San Diego Beach Bonfires: Everything You Need to Know
This guide will cover everything you need to know about having a beach bonfire in San Diego.
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Mission Beach sits centrally located in San Diego, and it spans 2 miles long. Due to its length, it can be separated into South Mission Beach, Central Mission Beach, and North Mission Beach. When reading this review, please consider that different parts of the beach will offer different things and it is not the same throughout.
Mission Beach
Beach Review
Overall Score: 6.8/10
6.5
6.5
9.5
Summary
Overall, Mission Beach gets a rating of 6.8/10. It scores fairly high in regards to the endless activities and amenities it has to offer. Additionally, if you know where to go and when, parking can be a breeze! It's generally a clean beach that's safe to swim in, and there's almost always a spot somewhere away from the crowds if you're willing to keep your eye out for it.
Notable Mention
A lot of the scores were brought down when taking into account the Central Mission Beach area around Belmont Park. Many scores could have been higher in regards to beach cleanliness, crowds, parking, etc. if that area was disregarded.
Scale
1 - Worst Case Scenario
10 - Best Case Scenario
Continue reading below for an in-depth analysis of Mission Beach and an understanding of each score. If you have any questions or think something should be added, feel free to comment below or send us a message via chat!
Parking
South Mission Beach
Options for parking in South Mission Beach include the South Mission Beach Parking lot, or street parking off of Mission Blvd. During busy times, such as weekends in the summer months, it can be very difficult to find parking, especially if you arrive later in the day.
Central Mission Beach
There are a lot of parking lots surrounding Belmont Park and Mission Bay. The last one to fill up is typically the lot that is East of the Bahia. During peak times, it can truly be a mess parking in these lots and they do get closed once full. Again, it is best to arrive early to avoid issues with finding a spot.
North Mission Beach
Once you go about half a mile North of Belmont Park, there are typically openings on the street throughout the week and on the weekends before 10am, even during the summer months. Additionally, there are often spots in the El Carmel parking lot.
Other Information
Something to keep in mind is that all parking is free unless you park in one of the few metered spots along Mission Bay Drive.
Additionally, Mission Blvd. has street cleanings on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am-10am. So, there is typically an abundance of parking right after this time on the side that was cleaned that day. Also, there are many vacation rentals in Mission Beach, so between 9am-11am on Sundays, there will often be openings on Mission Blvd from people checking out of their rentals.
On the weekends, I'd recommend arriving before 11am to secure a spot. You shouldn't ever have to walk more than 10 minutes from your car to the beach. If you're able to park on the street, the walk could even be 30 seconds to 1 minute. Can't get much closer than that!
During holiday weekends such as 4th of July and Labor Day Weekend, parking is extremely scarce and the beaches are very crowded. You would need to arrive earlier to secure a spot, and even then, there might not be anything available.
Rating = 6.5/10 - It's one of those things where you have to know when to go and where, and once you do, you'll never have an issue!
Crowds
South Mission Beach
South Mission Beach is the widest part of the beach once you go past the lifeguard station. On busy days, you might not be able to get a spot in the first row, but there is plenty of beach space to enjoy beyond that. There are also a lot of volleyball nets throughout this area, so there can be large groups of people for that.
Central Mission Beach
This is by far the most crowded area of Mission Beach. Most likely due to all the parking lots, shops, restaurants, bathrooms, etc. I honestly wouldn't recommend spending a beach day in this area unless you needed to be close to these amenities. It might be less enjoyable due to the crowds and the commotion that can cause. If you are seeking a relaxing or peaceful beach day, do not go to this area.
North Mission Beach
The further North you get away from the central, Belmont Park area, you can physically see the number of people on the beach get smaller and smaller. This area is not as crowded and there might even be certain sections where there aren't really people on the beach at all.
Rating = 5/10 - If you avoid areas near parking lots, you can find uncrowded places.
Amenities
South Mission Beach
South Mission Beach has restrooms, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and a grass area with picnic tables. Additionally, depending on where exactly you are located, you are within a 15-20 minute walk to available food.
Central Mission Beach
This area has countless amenities such as shops, restaurants, arcades, mini golf, and bathrooms all near Belmont Park. Also, if you are near the Central Mission Beach area, there are clean bathroom instead of the beach bathrooms. (On the East side of Plunge, there are clean bathrooms by where the zipline both starts and ends.) There are endless activities to participate in as there is essentially a mini theme park with rides and carnival style food and games. This could be a good place to go if you need to entertain young kids. Just keep in mind during peak times, it can be quite crowded!
North Mission Beach
This area doesn't necessarily have bathrooms available unless you walk to a restaurant or towards Belmont Park to use one. However, there are still several good food options available within a 20 minute walk depending on where you're located on the beach. This area has the least amount of amenities compared to South and Central Mission Beach, so if you're planning to spend a day at the beach, be sure to plan ahead and keep that in mind.
Rating = 8/10 = There truly is everything you could possibly need within a 20 minute walk!
Safety
South Mission Beach
I would classify South Mission Beach to be relatively safe. There are lifeguards on duty who diligently keep their eye on the water One thing to keep in mind is that it can be dangerous to swim close to the jetty, so I would avoid swimming right in that area.
Central Mission Beach
I would deem this area as the least safe area of Mission Beach as it is the most crowded, so there might be more people looking to get into trouble here. However, as far as safety in the water, this area is typically safe as there are many lifeguards on duty in this area.
North Mission Beach
There are typically less lifeguards stationed in this area outside of the summer months, but they are still on duty and watching from their main towers. Since this area is often less crowded, I would consider it to be safer than the central area, but you also never know what can happen, as I one time had a pair of old, worn-out flip flops stolen here.
***Please note that the ocean is unpredictable and there can be strong currents anywhere on the beach at any time. Be sure to take necessary precautions before getting in the water and always ask a lifeguard if it is safe if you are unsure.
Rating = 6.5/10 - This beach is practically as safe as it could be, but there are always unforeseen elements when in nature and when in heavily trafficked areas.
Beach Cleanliness
South Mission Beach
South Mission Beach is pretty clean, especially once you aren't near the parking lot. The sand is nice and there typically isn't too much seaweed laying around as it is cleaned.
Central Mission Beach
I wouldn't really consider the beach area near Belmont Park to be clean or of good quality sand. It is almost gross just due to all the traffic it gets with a lot of people coming and going, making it the dirtiest part of the 2 mile stretch of beach. It's still very much possible to enjoy a day in the sand here, but most people would probably prefer elsewhere.
North Mission Beach
The beach is typically clean in this area, however, there can be a lot of dry seaweed around. It depends on the tides and how far they go up, but in some areas, there is no other option than to sit in the middle of a bunch of seaweed, which does attract a lot of bugs. There are other areas that I think get cleaned more, so it just depends on the time you go and what the tides are doing.
Rating = 5/10 - Certain areas are better than others, but there can be lots of seaweed and sometimes people leave their trash behind.
Water Quality
The Water Quality at Mission Beach is generally the same throughout. It is generally safe to swim in the water, meaning the levels of bacteria in the water do not exceed the recommended amount. The water is tested by the City of San Diego every six days and posted on this website: County of San Diego Beach Water Quality (sdbeachinfo.com). It never hurts to check the status before going to the beach to make sure it's safe.
It is important to note that after rain, it is recommended to wait at least 72 hours before getting back in the water due to increased contaminants and sewage going in the ocean.
Rating = 7/10 - Typically clean, unless there is a storm. Be sure to avoid areas by river mouths and such in those cases.
Activities
South Mission Beach
For activities in South Mission Beach, there is surfing, swimming, basketball, volleyball, fishing, and the boardwalk for bicycles/walking/running. Keep in mind that Memorial Day - Labor Day there are designated areas for surfing and swimming, so be sure to keep an eye out for the flags on the beach.
Central Mission Beach
This area has countless rental shops for any activity you'd be interested in doing. You can rent bikes, boogie boards, surfboards, games, etc. Again, be sure to keep an eye out for the flags from Memorial Day - Labor Day.
North Mission Beach
There are sill some rental shops in this area for water and beach activities, but not as many as in the Central area. This area is typically less crowed if you're interested in biking down the boardwalk or surfing and swimming in the water. Again, be sure to lookout for the flags on the beach indicating the surfing and swimming areas from Memorial Day - Labor Day.
Rating = 9.5/10 - There are tons of activities available to do, this beach is full of action and possibilities!
Mission Beach
Sleep, Eat, Play, & Relax In the Water, On The Water, or Near the Water!
This site only includes information and experiences relating to everything in, on, or near the water. When in San Diego, why not experience the beach and beautiful waterfront as much as possible!? From dining experiences to accommodation options, we have everything you need to start planning your vacation in Mission Beach.
Check out the best beachfront accommodation and ocean views in Mission Beach so you can wake up and see the water first thing!
See all the waterfront dining options available to you and pick where in Mission Beach you want to eat, grab drinks, and watch the sun go down!
Look at all the activities available in Mission Beach and enjoy the ocean by trying something new or doing your favorite activity!
Accommodation
Mission Beach
Between both vacation rentals and hotels, Mission Beach has quite a few options to stay in considering how small it is! See below for the different waterfront options available when staying in Mission Beach.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Vacation Rentals
Staying in vacation rentals from sites like VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay, etc. is probably the best bet for being directly on the beach or the bay with a waterfront view. There is an abundance of vacation rentals available in the Mission Beach area. If you are traveling with a big family or group of people, it could be beneficial to have the extra space of a house; a lot of them have patios, balconies, or rooftop decks with unobstructed views of the ocean or bay.
View of Surf Rider from the beach
Hotels
Surf Rider - This is more of a condo building in Mission Beach that is beachfront. It sits directly on the boardwalk, so you can enjoy the sunset and be just steps to the ocean if you stay here.
Bahia Resort Hotel - This hotel is on Mission Bay, and it is roughly a 5-10 minute walk to the beach depending on where exactly your room is located. There is a wide range of rental options as well as waterfront dining available. This is one of the closest hotels to ocean compared to the other hotels on Mission Bay, as it is still a walkable distance.
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina - This hotel is on Mission Bay and has some rooms where you'll be able to see both the bay and the ocean from your balcony. It also has waterfront dining, views of the bay from the pool and hot tub, and rentals available. To be safe, it's best to drive to the beach from here, but it should just take a few minutes to get there.
The Dana on Mission Bay - This hotel is also located on the bay. They have a pool and hot tub with views of the bay, and they also provide rentals if you're interested in any activities during your stay. From this hotel, you'll want to drive to the beach, but it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes.
Paradise Point Resort and Spa - This hotel is located in the middle of Mission Bay. It's a bit further of a drive to the ocean from here, but just by a couple minutes. This hotel has several waterfront dining options, rooms with views of the bay, and rentals available as well.
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa - This hotel is located on Mission Bay, and technically more in the Pacific Beach area, but right on the cusp of being Mission Beach still. This resort has many rentals available, summer movie nights on the bay, and waterfront dining. They have rooms with both bay and ocean views. It would just be a few minutes to walk to the ocean, but that would put you in Pacific Beach. The area of the beach by the ocean here is typically more crowded and run down due to the heavy foot traffic.
There are other hotels located nearby located just outside Mission Beach that you could take a look at as well on Expedia or Hotels.com.
All in all, you can't go wrong with any of these places as they all are conveniently located on the bay or the ocean. There are certainly worse places to be!
Waterfront Dining
Mission Beach
Mission Beach has a nice amount of waterfront dining options to choose from on both the ocean and the bay. See below for a list of restaurants, cafes, and more right on the water.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Oceanfront Dining
Beach House Tequila & Taqueria - This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and sits right on the boardwalk with ocean views. They offer different seating options from tables, couches, firepits, and bar seating. It is all outdoors, but most tables have umbrellas for shade.
Draft - This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and also brunch on the weekends. It is located on the boardwalk, and they also have TVs inside, so people often watch games here.
Cannonball - Located above Draft, this restaurant has great, unobstructed ocean views. The Japanese restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. It makes a great spot for watching the sun go down.
Sandbar Sports Grill - This sports bar offers slight ocean views on the second level. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner Friday - Monday. They serve lunch and dinner Tuesday - Thursday.
View from Cannonball at sunset
Bayfront Dining
Dockside 1953 - This bayfront restaurant is located at Bahia Resort Hotel and is open from 7am-11pm, so it's available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have indoor and outdoor seating, as well as firepits outside.
Red Marlin - Located at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Resort, this restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers bay views.
Firefly Eatery & Bar - Located outdoors at The Dana on Mission Bay, this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with bay views in the distance.
Barefoot Bar & Grill - This casual restaurant is located at Paradise Point Resort offering nice views of the bay and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Tidal - Offering sweeping bayfront views, this restaurant is open for weekend breakfast or Sunday Brunch, as well as dinner Wednesday - Sunday, and it is located at Paradise Point Resort.
Oceana Coastal Kitchen - Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant offers upfront views of the bay and great people watching as people go by on the boardwalk and is located at the Catamaran Resort.
Covewood Restaurant - This restaurant is located at the Mission Bay Resort, which is a bit further away, but their outdoor seating offers views of Mission Bay. They are open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Superbloom Coffee & Juice - This cafe is open from 7am-9/10pm and offers views of the bay. There are a lot of tables and a nice ambience here. It is about a 10 minute drive from Mission Beach.
There are several other restaurants and cafes located in the Mission Beach area, but I only included the ones offering views of the water. There are lots of places within Belmont Park where you can get food to go and take it to the beach to eat. Additionally, Olive Cafe in North Mission Beach is just steps to the bay and ocean and they have some great food if you wanted to get it to go to enjoy by the water.
Activities & Tours
Mission Beach
Mission Beach has an abundance of activities available to do on the water or with views of the water. See below for a list of activities available near the ocean and bay.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Ocean-Related Activities/Tours
Water Sports - Surfboards, boogie boards, SUPs, Kayaks (single, tandem, clear bottom), and more are available to rent to enjoy in the ocean and bay. Additionally, many companies offer private and group surf lessons, so you don't have to brave the water alone if interested in catching some waves! You can also out yourself to the test and try out a private e-foil lesson on the bay.
Whale Watching - Set out on one of the Whale Watching Tours that leaves from Mission Bay and see different types of whales and hundreds of dolphins. There are many different group tours and private tours available. There's even a sunset tour too!
Sunset Sail on the Bay - Enjoy a nice sunset cruise sailing around the bay. Take in the beautiful surroundings during golden hour and sit back and relax!
Parasailing - Have you ever wondered what the coastline looks like from above? Enjoy a relaxing parasail ride and see for yourself. Tours depart from Mission Bay.
Scuba Diving - Take off on a scuba diving adventure and see what's below. The boat departs from Mission Bay.
Helicopter Tours - Soar above the ocean on a helicopter tour and see what things look like from above.
Professional Beachfront Picnics - Want to have a romantic lunch or dinner? How about a group picnic with friends at sunset where everything is taken care of for you? Enjoy a luxurious picnic on the beach from one of the many companies offering this service.
Bonfires - Nothing better than enjoying a bonfire on the beach after the sun goes down to end the day! There are several companies that will set everything up for you and all you'll have to do is show up.
Bike Rentals - Do you like to ride bikes? Have fun riding a bike along the boardwalk as you take in the ocean views. There is also an informative bike tour along Mission Bay and Mission Beach that you can sign up for.
Activities/Tours on the Bay
Water Sports - Have fun on the calm bay waters on a paddleboard or kayak (single, tandem, clear bottom) rentals available. There are several rental options available. Take a sailing lesson, or a yoga paddleboard class. The options are endless.
Boat Rentals - Rent a boat for just a few hours or the whole day. They come in all sizes and vary from speedboats to pontoons.
Jet Skis - Rent jet skis and have fun playing in the bay. Be sure to go the proper speed limit in the different zones as there are often people swimming, paddleboarding, etc. to watch out for.
Pedal Boats - Rent a pedal boat and have fun on the bay with a friend or loved one pedaling away while enjoying the bay without getting wet!
Paddle Pub - Let loose on a paddle pub boat and drink with your friends on the bay!
Painting by the Bay - Take in the serene surroundings and put your painting skills to the test and take a paint class on the bay.
Movie by the Bay - Enjoy the movies put on by the Catamaran Hotel Resort and get cozy as you watch your favorite films by the bay.
Professional Picnic - Want to have a romantic lunch or dinner? How about a group picnic with friends where everything is taken care of for you? Enjoy a luxurious picnic on the beach from one of the many companies offering this service.
Seaside Cinema - Enjoy a private, cozy setup for you and your partner, a group of friends, or your family with snacks provided and a movie of your choice in a private screening on the bay just for your group.
Bonfires - Nothing better than enjoying a bonfire on the beach after the sun goes down to end the day! There are several companies that will set everything up for you and all you'll have to do is show up.
Bike Rentals - Do you like to ride bikes? Have fun riding a bike along the boardwalk as you take in the bay. There is also an informative bike tour along Mission Bay and Mission Beach that you can sign up for.
Both the beach and bay allow for volleyball games, and other beach games such as spike ball, football, soccer, cornhole, or whatever you might enjoy! With the beach, there are endless options available. Mission Beach is great because the bay and ocean both provide ways to enjoy the water.
Transportation
Mission Beach
The best way to get around Mission Beach is by car, foot, bike, or bus. See below for more information.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
The best way to get around depends on what you plan to do, where you're staying, and the time of year. During busy times such as 4th of July, there is limited parking so using your car is probably the worst way to get around, especially at peak times.
If you are flying into the San Diego airport, I recommend renting a car so that you can explore more areas. There are many rental car companies to choose from at the airport.
Walking or biking between your vacation rental to the beach or to restaurants is a great option if you can handle the walk. Walking along the boardwalk on the beach or bay is always nice.
There is public transportation that goes through the Mission Beach area. See this link for the route, to know if this would fit your needs: 8.pdf (sdmts.com).
Overall, I believe it's best to have a car, as that gives you freedom to explore other areas without having to worry about public transport or lyfts/ubers. As long as you keep in mind where you are going and the parking situation, you should be fine. If exploring other areas nearby such as La Jolla, downtown, etc., you might have to pay to park if it is crowded.
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