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Circa 2006.
First of all, any beach in San Diego is way better than any beaches up here in San Francisco Bay Area. Let me put it this way: if you go in the water up here, your balls are gonna shrink so far up your crotch you're gonna start talking like a chipmunk. Yes, it's hella freezin.
The last time we visited San Diego, we decided to drive around and explore the area after visiting Seaworld. Where we ended up was someplace fun, unexpected and a had wonderful time. Parking was easy to find and the weather was nice and perfect. (Isn't that always the case in San Diego?)
There was a small amusement park next to the beach complete with a roller coaster, carousel and cotton candies. Souvenir stores and eateries lined up the streets...along with a tattoo parlor if memory serves me right. What have we stumbled upon?
This place have Lifeguard Stations complete with matching vehicles, and....it was gorgeous - I mean the people here are gorgeous. The ladies here were real unlike the silicone-infused portable life rafts they have in La La land. Luckily, I was wearing shades so I could sneak a few looks at the (ehem) bikini-clad beach-goers so the wifey wouldn't notice.
Then the piece-de-resistance was the water. Warm, refreshing water so good it made me remember how a beach water should feel like. You see, I was born in the Philippines so this is how a beach should feel like. Hey, I love San Francisco and the cold weather...but when it comes to beaches, San Diego trumps us any day.
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Am I at Venice, in LA??? I still love taking walks from MB to PB and I can handle to crowd so this isn't going to stop me. But really...
What happened to this place in the last 5 years? What's with all these kids and even adults "hanging out" along the wall. Really?? The ocean is facing that a way, not this a way...
People watching is cool, and I'm all for that. Holla at women all you want. Make out all you want. But at least camouflage yourselves and wear something beach appropriate. Seriously, you're lookin' kinda stoopid sitting there like Humpty Dumptys.
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I love Mission Beach! My family, starting with my parents, has been coming here for over 50 years and damn, it hasn't changed much. Love love love Ocean Front Walk and Slowmo and the constant parade of bodies going by. Waves are usually small and well behaved - perfect for a gringette like me! I park my car and walk or bike everywhere, its so easy.
We stay by lifeguard station 20, so its not crowded at all. However, if you are looking for some lovin' the beaches by the pier or by Belmont Park are packed with tight bodies.
Bonus! Mission Beach Blvd has many dirt cheap taco stands!
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I'm in love. I never saw a real beach, until the day I stepped onto the sands of Mission Beach. Of course, I've been to the beaches in northern Caifornia, but totally not the same. It was perfect timing too, the sun was about to set and it was sooo beautiful! I'm definitely coming here for my birthday next summer. =D
Wow, what a nice beach. I think a big part of it is because we got a parking spot relatively easy. Crowded but it's ok, more people to watch your stuff while you're playing in the water I suppose.
Sandy bottom beach, clear water, nice waves, woo hoo! oh and it's also somewhat shallow going further out.
Closest beach by me. :] loveee the crowd and water and volleyball nets! Ive gone running here at 7:30am and it starts getting crowed around 10ish.The taco shop across from the belmont parking space in BOMB. try the ca fries. The waters not too salty so if your going body surfing, it won't burn your eyes like OB water which is right next door.
The only thing i hate with the passion is the gangsters and cholos here that sit on the walls and stray back and fourth on the sidewalks to hit on girls in bikinis. EW. yes its happen to me, with a little touch too and boyyyy did i flip out which i never have done before. SO DISRESPECTFUL.
ps:dont where your LA dodgers hat even if any team is better than the padres.THEY HATE.
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Nice beach - not a lot of people. It's pretty rocky in some places with not a lot of sand. We hung out mostly in front of the Hilton they have in the area. There was a wedding going on too so it was nice to just sit and watch that for a bit. The water is pretty NOT clear - but it is a bay and at least it's not LA beaches which I know for a fact are even worse. We were pretty unprepared so we shared one towel and only waded in the water up to our knees. The water is warm enough - not freezing cold. We ended up going to a nearby store and bought a nerf football. That entertained us for a couple hours. And we ended the day with a 6 pack of beer. There's bonfire pits spread out around the beach you can use. And there was a pier that looked like it was owned by the Hilton, where you could rent paddle boats, wind surfing boards and various other water sport related equipment. We only spent a few hours there but I liked the weather and the calmness of the water and almost emptiness of the beach. There were people walking behind us on the path/boardwalk but the beach had very few families/groups.
Much more tolerable than Ocean Beach, without as many beggars and shirtless teenage drunks. A lot of activity on the boardwalk, and the commercial area that surrounds the roller coaster isn't bad as far as casual food options and public restrooms. Luigi's pizza nearby is great for beer.
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The best beach we could find in San Diego. Very clean, has all the infrastructure you might need. Very enjoyable experience.
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I hate the crowd, but damn its a nice beach to come to. Its has all sorts of bars along the strip and the parks and what not.
Its always a great place to have a bbq or bonfire.
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Its a beautiful beach, a tourist beach, lots of attractions along the shore.
Waves are decent here…
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This is my all time favorite beach in San Diego. I came here yesterday around 1 with my guy friend and we had a blast. Its great cause if your get hungry, all you have to take a few steps of the beach and theres food. I feel like it has really cleaned up since the booze ban, which is better, personally I wasnt a fan of all the drunken idiots falling all over the beach.
The only bad thing, all the kids!! Like the 5 years old who are throwing sand and the 10 year olds who think they are cool and saying rude comments to all the fat people who look like beached whales. oops that was rude, excuse me. There was a group of wanna be gangster kids next to us and all they did was make comments about how my ass looked nice and the fat girl infront of them was blocking their view.
I recommend this place to everyone, and I also recommmend OB, but thats more for peace and quite. Mission beach is a party beach and Ocean is the sleeping beach, jus remember that ok everyone!
See you at the beach!
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Ah, the tourist business. Clusters of shops and cafes huddled next to each other, vying for your attention. You see the same souvenirs over and over, even if the stores are literally right next to each other. You might even see glass containers with deceased baby sharks submerged inside a clear fluid. Who would want that as a SD souvenir? Is that even legal? Is it even real?
We stopped by Mission Beach and we stayed for no longer than half an hour. It was a rather chilly and breezy afternoon, which I suspect kept many tourists away from the adjacent beach. Once we got past the shops and fake-wave machines, we found ourselves inside the amusement park area. Things were lively in there. Kids were licking their lollipops, riding a dizzying array of creaky roller coasters, and climbing atop fake palm trees.
We left without paying a cent for a souvenir. Instead, we found several perfectly shaped seashells on the beach. Each one was unique in design and texture, a beautiful reminder of what nature can create. It sure beats a glass-encased dead baby shark any day of the week.
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If you go early in the day, the bathrooms here are W O N D E R F U L!!!
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The five years I lived in MB were some of the best years of my life! Living between the bay and the ocean is a little slice of heaven. Being able to bike to bars and restaurants was cool. Dealing with the tweakers in the area, not so much.
The only reason I left is because I got married and "had to grow up". That and to stop abusing my liver.
Tourists and fake surf shops (most don't actually carry surf supplies, just the clothes).
Good place to find $3 San Diego tshirts...
Good place to find parking...
Good place for tourists...
Nice waves
Good place to learn to surf....
Very diverse crowd... some thugs
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Mission Beach is a very fun, family-oriented beach. Belmont Park is there with rides and food. There are shops, restaurants, and bars. It is across from Mission Bay with many grass parks and smoother water for kayaking. There are volleyball courts at the end. On top of all this, you have the beach itself.
I just discovered the Wave House. I don't know how I have never been inside. I love it.
Anyway, if you have kids and want to do the ice cream and rides things, this is the place to do it!
You can check out a videos of
The roller coaster: http://www.youtube.com...
The beach and boardwalk: http://www.youtube.com...
The WaveHouse: http://www.youtube.com...
I've been in San Diego almost ten years and I'd never been to Mission Beach.
Seems like a scene that appeals to tourists and locals alike. Rollercoasters, fair foods, bars, restaurants, shops...and the beach and bike path. A bit of everything!
I keep trying to get my boyfriend to ride tandem bikes with me along the path, but he complains about something to do with doing all the work...I have no idea whats he's talking about ;)
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This has been voted the best party beach, though this was prior to the booze ban. It is full of tourists and college kids every summer, so come here if that's what you are interested in.
The boardwalk runs around the bay and up to PB. It's nice for a stroll in the summer but not worth the hassle of trying to bike/run/skate/board during this time. Great for all these activities in the winter.
Mission Beach is very narrow so there is really only one road through it so aviod driving if you can. Taking a beach cruiser will be faster and is more green.
This place is well known in San Diego. I'm a fan of it. Love it for bonfires or just kicking back. It gets pack and hard to find parking!
It gets messy! But big enough for everyone to share :D
There are worse places than Mission Beach. This beach (and surrounding environs) can occasionally get crowded, but parking isn't horrible, and there's a free lot by the park.
There's lots to keep you busy. Besides the roller coaster (people were screaming, so it has to be good), there's a sandy beach, volleyball nets (uncertain if they're provided or not), and yes, places to buy kitschy crap. There's plenty of random eateries, including pizza places, and a nifty Greek place that I've yet to try. If you need a drink to wash all that down, there's certainly no shortage of bars.
Keep in mind that there are comfy homes along the shore with real, live RESIDENTS living in them, so don't be an asshat when you're there.
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Things I love about Mission Beach (and yes, they're ranked):
5. The hammocks at that bar that has the wave machine. So relaxing.
4. The Big Dipper roller coaster
3. Beach volleyball on South Mission
2. Riding beach cruisers on the boardwalk (HIGHLY recommended)
...and the number 1 reason Mission Beach totally rocks:
1. MTV's So Cal Beachouse the summer of 2000. My teenage friends and I couldn't contain our excitement when we'd go to the TRL tapings in our bikinis and try to get on the camera as much as possible. Who wouldn't love a summer at 15 years old sitting 5 feet away from Carson and popping up in the little box during the video shouting "Its Carris and Brianna chillin in our hometown San Diego. And WE requested Hanson's "If Only" because NOT only to they rock the countdown... they rock our worlds! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
(slap palm on head)
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This is where I start my best days. Get there right when the parking lot opens, no one is around, and run all the way up along the water's edge to Pacific Beach and back.
I'll never doubt why I moved to San Diego.
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Not my favorite place to hang out, but not the worst either... Mission Beach, you're all right. You have nice houses lining the street and I always get a kick out of the double yellow lines painted on the sidewalk to keep pedestrians and cyclists on the "right" side of the road.
You sure do have a lot of seaweed, though... and there aren't very many attractive men hanging out - mainly skanky hoes. Oh well. It takes one to know one, right?
Anyway.
Keep up the cleanliness and don't get rid of the park. Oh... and... do more photo shoots of the Charger girls. That's hot.
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Mission beach, you remind me of my teenage years--walking around the beach, getting hit on (and followed) by older guys during the summer months with my friends. Memories galore. It's good in that aspect, but my love for Mission beach slowly died off over the years growing up.
I do have one great memory: Staying out late @ Mission with my friends, high and drunk, and then walking back to the car and realizing we were locked in one of the far end parking lots. Of course, this stirred commotion amongst the group of us, one, because we were drunk and high and underage, and two, we didn't know how the hell we were going to get out.
After much laughter (from me, the sober one), and after the others sobered up some from a serious freak-fest, I ended up driving over one of the grassy knolled sidewalks, and maneuvered the car carefully around the gate.
Fun times, Mission.
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Mission is one of my favorite SD beaches for its pure variety. Start off at the roller coaster and have some family fun. Visit The Wavehouse on Sunday afternoon for lots of pretty, drunk twenty-somethings, or get some serious beach volleyball time in on the courts at the south end of the beach.
Parking can be an issue during the summer (especially on holiday weekends) but is generally not too bad. Park on the Bay side and walk over if you can't find something on the beach.
The Boardwalk is great for runners, rollerbladers and people watching.
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I almost had to leave you forever, Mission Beach. Your funk, your wide swath of the social fabric, none of it could obliterate the pain. But I went back and we were back, buddied up for madness and fun.
Yeah, bra. You know me. I used to pop in for breakfast. I sometimes had a beer. But me, I come see you to be on your sand and in your water. Back on my hardboard days, by the jetty. Body boarding days? That sweet break in the summer swim zone, in front of Canes.
Now you remember me. Hey, remember when mom took off and lived down by the volleyball nets in that cool little beach house with that new dude? She visited that day with us and I learned to surf? I sure do. I was nine, man. Wow, that was a great day, seeing mom after three months. Thanks, you were a great host.
Remember all the trips to see you with my aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins, sneaking away from Mission Bay Park where they made us stay to come see you so I could play in the waves. Awesome, man. It was worth the spanking, totally!
Remember the girlfriends I took there, all of them needing to have that special "you get to know this place through me" quality. Yeah, of course you do. Even the one who didn't much like you.
In 14 years she only came with me five times. Each time, I made it a point to be in tune, riding and carving to impress her under her skin-shielding encampment, my little pallid Sultana. She liked it, but the beach was just not her thing. You played a good host, though.
I remember she urged me to be in the water whenever possible. I was. She was your biggest cheerleader. Then she was gone. I forgot she urged me to be in your water. I just remembered she didn't like to go with me to see you. I was afraid her spirit would not be with me.
I was wrong, and I finally went to see you today again, ready to ride the waves for the first time since she left me here. The first song on the radio was the one that reminds me of her. "Big Hard Sun." She wanted to let me know she was coming with me.
We've been buds for a long time, bra. You're my homie from the home break. Hell, you are the home break.
You might not be the best surf spot ever, but you have the goods to get me in the water, and there's a boardwalk for me if I want some non-natural beach fun. Not bad, not bad, but a little gawdy. I prefer the sand and waves.
Hey, bud. If I bring a new girl or a pack of friends around, try to do something to score me a fire ring. It gets busy and I can't camp out all day. You understand, man.
And do you think you can bring the broom painter back, the guy who does the sand sweeping designs on the lot surface? That would be keen, even if he sells more Jesus than an immigrant smuggler with a labor service on the side.
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this is my favorite beach in san diego. some people might think im crazy.. but i just feel like it has the perfect stereotypical beach vibe going on. i always have a good time coming here! here are some things i lovee about it
-lots of palm trees!
-lots of shops with souveniers, both expensive and pricey.. but none the less alwaysssss nice to browse
-liveliness! bike riding, roller blading, etc etc, THAT paired with the sound of waves is perfect for falling asleep on the beach
-the weather is always warmer here than the beach in La Jolla.
-the wave bar thingie is really cool too. just go in there to chilllllax and watch people surf.. and fall. it can be pretty funny haha
-they use to have fat boy pizza here! i think its gone now.. boohoo
-the amusement rides are coOOool .. although ive never been on any of them haha
Clean beach. Family friendly beach. Occassional good looking guys/gals. Avoid the bathrooms if you can. Some stores/food places on the boardwalk that are definitely over-priced. You're better off going to the main road 1 block over and getting some Subway/Burger King etc. and going to some stores for souvenirs. CLOSET store carries cute beach dresses/accessories/swim suits for women and super cheap. Not high quality but if you just need it as a beach cover up, their stuff should do. Parking on main road can be hard after 5pm but you can park on public streets a few blocks away if you want (free). At night, the young crowd start to gather in clubs/bars. Great place to be if you're in your 20's.
I don't know how we ended up here to be honest.My friend actually thought we were at Pacific Beach till her friend was like, oh Mission beach is cool. It kinda reminded me of a mix between Santa Cruz & Capitola beach from Northern Cali. It was great weather for January. Warm enough that I almost took of my sweater. Its always a good time when you're chillin on a gorgeous beach, blazed out of your mind,listening to music & struggling to light a little sumthin sumthin.
This is where I go to walk on the beach. Many memories have been made on this beach as well as long walks and long talks...clean and safe this is my favorite beach in the city
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Huge beach, i lucked out and found parking near the main lifeguard station around 4:00pm on Friday. A busy and happening beach. People go to see and be seen. There are eateries both sit down and fast foodie and small shops. People are sunbathing, picnicing, skating, biking, surfing. I can see parking being a bear on the weekends.
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i love it..the taste of salt in the air, the sound of ocean waves, half naked burnt people everywhere, everybody's having a good time!
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