Mission Beach

Located about eight miles (13 kilometers) from downtown San Diego, Mission Beach provides a more relaxed vibe than the bustle of the city. Consider a coastal bike tour or a beaches tour to get a feel for the Southern California lifestyle, or just grab a towel and book and hit the wide stretch of sand. For something more retro, head to Belmont Park, a beachside amusement park with a wooden roller coaster and vintage games.

• The area's main commercial drag, Mission Boulevard, is lined with bars, eateries, surf schools, and shops.

• Bring plenty of sun protection if you plan to spend the day outside.

• A boardwalk runs along the beach, providing plenty of people-watching opportunities.

Mission Beach is about a 15-minute drive northwest of downtown San Diego, bordered by the San Diego River estuary on the south, Mission Bay on the east, and the community of Pacific Beach to the north. It’s accessible via city bus line No. 8.

Morning is the perfect time for a walk or run on the beach, before it gets too hot; surfing is typically most popular in the morning and early evening. Photographers won’t want to miss sunset, which is also when the Mission Beach nightlife scene comes to life.

On the east side of the peninsula, Mission Bay separates Mission Beach from the rest of San Diego and is best known as the home of SeaWorld San Diego. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also popular in the bay, where the waters are calmer than the open ocean.

Yes, Mission Beach is well worth a visit to take a dip in the ocean and to explore its iconic Belmont Park. Its wooden Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, originally built in 1925, is fun to ride, and then you can explore the boardwalk and amusement park afterward.

Mission Beach is so great because of its laid-back feel and access to loads of activities, bars, restaurants, and much more. It has a golf course, Mission Bay Park for water sports, SeaWorld San Diego is close by, and there’s all the arcade, pool, and roller-coaster fun at Belmont Park.

On a rainy day at Mission Bay, head to the amusement park at Belmont Park, where you can stay undercover on the bumper cars, take a dip in The Plunge pool, play skee-ball all day, or hole up in the bars and restaurants all around the area.

San Diego’s Mission Beach weather is pretty mild all year round, but the beaches are much more crowded during the summer and holidays, too. The off seasons are still great for lying in the sun, and the indoor attractions at Belmont Park are perfect anytime.

Yes, you can swim in the sea at Mission Beach. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer, so make sure to stay within the boundaries for safety. If you want to swim in the evenings or other seasons when lifeguards aren’t on duty, make sure to swim with a buddy.

Yes, there’s parking near Mission Beach. There’s a large lot at Belmont Park, plus there are several paid parking lots available, too. Allow extra time to find parking at busy times of the year, especially in the summer and over the holidays, when lots can fill up fast.