As the name suggests, the Mission Beach neighborhood is known for its coastal lifestyle, but it’s also home to a historic waterfront amusement park and the largest man-made aquatic park in the United States. Situated on a sandbar between Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, this beach town is just two blocks wide at its narrowest point. It’s a mix of vacation rentals and oceanfront homes only fifteen minutes north of downtown San Diego. The bay side was developed in the 1940s to create water recreation and leisure. Who knew decades later you’d be able to cruise its gentle waters in a hot tub boat or explore beneath them in an underwater dive park?
Table of Contents
Parking & Accesibility
Parking availability is limited on the densely populated residential streets of Mission Beach, especially during the summer months and weekends. Try parking in a lot instead; you can check out locations and pricing on Parkopedia. Many of the beaches, parks, and attractions have their own lots. If you take public transportation, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) offers bus routes that connect downtown San Diego with Mission Beach and Mission Bay in under fifteen minutes.
Mission Bay Aquatic Park
Spanning over 4,600 acres, Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. The bay itself is rectangular in shape, with islands and coves dotted throughout. Its calm waters, protected from the waves of the Pacific Ocean, make it a paradise for water sports and activities. There are plenty of sandy beaches, picnic areas, and playgrounds for outdoor fun.
Exploring the Different Beaches of Mission Bay
Mission Bay is made up of over a dozen calm-water beaches, each celebrated for its own distinct features and scenic views. Many of them are accessible along the Mission Bay Bike Path and offer amenities like parking, restrooms, playgrounds, fire pits, and picnic tables. The gentle waves are ideal for having a laid-back waterfront picnic, paddling around in a kayak, or for children to play at the water’s edge. Note that only some of these beaches have lifeguards on duty, so make sure to check before you go! Here are a few of our favorites…
- Ski Beach: Located in the heart of Mission Bay, Ski Beach offers more wide open waters suitable for water sports and activities. It has a designated swim area, a boat launch ramp, playgrounds, picnic tables, and fire rings for entertainment on and off the water.
- De Anza Cove: Partially sheltered from the rest of the bay, De Anza Cove is tucked away on the northeastern side, which makes water enjoyment like fishing and paddle boarding safer and easier. They offer a playground, basketball courts, and bonfire pits, among other amenities.
- Fiesta Island: As the biggest island on Mission Bay, Fiesta Island boasts both beaches and open green space on the bay’s southeastern end, accessible by bridge or causeway. If you’re looking for the best beaches to bring your dog, a portion of the island is specifically designated for furry friends to be off-leash.
- South Mission Beach: Just below Mission Beach is South Mission Beach, where the channel connects the Pacific Ocean to Mission Bay, and the Mission Beach Boardwalk begins. It’s wider than some other nearby beaches, making it ideal for spreading out or tossing a football around. They also have lifeguards on duty, along with picnic tables and basketball and volleyball courts.
- Crown Point Beach: Crown Point Beach is on a peninsula that juts off Pacific Beach into the middle of Mission Bay. It’s accessible along the Mission Bay Bike Path and offers a relatively peaceful atmosphere due to its more removed location.
Water Activities – Hydro Bikes, Hot Tub Boats, and SUP
The relaxed waters of Mission Bay make it a destination for water sports enthusiasts of any skill level, with plenty of unique options to experience. Combine cycling and aquatic activity on a Hydro bike, a human-powered water bicycle or turn up the heat on a self-driven hot tub boat to cruise around the bay. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is an especially fun way to work out, explore the water, and even escape the summer heat with a glow-in-the-dark night SUP tour. You can rent a SUP for $25 an hour at Mission Bay Sport Center, along with kayaks, jet skis, and boat options.
Pro Tip – If you’re looking for a more relaxing bay experience or are a SUP beginner, the morning is typically the best time to visit. It tends to be less crowded, with better visibility and relaxed water conditions. Locker storage is available to stow your things while you paddle around.
Pedal Around Mission Bay Bike Path
See nearly 12 miles of parks and beaches around Mission Bay Park on the Mission Bay Bike Path. Bikes can be rented nearby to explore its mostly flat terrain, perfect for both cyclists and walkers. You can make easy stops at popular attractions on the path, like Belmont Park and SeaWorld, or even veer off onto the Ocean Front Boardwalk. Along the way, relish the beauty of over ten parks, spot local birds at Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, and savor tasty bites at the pitstops.
Visit Mission Bay Beach Club
On a hill overlooking Mission Bay is Mission Bay Beach Club, an indoor/outdoor hub for activities with plenty of seating to eat, drink, and take in the views. Make a day out of it by taking advantage of the recreational paths and playgrounds nearby. Their cafe, Super Bloom, serves American Cuisine along with beer, wine, and cocktails. For something quick, grab a signature coffee drink or a treat from the ice cream stand. You can shop for wine, artisan cheese, gifts, and beach day essentials at their onsite shop. Then, sip a glass outside on the patio over a game of bocce ball in the small onsite vineyard. Their events calendar is buzzing with wine tastings, yoga classes, seasonal markets, and more.
Dive Wreck Alley – Mission Bay’s Underwater Sea Park
Likened to an underwater amusement park, Wrek Alley is the West Coast’s largest assembly of artificially sunken ships, a 15-minute boat ride from the Mission Bay Channel. Several ships and structures were donated to create this artificial reef, like the HMCS Yukon, a Canadian destroyer escort transformed from a full-fledged warship into a sunken playground. With depths starting at 60 feet, you can explore the nooks and crannies of this 366-foot-long vessel from the captain’s cabin to the engine room. Waterhorse Charters will take you to the site along with more shallow dives and sunken structures nearby, including the NOSC Tower and Old Ingraham Street Bridge remains.
Camp on the Bay Under the Stars
Since 1969, guests of Campland On The Bay have returned for the campground fun with easy access to Mission Bay’s shoreline and aquatic playground. Campers can pitch a tent, set up their RV, or rent a cozy cabin and enjoy the amenities. Indulge in delicious fare and drinks at the Cantina and cap off your day with a treat from the Campland Ice Cream Parlor. Take a dip in the pool or rent a kayak out on the water. The proximity to Seaworld is so convenient that you can even catch the nightly fireworks display.
Spend the Day at Mission Beach
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay Park, Mission Beach stretches along the peninsula just south of Pacific Beach. Its bustling Ocean Front Boardwalk, lined with dining, shops, and entertainment, attracts diverse crowds with an eternal spring break attitude. There’s a parking lot and a lifeguard on duty. Beachgoers stay entertained with several beach volleyball courts, a fishing jetty, fire pits, and rental shops for water activities.
Pro Tip – This beach tends to draw crowds, especially in the summer months, so if you’re after a more laid-back vibe, walk south to South Mission Beach – it’s more spread out and farther from the boardwalk attractions.
Stroll or Ride along Ocean Front Boardwalk
Mission Beach Boardwalk, or Ocean Front Boardwalk, is a concrete path spanning nearly three miles along Mission Beach. It’s lined with cool shops, bars, and restaurants serving up everything from seafood to sandwiches. You’ll see people riding, jogging, skating, walking along the scenic pathway, stopping to check out hot spots like the historic Belmont Park and Crystal Pier. You might even catch local San Diego legend SloMo, a boardwalk regular known for his blue shirts and slow-motion rollerblade moves. If you don’t bring your own wheels, there are plenty of places to rent them nearby.
Nostalgic Thrills at Belmont Park
Belmont Park houses one of San Diego’s most famous attractions, The Giant Dipper, a restored historic wooden roller coaster that’ll take you on a thrilling ride with stunning ocean views. This iconic beachfront amusement park on Ocean Front Boardwalk has entertained visitors since 1925 with its classic rides, games, arcades, shops, and eateries. Numerous other updated attractions include the Tilt-A-Whirl, zip lines, bumper cars, mini golf and more. When you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at one of the many dining options, from casual beachside cafes to gourmet restaurants and churros. Entry is free, and rides can be purchased a la carte or with an unlimited pass.
Splash Around at Seaworld
SeaWorld offers activities for visitors of all ages, from hands-on exhibits and roller coasters to captivating aquatic animal shows. The park provides numerous opportunities for up-close interactions with marine creatures like dolphins, penguins, and sea lions. For $6 extra, you can take in sights of the bay, Pacific Ocean, and San Diego skyline riding up and down the SkyTower. To stay updated on show times, events, and other activities on the day of your visit, download the SeaWorld App.
