Beach and Beyond

San Diego is famous for its beaches, where visitors and locals alike swim, surf, tan, picnic and party during the summer months. Locals know that June is also famous for its morning marine layer, a high fog that can hang about all day or vanish into warm sunlight in the early afternoon. It even has a name, “June Gloom.” 

So don't be disappointed if your beach day dawns in gray mode. The cooler temperatures encourage other beach area activities. We’ve compiled a few suggestions for having a good time while you wait for the layer to lift.

Imperial Beach + Fishing Pier with seafood restaurant + Border Field, State Park birding

IB’s extra long beach makes it a fun swimming and body surfing playground. A nearby playground entices the little ones to burn off some energy while waiting for the fog burn off.  You’ll be treated to a great view of the San Diego skyline to the north as you stroll, but you cannot bring dogs or alcohol here. The fishing pier is great for people-watching or trying your own luck. Well worth a visit is the estuary within the city limits, a haven for waterfowl and a treat for birders.

Silver Strand State Beach + RV camping + beachcombing & shelling

There’s a ten mile bike path from Imperial Beach to the Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado, but you can also drive across the graceful Coronado Bridge, from downtown San Diego. Bring a windbreaker and a tote bag, as it can be breezy and inhospitable for swimming, but it boasts some of the nicest beachcombing in the county. Shells are quite plentiful.

For a different approach to Coronado, hop on the ferry at San Diego’s downtown terminal and enjoy the shops and restaurants at the Ferry Landing.

Pt Loma + Cabrillo National Monument with lighthouse + Tide pools

This is a great place to go, anytime, but not for swimming.  The National Park Service has restored the 1855 Old Point Loma Lighthouse and offers talks and information, as well as tours. A hike down to the water’s edge at low tide rewards visitors who peer into the rock holes. You’ll spot little crabs, sea urchins and minnows. If you are truly lucky, you will see an octopus. But don’t touch any of the inhabitants or you may hurt them.

When the tide comes in, you can enjoy the spray of the waves as they crash against the rocks.  This is only one of three places in San Diego where the ocean meets the shore in such dramatic display.

Ocean Beach + dog romp + fishing pier + antiqueing

OB is the place where Jimmy Buffet could hang out. It’s that laid-back. The beach is great for swimming and surfing, and your dog will be as happy as you are when she spots Dog Beach at the north end beyond the jetty. Here’s where dozens of canines at any time of day romp and play, leash-free and legal.  For human fun, take a walk up the bike path to the skateboard park barely a mile from the shoreline.

On a gloomy day, stroll up Newport Avenue. Morning is great for treasure-hunting at one of the antique shops. If you’re here on a Wednesday, plan to stay for the farmer’s market that takes over the avenue from 4 to 7 pm.

Mission Bay + kayaking + kite-flying

Just a short drive across the San Diego River, you can experience the difference between ocean and bay environments at Mission Bay Park. The tamer bay and its sports rental businesses beckon even novice sea farers to try kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and boating. The large grassy seaside area here is perfect for kite-flying, and weekends will find scores of serious enthusiasts sailing their colorful kites in the same sky as the kids with their home made versions. 

Mission Beach + roller blading + roller coaster

Mission Beach is a classic, movie version of a beach, complete with boardwalk beach shops and thrill rides. The sand is fine here, and the locals are colorful, but for more excitement than a beach chair will grant you, rent some roller blades and cruise the boardwalk. Increase the thrill with a ride on the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster at the beach’s Belmont Park. Grab a hotdog at one of the stands after, not before!

Pacific Beach + skateboards + pubs

For the young, college-age set, PB is the Place to Be.  They skate, skateboard, bike, run and saunter along the boardwalk, but they know how to party along the way.  You’ll find more bars per square block here than almost anywhere in San Diego, so if you’re ready for a margarita or a brew, you will find lots of fun-loving company.

La Jolla Cove & Shores + snorkeling + cave + Birch Aquarium

Parking is not easy at La Jolla Cove, but if you’re lucky enough to squeeze in someplace within walking distance, you’ll be well rewarded with the most beautiful scenes in southern California.  Somehow the sea is bluer here than almost anywhere. Under the sea is just magnificent on a clear day, as any snorkeler or scuba diver will attest. The Underwater Ecological Preserve is actually a refuge for the species that dwell in it, including the brilliant orange garibaldis that look like huge goldfish. 

La Jolla beaches include Torrey Pines City Beach, known locally as Black’s beach (clothing optional) and, as well as the main, more accessible beach at La Jolla Shores. Scripps' Birch Aquarium near the latter, is a great place to spend a day, and you simply stroll through the Scripps campus to get there. The huge kelp tank alone is worth the price of admission.

Del Mar Beach + Thoroughbred racing

If you come to Del Mar and the beach at River Mouth in the early morning, you may find thoroughbred horses stepping along the shore, for this is an exercise spot for the racing fillies just across the highway at the Del Mar Race Track in the Summer.

It’s also an exercise run for many of the local dogs, and one of the safest shorelines for children because of the sandbars and shallows.