Skip to content

Updated: January 10, 2024

San Diego is arguably one of the most beautiful places in California, or the rest of the country for that matter. Needless to say, some of California’s best beaches are located here. The next time you’re in the area, put these gorgeous beaches on your must-see list.

Here is our list of the top 10 beaches in San Diego.

1. La Jolla Cove Beach

Location:

La Jolla Cove is located next to downtown La Jolla on Coast Blvd. The beach is on the northeast side of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This a popular urban area, so plan your visit accordingly.

Why we like it:

There are so many reasons why we love this beach! Besides the fact that it is within walking distance of the beautiful village of La Jolla, this beach is unique in that it is sheltered by a rocky point (Point La Jolla) that blocks waves rolling in from the west (most of the time), creating a safe swimming environment. We also like walking along the nearby bluffs, which have a wide walkway above them where you’ll often see seals, sea lions, and birds on the rocks.

Nearby:

Did we mention that downtown La Jolla is located just a block away? If you like eating and shopping, it’s hard to beat La Jolla. Also located nearby is the Coast Walk Trail which begins near The Cave Store with its tunnel leading to a coastal cave. And don’t forget about Ellen Browning Scripts Park which is a beautiful open space that overlooks the ocean and is the perfect lookout for whale-watching and beautiful sunsets.

Activities:

In addition to sunbathing and swimming, La Jolla Cove is popular for paddleboarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Water sports equipment rentals are located nearby.

Parking:

Coast Boulevard has many on-street parking spots (3 hours from 8am to 6pm). But come early, or plan on driving around until you find an open space. Prospect Street is one block away and also offers on-street parking, but it is also very popular for its restaurant and shopping scene.

2. Coronado Beach

Location:

Coronado Beach is located on Coronado Island and starts at the famous Hotel del Coronado where it continues north to Sunset Park.

Why we like it:

When it comes to expansive golden sand, it’s hard to beat Coronado Beach. For this reason alone, Coronado Beach is frequently included in many “best beaches” lists. We make no exception. This beach is pristine. It is also ideal for families and those looking for a relaxed beach experience. And while it does get crowded, it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably.

Nearby:

The iconic Hotel del Coronado is located right on the beach’s south end. If you are staying here, it doesn’t get any better. But even if you aren’t staying here, you can enjoy the hotel’s many dining options including the Beach Taco shack or gourmet gelato at Sundae’s. Many other dining and shopping options are located on Orange Avenue, just a few blocks away from the beach.

Activities:

Sunbathing, of course! Also, thanks to Point Loma, Coronado Beach is generally a safe place to swim and wade in the surf. There are volleyball nets towards the mid-section of the beach. Bonfires are allowed in designated spots, just make sure you follow the rules. There is even a dog run at the north end of the beach, so consider bringing Fido. And don’t forget about Hotel del Coronado which provides many activities, some of which are open to the public, including a beachside ice skating rink during the holidays.

Parking:

There is free parking along the entire length of Ocean Boulevard, which fronts Coronado Beach. There is also free parking available on many side streets. But plan on arriving early if you want a good spot.

3. Pacific Beach

Location:

Affectionately referred to as “PB” by the locals, the neighborhood of Pacific Beach is located north of Mission Bay. The beach also goes by the same name and is centered around Crystal Pier.

Why we like it:

Not only is the beach itself gorgeous, but the path above it is lined with charming shops and restaurants. We love the vibrant nightlife and youthful vibe of this area.

Nearby:

There are many shops and restaurants located along Ocean Front Walk. And many more options exist just a block or two from the beach. If you are looking for a memorable place to stay, the Crystal Pier Hotel has cottage-style rooms on the pier.

Activities:

Pacific Beach is a great spot for surfing and beach volleyball. For those who like to bike, walk, or run, Ocean Front Walk is a paved pathway that runs south to the end of the peninsula. You can also fish from the pier during the day.

Parking:

On-street parking is your best bet. But given the popularity of the area, plan on driving around until you find a spot, which might be a long walk from the beach.

4. Flat Rock Beach

Location:

It takes a bit of a hike to reach Flat Rock Beach, which is located in Torrey Pines Reserve. From the visitor center (open daily 9am to 5pm), grab a map and follow Beach Trail down to the beach (1.5 miles out-and-back). You can also reach it by walking north from Black’s Beach or south from Torrey Pines South Beach.

Why we like it:

Sweeping bluffs and white sands are what make this beach so breathtaking. Climb up the large, flat rock here to see some stunning ocean views. Also, consider turning your hike into a loop by taking the Broken Hill trail back (requires some walking along the road to complete the loop).

Nearby:

There isn’t much located near this beach, so enjoy the tranquility!

Activities:

Hiking is a required activity just to get to this beach (unless you approach from another nearby beach). So make sure you are prepared by not hauling too much stuff! Also, consider exploring some of the other trails in this preserve.

Parking:

There is a parking lot at the visitor center as well as across the street from the visitor center, which is where the trails start.

5. Ocean Beach City Beach

Ocean Beach is a wide sandy beach that has formed on the south side of the San Diego River mouth. Not only is the beach itself beautiful, but the long pier offers some incredible views of the city. Surfing, swimming, and sunbathing are all popular here, and the pier is one of the few places in the state where you can fish without a license.

6. La Jolla Shores Beach

This mile-long beach stands out in the stretch of La Jolla beaches that tend to be tucked into gaps between rocky points. La Jolla Shores Beach sits in front of Kellogg Park, which has two grassy areas for picnics. If you decide to spend your entire day on this beautiful stretch of sand, rentals are available at the beach and on Avenida de la Playa.

7. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Although the beach below this steep hillside waterfront park is nicknamed Garbage Beach, it is anything but. However, a visit to this beautiful spot has to be earned as it’s one of California’s hardest beaches to get to. The descent to Sunset Cliffs Beach is so steep that a fixed rope has been installed for safety. The hillside is full of footpaths waiting to be explored, so if you enjoy bluff walks, this is the place to be. If you can, go when the tide is low so you can check out the tide pools.

8. South Mission Beach

You’ll find South Mission Beach at the extreme south end of the Mission Beach Peninsula. It’s one of the widest beaches in the city, so it’s a great place to play a game of beach volleyball or basketball. This beach is slightly more subdued than some of the others in the area, but it still gets crowded, so join the party as early as possible.

9. Playa Pacifica on Mission Bay

The cove here is known as Leisure Lagoon, and it happens to be the perfect place to relax. Surrounded by a large grass park, this Mission Bay beach is popular with swimmers and families. Lifeguards are typically on duty from spring until October, so feel free to go for a swim at Playa Pacifica.

10. Bermuda Beach

This quiet locals beach sits tucked away below homes and apartment buildings in the south part of the Ocean Beach district. You reach this hidden gem by accessing stairs at the end of Bermuda Avenue west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Try to time it so that you can see a sunset here as they’re incredible.

Inspired by these amazing beaches, but want to see even more? Then check out our complete list of all the beaches in San Diego County.