Location: Mission Bay (7 miles / 8 minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Largest Man-Made Aquatic Park in the Country; Nearly 20 Miles of Beaches and Paved Trails
‘Beaches / Surfing’ Theme
Mission Beach
Location: Mission Beach (8 Miles / 15 Minutes Northwest of Downtown San Diego)
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
Belmont Park
Location: Mission Beach (8 Miles / 15 Minutes Northwest of Downtown San Diego)
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.
Pacific Beach Activities & Nightlife
Location: Pacific Beach (10 Miles / 20 Minutes Northwest of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Most Popular Beach Area for College Students in San Diego with access to a Boardwalk, Restaurants, Bars, and Shops
Coast of La Jolla
Location: La Jolla (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: One of the Most Beautiful Settings Anywhere; Great Views from a Large Seaside Park; Up-close Look at Seals
La Jolla Shores
Location: La Jolla Shores (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Beach area offers Playground, Calm Surf, Kayaking, World-Class Ocean Swimming, Scuba Diving, Panoramic Views, Long Walks
Kayaking in La Jolla Shores
Location: La Jolla Shores (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
When: Year-Round
Cost: Tours start at about $50; Rentals start at about $25
Features: Kayak Tours of the Ecological Reserve; Kayak Rentals; Kayak Fishing; Snorkeling
Torrey Pines State Park
Location: Torrey Pines (19 Miles/ 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Dawn – Dusk
Cost: $8 per Vehicle / Free if You Park on Torrey Pines Road.
Features: Beautiful Landscape of Canyons and Beach-Side Cliffs; Panoramic Ocean Views; Beach; Hiking Trails; Popular Cycling Route; Dolphins, Whales
Paragliding at Torrey Pines Glider Port
Location: Torrey Pines (15 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM
Cost: $150
Features: Paraglide or Handglide above Oceanside Cliffs
Coronado Beach
Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Top 10 Beach in America with Calm Surf; Great for Relaxing and Strolls Along the Beach
Ocean Beach
Location: Ocean Beach (7 Miles / 15 Minutes West of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Beach Community with a 1960’s Theme; Very Laid Back; Eclectic Mix of People; Dog Beach; Ocean Pier; Antique Shops and Restaurants.
Oceanside Pier, Beaches, and Local Attractions
Location: Oceanside (38 Miles / 40 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Longest Wooden Pier on the West Coast; 3 Miles of Beaches; Boat Harbor; California Surf Museum; Art Museum; Theatre; Thursday Night Hot Spot
California Surf Museum
Location: Oceanside (38 Miles / 40 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM. (8PM on Thursdays)
Cost: $3 ($1 for Students, Military, and Seniors 62+)
Features: State of California Surf Museum covering the History of Surfing in California; Skateboarding Memorabilia
North County San Diego Beaches
Location: San Diego County Coastline from Del Mar to Camp Pendleton (20 Miles – 55 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Dozens of Beaches to Choose From, Each With Its Own Character; Get Information on Attractions Near Each Beach.
South County San Diego Beaches
Location: San Diego County Coastline from South San Diego Bay to the Mexican Border (11 Miles – 18 Miles South of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Learn about the Beaches in the South Bay, Each With Its Own Character; Get Information on Attractions Near Each Beach, including Horseback Riding on the Beach.
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 4:30PM
Cost: $8 ($4 for Kids ages 7-17 and $6 for Seniors)
Features: Nation’s Largest Sports Museum; Interactive Exhibits; Hall of Fame; Covers a Broad Range of Sports; Many one-of-a-kind Trophies on Display.
San Diego Magazines
San Diego Magazine was the first city-focused lifestyle magazine in the country. Since its start in 1948, the magazine has continued to prosper as the most popular San Diego lifestyle magazine. However, there are now several San Diego lifestyle magazines published on a monthly basis. Each has a different focus which is described below.
