Best Beaches in San Diego County
A solid collection of San Diego’s best beaches stretching from Coronado to Oceanside. Browse the map or scroll down to see the list!
Scroll the full list of top beaches below, appearing in order from north to south. TL;DR - check out Coronado Beach, PB, or La Jolla Shores.
Oceanside Harbor Beach
Located at the northern edge of San Diego County, Oceanside Harbor Beach is unique with is wide sandy beaches and scenic harbor nearby. [Photo by osiristhe]
Carlsbad State Beach
Known for its beachfront campground, Carlsbad State Beach can get fairly crowded in the summer months. [Photo by awnisALAN]
Leucadia State Beach
A little narrower and rockier, it can sometimes offer fewer crowds compared to some of the other beaches on this list. But you still can't expect to have the beach to yourself on a hot or holiday weekend. [Photo by Tim Buss]
Moonlight State Beach
Another great family-friendly beach with big wide sandy beaches and plenty of eating and shopping options nearby. [Photo by cultivar413]
Cardiff State Beach
Big sandy beaches with beautiful views, and plenty of places to eat nearby if you want to grab a bite after your day at the beach! The San Elijo Lagoon is also nearby with hiking trails and a nature center. [Photo by Tim Buss]
Solana Beach
Solana Beach is one of the most beautiful places in San Diego. Whether you're visiting Fletcher Cove Beach Park, the shops and restaurants, or just taking a walk, it's impossible not to love this classic San Diego beach town.
[Photo by @leosprspctive]
La Jolla Shores
Like Coronado Beach, La Jolla Shores is great for families. Plus there are a ton of activities on tap. You can snorkel with leopard sharks in the La Jolla Underwater Park, rent kayaks and go on a tour of the nearby sea caves, or take surf lessons in the calm waters that are perfect for beginners. There are several restaurants and shops and just up the hill is the Birch Aquarium in one direction and downtown La Jolla in the other. This is really an area where you can spend the entire day!
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach, otherwise known as PB, is home to one of San Diego's more developed nightlife scenes, with a variety of great eateries, bars, and shopping. You can take a casual stroll along the boardwalk or get some sun on one of San Diego's famous beaches. [Photo by PaulB]
Mission Beach and Boardwalk
Mission Beach is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in San Diego. Check out the Belmont Park Fun Zone with tons of rides and games for kids and adults alike. Ride bikes along the boardwalk which connects to Pacific Beach farther north. Surf! If you don't have your own board, rent one from Surfside Rentals on Garnet Avenue or from Waikiki Surf Shop on Pacific Beach Drive.
[Photo by @sean_mullowney]
Sunset Cliffs
Although there are some small beaches along the cliffs that you can hike down to, Sunset Cliffs is better known for its big ocean views, especially for sunset, hence the name. In winter months, whales can be seen migrating off the coast.
[Photo by BrianRobertsPhoto]
Coronado Beach
Located on Coronado Island, Coronado Beach consistently rates as of one the best beaches North America has to offer. From the wide beaches with gorgeous golden fine sand, to the mansions that line the beach, you will be able to indulge in the California sunshine all day long. Coronado Beach is super family friendly and downtown Coronado has no shortage of amenities from shopping to restaurants and don’t forget, the famous Coronado Brewing Company. If you’ve never been to San Diego, or haven’t been to this beach yet, we can’t recommend it enough.
[Photo by @manuelweber]
The Silver Strand
The Silver Strand is a narrow strip of land that connects Coronado Island to Imperial Beach farther south. [Photo by @mcverry]
