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San Diego's coastline is a diverse tapestry of landscapes, offering everything from rocky terrain and flat beaches to dramatic cliffsides and hidden gems. Let's dive into the variety of San Diego's coastal scenes and the top place to stay in each!
Wide, Expansive, Sandy, or Flat Beaches
Wide, Expansive, Sandy, or Flat Beaches: Coronado and Mission Beach boast vast, sandy areas, providing ample space for various activities under the sun. As you head north along the coast, wide-open beaches become less common due to the transition from flat terrain to coastal bluffs and cliffs. Other beach destinations like Ocean Beach, La Jolla Shores, and parts of Del Mar also feature inviting flat, sandy stretches.
Where to Stay: The best beachfront hotel for a stay on a wide, expansive beach in San Diego has to be Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island. Located directly on the beach with multiple dining options, amenities, full ocean views, and lots of beach space to spare, Hotel Del Coronado can't be beat when it comes to a San Diego beach stay.
Coastal Bluffs and Dramatic Cliffs
Coastal Bluffs and Dramatic Cliffs: Sunset Cliffs, Pacific Beach (North of the pier), Bird Rock, Del Mar, Black's Beach, Encinitas, Torrey Pines, and parts of Carlsbad offer sweeping coastal views from elevated bluffs and towering cliffs descending into the ocean, creating a visually striking atmosphere. The rocky nature of the beaches in these areas, influenced by reefs and bluffs, may narrow the shores during high tides. While the views from these cliffs contrast with flat beaches like Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Coronado, accessibility may be more challenging, and amenities and beach space differ.
Where to Stay: Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas offers sweeping views on a cliff near the Encinitas/Carlsbad border. If you're interested in staying in a hotel where you'll have vast ocean views, without being able to step directly onto the beach, then this hotel might be for you! It's a short walk down the stairs onto a mix of a sandy and rocky beach here.
Rocky Beaches
Rocky Beaches: Tourmaline, Windansea, Cardiff, Carlsbad, and Oceanside feature rockier beaches compared to their counterparts. These areas may have scattered rocks throughout the beach or along the shoreline, providing a distinctive contrast to some of the rock-free beaches along the San Diego coast.
Where to Stay: Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort offers views of the ocean just across the street and a few steps away. The beach here often has some rocks scattered throughout, but is not overly rocky. There is a nice outdoor area to enjoy lounging on a daybed, firepits, a pool, hot tub, and more to enjoy the ocean view.
There are also vacation rentals available all throughout the San Diego coast, offering oceanfront properties in the different terrains. Try searching on sites like VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay, and more by using our list of beaches in each terrain to find exactly what you're looking for.
Each beach and cliffside location has its unique charm, providing different experiences for visitors, catering to diverse preferences and making San Diego a perfect getaway for everyone.
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