Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:San Diego, California
Smack in the middle of The Strand, San Diego's famous coastline, is Mission Beach, a serious coastal contender. Light blue skies meet bright blue waters.One of the most bustling strips of sand on The Strand, Mission Beach is a place for people on a beach bumming mission. Two miles of sporty, sunny coastline characterize Mission Beach's charm, while the historic Big Dipper Roller Coaster and the paved boardwalk add motion to the ocean package. Folks of all strokes rollerblade, roller skate, skateboard, bike, jog, and strut the Mission Beach strip of boardwalk. Sunbathers stretch out in front of the sea, but even after the sun goes down, the action on Mission Beach doesn't let up; shops, bars and restaurants are busy until late and nightclubs and beach parties buzz into the early hours. Follow Mission Beach on down to South Mission Beach to enjoy the widest sands in San Diego where you can have a game of volleyball or softball. For a sunny break from the routine of daily life, Mission Beach is a coastal spot with a commanding presence.
In the 1920s a temporary Tent City cropped up on the sands of Mission Beach, and people quickly decided they needed to be near the sea on a permanent basis. Today Mission Beach is home to some of the most famous seaside entertainment. The 4,600-acre Mission Bay Park, the largest man-made aquatic park in the U.S., has paths for walking and riding, hoops for pick-up ball, playgrounds for kids, barbecue pits and picnic tables for lunch, volleyball nets, and model yacht sailing. Mission Bay's wide open waters offer jetskiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and bodyboarding. The ever-popular Sea World is situated in the southeastern corner of Mission Bay and Mariner's Point is the original location for the Over-the-Line, softball tournament.
Swimming on Mission Beach is warm and cozy in summer, but if you want to brave the more frigid winter waters, lifeguards are on-duty year round on both Mission Beach and South Mission Beach. Surfing Mission Beach is a worth while activity, as the swells are three- to six- foot crests and a decent surf is guaranteed year round (though spring and fall are best.) The South Mission Jetty is a favorite surfing haunt, particularly during low to mid-tide. Mission beach is home to a wide variety of fish and in summer, about three to ten miles off shore, fishermen reel in mackerel, dorado, calico bass, sand bass, white sea bass, barracuda. For deep sea tuna and albacore fishing (60 to 80 miles off shore), San Diego's charter fishing companies will take you out for the day.
For one of the Southern California Coast's most complete beach adventures, Mission Beach is a seashore with a clear sense of purpose.