Australian-born, California-raised, pro surfer Rob Machado has spent most of his life atop a surfboard. Still one of surfing’s most iconic and beloved figures, he never strays too far from his favorite San Diego swells.

Thanks to San Diego’s west-by-southwest coastline orientation, the continental shelf protecting us from the brunt of localized north pacific storm surges, distant southern ocean swells and a temperate climate, San Diego's beaches are safe and pleasant virtually year-round.

Nestled between Imperial Beach and Coronado you’ll find Silver Strand State Beach. One visit and you’ll understand why it’s call that. Here you can enjoy swimming, surfing, boating, kayaking, water-skiing, volleyball, camping and picnicking. Anglers can fish for perch, corbina, grunion and yellow-fin croaker. The area also features a wonderful bike path, part of the Bayshore Bikeway, that takes riders past the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge and offers great views of the bay and skyline.

Paralympian Alana Nichols has competed around the world as a multi-sport athlete and Gold Medalist, but her favorite place to get out on the water is right here in San Diego. You’ll find her surfing Cardiff Reef, kayaking the caves of La Jolla Cove, sailing on the open ocean and even training in Mission Bay for sprint kayak in the Paralympic Games! As an athlete with a disability, she also knows San Diego’s adaptive community and the accessible ways to get out and enjoy the water.