18 Beaches to Explore in San Diego County

A secluded section of beach beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines. Stingrays can be found along the coastline when the water gets above 50 degrees.

Cardiff State Beach is the long sandy strip along the west side of San Elijo Lagoon a large wetlands and ecological reserve Popular activities include swimming, surfing, and beachcombing. It is one of the iconic location where you can soebd somwe nice time in the middle of the busy location.

This is a small beach partially protected by a seawall. The original intention was to create a fully protected swimming area, but in recent years sand has filled in much of the area inside the wall.The Children's Pool has become the subject of a controversial debate related to a growing colony of harbor seals which has inhabited the beach since the mid-1990s.

A beautiful beach popular with families and couples alike thanks to its miles-long shoreline, clean sands, peaceful atmosphere and idyllic location in the "Crown City. This wide family-friendly beach gets crowded, but it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably. Sometimes near the hotel there are elaborate large sand castles to view and photograph – the creators love donations. Get there early to park nearby and secure a good spot on the sand.

A resort city in San Diego. Coronado is consistently voted best beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach. With gentle surf, sparkling wide-sand beaches, charming main street and great hotels, including the famous Hotel del Coronado, this island paradise is perfect for a family vacation or romantic getaway.

A is a small, picturesque cove and beach that is surrounded by cliffs. The Cove is protected as part of a marine reserve; underwater it is very rich in marine life, and is popular with snorkelers, swimmers and scuba divers.

A beautiful beach, which varies dramatically, from 300-foot sea cliffs, to rocky reefs, to secluded coves and wide golden sandy shores. Its beautiful coastal landscape makes portions of the beach inaccessible, the views are beyond spectacular, as waves and whitewater break onto rocky outcroppings, and seals and sea lions gracefully navigate safe landing onto their protected cove.

La Jolla Shores Park is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of California and an extremely popular one. It has stretches of grass, an enticing playground, a large bathroom and outdoor shower facilities, it is catered to ensuring a fun, smooth family or group outing. Due to its flourishing aquatic life and proximity to Scripps Institute of Oceanography, it is a very popular launch point for scuba divers, kayakers, stand up paddle boarders and snorkelers.

San Diego Bay is a recreational haven that attracts boaters from all over the world. Considered to be one of the best natural harbors on the west coast of North America, it was colonized by Spain beginning in 1769. San Diego Bay remains as a home port of major assets, including several aircraft carriers, of the United States Pacific Fleet, and as a result of base closures beginning in the 1980s, facilities in San Diego Bay are the major naval base facilities still in operation in California.

This is a popular beach camping destination along the San Diego County coast. The campsite is great for family and friends. It is located on a bluff right above the beach. It is perfect for photographers everywhere to get that perfect shot of a sunset.The beach is enjoyed by surfers, snorkelers, divers, and beach combers. Anglers like to cast their lines into the surf here.

Silver Strand, is a low, narrow, sandy isthmus or tombolo 7 miles long in San Diego County, California partially within the Silver Strand State Beach. The beach offers many activities including camping, surfing, swimming, body boarding, jet skiing, sailing, water skiing, beach volleyball and fishing.

A beautiful beach that offers swimming, surfing, boating, kayaking, water-skiing, volleyball, camping and picnicking. It encompasses both the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean sides of the strand, is a little farther off the beaten path of the highly popular beaches in Ocean Beach and Mission Beach, offering more solitude for those who wish to avoid beach crowds.

Sunset Cliffs Park is a 68-acre park that extends 1.5 miles along Point Loma peninsula's western shoreline.The park's topography includes intricately carved coastal bluffs, arches and sea caves. It affords inspiring panoramic ocean views.There are surfing spots below the cliffs. The cliffside trails are popular for walking and for watching the sunset, but are undeveloped and can be dangerous.

A beautiful beach and a famous surfing mecca at the south end of Encinitas, CA. The park at Swami’s Beach is a great vantage point for watching surfers and has shaded areas to enjoy a picnic as well. Several cafes, including Swami’s Cafe, and other restaurants are just a short walk north on Highway 101.

A beautiful public beach located in the community of Torrey Pines. It is a local favorite among surfers and remains a quintessential Southern California beach. The Northern side of the beach has a Surfer/Surfing side while the Southern side hosts swimming, body boarding, etc.

2,000 acres of coastal state park, one of the wildest stretches of land (8 km²) on the Southern California coast. one of the wildest stretches of land (8 km²) on the Southern California coast. The reserve consists of a plateau with cliffs that overlook Torrey Pines State Beach, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. Many different kinds of wildlife and flora are found within the reserve, including bobcats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, cacti, coastal chaparral, and the ra

Tourmaline is a surfing-only beach, popular with novice surfers who are looking to get some practice in. The park is situated at the northern end of Pacific Beach, a short distance south of where the sand beach ends and the rocky promontory of La Jolla begins. This park also features "Tourmaline Memorial" a monument celebrating surfers who have enjoyed the surf at Tourmalin.

This is a small and narrow beach that has a rocky landscape where jutting rocks create powerful waves. It is named after the 1909 oceanfront Strand Hotel that was renamed "Windansea" Hotel in 1919. The main peak at Windansea is a reef break with surf that breaks at the shoreline. iIt’s not a great swimming area. That said, this is a picturesque beach with sandstone points sticking out into the surf at both ends.