Mission Beach

Mission Beach

Region: Mission Bay and Beaches

While some may compare San Diego’s Mission Beach to the East Coast’s Atlantic City and Coney Island, there is a unique Southern California vibe you can’t find anywhere else here. Nestled between Pacific Beach on the north side, and Belmont Park on its southern side, Mission Beach offers a lively and robust variety of activities in the sun, surf and sand. From hot dog stands to fine dining eateries, hot night clubs to street performers, expect to find all kinds of free-spirited beach goers in a fun, carnival-like atmosphere along the sandy shores.

Where to go

• Most of the action in Mission Beach centers around Belmont Park at the intersection of Mission Blvd. and West Mission Bay Drive where you can ride the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, or rent a set of rollerblades to ride up and down the boardwalk. This is where all walks of life all go out for a walk, a ride, a roll, a stroll, a surf, a beer or a bite to eat - or simply to watch other people out doing their thing.
• South Mission Beach offers a slower pace from the lively activity in the Belmont Park area. There are some great spots for fishing at the end of the road at South Mission Beach Park, where you can cast off the jetty and watch the boats pass in and out through the Harbor Channel. You'd never know it to look, but a half-mile off the coast are a series of shipwrecks, placed here to create an artificial reef and a diver's haven for underwater exploration.

Parking

• Don't count on finding parking on any of Mission Beach's narrow and densely inhabited residential streets and, if you do, check the signs before you count yourself lucky. Slightly better odds can be had at the public lots around Belmont Park, Santa Clara Point and South Mission Beach Park. Otherwise, this is a good place to visit by bus or bike.

Bathrooms and Showers

• There are plenty of lifeguard and bathroom outposts that line the beaches of Mission Beach.

Popular Activities

• Visiting Belmont Park - roller coaster, bumper cars, arcade
• Riding the artificial wave at the Wave House
• Surfing, boogie boarding, kite boarding
• Swimming, but in designated areas in the summer. Watch for signs.
• Fishing off of the Mission Bay jetty
• Walking, jogging and bicycling on the boardwalk

Directions

• From the 5 FWY take Garnet Avenue west to Mission Blvd. south. Alternatively, take Sea World Drive to West Mission Bay Drive to the roller coaster. The city bus runs right through Mission Beach, call San Diego transit at 619-233-3004 for routes and schedules.