DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

Mission Beach

This beach is one of the calmest, easiest places to ocean swim in San Diego area. You can also go scuba diving (off the shore are several dive wrecks). Or you can bicycle or rollerblade along the boardwalk (several stores nearby rent equipment).

outdoors

Website: sandiego.gov (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: San Diego/Mission Beach-Pacific Beach, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Belmont Park
A seaside amusement park located near the southern end of Mission Beach, Belmont Park is a landmark with a number of shops, restaurants, an arcade, and a bunch of rides. The big attraction is the Giant Dipper, a historic roller coaster that is one of the only two remaining oceanfront roller coasters still operating on the west coast. Also popular is The Plunge, a historic indoor heated swimming pool that continues to be the city's largest indoor pool. Among the other rides is a FlowRider (a simulated wave attraction which you can bodyboard on), an antique carousel, bumper cars, slides, pendulum rides, tilt-a-whirl, and a trampoline.
Open April–December, hours vary by season and day of week; typically 11AM-8PMGeneral admission free, ride tickets $1 each (rides take anywhere from 3-6 tickets each); unlimited ride passes available
DrinkMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Blue Palm
Coffee shop right by Mariners Basin. Also serves breakfast foods, tucked away.
Tue-Sun 7AM-3PM, closed Mon
EatMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Olive Cafe
Nested between the bay and the beach, Olive Cafe provides breakfast scrambles, burritos, pancakes, breakfast bowls, and baked goods. Sister establishment for Olive Baking Company, which is a small, quick casual bakery, less than a block away. Parking is tough around the area and can get busy in the weekends.
DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
The aquatic center rents catamarans and other watercraft, as do several other franchises around the bay. Instructional lessons are available. The western half of the bay is "sail only" (powerboats 5 mph no wake) during the daytime.