Mission Bay Park, a 4,600-acre aquatic playground located just minutes from downtown San Diego, is the perfect summer destination for endless fun under sun. The largest park of its kind in the world, this water wonderland features 27 miles of shoreline where visitors can swim, sail, powerboat, and fish. Home to some of the region's most popular attractions, a variety of tropical-themed hotels and resorts and plenty of things to do both on and off the water, Mission Bay is a top spot for both the young and young at heart.

With the recent opening of three new restaurants, Tidal at Paradise Point Resort, Oceana Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, and Cannonball at Belmont Park, Mission Bay has also become a premier waterfront dining destination, where the exquisitely crafted menus are as memorable as the postcard settings on the bay.

The following are some of the many exciting Mission Bay offerings that summer vacationers can enjoy.

Attractions

• Mission Bay's most popular summer attraction is SeaWorld San Diego, a 189-acre marine park that celebrates the wonders of the sea. Summer Nights at SeaWorld features extended park hours, fireworks and special nighttime animal shows including Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night and the sea lion and otter comedy show, Sea Lions Tonite. Summer Nights take place on selected days, May 23-Sept. 7.
• Designed by world-renowned golf course architect Ted Robinson, Sr., the 18-hole municipal Mission Bay Golf Course is San Diego's only golf course to feature stadium lighting at night. The tropical Paradise Point Resort & Spa features a scenic putting course for hotel guests and the public, containing bunkers, sand traps and all the challenges of an 18-hole course, but with a much shorter playing time.
• For a nighttime treat, the Bahia Belle is a turn-of-the-century, Mississippi-style sternwheeler that cruises Mission Bay between the Catamaran Resort Hotel and its sister property the Bahia Resort Hotel. Live entertainment is featured on all cruises, including karaoke on Wednesdays, DJs on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and local bands on Fridays.
• Nearby Belmont Park on Mission Beach features the vintage Giant Dipper roller coaster and other rides like bumper cars and a Tilt-a-Whirl, an arcade, zip line, climbing wall, Tiki Town Adventure Golf and San Diego's only FlowRider and FlowBarrel, simulated surfing platforms with non-stop waves.

Fun on the Water

• Guests can swim in eight public swimming areas that are off limits to boats and include picnic facilities.
• Fiesta Bay is the main designated waterskiing area. Jet-skiers are also allotted a special area, free from boat traffic, at the east end of South Pacific Passage.
• At the bay's many marinas, guests can buy, rent, charter, dock, or store a full-range of watercraft. More than 2,000 boats can be accommodated with dockage, storage space and free launching ramps at park hotels and marinas. Visiting boats can also anchor in North Mariner's Basin for a 72-hour period at no charge.
• The sailboat reigns supreme over the western cove of Mission Bay with a strictly enforced speed limit inhibiting power craft.
• Fishing is allowed on the tranquil waters of Mission Bay where fishermen land halibut, bass, flounder, croaker, and perch.
• Experience Mission Bay's plethora of outdoor water sports - sailing, wakeboarding, standup paddle boarding, rowing, kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing, surfing and more - at Mission Bay Aquatic Center and Mission Bay Sportcenter. Guests can also fly like a superhero with Jetpack America and relax in style with Hot Tub Cruisin, an unforgettable experience of hot tubbing on a boat as it glides across the bay.
• Within a mile west of Mission Bay, guests can find Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. The connecting pedestrian boardwalk is perfect for strolling, jogging, skating or bicycling parallel to the sparkling Pacific surf.

Fun on Land

• Joggers and walkers share more than 20 miles of bayside running paths; drinking fountains and park benches dot the course for refreshment and rest. Mission Bay Park also features a workout course that combines walking, jogging and exercise stations along the route.
• Bicycle rentals are easily available for a leisurely ride along 14 miles of bike trails through the park's scenic landscape.
• A favorite spot for families is an open, grassy field in the Tecolote Shores section of the park. Here, children of all ages gather to launch colorful kites into the high-flying shore breezes.
• Within the park there are special areas for volleyball, softball and horseshoes. Fire pits are available for afternoon barbecues and late night bonfires.
• Birding is a popular pastime on Mission Bay. At the Northern Wildlife Preserve/ Kendall-Frost Reserve, birders can spot skimmers, shorebirds, and two endangered species that depend entirely on this 25-acre marsh: the light-footed clapper rail and Belding's savannah sparrow.

Special Events

• A San Diego original, the annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament is a boisterous, fast-paced beach softball event played at Fiesta Island for two weekends, July 11-12 and 18-19.
• The roaring sounds of race boats boom across Mission Bay during the popular annual San Diego Bayfair held after Labor Day, Sept. 12-14. This thrilling event features thunderboat racing, tunnel hulls, drag boats, hydroplanes, fireworks and concerts, as well as specialty vendors and food.

Accommodations

• Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Vacation Isle features 462 California bungalow-style rooms amidst tropical gardens and lagoons and one mile of sandy beaches. Scattered over 44 acres, family-friendly diversions include five swimming pools, mini-golf, basketball, tennis, bikes, Segways, bonfire pits, a marina with sailboats, speed boats, kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis, the Paradise Surf Academy. Guests can also rejuvenate at the award-winning Spa at Paradise Point and dine at five restaurants including the new bayfront Tidal- set in former 1960s beach house - where Chef Amy DiBiase prepares a thoughtful selection of local seafood and craft beverages that shift seasonally.
• The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers 311 spacious rooms and suites with a private balcony or patio, featuring breathtaking views of the ocean, bay, or tropical gardens with koi ponds, waterfalls and exotic birds. Other resort offerings include the Catamaran Spa and fine dining in the new Oceana Coastal Kitchen, featuring Chef Steven Riemer's playful interpretation of classic dishes highlighting the purity and flavors of California local produce and a commitment to sustainable ingredients.
• Secluded on a private 14-acre peninsula, the Bahia Resort Hotel offers 313 guest rooms including beachfront cottages and newly renovated bayfront suites, all with a private balcony or patio and most with water views. The Bahia is home to two sternwheelers, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two lighted tennis courts, shuffleboard and Resort Water Sports, offering sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats for use on the bay. Rental bikes and Segways are also available. On-site dining options include Café Bahia and Tangier Bar.
• The Dana on Mission Bay, the closest hotel to SeaWorld, offers 271 waterfront guestrooms, two pools with spas set in a tropical recreation area, water sports, bike rentals and a private marina. Casual on-site dining options include Blue Pearl and Firefly Bar and Grill.
• A lush bayside retreat, the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa offers 357 guestrooms, family fun activities such as championship tennis courts, jet ski, kayak, paddleboard, bike, Segway and surrey rentals, life-size checkers, a beach-style swimming pool, wading pool and hot tub. Waterfront dining includes Acqua California Bistro and the Olive Lounge. Guests can also unwind at Mantra ‘The Art of Spa.'
• The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is the only resort hotel in San Diego with multiple water slides. Other activities include three new pools, a waterfront health club and full-service marina with jet skis, sailboats, kayaks, sportfishing and whale excursions. Guests can also relax at the Blue Marble Spa, Hyatt's first eco-friendly spa, and dine at the Red Marlin restaurant and high-energy poolside SWIM Lounge.
• Located on the shores of Mission Bay, Campland On the Bay RV & Tent Camping Resort serves campers and RVers with 650 tent and RV camping sites, a beach and marina with 124 slips, boat launch, cafe and ice cream parlor, swimming pools, dog park, skateboard park, volleyball and basketball courts and much more.