This article describes the 8 prettiest beaches in San Diego for any season of the year, as written by a local resident of San Diego, California.
San Diego, California is renowned for one thing above all: its pristine coastline adorned with stunning beaches! I currently live in San Diego and have visited all of these beaches many times. There’s nothing I love more than sunbathing at the most beautiful beaches and looking out at the ocean with a good book. I’ve therefore put together this list of what I consider to be the prettiest beaches in San Diego, California! San Diego gets sunshine year-round making it one of the best places in the United States for relaxing at the beach, even in the winter!
Whether you’re a long-term local or a first-time visitor, there’s no denying the irresistible charm of San Diego’s coastline. San Diego’s beaches offer activities for everyone, so I’ve included everything you need to know about each beach. I’ve made sure to include beaches that are close to downtown San Diego, so all visitors have easy access.
Grab your sunscreen, the perfect coffee, and a beach towel, and let’s dive into the most beautiful beaches that San Diego has to offer! And remember to always check the water quality before swimming. If you need a place to stay, I’ve recommended all the best hotels in San Diego here.
If you’re short on time, click here for the main takeaway
Coronado Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla Cove rank as the top three prettiest beaches in San Diego, each with an abundance of fun activities to do.
Table of Contents
1. Coronado Beach – the prettiest beach in San Diego
Coming in at number one, I believe Coronado Beach is the prettiest beach in San Diego and it is always my go-to. Coronado Beach is a postcard-perfect beach located on Coronado Island, just across the bay from downtown San Diego. It’s the best spot for walking, sunbathing, and picnicking.
Coronado Beach has sparkling white sand, gentle waves, and the iconic Hotel del Coronado. To get there you have to drive over the Coronado bridge or take the ferry across the bay, both of which have amazing city skyline views to add to your beach day experience! I recommend Coronado Beach for its beauty and size.
What makes it beautiful: incredibly long and wide stretches of white sand, gentle rolling waves, the backdrop of red-roofed Hotel Del Coronado behind you, and the view of Point Loma in front of you.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Stroll along the historic Coronado Beach Promenade.
- Walk through the Hotel Del Coronado and admire the architecture. Try to identify some of the filming locations of the movie “Some Like It Hot”!
- Head into the very cute downtown Coronado for food, drink, and shopping. Try Mootime Creamery for ice cream!
- Join in a game of volleyball.
Local’s tip: Stay until sunset to grab a cocktail from the Hotel Del Coronado’s beach bar while you listen to their live music. You can also rent a lounge chair for the day from the hotel and feel like a movie star.
2. La Jolla Cove Beach / La Jolla Shores
This one is two-fold. In the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla, you’ll find La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores Beach. La Jolla Cove is hands-down the best spot for watching marine life and admiring the azure of the Pacific Ocean. La Jolla Shores Beach is more of your typical sandy beach, perfect for families and water sports. Both are ideal spots for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. La Jolla Shores Beach is also home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
What makes it beautiful: the teal-water cove, white-capped waves hitting against the brown rock cliffs, Scripps Pier, and marine wildlife everywhere!
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Watch the seals, sea lions, and pelicans.
- Consider a kayak tour into the sea caves.
- Take a surf lesson or rent a paddleboard.
- Picnic at La Jolla Shores Park.
- Snorkel to see the marine life, underwater caves, and kelp forest.
- Admire Scripps Pier.
- Have lunch in La Jolla.
Local’s tip: Start at Children’s Pool Beach and then walk along the waterfront to La Jolla Cove. There are great views (plus seals and sea lions) the whole way! And if you go on a Sunday, stop by the La Jolla farmer’s market for an awesome lunch and local produce.
3. Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach, known as “PB” by the locals, is a lively beach/beach town that has something for everyone. The beach is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists. I recommend Pacific Beach for its energetic atmosphere and variety of activities. It is particularly popular among college students.
What makes it beautiful: Crystal Pier (the quintessential Pacific Ocean pier), deep brown sands, surfer-laden waters with white caps stretching far towards the horizon, and Pacific mist.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Walk to the end of Cyrstal Pier. This is also a good spot for fishing.
- Watch the sunset through the columns of Crystal Pier.
- Walk, bike, or rollerblade along the oceanfront walk, and shop around.
- Join a game of volleyball.
- Enjoy the nightlife.
Local’s tip: Crystal Pier Hotel is located right on the pier itself! It’s a stay like no other. You can also take surf lessons right on Pacific Beach!
4. Blacks Beach
Blacks Beach is a secluded and pristine beach located beneath the cliffs of Torrey Pines. It’s famous for its beauty, but also its clothing-optional status. The beach is accessible by a steep trail, which makes it feel very secluded. I recommend Blacks Beach for its natural beauty, small crowds, and private feel. Black’s Beach is a little tricky (and can be dangerous) to access, so I’ve written an article here on how to get to the beach safely and everything you need to know about it.
What makes it beautiful: towering 300-foot tall cliffs as the backdrop, long stretches of secluded beach, small crowds, and colorful gliders soaring overhead.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Carefully hike down the cliff and enjoy the views.
- Watch the gliders flying above.
- Sunbathe au naturel.
- Walk to La Jolla Shores Beach or Torrey Pines State Beach during low tide.
- Hike up into Torrey Pines State Park.
- Catch a tandem glider ride at the Gliderport.
Local’s tip: Grab lunch at the Gliderport before hiking down to the beach. The food is delicious and very cheap!
5. Torrey Pines State Beach
Situated at the base of the Torrey Pines cliffs, Torrey Pines State Beach is a nature lover’s paradise. The beach is part of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, so that means you can explore miles of hiking trails and see the rare Torrey Pine. The beach itself is a great place for picnicking, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
What makes it beautiful: due to the Torrey Pines preservation, this beach is impeccably maintained and has views of the Torrey Pines cliffs.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Hike in Torrey Pines State Park and see the famous Torrey Pine tree.
- Explore the tide pools, especially during the winter season.
- Walk to Black’s Beach during low tide.
- Try your hand at birdwatching, the cliffs make it a haven for wildlife.
Local’s tip: Arrive early in the day for free parking along N Torrey Pines Road. It fills up quickly!
6. Windansea Beach
Tucked away in one of La Jolla’s upscale neighborhoods, Windansea Beach is a hidden gem known for its old surf shack and world-class surf break. The beach is surrounded by rocky cliffs and has great views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a popular spot for experienced surfers, but swimmers should be cautious of the strong currents.
What makes it beautiful: the old surf shack, consistent surf breaks, and the gorgeous (expensive) homes of La Jolla in the surrounding neighborhood.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Enjoy the constant crashing waves.
- Explore the tide pools during low tide.
- Beachcomb for shells and unique driftwood along the shoreline.
Local’s tip: This is one of the most-loved surf spots by La Jolla locals! Underwater reefs cause consistent and perfect surf breaks.
7. Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach, or “OB” as it’s known by the locals, is a quintessential SoCal beach town with a total laid-back surfer and artist vibe. The area has a lot going for it. The beach itself has a wide sandy shore, which is great for sunbathing and beach bonfires. It also has the iconic Ocean Beach Pier, where you can fish or simply walk to the end for nice views. Nearby is Newport Avenue, the main shopping. It’s lined with tons of shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to browse for lunch or souvenirs.
What makes it beautiful: stunning sunsets, the iconic pier, eclectic charm, tide pools, vibrant street art, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Wander over to the Ocean Beach Dog Beach where locals take their dogs to play.
- Hike along the Santa Cruz Cliffs and explore the Ocean Beach Tide Pools.
- Walk to the end of the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier.
- Have a beach bonfire.
- Visit the Ocean Beach Farmers Market for fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live music.
- Shop and eat along Newport Avenue.
Local’s tip: Make your way over to sunset cliffs at the end of the day for one of the most famous and picture-worthy sunset spots in the United States!
8. Mission Beach
Located just south of Pacific Beach, Mission Beach is known for its boardwalk and long stretches of sand. There are tons of services here, so you can rent a bike, rollerblades, beach chairs, kayak, or anything else you could think of. Belmont Park is located at Mission Beach as well, which is where you can ride the Giant Dipper roller coaster and other amusement park attractions.
What makes it beautiful: 3.5 miles of white-sand beach and boardwalk, the friendly atmosphere and gleam of Mision Bay, and the famous Belmont Park roller coaster.
Unique things to do: other than swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnicking!
- Join in on a game of volleyball. There are lots of courts.
- Get rentals for all the beach equipment or water sports you might need.
- Sample the local food and craft beer at the many restaurants and breweries in the area.
- Wander through Mission Bay Park or bird watch at Robb Field Wetlands Park.
- Bike or rollerblade along the Mission Beach boardwalk.
- Shop for souvenirs along Mission Boulevard
- Have fun at Belmont Park.
Local’s tip: Skip Belmont Park and spend your time on the beach. Head over to SeaWorld San Diego instead for a much better amusement park!
Map of the 8 Prettiest Beaches in San Diego, California
To make you’re life easy, I’ve included a map here of the locations of all the beaches in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best swimming beach in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores Beach and La Jolla Cove have some of the best swimming in San Diego with the clearest waters.
2. Is La Jolla or Pacific Beach better?
La Jolla is better for families and has great snorkeling and water activities. Pacific Beach is better for surfing, sunset views, and nightlife.
3. What beach in San Diego has soft sand?
Both Coronado Beach and Mission Beach have some of the softest sand in San Diego.
4. What is the most famous beach in San Diego?
Coronado Beach is the most famous beach in San Diego due to the Hotel Del Coronado and its movie fame.
5. Which beach is the least crowded in San Diego?
Black’s Beach is one of the least crowded beaches in San Diego.
6. Which San Diego beach is the most family-friendly?
Coronado Beach is the most family-friendly beach in San Diego due to the ample facilities and many activities available.
Conclusion – prettiest beaches in San Diego, California
These are just a few of the many incredible and gorgeous beaches that San Diego has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day in the sun or some exciting water sports, I promise you’re gonna find it at San Diego’s beaches!
San Diego has much more than just beautiful beaches! San Diego is an incredible city to both live in and vacation to. If you’re looking for more of the top sights in San Diego, you can check out my guide on the top 15 best things to do in San Diego.
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