Beaches · San Diego · United States
The best beaches in and near San Diego
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrewjames954, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Coronado Beach (About 15 minutes by car from downtown). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in July–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- July–September
- Warmest sea
- 22°C (72°F)
The beaches
About 15 minutes by car from downtown · Families and long walks
1.Coronado Beach
A very wide, flat sandy beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado, with gentle waves and sparkling mica in the sand.
About 25 minutes by car from downtown · Families, snorkelling and kayaking
2.La Jolla Shores
A long, gently sloping beach with calmer water than most San Diego beaches, used for swimming, kayak launches and beginner surf lessons.
About 15–20 minutes by car from downtown · Surfing, cycling and a young crowd
3.Pacific Beach and Mission Beach
Several kilometres of sand backed by the oceanfront boardwalk, with Crystal Pier, surf schools and beach bars.
About 15 minutes by car from downtown · Surfing and a local atmosphere
4.Ocean Beach
Surf beach beside the long OB Pier, with Dog Beach at the north end where dogs can run off-leash.
About 30 minutes by car from downtown · Walking and scenery
5.Torrey Pines State Beach
A long, wild beach below sandstone cliffs, reached on foot from the reserve trails above.
About 30 minutes by car plus a steep walk down · Experienced surfers
6.Black's Beach
A remote beach below high cliffs north of La Jolla Shores, known for powerful surf; part of it is clothing-optional.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| February | 15°C (59°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| March | 15°C (59°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| June | 19°C (66°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| July | 21°C (70°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| August | 22°C (72°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| October | 19°C (66°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| December | 16°C (61°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, families and beach
La Jolla
La Jolla is an upscale seaside community about 20 km north of downtown, built around La Jolla Cove, the Children's Pool and a compact village of galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Kayak tours paddle to the sea caves, snorkellers swim with garibaldi in the underwater park, and Torrey Pines and the Birch Aquarium are a short drive north.
- Good
- Some of the best coastal scenery in California; Calm Shores beach for families; Excellent restaurants
- Watch out
- Expensive hotels; Heavy traffic and tight parking in the village; A long ride from downtown sights
- Nearby
- La Jolla Cove, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Birch Aquarium, La Jolla Shores
Getting to the beaches
- Tram — The MTS San Diego Trolley runs light-rail lines linking downtown with Old Town, Mission Valley, the San Ysidro border crossing and, on the Blue Line, the UC San Diego area near La Jolla.
- Bus — MTS buses fill the gaps, including routes to Balboa Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla, though journeys to the beaches can be slow.
- Ferry — The Coronado Ferry crosses the bay from Broadway Pier and the Convention Center to the Coronado Ferry Landing in about 15 minutes, with skyline views.
- Car — A car makes it easy to combine La Jolla, Torrey Pines and the beaches with day trips north and inland; downtown and La Jolla parking is expensive and limited.
- Train — The Coaster commuter train runs from downtown's Santa Fe Depot up the coast to Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains continue to Los Angeles.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in July–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Leave nothing visible in parked cars at beaches and viewpoints, where break-ins happen. Rip currents are common, so swim near staffed lifeguard towers, and keep back from crumbling cliff edges at Sunset Cliffs and La Jolla. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does San Diego have beaches?
Yes: Coronado Beach, La Jolla Shores, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach and Black's Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in San Diego?
Usually July–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near San Diego?
Coronado Beach: A very wide, flat sandy beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado, with gentle waves and sparkling mica in the sand.