: There is no swimming here. The beach consists of two coves with stunning views. You might catch a sight of sea lions on the beach or playing in the water. Directions: take La Jolla Blvd north. When the road forks, keep to the left. Then turn right on Coast Blvd, La Jolla. The Shell Beach is just north of the Childrens Pool on Coast Blvd.

LA JOLLA COVE BEACH PARK: A beautiful place on the Southern California coast with a palm studded park on top of the cliffs. The cliff caves below are popular with divers, snorkelers and kayakers who like to explore the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. The swimming is very rough though. Directions: take Coast Blvd north to signs, or exit the 1-5 freeway, go west tp Torrey Pines Road, turn left, and drive down the hill to Girard Ave. Turn right and follow signs, La Jolla.

LA JOLLA SHORES BEACH: It's one of the best beaches in San Diego at La Jolla, so get here early if you want access. The beach has fabulous views of the La Jolla peninsula, a beautiful wide sandy beach and a park with grass lawns to enjoy. The surf is very gentle, so it's great for for smaller kids. There is a boardwalk that runs along the beach. The parking lot is at the end of Calle Frescota. Directions: exit La Jolla Village drive from 1-5, drive west, turn left on La Jolla Shores Drive, go west to Camino del Oro, turn right, La Jolla.

BLACK BEACH: It's officially known as Torrey Pines City Park Beach. The huge waves here are drawing world class surfers. It's a sort of isolated and secluded beach. Watch out for nudists (it's against the law though). There are no lifeguards, and strong rip tides do occur, so be careful. Swimming in these waters is only for the most experienced. And also the cliffs are steep and treacherous to climb. Directions: exit Genesee Ave west from the 1-5 freeway, and follow signs to glider port.

TORREY PINES STATE BEACH AND RESERVES: This is a huge beach area, about 1,750 acres of bluffs and marshes, and one of the best beaches in San Diego. The trails, lined with Torrey Pine trees, take you to the sandy beach below. There is plenty of parking available here. Lifeguards patrol the beach from time to time. There are guided tours of the beautiful nature reserve on weekends. Phone: (858)755-2063. Directions: exit Carmel Valley Road from 1-5 freeway, turn left on Rte S21 Del Mar.

DEL MAR BEACH: This is a wide beach great for volleyball playing, surfing and sunbathing. The beach runs from the 15th Street north to the 29th Street Del Mar. Parking can be problematic during summer weekends and holidays. Directions: exit Via de la Valle from 1-5. Go west to Rte S21 (known as Camino Del Mar in town) and turn left, Del Mar.

SWAMIS BEACH: Wonderful tide pools at very low tide expose anemones, starfish, and other sea creatures. All sea life is protected so ONLY look. The beach is a great surfing beach. You can only access the beach by a long stairway that leads down from the park on top of the cliff. Directions: exit 1-5 at Encinitas Blvd, go west to Rte S21, and turn left.

MOONLIGHT STATE BEACH: One of the best beaches in San Diego County, because it has lots of facilities and big parking areas. There are great volleyball courts on the north end of the beach that are used by professional players, some who live in the area. Directions: exit Encinitas Blvd from 1-5 and go west to 3rd Street, turn left. The large parking lot on your right is at the top of the hill.

CARLSBAD STATE BEACH: The south part of this beach is very rocky because of storm erosions. But it's a good swimming beach, with beach level sidewalks, for walking, jogging, and for self-contained RV's overnight camping. Phone: (800)444-7275. Directions: exit 1-5 at La Costa Ave, and go west to Rte S21. Turn north and follow the Coast to entrance.

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