arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

San Diego's Water Wonderland

A water-lover's paradise

If it's the water that you love, nowhere in Southern California gives you more choices to get out on the water and play than Mission Bay and the surrounding beaches. From sailing and fishing to surfing and tide pooling, you'll find it all here.  

San Diego's Aquatic Playground

Mission Bay is a saltwater bay that is part of Mission Bay Park, the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. The park encompasses 4,600 acres that are about half land and half water, with 27 miles of shoreline and 19 miles of sandy beaches, where you’ll find 14 miles of bike paths, children’s playgrounds, grassy park areas, basketball courts and volleyball nets. You can rent bicycles and every type of water sports equipment including speed boats and water skis, sailboats, jet skis, kite boards, stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. There are also several areas where you can have a bonfire along the water's edge.  

The area offers a host of accommodations, from small hotels to large luxury resorts. Activities and attractions on the bay include sportfishing, SeaWorld San Diego, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center where you’ll find classes for every type of water sport and the Bahia Belle boat cruise, a turn-of-the-century, Mississippi-style sternwheeler that cruises Mission Bay and offers an early family hour and late-night nightclub entertainment. Mission Bay is a favorite location for destination weddings and family reunions as well as meetings and special events.  

The beaches in this area include Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. Mission and Pacific Beaches are best known for the boardwalk that runs the entire length of the beach and the party atmosphere. This is a favorite spot for the 20-something crowd on the beach and surrounding neighborhood streets. Bike and surfboard rentals are readily available and the area offers plenty of food and accommodation choices, from luxury to affordable and from romantic to rowdy. Activities and attractions in the area include Belmont Park with the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, laser tag, miniature golf, rock climbing, arcade, bumper cars and more, and the Beach House Grill Club for a true SoCal waterfront dining experience. Crystal Pier, built in the 1930’s, offers Cape Cod-style cottages out over the Pacific and Tourmaline Surf Park Beach is a good place for novice surfers with local surf shops offering gear and lessons.  

Ocean Beach, known as OB locally, is a considered San Diego’s “hippie” beach neighborhood. Streets here are lined with antique stores, funky boutiques, casual restaurants and bars. The wide sandy beach is popular with surfers, rentals are available, and is one of the few beaches in the area to allow dogs. The OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the west coast and is a favorite for pier fishing. A fishing license is not required here and you’ll find a bait shop on the pier. There are tide pools below the pier that are worth checking out at low tide and fire rings on the beach are available for beach bonfires.  

Just 15 minutes from Downtown and centrally located in San Diego county, Mission Bay and surrounding beaches is a great home base for a visit to San Diego. 

 

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

Linger Longer Offer

Pacific Terrace Hotel
Valid: Nov 13, 2023 - ongoing

A San Diego beachfront vacation is calling your name! Relax and stay for a while in our endless summer sunshine and fresh air with our Linger Longer offer at the Pacific Terrace Hotel. Packages...

Accommodation

Give the Gift of a Getaway

Pacific Terrace Hotel
Valid: Nov 30, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024

This holiday season, give the gift of a beach vacation with our hotel gift cards—a perfect present for the traveler in your life!

Accommodation

Parade of Lights Package

The Dana on Mission Bay
Valid: Nov 21 - Dec 9, 2023

Parade of Lights Package ⛵🎄 Experience the magic of the Mission Bay Parade of Lights on December 9th with us! Book your weekend getaway and receive a heartwarming gift: complimentary Irish...

Events to check out

Event

December Nights

Forever Balboa Park
Dec 1 - Dec 2, 2023

Join us on Dec. 1 and 2 for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds,...

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

Event

Jingle Belle Family Cruises

Sternwheelers - of Evans Hotels
Dec 21 - Dec 25, 2023

Jingle all the way aboard a festive sightseeing cruise on Mission Bay! With departures from the Bahia Resort Hotel and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, this special voyage is ideal for a holiday...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish