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Mission Beach, San Diego

Mission Boulevard, San Diego, California

Description

Mission Beach is both a beach and neighbourhood developed on a sandbar located in Mission Bay on the northwest of downtown San Diego. The beach is 3km long with a boardwalk alongside it; it is popular for its bars and several outdoor activities such as volleyball, frisbee, skateboarding, cycling, and walking.

Access & Transport

The beach / neighbourhood is best accessed through I-8 exit on W Mission Bay Dr. Coming from the north, take I-5 and exit 23 onto Mission Bay Dr / Garnet Av / Grand Ave. Bus 8 stops on Mission Blvd one or two blocks back from the beach

Instructions & Recommendations

Don't forget the usual protective equipment (hat/cap, "green" sunblock, sunglasses, slippers) and some water. The water is cold

Meta review

A tale of two halves according to online reviews: mornings are calm, not busy and easy to find parking whereas past lunch time it gets crowded and noisy with incrementally more 'questionable characters' as the day progresses.

Environmental & Social

Quite an urban environment with waste and cleanliness issues though water is fine. Tourism helps inject some economic activity but with undesirable side effects

Conclusion

San Diego's Mission Beach is a convenient beach with plenty of F&B around and activity options. Families with younger children may prefer to go early morning as afternoons can get a little gritty. If you are looking for nature and a peaceful environment, this isn't the place.

Key positive

Sand and water are quite clean

Wide beach and boardwalk are good for activities

Key negative

Water is cold

Can feel unsafe for some at certain times of the day

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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