Mission Beach –
Spanning about one and a quarter mile in length, Mission Beach is a at the center of the Golden Strand, between South Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. One of the most popular beach areas in the City of San Diego, Mission Beach draws large crowds in the summer due to the long three mile stretch of golden sand. There are many vacation rental units for rent that sit directly on the boardwalk. All you have to do it walk out your front door and you are just steps away from the sand and glittering pacific ocean.
If you choose to be on the ocean front, this area also has a 3 mile stretch of boardwalk where you can jog, bike, skateboard or even Segway your way up to Pacific Beach where you can walk on on the famous Crystal Pier. You can start at the south mission jetty and work your way up to the famous Crystal Pier.A few steps further you find your self at Palisades Park where you can sit and watch the sun set each evening in hopes that you will see the illusive ‘green flash’. Cool breezes, tranquil waters and soft sand beaches attract recreational enthusiasts to the Mission Bay and Beaches area throughout the year.Located just minutes from downtown San Diego; Mission Bay Park is the largest park of its kind in the world. The 4,600-acre aquatic playground is surrounded by 27 miles of meandering shoreline, with a variety of waterways, inlets and islets to explore. Enjoy water sports activities of all sorts, from laid-back sailing outings to action-packed kite surfing, there’s something for every age and skill-level.On land, families can picnic, BBQ or celebrate with bonfires right next to the water on the bay side of the peninsula. (Don’t forget the s’mores)Things to know if you plan on visiting Mission Beach or Mission Bay: Traffic can be heavy in the peak summer months. Plan on arriving to the beach early or going later in the day. Public transportation to the beach is limited but still possible from Downtown and Mission Valley. No alcohol or smoking is allowed on the beach or boardwalks. Lifeguards are on duty daily during the summer and on weekends during the winter. There are plenty of rental shops for beach equipment (surfboards, bikes, kayaks, jet skis, etc.)
