What are the Best Beaches in San Diego?

From La Jolla to Oceanside, San Diego has some of California’s most beautiful beaches. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started:

La Jolla Shores

Located in the charming seaside community of La Jolla, this beach is a great spot for families and swimmers. Parents of small children will love the gentle water and the nearby playground, while more adventurous visitors will enjoy diving into the underwater canyons and swimming among the largest aggregation of leopard sharks on the planet.

Black’s Beach

This spot definitely isn’t for everyone, but Black’s Beach is one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets and well worth a visit – if you can handle it. Tucked away between towering cliffs, this two-mile strip of sand features some of the most serious waves in southern California. It’s a bit of a hike to get there, although you can walk from La Jolla Shores if you have the stamina. Oh, and one more thing – it’s San Diego’s premiere nude beach, so be prepared to see some birthday suits.

South Ponto Beach

This beach is a bit of a trek from the city, but if you can handle the drive out then you’ll be rewarded with one of the wildest untamed shores in SoCal. There are no businesses within sight of South Ponto Beach, so pack your own supplies and then enjoy the total freedom of its vast expanses of sand.

Mission Beach

If isolation isn’t really your thing, then stop by bustling Mission Beach for a classic California experience. Featuring a boardwalk, amusement park, and plenty of restaurants, this spot is one of the most popular beaches among outgoing locals. After a day of fun, stop by Miss B’s Coconut Club for tiki-themed drinks.
To make the most of your trip, check out our La Jolla Cove Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.