Top 8 Kid-Friendly Beaches In San Diego

Whether you’re there on a romantic getaway or for an unforgettable family vacation, San Diego is a warm, welcoming destination of choice. But if you do have children with you, finding a fun, safe, family-friendly beach will be a top priority. And while you certainly won’t find any beaches in the county that forbid children, these San Diego County beaches happen to be especially kid-friendly.

Here is our list of the top 8 kid-friendly beaches in San Diego.

1. Mission Bay

The largest man-made park in the country is made up of many points jutting out into the bay, some coves and a couple of islands. This entire area is very family-friendly. Ski Beach is perfect for picnics and family parties, while Playa Pacifica Park has playgrounds and perfectly manicured grassy areas. This map of Mission Bay Park shows the individual parks for more details on each of these family-friendly beaches.

2. Cardiff State Beach

This white sandy beach is located a bit north of San Diego, and the best part (other than the obvious) is that you can park right next to it. This means you won’t have far to haul your snacks and sand castle provisions. There are also plenty of public bathrooms available to use, and during the summer, food trucks have been known to park nearby. When the tide allows, you can walk on the sand to Tide Beach Park. Swimming is allowed here, but there are rip tides, so we wouldn’t recommend it for children.

3. Moonlight Beach

This Encinitas gem is a local favorite, especially for those who have families. With recently renovated bathrooms, a snack shack and an epic play structure for the little ones who need a break from the beach action, this is the ideal place to bring your children. The slope of the beach is gradual which makes playing in the surf more fun and a lot safer. Needless to say, this is a popular place, so get here early if you’d like to enjoy it for the day.

4. La Jolla Shores

This mile-long stretch of sand is a top destination for picnicking, boogie-boarding and swimming. Most beaches in this area are tucked into gaps between rocky points, but this one sits in front of Kellogg Park, which has two grassy areas for picnics that are separated by a large parking lot. La Jolla Shores has bathrooms and a play structure, and sandwich and ice cream shops are never far away.

5. Coronado Beach

This popular beach is beautiful, easy to reach and perfect for children because of the slow slope into the ocean. The beach starts in the “backyard” of the famous Hotel del Coronado and continues north to Sunset Park. There are plenty of public restrooms, rock mounds for tide pooling with your kids, and plenty of perfect spots to build a sandcastle. In fact, you’ll often see elaborate sandcastles during your beach walks created by pros.

6. Del Mar City Beach

The main part of Del Mar City Beach starts at Powerhouse Park and goes north all the way to the lagoon entrance at the San Dieguito River. Many longtime San Diego residents would pick this beach as their favorite for families, citing the restrooms, lifeguards and grassy park with a playground as reasons it’s great to come here with kids. On sunny days, this beach can be crowded and parking can be tough to find… but if you’re willing to walk for awhile, the reward will be worth it.

7. Silver Strand State Beach

Located in Coronado, this is one beach where you might be able to escape the crowd if you don’t go during peak season. The ocean beach at Silver Strand offers lots of sun and sand, and because of its massive size, it’s easy to get away from large groups of people. Day use visitors and campers are allowed to use Crown Cove Beach on the bay side of the Coronado Island Peninsula for boating, kayaking, and SUPing.

8. South Ponto Beach

This beach in Carlsbad is considered one of San Diego County’s best kept secrets. It’s divided into North Ponto and South Ponto, the latter of which is especially kid-friendly. With free street parking that’s just far enough away from the sand to feel like you’re escaping reality, restrooms and lifeguards during peak season, this is a place where families can feel safe letting their children roam free. Despite being near the Carlsbad wastewater facility, the water quality here continuously tests “Excellent,” so don’t be afraid to swim if lifeguards are present.