Open Daily: Hours vary by day. Ranges from 10AM – 5PM during Winter to 9AM – 11PM during Summer.

Cost: Several options starting at $65 ($55 for Kids ages 3-9). Parking is $12.

Features: Shamu, Shows, Amusement Rides, Aquariums, Dolphins, Polar Bears, Penguins, Sesame Street Rides

Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld Highlights: SeaWorld has something for the whole family to enjoy from Sesame Street rides for the kids to an Anheuser-Bush tasting room for the adults. However, the most famous SeaWorld attraction that attracts the young and old alike is Shamu, the Killer Whale. SeaWorld San Diego is the original SeaWorld, where Shamu got his start in 1965. It is only one of three SeaWorlds, with the others located in Orlando and San Antonio. There are so many shows to see and amusement rides to enjoy that you will not be able to try everything in one day. There are also opportunities to dine with Shamu, jump in the water with dolphins, serve as an animal trainer for the day, and take a behind the scenes tour.

Best Times To Visit SeaWorld:

• SeaWorld is near the coast, offering a temperate climate with enjoyable temperatures year-round. However, if you are a little finicky about the weather, read our description about San Diego weather along with the following bullet point.
• If you want to avoid the daytime sun, May and June offer the best chance of overcast skies, especially in the mornings. Even if it is sunny, several animal attractions, including the Wild Arctic exhibit with the Polar Bears and the Penguin Encounter, offer cool indoor shade. Summer evenings are also a nice time to avoid the mid-day sun but keep an eye on the coastal forecast because you may want to wear a long sleeve shirt or windbreaker on some evenings.
• If you want to avoid the crowds, summer evenings are the best time to visit. The shows will still be crowded but the rest of the park is relatively quiet. The biggest crowds arrive on holidays while summer weekends are also quite busy. If you do go on a summer weekend, try to avoid the lines by arriving as the gates open.

What to Expect

• The terrain is flat but you will still want to wear good walking shoes. For those with disabilities, check the accessibility guide for more information.
  

  Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

• Stadiums fill up quickly for the animal shows, even in the evenings when there are fewer visitors. If you want a seat close to the stage, arrive at least 20 minutes before showtime. Watch out for the designated ’splash zones’. You will get very wet if you sit in these areas. It is a favorite spot for kids who want to get splashed by Shamu and friends.
• If you plan to get wet on the water rides or sit in the ‘Splash Zones’ at the Shamu or dolphin shows, consider waiting until the middle of the day. The dry air and sun will help you quickly dry out. Otherwise, you can bring a change of clothes and leave them in a locker or go back out to your car after getting a re-entry stamp.
• On occasion, certain rides or attractions are closed for maintenance. If you have a favorite attraction, make sure it is not closed for your visit by check out the list of SeaWorld attraction closures.
• Food – For an amusement park, SeaWorld does a great job offering plenty of good dining options. From bakeries and delis to smokehouses and pizza kitchens, you will find something to enjoy throughout the park. If you want some entertainment while you eat, try Shipwreck Reef Cafe and watch guests head down Shipwreck Rapids. There are also several ‘Dining with Shamu’ options. You can make your reservations online to eat while being entertained by Shamu. For reservations with Shamu or to see what food is offered at each of the SeaWorld restaurants, select ‘Dining’ on the ‘Experiences‘ page.
• SeaWorld Map – This interactive map gives you a feel for what to expect. You can select various areas of the map to learn more information about shows and rides. This map is not printable.
• Upon Entering – Pick up a SeaWorld Map, which will include an insert for the day’s Schedule of Activities.

International Visitors – You can view the SeaWorld San Diego web site in Spanish, German, or French.

Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld Shows – All of the shows include story lines, comic relief, and a strong sense of adventure. The Shamu Shows are by far the most popular. Killer Whales have been entertaining SeaWorld audiences since 1965. Each Shamu Show occurs several times a day and lasts about 20 minutes. The current daytime show is called ‘Believe’ and the nighttime show is called ‘Shamu Rocks Around the World’. (You can read more about the storyline for these shows on Wikipedia.)

Listed in order of popularity, there are Dolphin Shows, Sea Lion Shows, and Pet Shows. All are excellent and worth seeing if you have the time. For kids, there is the Sesame Street 4-D Movie where you feel like a part of the action. During the summer, catch Cirque de la Mer, which highlights the strength and acrobatic skills of human performers.

All of the shows are held in separate stadiums. Be sure to get there at least 20 minutes early if you want seats close to the stage. However, avoid the ‘Splash Zone’ if you don’t want to get wet! For show times, select the day you plan to visit on the Park Hours and Schedule page.

SeaWorld Rides

For the following rides, you must be at least 42 inches tall:

• Journey to Atlantis is an intense water roller coaster adventure.
• Shipwreck Rapids hosts up to nine riders in an innertube, for a water-splashing adventure fit for a family.
• Wild Arctic takes you on simulated jet helicopter ride on a dangerous mission into the Arctic.
  

  Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

Skytower – Take a ride up to get a sky high view of San Diego County. This is not for those who are afraid of heights. There is a nominal fee and riders must be 48 inches tall.

Bayside Skyride – Take a cable car ride over Mission Bay. Get the birds eye view from La Jolla to Downtown San Diego for a nominal fee. Riders must be at least 56 inches tall.

Bay of Play – If you are too short for the previous mentioned rides, don’t worry. The Sesame Street Bay of Play is for you. It includes three rides for the kids.

More SeaWorld Attractions

Throughout SeaWorld, you can learn more about your favorite animals. While you are taking a break from the shows and rides, here are some of the activities that will keep the whole family entertained:

Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

• See Shamu up close;
• Visit the home of the dolphins (if you are lucky, you can feed them);
• Surround yourself with sharks in the walk-through viewing tube;
• Step inside to take a break from the afternoon sun and view the polar bears, walruses, and beluga whales;
• Be entertained by 300 waddling Antarctic Penguins;
• Feel the skin of sea creatures in a Tide Pool;
• Explore the sea life of creatures from around the world in in three different aquariums;
• Feed seals and sea lions;
• Head to the barn and visit the Budweiser Clydesdales;
• For the Adults, note that the Brewmaster’s Club and free beer sampling has been closed since InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch, the owner of SeaWorld. You can still visit the hospitality center to see historical artifacts from the nation’s most popular brewing company.

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked questions about SeaWorld and their animals. Learn the history of SeaWorld and get the details about the animals they support.

Fireworks – Evening fireworks during the summer light up the night sky. The shows usually start at 9:50 PM. For more information, read the fireworks section on the General Information page.

Live Shamu Cam – When you can’t see Shamu in person, the next best thing is to see him on a web cam!

SeaWorld Tours - Get in the water with the dolphins or go behind the scenes to learn about animal care and rehabilitation. There are several tours and interaction programs to choose from.

SeaWorld Adventure Camps – Camp out with the animals at SeaWorld San Diego. Organize a one night sleepover for the family. Better yet, send your kids to a fully chaperoned one night sleepover or enroll them in a two-night through six-night camp. Day camps are also available.

Plan a SeaWorld Party – What could be more fun than celebrating a special event at SeaWorld? There are nearly two dozen venue options, which can host from 50 friends to 10,000 guests. Learn more on how to plan a party at SeaWorld.

Admission Prices: (Costs are Approximate)

• Parking is approximately $12. See more details below.
• Entry is Free for Active Duty Military Personnel and up to three dependents. Online registration with this military recognition program provided by Anheuser-Busch (owner of SeaWorld) is required.
  

  Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego

• Standard Fee is $65; $55 for Kids ages 3-9.
• Multi-day and Multi-Park ticket options also available.
• SeaWorld Passports provide the best deals if you want to visit more than once during the year. Consider buying the Fun Card if you only plan go twice within a calendar year. Otherwise, the Silver Passport is probably the best deal for most visitors, since it provides unlimited admission for a full year from the time you buy your pass and includes free parking and numerous discounts on food and special programs.
• AAA Members have several SeaWorld discounts available to them including $6 off admissions.
• Summer 2009 Special for AAA Members – You can purchase an Adult ticket for the Kid’s Price and purchase a Kid’s Ticket for Half Price when you use promotion code: swcaaasmr09. On the SeaWorld San Diego web site, select ‘Begin Purchase’ and then ‘Enter Promo Code’. Not valid for July 3rd & 4th or September 6th. Ends September 7th.
• Tickets can be purchased online to avoid the short lines that typically form at the Sea World ticket entrance. It is highly recommended you buy them online if visiting on a summer weekend or holiday.

Hours – Varies by day. Check the SeaWorld San Diego Park Hours and Schedule page.

Directions from Google Maps to 500 Sea World Drive 92109

Traffic – Getting in and out of SeaWorld San Diego is relatively easy. It is 1.5 miles from the I-5 Freeway and .5 miles from the I-8 Freeway.

If you are heading southbound on highway I-5 on a summer weekend morning, expect a 15 minute delay exiting at Sea World Drive. Be sure to get in the right exit lane as soon as you see signs for Sea World Drive (Exit 21). Traffic can back up for a half mile or more. Expect much longer delays on summer holiday weekends as many people use Sea World Drive on their way to the beach.

If you are heading westbound on the I-8, expect up to a 15 minute delay on summer weekday evenings as you get caught up in rush hour traffic. Also expect long delays on summer holiday weekends as many people use the I-8 on their way to the beach.

Parking - Parking costs $12 for cars and can range from $8 for motorcycles to $17 for RVs. You can pay extra for preferred parking spots closer to the SeaWorld entrance.

There are several parking toll booths so any backup of cars clears out fairly quickly.

Once you pass the parking booth, the SeaWorld entrance is about 300 yards down on the left side. There is just as much parking beyond that point as there is before it. You may want to drive down the right side of the parking lot to avoid the pedestrian traffic heading from the parking lot into SeaWorld.

Transit – Buses do serve SeaWorld. See San Diego Transit Information for access to the Bus Schedules and the online Transit Planner.

Features: Largest Man-Made Aquatic Park in the Country; Nearly 20 Miles of Beaches and Paved Trails

Mission Bay Highlights: Mission Bay is a 4,235 acre (6.6 square mile) aquatic park. It was built from the 1940s – 1960s to attract tourists to San Diego and consists of 27 miles of shoreline and 19 miles of sandy beaches.

Map of Mission Bay from the City of San Diego

Mission Bay Park Map – This color map of Mission Bay Park shown above includes the location of various park facilities. Click on the image for a larger, printable view. You can also find more details for each of the park facilities by visiting the City of San Diego Mission Bay Park Map web page. Here are a few descriptive details to help familiarize yourself with the areas around Mission Bay:

• The privately run Mission Bay Visitors Information Center is located on the northeast side of Mission Bay Park (the orange colored question mark on the map). It is located immediately off of highway I-5 at Exit 22 for East Mission Bay Drive.
• SeaWorld adventure park with killer whales, dolphins, and other marine life is located on the south side of Mission Bay and is accessed off of highway I-5 at Exit 21 for SeaWorld Drive.
• The strip of land you see running along the Pacific Ocean on the west side of Mission Bay Park is called Mission Beach. In the middle of Mission Beach at the intersection of West Mission Bay Drive and Mission Boulevard, you will find an amusement park and retail area called Belmont Park. The south side of Mission Beach is a very popular area for beach volleyball. Nets are available and pick-up games are easy to find.
• The area north of Mission Bay Park is called Pacific Beach. Grand and Garnett Avenues are full of restaurants and bars.
• Both the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach communities consist of vacation rentals, college students, and the young-at-heart who enjoy the active lifestyle opportunities provided by Mission Bay Park.

Paved Trails – The yellow lines on the map signify paved trails used by walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and cyclists. There are nearly 20 miles of trails throughout Mission Bay Park and Mission Beach. The boardwalk along Mission Beach on the Pacific Ocean side is the most crowded area. The trails near the Visitors Center on the east side can be crowded but are more manageable. Otherwise, the bay side trails are easy to navigate with few crowds, except on summer holiday weekends.

Only in a couple areas do you see the dedicated pedestrian trails interrupted. In these instances, you will still be able to continue your journey on residential streets, a street sidewalk or a designated bike path along the roadway. The trail system is very flat except when you have to cross the water on the Ingraham Street and West Mission Bay Drive bridges.

Park Details – For more park details visit the City of San Diego’s Mission Bay web page for information on fishing, bird-watching, and the Mission Bay RV Resort.

Mission Bay Beaches – There are 19 miles of white sandy beaches along Mission Bay, not including the areas along the Pacific Ocean in Mission Beach. Looking at the Mission Bay Map shown earlier, the beaches run almost continuously from Crown Point (#3) in the North, all the way around Sail Bay, and down the Mission Beach peninsula to Mission Point (#8). These beaches are much less crowded than the ocean facing beaches. The most quiet spots can be found along the east side of Sail Bay where only street parking is available.

The areas on the map marked by numbers offer designated beach facilities, many of which are used for company picnics or special events. The following is a brief summary of where you can enjoy select activities. The beach references below go from east to west in Mission Bay.

• All of the areas around Mission Bay offer picnic tables except for Fiesta Island (#5)
• Lifeguards are generally available daily during the summer and weekends during early fall at De Anza Cove (#4), Playa (#9), Tecolote Shores North (#13), Enchanted Cove on Fiesta Island (#5), Crown Point (#3), Ventura Cove (#15), and Bonita Cove (#2). All of these locations, except for Fiesta Island, offer showers. Generally, you will only see people playing in the water in these beach areas. The rest of the beach areas are used mainly for sunbathing. Keep an eye out for any signs that may restrict swimming, such as around Ski Beach (#10) and Mariner’s Point (#7). Also note that there are underwater drop offs in some locations so be careful where you step.
• Dogs are allowed unleashed on Fiesta Island. For all other areas of Mission Bay, dogs must be on leash and are only allowed before 9AM and after 6PM.
• Designated Boat Launches can be found at De Anza Cove (#4), South Shores Park (#11), Crown Point (#3), and Ski Beach (#10).
• Tot Lots are available at De Anza Cove (#4), Playa (#9), Crown Point (#3), Bonita Cove (#2), and Mission Point (#8).
• Playgrounds are available at Tecolote Shores North (#13), Ski Beach (#10), and on Sail Bay at the end of Fanuel Street.
• Basketball courts are available at Playa (#9) and Crown Point (#3). You will also find a basketball court at the south end of Mission Beach.
• Volleyball courts are available at De Anza Cove (#4) and at the south end of Mission Beach.
• Concrete fire pits are available in various locations for visitors to create an evening bonfire.
• For more details on various beaches visit the City of San Diego’s Mission Bay Beaches web site.

Beach Rentals – You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas as well as bikes, in-line skates, and surf boards from Cheap Rentals.

Mission Bay Water Sports & Boat Rentals – Water sports are a big attraction on Mission Bay. Learn more from The Best Places In San Diego on renting boats, kayaks, catamarans, water skiis, wakeboards, and jet-skis or get information on taking tours or getting lessons.

Model Boats and Yacht Racing – If you like electric toys that can fly across water, stop by the Model Yacht Pond (#1) on weekends. Members of the San Diego Argonauts Model Boat Club can be seen on weekends with their remote controlled models of luxury yachts, warships, sailboats, and power speed boats. Visit their web site for more details.

Beach Weather – Visitors can enjoy the beaches in San Diego year-round. However, finding ideal beach weather during the winter and spring is hit or miss. The best beach weather occurs from July to October. Ocean water temperatures are usually around 70 degrees during the summer and 60 degrees during the winter. Learn more about San Diego weather.

Information on Visiting Mission Bay

Directions from Google Maps to 2688 East Mission Bay Drive in San Diego, CA 92109. (This is the address for the Visitors Center just off of highway I-5, on the east side of Mission Bay.)

Directions from Google Maps to 3146 Mission Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92109. (This is the address for Belmont Park, which is across the street from the large parking lots on the west side of Mission Bay.)

Parking – Parking is free throughout Mission Bay. This includes public parking lots and street parking.

Traffic – Traffic entering Mission Bay is very busy on summer weekends. There are frequently long delays on holiday weekends. Traffic does back up at the Sea World Drive exit off of highway I-5 and continues to get heavier as you approach Mission Beach on any of the local roadways. On the busiest days, you may want to consider parking along the eastern side of Mission Bay near highway I-5 and then walk or ride bikes along the trails leading to Mission Beach, if that is your final destination.

Other than summer weekends, travelers will only encounter heavy traffic during weekday evening rush hour heading south on highway I-5 to Mission Bay or heading east on highway I-8, leaving Mission Bay. (Learn how to get the latest traffic updates.)

Transit – Buses serve Mission Bay. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Features: Water Skiing, Wake Boarding, Sailing, Catamaran Sailing, Wind Surfing, Jet-Skiing, Power Boating, Pedal Boats, Kayaks

Mission Bay Boating Highlights: Mission Bay is a 4,235 acre (6.6 square mile) aquatic park. It was built from the 1940s – 1960s to attract tourists to San Diego and consists of 27 miles of shoreline and offers a variety of boating and water sport activities. (View the Mission Bay Boating Map at the bottom of the page.)

Water Sports and Boat Rental Vendors

The following is a list of vendors providing rentals, tours, and other services for visitors to enjoy their day on Mission Bay. Do not consider this an all-inclusive list but it will help you get started on finding the activities of interest to you.

Mission Bay Sports Center – This is the largest water sports center in San Diego. Located on the western side of Mission Bay, it offers lessons and rentals from 9AM – 7PM daily. You can rent waverunners, sailboats, powerboats, catamarans, kayaks, sailboards for windsurfing, and pedal boats. Rentals start as low as $13+ per hour for kayaks, with discounts for half-day and full-day rentals and range up to $175+ per hour for for powerboats. Even sailboats can be rented for as low as $18+ per hour.

Youth Camps – Send your child to San Diego for a summer beach vacation they’ll never forget. The Mission Bay Sports Center offers week-long classes for kids as young as 4 years old. Half and full day class options include an introduction to water sports, sailing, catamaran sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, and windsurfing.

Seaforth Boat Tours and Rentals – Beginner and experienced wakeboarders can enjoy the day on Mission Bay with Seaforth. They also offer private sailing tours at sunset and rent boats, jet-skis, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats.

Mission Bay Aquatic Center – The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is owned by student groups at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. As a result, students of those schools get discounts for classes and rentals. The Center focuses on instruction programs in sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding, surfing, water skiing, wind surfing, and rowing. Some programs take place over multiple days, while others can be completed in one session. Rentals are available to those who complete at least 2 hours of instruction. The Aquatic Center also offers evening kayak tours to enjoy the moonlight on Mission Bay.

Adventure Water Sports – Learn how to wakeboard or water ski on Mission Bay. Adventure Water Sports has three locations in Mission Bay and rents boats, wave runners, kayaks, pedal boats, and bikes.

OEX Dive & Kayak Centers – Kayak and Dive Boat rentals.

Allen’s Kayaks – Kayak, Surfboard, Boogie board, and Snorkel rentals.

Cheap Rentals – Surf Boards, Wake Boards, Snorkel equipment, Kayaks, Bikes, Rollerblades, Skateboards, Beach Chair, and Umbrella Rentals. Cheap Rentals also provides basic lesson information on surf boarding for Free. You can reserve equipment in advance to ensure availability during your visit to the beach.

Boat Map of Mission Bay (Click on the Map for a Larger, Printable View)

Mission Bay Boating Map from the City of San Diego

Mission Bay Boating Map – This color map of Mission Bay Park shown above includes details on boat ramps, water depths, and the areas where different water crafts are allowed. For a more detailed map of on-shore facilities and beach activities, visit our web site’s page on Mission Bay Park Beach Activities.

Beach Weather – Visitors can enjoy the beaches in San Diego year-round. However, finding ideal beach weather during the winter and spring is hit or miss. The best beach weather occurs from July to October. Ocean water temperatures are usually around 70 degrees during the summer and 60 degrees during the winter. Learn more about San Diego weather.

Food – Most food options for Mission Bay are on the west side near Belmont Park. There are only a couple of restaurants offering full menus with the others offering bar food type options. You will find a small handful of bars and laid-back restaurants along Mission Boulevard as well as a few resort restaurants along Ingraham Street and West Mission Bay Drive. Pacific Beach to the north offers many more dining options.

Information on Visiting Mission Bay

Directions to 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109. (This is the address for the Visitors Center just off of highway I-5, on the east side of Mission Bay.)

Parking – Parking is free throughout Mission Bay. This includes public parking lots and street parking.

Traffic – Traffic entering Mission Bay is very busy on summer weekends. There are frequently long delays on holiday weekends. Traffic does back up at the Sea World Drive exit off of highway I-5 and continues to get heavier as you drive towards the west side of Mission Bay.

Other than summer weekends, travelers will only encounter heavy traffic during weekday evening rush hour heading south on highway I-5 to Mission Bay or heading east on highway I-8, leaving Mission Bay. (Learn how to get the latest traffic updates.)

Transit – Buses serve Mission Bay. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Related Attractions – Additional kayaking options are available in La Jolla Shores, which is the most popular area in San Diego for kayaking.

Open Daily: Generally 11AM – 11PM. However, rides are generally not in operation on weekdays from November to February. (Check schedule and ride calendar for specific times.)

Cost: Most rides cost $2 – $6. There is No Entrance Fee and Parking is Free.

Features: Only Oceanfront Amusement Park in San Diego, Giant Dipper Wooden Roller Coaster, Miniature Golf, Bumper Cars, Perfect Wave Rider, Largest Swimming Pool in Southern California.

Belmont Park Highlights: Belmont Park is a small amusement park located right next to one of the most popular beaches (Mission Beach) and parks (Mission Bay Park) in San Diego County. Several entities make up Belmont Park, each with a different set of hours. The most famous attraction is the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, built in 1925. Another popular attraction for body borders and spectators is the Flowrider, the world’s first ‘perfect wave’ machine.  Additional attractions include amusement rides, bumper cars, arcade, small miniature golf course, merry-go-round, beachwear and souvenir shops, and great people watching on the beach boardwalk.

Best Times To Visit Belmont Park:

• Belmont Park is open year-round. However, the rides are not operated on weekdays during the winter months.
• The mornings in June may be a little cooler than visitors expect since San Diego often has morning cloud cover along its beaches during that month. It usually burns off and results in a warm sunny afternoon. Read our description about San Diego weather for more details.
• Summer weekends, especially holidays, are very busy. Otherwise, crowds are small or manageable.

What to Expect

• Ride Pictures and Descriptions – These pictures will give you a good idea of what to expect.
• Many rides require riders meet a 42″ height minimum. Some require more, including the Giant Dipper, which requires 50″.
• The beachwear and souvenir shops in Belmont Park are one of the best places to get items to remember your San Diego trip. They offer a large selection of clothes and other items with San Diego logos at a reasonable price.
• Food – There are a few food shops in the rides area. In addition, there are two full service restaurants on the boardwalk-facing side of Belmont Park that are local mainstays. Both offer indoor and outdoor eating areas and live music. The Wave House offers appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches.  Additional restaurants and bars can be found along the boardwalk.

Giant Dipper Roller Coaster – The Giant Dipper does not go upside down but it does provide quite a thrill with a lot of speed, quick turns, steep drops, and ocean views. As a wooden roller coaster, it is a very bumpy ride, so don’t try it if you don’t like being shaken up. To learn the history about the Giant Dipper built in 1925 and view some pictures of what to expect, visit the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster web site. You can also experience the thrill online through this virtual ride or watch this Giant Dipper video on YouTube.

If you are from out-of-town and think you’ve seen this roller coaster somewhere, it’s been featured on the Travel Channel, MTV, and made the national news in 1997 when a radio contest to see who could last the longest riding continuously on the Giant Dipper went awry. The contest to see who would win a new car lasted a whopping 11 days before they finally called it a draw between the final three contestants, all of whom were given a car.

Flowrider – This continuous wave machine was the first in the world to offer perfect waves for body surfers. Its hours are more limited than for other attractions in Belmont Park so be sure to check their hours before visiting. You can also watch live video of the Flowrider.

Swimming Pool – Southern California’s largest swimming pool, known as The Plunge, is an indoor heated pool with large glass windows allowing in sunlight. Open daily, the nominal charge attracts those who want to enjoy the beach and get in some swimming but do not want to jump into the nearby ocean. Check the pool information for hours and fees.

Information on Visiting Belmont Park

Admission Prices:

• Parking is Free
• Most rides cost $2- $6 worth of tickets, which are bought at the ticket booth.
• Books of tickets can be purchased for a discount.
• You can also buy a wristband, which allows an unlimited number of rides for the day.

Hours – Generally 11AM – 11PM (Check schedule for specific times.) Certain attractions have more limited hours, including the Giant Dipper hours , Flowrider hours, and pool hours.

Directions from Google Maps to 3146 Mission Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92109

Traffic – The location in Mission Beach is 2.5 miles from the I-8 and 4 miles from the I-5. There are only a few traffic lights along the surface streets leading from the highways to Belmont Park. However, traffic can be very bad on summer weekends, especially holiday weekends as visitors head to one of the most popular beach areas in San Diego County. If you encounter heavy traffic, considering parking at one of the free Mission Bay Park parking lots along the way and walking or rollerblading to Belmont Park. There are continuous sidewalks and trails throughout Mission Bay and Mission Beach. Learn more about San Diego traffic.

Parking – There is a large city parking lot on the south side of Belmont Park. Parking is free. Parking can be hard to find on summer weekends. There is another large city parking lot across the street as well as free street parking.

Transit – Buses serve Belmont Park. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Features: Most Popular Beach in San Diego for the Young and the Young-at-Heart; Place to See and Be Seen; Boardwalk; Beach Volleyball; Amusement Park

Mission Beach Highlights: The three-mile stretch of wide sandy beaches from Pacific Beach in the north to South Mission Beach is the most popular beach area in San Diego. At the center of Mission Beach is Belmont Park, a small amusement park with a wooden roller coaster, games and beach souvenir shops. It is also where you will find most of the dining options available in the Mission Beach area.

Both the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach communities consist of vacation rentals, college students, and the young-at-heart who enjoy the active lifestyle opportunities provided by the beaches and adjacent Mission Bay Park. The young crowds make this beach area the place to see and be seen.

At the south end of Mission Beach is a basketball court and several beach volleyball courts. It is a good place to find pick-up games. However, the waits for games can take a while on weekends, especially during the summer months.

Lifeguard stations next to Belmont Park and at the south end near Avalon Court are manned year-round. Other lifeguard stations are only open during the summer months.

A narrow boardwalk extends the entire length of the beach area. There are a handful of bars, restaurants, and shops along the way. The area from Belmont Park heading north to Pacific Beach is the most crowded. The boardwalk heading south to the end of Mission Beach is a little less crowded. Visitors navigating the narrow boardwalk will have to watch out for a combination of joggers, cyclists, and in-line skaters.

For those looking for a quieter beach outing, head across the street to Mission Bay Park where the crowds are much smaller, the beaches are fairly empty, and the water is much calmer. Mission Bay Park also offers a number of water sports and boating.

Concrete fire pits are available in various locations for visitors to create an evening bonfire. You must bring your own wood or charcoal.

Visit the City of San Diego web site page for Mission Beach and South Mission Beach for more details.

Beach Rentals – You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas as well as bikes, in-line skates, and surf boards from Cheap Rentals. For additional information on beach and bay rentals, visit our page about Mission Bay Water Sports.

Beach Weather – Visitors can enjoy the beaches in San Diego year-round. However, finding ideal beach weather during the winter and spring is hit or miss. The best beach weather occurs from July to October. Ocean water temperatures are usually around 70 degrees during the summer and 60 degrees during the winter. Learn more about San Diego weather.

Food – Most food options for Mission Beach are around Belmont Park. There are only a couple of restaurants offering full menus with the others offering bar food options. You will find a handful of bars and laid-back restaurants along Mission Boulevard (fewer options heading south, more options heading north). Pacific Beach to the north offers many more dining options.

Information on Visiting Mission Beach

Directions from Google Maps to 3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109. (This is the address for Belmont Park where you will find the largest parking lots serving Mission Beach.)

Traffic – Mission Beach is 2.5 miles from the I-8 and 4 miles from the I-5. There are only a few traffic lights along the surface streets leading from the highways to the beach area. However, traffic can be very bad on summer weekends, especially holiday weekends as visitors head to one of the most popular beach areas in San Diego County. If you encounter heavy traffic, consider parking at one of the free Mission Bay Park parking lots along the way and walking or rollerblading to Belmont Park. There are continuous sidewalks and trails throughout Mission Bay and Mission Beach. (Learn more about San Diego traffic.)

Parking – After making a left from West Mission Bay Drive onto Mission Boulevard, you will see very large parking lots on both sides of the road. These spots are free and fill up quickly on summer weekends. You will find additional parking lots a mile south where Mission Boulevard ends. You can park here or find street parking along the way. Street parking is free in Mission Beach.

Transit – Buses serve Mission Beach. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Features: Sailing Tours; Fishing Trips; Wakeboard Instruction; Power Boat Rides on San Diego Bay; Rentals for Boats, Jet-Skis, Kayaks, and Canoes.

Seaforth Tours and Rentals:

Sailing Tours – Savor exclusive wines, cheeses, and chocolates while sailing on San Diego Bay; Enjoy a Romantic Sunset on a privately chartered sailboat; or set sail during winter on a whale watching tour.

Fishing Trips – 5.5 Hour and 8 Hour Fishing Trips take visitors out to the ocean from Coronado. Seaforth places a special emphasis on families and beginners.

Wakeboarding & Water Skiing – Offering private instruction for beginners and taking experienced users on weekly outings, Seaforth Rentals helps visitors enjoy wakeboarding, wake-surfing, kneeboarding, barefooting, and water skiing, all on Mission Bay.

Power Tour of San Diego Bay – Fill your sense of adventure with an explosive ride on the Sea Rocket Catamaran. Take a 45 minute, hair-raising speed boat tour of San Diego Bay.

Boat Rentals – Seaforth offers powerboats, sailboats, jet-skis, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats. You can rent by the hour, half day, or full day.

Locations – Seaforth Boat Rentals offers four locations. View the web site for addresses and phone numbers. If you are interested in finding out what attractions are located near each of their locations,select the appropriate location in the Related Themes section below.

Features: Wreck Alley, La Jolla Underwater Ecological Reserve, Kelp Beds, Very Large Diving Community

San Diego Scuba Diving Highlights: Despite cooler water temperatures, San Diego has a very active diving community with a number of good diving sites along the San Diego coast as well as offshore.

The most popular dive site in San Diego is at La Jolla Shores. The calm waters provide an excellent location for scuba diving lessons. (You will see dozens of students on weekend mornings.) La Jolla Shores also provides divers abundant marine life with its 533-acre San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. Two extremely deep sea canyons (reaching 1,000 feet) just 100 yards offshore and a kelp bed provide divers additional opportunities for exploration.

Another popular spot is Wreck Alley. It is located just off of Mission Beach and includes the Canadian Warship HMCS Yukon. Additional wrecks can be found off Imperial Beach, where divers will find a submarine and other naval vessels.

Also for out-of-towners to note, when you hear or read about the Coronado Islands, they are not referring to the Coronado across the bridge from Downtown San Diego, which is a tourist destination. They are referring to the uninhabitable islands you see off the coast when looking down to Mexico on a clear day.

San Diego Scuba Diving Resources: Divebums.com is the authority on scuba diving in San Diego. Travelers should start by visiting the DiveBums’ web page written for out-of-town visitors. You will also find an extensive list of diving resources, including information on current conditions, dive companies, and instructors. (DiveBums itself is not a commercial venture.) For more details, including pictures and descriptions of marine life you will find while diving off of San Diego’s coast, visit the DiveBums home page.

San Diego Diving Tours

Here are a couple dive companies in San Diego offering tours to help you get started on finding the right one for you.

San Diego Excellent Adventures – Those looking for Shore Dives in La Jolla or Boat Dives out to one of the Wrecks can join guided tours, starting at $80 for two dives.

OEX La Jolla – Daily dives are offered from both La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove. Rates range from $110 to $130 for 3 to 4 hour experience.

Open Daily: Year-Round; Dawn – 10PM

Cost: $25 – $32; Discounts for Juniors, Nine-Hole Play, and San Diego City Residents

Features: Municipal Golf Course with a Casual Setting Next to Mission Bay; Night-time Golf; Golf Club Rentals Available

Mission Bay Golf Course Highlights: Located near highway I-5 and the Mission Bay Attractions, the Mission Bay Park Golf Course provides easy access, low rates, and a casual atmosphere. It also provides stadium lights allowing golfers to play until 10PM.

What to Expect

• Golf is played year-round in San Diego. Read the description about San Diego weather for details on what to expect.
• This is a very casual golf course.
• Most holes are par 3.
• There is a practice range, which is open 8AM – 8PM.

Information on Playing the Mission Bay Golf Course

Fees (Costs are Approximate)

• Standard Green Fee Ranges from $25 – $32. Discounts are available for Juniors and nine-hole play.
• City of San Diego Residents can obtain lower rates by purchasing a Resident I.D. Card.
• Rates do not include a golf cart, which is generally not required.
• Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance.
• Golf Club Rentals, which only include a mini-set, are $11.

Directions from Google Maps to 2702 N Mission Bay Drive in San Diego, CA 92109.

Traffic – The Golf Course is very close to the highway I-5 exits. As a result, it does not have the same summer traffic delays as the areas of Mission Bay that are closer to the Ocean. However, do expect delays heading south on highway I-5 to the golf course during the weekday evening rush hour. (Learn how to get the latest traffic updates.)

Transit – Buses get you to the side of the golf course opposite of the entrance. You will have a half mile to mile walk. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Features: Most Popular Beach Area for College Students in San Diego with access to a Boardwalk, Restaurants, Bars, and Shops

Pacific Beach Highlights: The three-mile stretch of wide sandy beaches from Pacific Beach in the north to South Mission Beach is the most popular beach area in San Diego. Pacific Beach is usually referred to as PB. Both the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach communities consist of vacation rentals, college students, and the young-at-heart who enjoy the active lifestyle opportunities provided by the beaches and adjacent Mission Bay Park. The young crowds are particularly attracted to Pacific Beach because they can enjoy food and drink at over 150 restaurants and bars.

Beach Activities – The beach area is a place to see and be seen. Many will be working on their sun tans while others will be tossing around frisbees or bouncing a ball between beach paddles. There are designated areas for surfing. A lifeguard station at the end of Grand Avenue and another one farther north are manned year-round. Other lifeguard stations are only open during the summer months. Showers and restroom facilities are only available at the end of Grand Avenue and near the end of Pacific Beach Drive.

To watch all of the activity, there is a narrow boardwalk extending the entire length of the beach area. Along the boardwalk, visitors will find a small handful of bars, restaurants, and shops. The boardwalk from Pacific Beach south to Belmont Park is the most crowded. Visitors navigating the narrow boardwalk will have to watch out for a combination of joggers, cyclists, and in-line skaters.

Concrete fire pits are available in various locations for visitors to create an evening bonfire. You must bring your own wood or charcoal.

Visit the City of San Diego web site page for Pacific Beach and North Pacific Beach for more details.

Beach Rentals – You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas as well as bikes, in-line skates, and surf boards in advance from Cheap Rentals. You should also be able to find other rental shops along the beach near the ends of Garnet and Grand Avenues.

Beach Weather – Visitors can enjoy the beaches in San Diego year-round. However, finding ideal beach weather during the winter and spring is hit or miss. The best beach weather occurs from July to October. Ocean water temperatures are usually around 70 degrees during the summer and 60 degrees during the winter. Learn more about San Diego weather.

Restaurants & Bars – PB offers over 150 restaurants, bars, and shops. Most are found all along Garnett Avenue, with an additional high concentration of options on Grand Avenue near the beach and along Mission Boulevard. Most provide a laid back atmosphere and many are geared towards college students and singles. However, there are a small handful of fine dining restaurants and upscale bars scattered throughout the area. The local Union Tribune Newspaper has put together the best list of bars in Pacific Beach with brief descriptions. Since there are so many restaurants in the PB area, Yelp.com provides the best way to find restaurants in Pacific Beach.

Information on Visiting Pacific Beach

Directions from Google Maps to 4500 Ocean Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109. (This is the address for the Crystal Pier Hotel, which extends out over the ocean at the end of Garnet Avenue.)

Traffic – Pacific Beach is 2.5 miles from highway I-5. Traffic is stop-and-go most of the way to the beach along Garnet and Grand Avenues. There are people pulling in and out of street parking spots and retail establishments all along both roadways. Traffic is especially bad on holiday weekends as visitors head to the most popular beach area in San Diego County. Also, expect delays when driving into Pacific Beach during the weekday evening rush hour. This is when traffic also backs up on highway I-5 for those heading southbound to the Grand and Garnet Avenue exit. (Learn more about San Diego traffic.)

Parking – Free street parking is the primary parking option in Pacific Beach. Keep an eye out for a handful of spots that have time limits. Most visitors will look for parking on side streets near Grand and Garnet Avenues. The closer you get to the beach, the harder it will be to find a spot. There are a few unmanned pay lots that charge $5 – $10.

Transit – Buses serve Pacific Beach. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Related Attractions – For those looking for a quieter beach outing, head a mile south to the bay side of Mission Bay Park where the crowds are much smaller, the beaches are fairly empty, and the water is much calmer. Mission Bay Park also offers a number of water sports and boating.

Hours: Generally open 9AM – 5PM with Extended Hours during Summer.

Services: Professionally trained staff to assist with San Diego vacation plans, brochures, maps, and discount tickets. Self service kiosk available for after hours tourists seeking maps, brochures, and information on accommodations and restaurants.

Host: Private Entity Established in 1969 – Oldest, Largest, and Most Visited Information Center in California

Google Map

2688 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
(Located immediately off of Exit 22 on highway I-5)

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