 Heading to the Beach? • Information on Mission Beach • Pacific Beach restaurants • Four-day tide report • Forecast | UV index | |
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West of the sea wall, Mission Beach is similar to the other San Diego strand beaches. The fine gray sand is cleaned and groomed daily. The waves are usually in the one- to three-foot range and good for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing.
There are several hazardous rip currents that flow consistently off of Mission Beach especially when the surf becomes larger. Be sure to ask lifeguards about safe areas for swimming.
Mission Beach has designated water activity zones. Surfing is permitted only north of Ventura Place and swimming south of Ventura Place. Other activity zones change seasonally. Pay attention to the location of the black-and-yellow checkered flag. On San Diego beaches the lifeguards use this flag to delineate between a surf zone and a swim zone.
There are a few basic rules to remember when visiting Mission Beach:
1. Alcohol may be consumed but only between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. Alcohol consumption is prohibited at all times on the boardwalk and on or against the seawall.
2. You may have your dog on the beach but only before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. During permitted hours dogs must be leashed at all times and don't forget to clean up after your pets.
3. Fires are permitted on the beach but must be contained either in a city-provided concrete fire square or in an approved container that keeps the fire high enough above the ground so the sand does not become dangerously hot.
4. Glass beverage containers are never permitted on any San Diego beach.
For those with disabilities the Mission Beach lifeguard station provides a special fat-tired wheelchair designed for rolling over soft sand.
Food/dining: Belmont Park offers fast food, a restaurant and bar, and several food stands. In addition, there are several inexpensive restaurants, a liquor store, and several bars located along Ventura Place.
Restrooms: There are public restrooms attached to the north side of the lifeguard station and south of Belmont Park along the boardwalk. Both locations have cold showers.
Along Mission Boulevard between San Fernando Place and Ventura Place [Map It]
Accessible 24 hours aer day; no camping
Two free public lots on either side of the roller coaster, plus another public lot across Mission Boulevard at Bonita Cove
619/221-8899
FACILITIES: [Legend]
Beach Information
Special Comments: Mission Beach is San Diego's most popular beach. Easy access from local freeways, large public parking lots, good waves, and nearby Belmont Park featuring San Diego's only roller coaster all serve to make Mission Beach an attractive recreation destination. Belmont Park also features several other amusement attractions, restaurants, shops, an arcade, a gym and the historic Plunge, a large indoor swimming pool.