Mission Bay and the Beaches Neighborhood Snapshot

Top Experiences

• Sun and sand: With sand stretching as far as the eye can see, Mission and Pacific beaches represent the classic Southern California beach experience.
• Bustling boardwalk: Twentysomethings partying at the bars, families grilling in front of their vacation homes, and kids playing in the sand—take in the scene with a stroll along the Mission Beach boardwalk.
• Bay-side delights: A quiet respite from the nearby beaches, Mission Bay is ringed with peaceful pathways, playgrounds, and parks.
• Get out on the water: Catch a wave, paddle a kayak, or rev a Jet Ski at this irresistible water-sports playground.

Getting Here

SeaWorld, Mission Bay, and Mission and Pacific beaches are all served by public bus routes 8 and 9. Many local hotels offer shuttle service to and from SeaWorld. There is a free parking lot at Belmont Park, although it can quickly fill during busy times.

Planning Your Time

You may not find a visit to SeaWorld fulfilling unless you spend at least half a day; a full day is recommended.

Belmont Park is open daily, but not all its rides are open year-round.

The Mission Beach boardwalk and the miles of trails around Mission Bay are great for a leisurely bike ride.

On foggy days, particularly in late spring or early summer, the beaches can be overcast in the morning with the fog burning off as the day wears on.

Mission Bay Beaches

The long expanse of sand running from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach is some of the city's most popular. There is an energetic atmosphere among the throngs of beachgoers—the boardwalks bustle with activity, and surf culture reigns supreme.

The 2-mile stretch of sand that makes up Mission Beach extends north to Belmont Park and draws huge crowds on summer weekends. The boardwalk and volleyball courts are great for people-watching.

Pacific Beach picks up where Mission Beach leaves off and extends north to Crystal Pier. Parking is tough, but the scene on Ocean Front Walk and the party atmosphere may just be worth it. Technically part of Pacific Beach, a portion of Tourmaline Surfing Park is designated for surfing only. If you're looking for postbeach drinks, Garnet Street is home to the neighborhood’s liveliest bars.

Mission Bay Warnings

Swimmers at Mission Bay should note signs warning about water pollution; on occasions when heavy rains or other events cause pollution, swimming is strongly discouraged.