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Mission Bay
Bahia Belle Departs From Mission Bay
Water World.
The wide marshland that once lured mariners to their doom at the mouth of the San Diego River has since been dredged and designated as an aquatic playground. Mission Bay Park covers 4200 acres in roughly equal parts of land and water. A network of waterways, inlets and islets make the best way to explore Mission Bay by boat. Most of its 27 miles of meandering shoreline are sandy beaches, with the remainder devoted to marinas and resorts. The paramount symbol of watery fun in Mission Bay is the Sea World Adventure Park in the southeast quadrant of the park. At Fiesta Island and Leisure Lagoon in the east bay, the names say it all, while it's easy to imagine what to expect at places like Sail Bay and Mariners Cove on the west end. There's always something happening in Mission Bay, from waterskiing and wakeboarding to sailing and swimming.
Areas of greatest interest and their associated uses within Mission Bay Park include:
Vacation Isle with its resort hotel, Barefoot Bar and public parks;
Crown Point a favorite spot for volleyball games;
Ski Beach a hot spot for company parties and casual picnics;
Santa Clara Point with its excellent Aquatic Center offering water sports rentals and instruction;
Sail Bay with its wide running path, Fanuel Park playground, and nightly live music at the Catamaran Hotel;
Mariners Point, home of the ESPN X-Games and the Bahia Hotel;
Quivera Basin offering daily fishing and scuba diving charters, the Islandia Hotel and a sampling of waterfront shops and restaurants;
Dana Landing the busy boat launching ramp and sportfishing center;
East Mission Bay Park with its information center, endless grass parks, Hilton Hotel Resort, playgrounds and boat launching ramps; and
Fiesta Island the multi-purpose, dune-covered island enjoyed by recreational enthusiasts of all kinds.
Directions
Mission Bay is bordered to the east by the 5 FWY and East Mission Bay Drive, to the West by Mission Blvd, to the north by Grand Avenue and to the south by West Mission Bay Drive and Sea world Drive. Ingraham Street runs north-south dead through the middle of the park via a series of islands and bridges. Check a map to determine where you're heading and how best to get there.
Offerings
Myriad parks, beaches, islands and coves, restaurants and resorts. Excellent bathroom facilities, parking lots, picnic parks and playgrounds, boat rentals, charters and launch ramps. Roads and running paths access every nook and cranny of the park. Lifeguard service on weekends in the late spring and early fall, becoming daily throughout the summer. Dogs allowed only on Fiesta Island, which closes at 10pm nightly. Alcohol only on beaches and in parks and only form 12 noon to 8pm (never at Santa Clara Point). Call: 619-221-8899 for more info.
Considerations
The eastern half of the bay is popular among the internal combustion set. Jet boats, jet skis, waverunners, wakeboarders and waterskiers churn the waters to a boil here on busy days. The seaward half of the bay is mostly given over to sailboats and sailboarders, peaceful yacht basins and swimming beaches. Swimmers should be sure to keep clear of boat ramps, bridges and other heavily trafficked areas, well inside buoys and close to shore. There is no lifeguard service from October-March and limited supervision the rest of the year. The waters of the bay are calm, but drop off deeply from shore, and children should always be carefully supervised by an adult. People come early to stake out parking spots, picnic tables and other prime real estate in peak season. Bring your own goods; stores and restaurants are beyond walking range in many locations and you won't want to relinquish your precious parking spot until you're ready to call it a day. Alcohol and boating don't mix. Wait 'til your back on dry land to crack that cold one.
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San Diego Beach Guide - San Diego's Best Beaches
