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Mission Bay Park
Rating Details »
Categories: Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming Pools, Beaches, Local Flavor [Edit]
2688 E Mission Bay Dr(between De Anza Rd & North Mission Bay Dr)
San Diego, CA 92109
(619) 221-8900
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 4:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
30 reviews for Mission Bay Park
One of the great things that I do in my time off is run and bike. Growing up in NE, it sucked running because the layout was boring. While living in SF, Fort Mason made running fun again with its views of the SF Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate. So where to exercise in SD?
Mission Bay Park has been the place for me no matter what beach I have lived in. When I lived in Crown Point by Rocky's, I ran/bladed/biked around this place everyday. It was nice and quiet on the bay side and if you wanted some more shenanigans, you could cross the Mission Blvd. and head to the ocean.
I lived in Mission for a few months and of course took advantage of the bayside beaches with beers (preban) and a nice game of bocce. Now that I live in OB I bike over here almost everyday because it is such a nice spot.
There is a gym in the area here called the Santa Clara Recreation Center (see review) which turns this park into a full access exercise playground, right on the water. Pretty rare to see such a perfect spot in all the U.S. for keepin in shape.
This place has it all.
Ample playgrounds to entertain your rambunctous children. Lots of grass to have your crazy family reunion bbq and accomodate ALL of your family. Access to the water via the bay. Firepits to burn ish. Perfect view of Sea World fireworks that usually commence at 9:52 pm. Tons of space to run, bike, jog, skip, hop, skate, blade, scooter, etc. via miles of bike paths.
There is something for everyone...unless you despise the outdoors or are allergic to having fun, in which case you should avoid this place.
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Lots of open space for running and playing and generally enjoying life in San Diego. It is chock full of bikers/runners/boaters/kite surfers/etc every weekend. A different crowd than the beaches so fun for a change of pace.
I'd give it 5 stars if the roar of the 5 weren't so present.
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5:00am - Alarm goes off. Outrigger Canoe Paddling Championship Race in Mission Bay. Snooze button, snooze button, WAKE UP!!!! Dang it, I wish I still lived in PB then I could sleep in half an hour more!
6:30am - Arrive at Mission Bay, park car in big lot (for free!). Admire yachts on the water, get dirty sand all over legs while trekking to team tent.
6:45am - Arrive at tent, put my paddle down, look at the water. Damn, the tide is low! Eww, that water looks nasty. Talk to teammates, do some deep breathing in preparation for the race.
7:45am - Listen to coach give a pep talk. Push canoes into water, sit in canoe, start paddling to start line. Wow, the scenery is beautiful! Green landscaping, nice housing bordering the bay, passing under the bridge, HUT HO (change sides)!
8:00am - Line up at the start line, tons of other canoes around, water is beautiful. Look at all that green grass. And GO! Breathing heavy, body aching, I CAN DO THIS, GO, GO, GO, HUT HO! Oh, wow, the bay is really beautiful! The water looks really pretty, but I hope we don't fall in! Look at those snobby rowers going backwards! Stand up paddler, nice! Move out of the way, kayaker! Damn, I wish this canoe had a motor like that boat... Keep going, breathe! HUT HO! So much water to conquer! Paddle through the channel, out into the open water of Mission Beach, what a beautiful day! Water looks cleaner out here. Turn around, come back into bay. Catch some of those waves! Hey, I used to live there! Can't breathe! Body is numb! Keep going! Water still looks beautiful, I can't wait to be back on the sand. 5 miles later, back to the finish line, and we made it!
9:30am - Back on land. Why did I ever move away from this beautiful place??? I used to live RIGHT on the bay in Mission Beach and right across the street from the bay in Crown Point. I used to love taking long walks around the bay. During the summer, you can see the fireworks nightly at Sea World. I loved bringing Maile Dolce Pomeranian to the park to play. I've been to bbqs and bonfires here (on different parts of the bay). I used to actually RUN on the boardwalk around Mission Bay and I HATE running! I can't believe I took it all for granted. This place truly is amazing. Its beauty can be admired even when your whole body is in pain, you're breathing heavy, and about to vomit. So much to do here both in the water and on the land!
2:30pm - Time to go home! Walk to car, tons of cars looking for parking. Lady in SUV is super excited to take my spot. Enjoy Mission Bay, SUV Lady! I sure did :)
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My favorite place to walk and attempt to jog. It's super close to my work/home, plenty of parking (at least on weekdays after work), clear paths with mile markers (I walk on the north side), and crowded enough that I feel safe. Not to mention the jumping fish and the smell of the sea!
If you're looking to be outdoors, you'll find something to do at Mission Bay. Jungle gyms and swings for the kids (or young at heart), lawns and bbqs for a picnic, cemented path for walking, biking, skating, the bay for water sports and fishing...it's got it all!
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I love Mission Bay. The area is pretty large. We always go on the side right off the 5 near the Visitor Center...well a few miles down from it.
I LOVE it here. We usually have our family day here...my husband, my daughter, my sister and my parents. We bring bikes, scooters, camping chairs and a foldable picnic table. Then on the way, we pick up a bunch of food...either Mexican or Filipino food and pack a cooler full of drinks, plus extra snacks. We bring the badmitton set and books and crossword or suduko puzzles. Its nice just to relax here or bike or walk along the sidewalks. We just find a nice spot under one of the many trees and either catch some sun or fall asleep in the shade if we're not biking or playing. You can feel the cool breeze from the bay so its not too hot. We always bring our dog too. And with us living in Americas FInest City, it's one of the places a lot of San Diegans love.
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I get kinda grossed out by the dirty looking water here. And I actually get surprised that people swim in it. But, hey, whatever floats your radioactive-waste boat!
Overall, I have a pretty OK time here. Yes, it is a beautiful park (minus the water). And there is so much open space to do whatever you want: go kite-flying, sit around a fire, have a BBQ, read, watch the sunset/sunrise, exercise, etc.
I come here to walk my dog and I must admit, it is one of the best parks in SD. I suppose I am not really as excited as other people are about this park due to me not being the outdoorsy type. But I do recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves a breath of fresh air and a nice view over open waters.
View was great, Parking was a breeze.
We had about 3 cars there, and another 8 later joined us.
we had to truck loads of wood.
It was cold and windy, so we made a beach house out of ply wood.
The Cops came by to make sure we were not drinking.
But surprisingly they were nice.
They didn't know anything about bon fire rules or beach rules.
Pits close @ mid night Parking lot entry supposedly closes at 8, (you can just drive in the exit) Parking lot i believe closes between 12-4am.
Make sure you don't burn pallets or wood with nails its a big fine if the cops in a bad mood.
We were in the bay parking lot just pass by the Bahia hotel. Great little bon fire area
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Mission Bay Park is great! I come here for walks and gossip with my aunt, Suppers At The Beach in the summer with my church, and I used to come here to walk my dogs.
There is beautiful scenery and some people-watching potential. It seems that I somehow manage to see slightly more um...unfortunate-looking people playing grab-ass in the grass fairly often, though. Keep your eyes on the path in front of you, Princess. Just keep your eyes in front of you. However, there are also usually attractive people of both gender whizzing by on bikes and rollerblades. The attractiveness is a plus. The bikes freak me out. Maybe it's because I'm retarded and when someone calls out, "On your left!" I jump to my left and nearly get killed. Happens every time.
I didn't give the bay five stars because dogs are only allowed at certain hours, so check the signs. I was walking one of my dogs here one afternoon, and the bay police felt it necessary to chase me down in their truck, driving over grass and sidewalks, pull up next to me, and tell me that I couldn't walk my dog there at that hour. I would have to take her home, but I could come back in fifteen minutes, when dogs were allowed. I understand that I was breaking a rule, but fifteen minutes? It's not like I was there HOURS ahead of schedule. Turn a blind eye, guys.
Mission Bay Park is a great place for people of all ages. In the summer, get there early, snag one of the tables, and have a picnic with your family or friends and enjoy a bonfire later in the evening. It's great!
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How could you not love this place! Very scenic, entertaining and free! There is always somehing to do here and you can always people watch if you get bored. Not as crowded as the beach boardwalk, but that is a plus. Great place to have a BBQ or just go for a bike ride.
Kid's Paradise
I've been taking my 3 kids to the various parks in and around Mission Bay for many years, and by far this particular one is the best. On the east side of Mission Bay, along (intuitively) East Mission Bay Drive, are many parks, huge grassy fields, and lots of waterfront. The biggest and best playground is the southern park of the road, just north of the Fiesta Island Road dirt-bridge.
This particular park can accommodate all ages, but seems to be geared for the 4-10 year old crowd. The younger crowd of 1-3 seem to go to the park near the Clairemont Tourist Information Building since it's smaller and easier for parents to chase after little wobblers.
The parking lot is small but here is plenty of street side parking and a short walk. There is a huge (I'm taking at least 100' across) sand pit with swings, slides, and climbing things, and two other playground with climbing, running, sliding, moving, and just plain having fun stuff for kids. One of the playsets is a large pirate ship, complete with a helm and poop deck.
The playsets are the modern durable Swiss stuff, the oldest being about 10 years old and showing wear. Another set is relatively new (less than 5 years) and in good condition. There are also a few smaller and really old cement play things in the sand pit that look like they were designed in the 70's. Surprisingly, they still get lots of play time from kids.
There are bathrooms which are typical beach style - cement, stainless steel, is usually stocked with tp, and may or may not be wet from the daily wash-down. A water fountain is right outside the bathroom. There are many cement picnic tables and a few have metal canopies over the tops for shade during the hot summer months. Large trees line the edge of the play areas providing shade, and short cement walls provide a place to park your butt while you watch your offspring frolic and make friends. The place is so large, I typically have to move several times to stay within range of my kids as they run around to different play areas.
I've seen many birthday parties being held here, and folks usually get there early in the day to claim a table and set up. There is typically a group of skaters, bikers, or mommy-and-stroller groups coming through on the run/bike path that winds all the way around the bay. The path also winds around the park making it a good place for the young'n's to practice bike riding.
The large grass area is about the size of two football fields, and on windy days will host many kite flying enthusiasts. Some of these kites are those frickin ridiculously large ones that look like it could lift a bus. There is typically a breeze making it fun for even small kites and kite flyer's.
The edge of the bay water is near, but since the water flow is in line with a jet ski area, I'd opt to sstay out and look for fresher water.
Fantastic large playground area, easy access to the freeway, good parking, sun, sand, and swings make this a kids paradise.
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Beautiful,
this is why i will not move from PB,i walk around the bay every single day with my ipod.It is clean and peaceful.Probably my favorite part of San Diego.
What bugs me is.
Fuckers walking on the left side of the pathway.
Also all the drivers who never stop at the crosswalk in Mission beach.Who honk at you for walking through the CROSSWALK.
Dumb kids/tourists who walk with five people along side each other blocking the entire pathway.
The tourists in Segways GTFO
The people who decide to play catch throwing their baseball or football to each other across a pathway people are walking across.
OK,besides that its clean and peaceful.Check out the aquatic center!
Stay out of my way!
MAGNIFICENT VIEW!!!!!!!
Now coming here is what a vacation should be like, relaxing under the sun enjoying the great view. It is so beautiful here..
This past weekend a hot dude asked me to go jet skiing at Mission Bay Park. I never pass up an offer to indulge in some of our town's finest recreational activities, nor do I turn down a man offering curbside pick up and an end of the day sushi date.
We arrived at the park and although it was a bit windy, the sun was shining, the water was surprisingly warm, and for the millionth time, I was reminded about how lucky we are to live in one of the country's top vacation destinations.
There we were standing at the edge of the bay looking out at the blue water, sailboats and the jet ski we were about to mount. It was so romantic, he even leaned in and kissed my forehead.
'Hurry up! Let's go!' He said.
As I took off my shirt, my date pinched the pooch. I grumbled a bit, showed a frown.
'Oh come on, there are chicks here way fatter than you.' What a guy!
It's been a few years since I last jet skied and I was surprised what a scaredy cat I was, despite the fact that I clinging on to my man's bulging muscles. After about 5 minutes I pleaded to take the wheel.
Much better. Time to get dangerous! Sharp turns this way and that, who I thought only hours earlier a manly man was now shrieking like a little bitch.
'I've never seen this side of you! It's scary as shit!' He wailed.
We slowed down and he wanted to try riding backwards on the ski. I promised to go slow, so he could try this out. Integrity is not my strong suit. He knew this going in.
I accelerated as fast as I could, hitting the wakes from other boats all the while laughing so hard I could barely steer the damn machine. With his voice cracking, 'STOP! STOP! STOP!' I have to admit, my bladder gave way and I peed, likely on him.
Finally, his ass flew off the back of the ski. Mission accomplished! I went back to pick him up and he admitted, looking a bit ashamed, that indeed he jumped ship because he could no longer take it.
Despite losing one of my earrings and getting bruised up pretty bad, Mission Bay Park water sports are blast. In the end, my date apologized for the fat comment and treated me to a lovely meal at Harney Sushi.
One thing is for certain: if there is such thing as a King of the Road, I am in fact Queen of the Waterways.
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My favorite place to rollerblade in San Diego is around Mission Bay. Actually, it's the only place I'll rollerblade in San Diego. It's much more peaceful than rollerblading along the beach boardwalk, since you don't have to worry as much about foot traffic and sand patches intervening with your smooth ride. And if you decide you want to check out the beach, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump across the street.
The scenery and all the activity going on around you will keep you entertained if you're running and need a pleasant distraction. This would also be a nice place for a picnic, relaxing with a good book, or throwing a frisbee around. Mission Bay is just one more of San Diego's awesome outdoor destinations... I love this city!
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Pros:
-Roller Bladers in fashionable spandex.
-Pirates on the bay.
-Milfs with high-tech strollers.
-Hot shirtless men.
-Close to Caines and their bloody marys.
-Ruggy J. can be found here.
Cons:
-Tourists on Segways.
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Seriously amigos, let's recognize what we have here. An A-1, huge waterfront park with minimal commercialization; a rare example of a visionary public amenity not usually seen in SoCal . A trip over the Ingraham Street bridges on a sunny day always will remind you why you are in SD. There is something for everyone here, walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters, V -ballers, kite flyers, dog owners, OTL'rs, RC airplane pilots, birdwatchers, sailors, kayakers, rowers, windsurfers, jetskiers, motorboaters and more. Facilities include boat ramps, marinas, bocce, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, acres of turf, miles and miles of concrete trails, numerous fire rings and more. It could get even better, the passing of Prop. C in 11/08 will require the City to use a certain amount of the lease revenue from MB park to maintain and improve the park per the master plan.
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I can't believe it took me forever to discover this place.
Rather than take a walk around my nice-in-some-places, sketchy-and-creepy-in-others neighborhood, this is a great alternative. There's a nice breeze off the water, and the views are pretty. And enough to keep me entertained on what is usually a long, boring walk for me. The view and atmosphere may just be enough to get me off my butt frequently enough to get some decent cardio workouts in my life.
Lots of people were walking, jogging, biking, etc. It was nice to be amongst them, but not get the feeling like I was getting leered at or oggled. Because that happens A LOT when I'm walking in my neighborhood. And trust me, when I'm gettin' my cardio on, I am not leer-worthy. Bleh.
It was Labor Day Weekend when I went, and while there were plenty of groups picnicking and BBQ-ing, it wasn't crowded at all. There weren't too many screaming kids, there was plenty of places to park, and it was free! Coming from New Jersey, you don't see that combination often.
I'd love to see what else is going on there - can you rent those jet ski things, or do you have to be rich enough to buy your own?
Regardless, I like this place. I'll continue going for my walks here and also maybe have a little shin-dig here someday.
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We started off at Mission Bay Park and, maybe our expectations were too high.
I could see this place being a lot of fun with the boardwalk, wooden roller coaster not unlike Santa Cruz' Giant Dipper, stalls selling funnel cakes and other fried goodness, and stores selling tacky souvenirs and $10 sunglasses.
However, for beach purists who just want to sit pretty on the clean(er) white sand with less crying and screaming tykes, La Jolla would have been a better bet.
By the way...
Before heading to Mission Bay Park, we stopped by a surf shop in Gaslamp Quarter. The dude on the cash register told me that he plans to drive up to MBP at 4AM on the 4th of July, find a premier parking spot, wait there until such a thing becomes a hot commodity and eventually sell it for $50 - $100. Not a bad way to get your beer money.
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I am here every Sunday practically - but mostly on the water from January through September and sparingly - the other months. Why? I paddle with the San Diego Dragon Boat Team and we practice in that inlet - up and down next to the Hotel - every Sunday morning starting at 8a or 9am given schedules.
If you see a long boat or two filled with about 16-20 people, a steersman, and a person sitting on the bow - that's us.
Google it. Dragon boat is one of the world's greatest paddling sports that the US hasn't figured out yet, but the rest of the world has.
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Great place to walk the dog, go for a picnic, or just enjoy a quick bit of bay breeze! Sure, you can go whole hog and have a bonfire, but don't think that Mission Bay is just for those big effort events. Drive over, hop out of the car, take a spin, and go on with your day. Lovely spot!
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I decided to ride my bike today down to Fiesta Island, to Mission Bay Park, to Pacific Beach and finally back to the 4 miles bike path around Fiesta Island. What a beautiful day in San Diego - perfect weather.
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One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is go on a 6 mile walk with my mom in Mission Bay. When the sun is out throughout the year its a beautiful scene and a good excuse to get some exercise as well as mother/daughter bonding!
Whenever I'm home we try to go on our walk at least 3 times a week.
I always see a lot of kite flying and that's something I'd like to do someday too.
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A great spot during the summer time. We jet ski and wake board here almost every Sunday because of the easy access. The grass is always maintained well, decent amount of bonfire pits, and close bathrooms. Parking and water traffic get hectic on weekends and holidays that its not worth going unless you get there super early. There is plenty of Bay Patrol aka "Bay Watch" so don't do anything stupid out in the water. I've seen plenty of accidents and people getting tickets for speeding or no life jackets. Those go on your driving record so its not worth it.
Dogs really aren't allowed, although I've seen a few here and there with no real issues. Most of the time we usually launch from the Ski Beach side because we have a nice spot to set up the bbq and tents. Can't wait for next year...
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Mission Bay Park was the sight of the US Cross Country Championships yesterday, and I have to say the USATF sure picked a great location! My friend was running in the women's masters race, and I signed up for the Community 4k which was the first event of the day. We came down to San Diego on Friday so we could check out the course and be able to stay near the event, rather than driving down from Orange County early in the morning on Saturday.
If I lived in San Diego, I can see myself coming to Mission Bay Park to run on a regular basis. The park has tons of trails, and the public restroom was a lot less scary than I would have imagined. The children's playground is hugely popular. We saw tons of kids playing there both days. We also noticed a lot of families having picnics and BBQs. Ample FREE parking is available throughout the park. And what a beautiful view!
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A very nice park with plenty of things to do and places to spread out.
Numerous bathrooms and parking areas amongst large stretches of lawn and covered picnic tables.
Beach access to the bay and boat launching ramps as well as RV parking areas.
One of the crown jewels in the San Diego Parks system and home to the San Diego Visitor Information Center right at E Mission Bay and the 5 Freeway.
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Given its calm water, small beaches and acres of well-kept green grass, this place appears to be a dream for the water skiers and jet skiers who were out in force with their accompanying RVs and BBQs during our time in the area.
Since we were just looking to play in the sand and water, however, next time I would probably shoot for the cleaner water and wider beaches at one of San Diego's many options closer to the ocean.
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this is yet another great place to take kids in this wonderful city. I have made many memories with my son here. Great place for the company picnic, a wedding or just a day out to fly a kite...
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Our running group meets at the runners' bathroom here and enjoy a very scenic run around the bay. If there's enough light we'll run to sea world and back (5 miles). The only qualm I have is that is get super crowded with rollerbladers, runners, walkers, dogs, etc. You get the idea. Otherwise, there's free parking and gorgeous sunsets that reflect off the water. Wouldn't want to swim here, but I've seen some people do it.
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I started running here the day I moved to san diego. I can't stay away. If you start at the visitor's center on the clairemont side, go left, there's a nice scenic jog goin on there..or pretty much anywhere on the bay. Easy paved trail along the water, or you can run on the grass pretty much the whole way. Works for short or long runs. Dog-friendly too. Hit it up around sunset.. perfect.
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