Beach vacations in San Diego are a great way to relax, soak up the sun and make some great family memories. And if your kids just love playing in the sand or swimming, your activities are totally free! San Diego’s near perfect climate and miles of sandy beaches make it a great destination if your family loves the ocean. Here are some beach vacation ideas in San Diego with free access:
Mission Beach has wide sandy beaches and
Belmont Park
home to the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. This beach boardwalk has rides for toddlers to teens (and you might even enjoy a ride on the Giant Dipper!). Mission Beach is conveniently located just minutes from SeaWorld and other popular attractions like the
San Diego Zoo,
Balboa Park and downtown.
Mission Bay is located east of Mission Beach and has a great family friendly atmosphere and beautiful views. Your kids will love watching jet-skiers whizzing by in the bay. You can even
rent one
yourself. There are many elaborate playgrounds available for your younger kids to enjoy. Mission Bay is home to SeaWorld so Shamu will be very close by!
La Jolla is one of our favorite places in all of San Diego. You’ll see spectacular views of the coastline. La Jolla Shores located on Camino del Oro is a sandy beach about one mile long, adjacent to a residential area. The waves are very gentle here, making it a nice choice for kids. The Steven Birch Aquarium is within a half mile. La Jolla Cove is tucked between sandstone cliffs and is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California because of its extraordinary beauty. The Grassy Scripps Park is a great place for a picnic. You’re sure to see seals and sea lions in the Children’s Pool, a small beach protected by a seawall.
Take in the beautiful scenery of the La Jolla coast in this video.
Del Mar is the beach to visit if you’re in North County near Legoland. You can swim, walk, surf, or boogie board in a seaside paradise. Enjoy a picnic in Powerhouse Park which has a big playground for kids. Del Mar has a quaint, upscale village overlooking the ocean with fantastic restaurants at reasonable prices like the Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio. If your family likes biking, ride along Coast Highway south to Torrey Pines or north to Solana Beach. Parking is hard to find here in summer months, so arrive early in the morning or maybe enjoy the beach in the early evening.