San Diego Beach Vacations

San Diego Beach Travel Guide

Other Guides for San Diego

Beach Destinations Near San Diego

Travel Guides Near San Diego

Pacific Coast Beach States/Provinces

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Aerial view of the cliffs at Coronado Reefs in San Diego, California
The cliffs of Coronado Reefs, San Diego (Glowimages/Getty)


San Diego Beach Highlights

By Travel Expert: Ludmilla Alexander

  • Play on San Diego's rich beaches—four recreational areas stretch from southern Border Field State Beach to northern La Jolla.
  • Catch a ride on a surf board, bike, rollerblades, or best of all, rollercoaster.
  • Sunday cyclists and training triathletes pedal the coast of Moonlight State Beach, accessible by Amtrak just five blocks away.
  • Head inland to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park art and space museums, and historic Old Town.


San Diego Overview

Once dismissed as a slow-growth, conservative Navy town graced with 70 miles of fabulous sandy coastline, San Diego has been evolving steadily during the past 2 decades. The military link is still a presence today, with a handful of large bases throughout the county. Yet the city -- California's first and the nation's seventh largest -- now hosts a diversity of neighborhoods and residents to rival Los Angeles. San Diego reflects its Spanish-Mexican heritage in every corner; you won't forget that bustling Tijuana is just across the border, less than 30 minutes away. Despite that city's infamous poverty, San Diego boasts one of the nation's priciest housing markets and a biotech/tourism/telecom economy that's firing on all burners. A full-fledged building boom is transforming formerly seedy downtown neighborhoods and architecturally rich suburbs into upscale wonders. And the stylish young residents and shop owners they attract are, in turn, updating and enriching San Diego's dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Read More


Hotels

from: $164 compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
Hilton San Diego Resort
1775 East Mission Bay Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
Distance: 5.6 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.4 out of 5 31 reviews
4.4 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel Family travel

from: $159 compare hotel rates
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
1404 W. Vacation Rd.
San Diego, CA 92109
Distance: 6.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.2 out of 5 133 reviews
4.2 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel Family travel

from: $129 compare hotel rates
Catamaran Resort & Spa
3999 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109
Distance: 7.7 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.5 out of 5 122 reviews
4.5 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel Family travel


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Great Hotel Deals in San Diego, CA

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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Coronado Island
Across the bridge from downtown
Coronado, California 92118
Distance: 2.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Connected by a thin sandy strip of land to the... Read More
Beaches Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel

expert favorite attraction
San Diego Bay
San Diego, California Map
Distance: 3.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Rent 22-foot to 45-foot boats on Harbor and... Read More
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel

Maritime Museum
1492 N. Harbor Dr
San Diego, California Map
Distance: 1.1 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

This flotilla of classic ships is led by the... Read More

Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel


Feature Articles




San Diego Vacation Rentals

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Sea Port Lights Gas Lamp Nights... Walk to All
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Sleeps: 5
Amenities: No Pets, Non-Smoking

from: $582
compare hotel rates
2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in SAN DIEGO, CA 92109
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2.5 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: BBQ, CD Player, DVD Player, Freezer, Internet Access, Non-Smoking, Refrigerator

from: $357
compare hotel rates
3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in SAN DIEGO, CA 92109
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: BBQ, Balcony, CD Player, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Full kitchen, Garage, Microwave, Non-Smoking, Oven, Refrigerator, Toaster, VCR


San Diego Beach Travel Guides

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