Mission Bay and Beaches

You don't have to go far from the freeway to experience the beach-party atmosphere of Mission Bay. A 5-mi-long pathway runs parallel to I-5 through the eastern section of the bay from a miniature golf course, south past the high-rise Hilton Hotel to Sea World Drive. The sky above the lawns facing I-5 is flooded with the bright colors of huge, intricately made kites: the San Diego Kite Club meets on East Mission Bay Drive south of the Hilton, and on weekends club members set loose their amazing creations.

Mission Bay Park is San Diego's monument to sports and fitness. This 4,600-acre aquatic park has 27 mi of shoreline including 19 of sandy beach. Playgrounds and picnic areas abound on the beach and low grassy hills. On weekday evenings joggers, bikers, and skaters take over. In the daytime, swimmers, water-skiers, anglers, and boaters—some in single-person kayaks, others in crowded powerboats—vie for space in the water. The San Diego Crew Classic, which takes place in late March or April, fills this area of the bay with teams from all over the country. One Mission Bay caveat: swimmers should note signs warning about water pollution; on occasions when heavy rains or other events cause pollution, swimming is strongly discouraged.

North of Belmont Park to Pacific Beach, Mission Boulevard runs along a two block-wide strip embraced by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the bay on the east. Called Mission Beach, it's a famous and lively fun-zone for families and young people both; if it isn't party time at the moment, it will be five minutes from now. The pathways in this area are lined with vacation homes, many for rent by the week or month. Those fortunate enough to live here year-round have the bay as their front yard, with wide sandy beaches, volleyball courts, and—less of an advantage—an endless stream of sightseers on the sidewalk.

North of Mission Beach is the college-packed party town of Pacific Beach, or "PB" as locals call it. The laid-back vibe of this surfer's mecca draws in free-spirited locals who roam the streets on skateboards and beach cruisers, in the local uniform of board shorts, bikinis, baseball caps, and beanies. Lining the main strip of Grand and Garnet avenues are tattoo parlors, smoke shops, vintage stores, and coffee houses. The energy level peaks during happy hour, when PB's cluster of nightclubs, bars, and 150 restaurants open their doors to those ready to party.

South of Mission Beach is the more chilled-out, hippy-esque town of Ocean Beach, commonly referred to as "OB." The main thoroughfare of this funky neighborhood is dotted with dive bars, coffee houses, surf shops, and 1960s diners. Bursting with character, OB is a magnet for everyone from surfers and musicians to children and artists. Newport Avenue, generally known for its boisterous bars, is also home to San Diego's largest antiques district.