Mission Beach Park

Mission Beach is spectacular — a true 5.0 in every way. The beaches are top notch, lots of guards (do take the time to thank them, it’s a huge responsibility and NOT an easy task during summer busy periods). Volleyball courts on the sand nearby are plentiful and a path from the South Mission Beach Life Guard station stretches a full 3.1 miles GREAT for roller skating or walking, running or just about anything. The people watching is also pretty great. Also, there are some really talented street performers here (musicians), and some amazing sunsets. These photos and video should give you an idea.

We had a very nice dinner at Cannonball, and then went for about an hours walk along the promenade. We times our dinner and our walk with the sunset, and we weren't disappointed. The walkway was busy...runners, walkers, skateboarders, but still quite relaxing. There were still people on the beach, most active, playing games. We walked south, and also had the opportunity to look at the houses right next to the walkway. Great fun!

Came here to get away from the 90+ degree weather inland. We always love Mission Beach, but don't frequent it because of how busy it gets. Even on a Tuesday, it was full of people... But not so many that we didn't enjoy ourselves. We walked along the boardwalk to PB while our teen and his friend stayed at Belmont Park. Fabulous day for the older ones as well as our 15 month old!

Great beach and great atmosphere. We set up close to lifeguard station 13. It was very difficult to find parking. I probably was at it for 1hr until I finally found a spot in the parking lot at the end of N Jetty Rd. The water is great and the sand is as well. I will definitely come back but mentally ready to invest some time in looking for parking.

So diversified, I love that! People surfing, boogie boarding, jogging, skating, skateboarding, having bonfires and simply enjoying the beach. Others enjoying the amusement rides like the giant Dipper roller coaster, bumper cars, tilt a whirl, carousel and others . Quite a few places to eat from burgers to sushi to ice cream or popcorn. There's an arcade and a few carnival games. We will definitely be back for more.

One of the best beaches with white sand, shops, cool breezes, and plenty of places to get drinks and food.

Very nice place to hang out. The views are amazing and there is a lot to do. Even the souvenirs were a really good price. Biking, skating, roller blading, swimming, food the list goes on.

Crowded but great vibe. The life guards were very busy keeping people off rip tides. The bathrooms always in great supply of T.P. and showers work great cold water but good to rinse off sand

I always call San Diego my happy place, and Mission Beach never disappoints. We have never technically stayed beach front until this trip. We got some marine air on some days, but that didn't take away from the beauty. I still enjoyed every bit of it. Especially when you get to see the dolphins put on a free show for you. So epic! I love how close you are to cute little beach bars, shopping, people watching, restaurants, mini theme park. Just so much to do. We even got yo enjoy a farmers market that was near. Great vendors, I might add. Just makes a person not want to leave to go home from vacation.

The closest beach from where I live, I can come here and enjoy the day at all the attractions from Belmont Park, the foods in and around there, a little walk or ride on the bike watching all the activities happening here, the parking always be the challenge especially when they have any special events. Other than that, you can choose to park far-away and walk around, plenty of things to see

Mission Beach has something to offer for people of all ages. It's clean, walkable, and offers a variety of fun activities whether it's surfing, roller skating, frisbee, walking your dog, taking your kids to the playground, swimming, or simply enjoying a nice walk / jog on the beach. There are plenty of free parking lots as well as many nearby restaurants and stores.

Decent place to walk around and chill either by yourself or with family/friends. Lots to do! Water is cold but bearable. I recommend to go early in the day and leave before it's dark, the crowd changes. Unless you're eating at one if the restaurants, outside public bathrooms. South Mission Beach has a lot of volleyball nets, just ask if you can hop in a game or bring your own ball and net. Places to rent bikes, shop, or dine.

Went to watch sunset. A little cool and some seaweeds washed up. Buts such a great view of the Pacific. We shall return. See our YouTube channel Coolest Life.

I've been coming to Mission Beach since I was a little girl. Love this beautiful beach. Great vibes and so much to do. There's literally something for everyone. Whenever we visit San Diego Mission Beach is a much!

I've never been to San Diego before so I had to check out this hot spot. How picturesque. The water is so blue! I'm used to going to beaches near LA where the water is gray. I took a nap on the beach, had some pizza, looking through touristy stores, got in the ocean. What a nice time

This beach is very popular, so expect crowds... even during the week. But even with the crowds there's enough space to setup shop & hang out for the day. We didn't get to go to the shops but there was a lot more to do if you didn't want to be on the beach all day. The water was warm so that was a plus!

I used to frequent this gem back in the day when I worked for my Uncle at his car rental agency. I remembered it being so busy and clean. I visited yesterday and noticed nothing has changed aside for the ease of finding parking. There's still tons of beach sand and a handful of street performers. Lots of seagulls and rows of palm trees. The public restrooms are clean. The benches and picnic areas are too. There's a bit more graffiti that I remembered but it doesn't take away from the picturesque view of the ocean. With so much to see and do, it's an ideal place to sit back and relax. Whether you want to ride a bike, rollerblade or even paint - Mission Beach has it all and in one area. I plan to come back again and let my rascals roll around in the sand since it's December and the water might be a bit too chili for them to enjoy it. Then make our way to the boardwalk for food and games. Maybe I'll see you there!? Good vibes only. Always...

DINGY BEACH w/ obnoxious beach goers and tourists. Mission Beach is mainly known for its amusement spot Belmont Park which is pretty good. However, the beach it's laid on is so dirty it broke my heart. The water was dark, like it's been polluted and no one was entering. The bathroom situation was absolutely horrific, dudes were leaving their boxer briefs in the stalls, toilets and urinals. I literally wanted to die. The toilets do NOT flush and nothing is ever cleaned. Mission Beach seemed like it's going for Venice Beach but much grimier. It's disappointing that the beach management and staff are not keeping an eye on anything. Even the lifeguards are goofing off. I found the stores and food lined up across the beach to be good, they get a recommendation! However, the rest of this beach needs help. Here's to hoping things change!

4th July Weekend. Busy at the beach but still a good time. Weather felt amazing and of course the vibe was too. Nothing like spending the day at the beach.

I never think to review beaches on Yelp but just in case someone else thinks to look for beach reviews on Yelp, here I am! I was recently on vacation to San Diego and had heard from someone local that mission beach wasn't a great spot for photography. Something in me needed to scratch the itch, so I drove out anyways and I am so glad I did! First of all, if you're looking for a beach with large rocks and a more PC wallpaper look you probably want to go to La Jolla. However - if you're looking for incredibly soft sand, volleyball, or the iconic boardwalk beach town vibes you definitely want to be at Mission Beach. I can see how this area would attract more tourists with an amusement park and several shops, but there was more than enough quiet boardwalk on the other end with beautiful beach houses, ocean, and the occasional biker or mom and kids. It was a dream to walk through at sunset and it was the only place I've ever been where I could genuinely see myself living happily. I will forever be envious of anyone with a home on mission beach! Is it the most lavish beach in SD? No. Is it the most charming? In my opinion - yes. I think it's adorable and I'll include pictures to prove it!

Dolphins! I saw wild dolphins in the distance! They did flippys and floppys! I thought it was the surfers at first but it was too far. But it was wild dolphin's. It was beautiful. Usually I see them on the whale watching tours when I'm in town. Which is magical too. But seeing them from the beach was just icing on the cake during the sun setting

What has been the one place that you can take the long walk along the sand and the sound of the waves and the birds overhead as you see the setting sun come down and the evening slowly changes before you go home to catch the bus? For many that have come to the beach and the many others that have businesses were flooded out and the boardwalk became as one large river of water as the king tides came up and over the seawalls and the berms. When you go to the area of Mission Beach you drive up and over the bridge with many areas around the Mission Beach were on the flood stages and some had to close to repair and many of them closed to do major repairs. The day I went over to the mission Beach area I was going to find many people and the ones that were enjoying the water yet there were many that were walking up and down the boardwalk. For the many areas of the Mission Beach area there was high berms that helped when the high waters and the king tides had splashed over the top flooding many areas with the beach area it was an area that received the full brunt with another storm that is coming to San Diego. Mission Beach area does have the many areas of the shoreline and the events that take place during the summer such as the women's professional surfing and the triathlon that tests all the mental strengths that a person has when the person competes. The many places with some of the best food and the best barbecue that maybe closed with the Roller Coaster bar and saloon is one of the oldest and with Hammels the maker of fine surfboards the Castle store of Mission Beach. Just to get a walk about the beach it had the feel of the beach had been hit and bombarded by the strong surf and the flooding that took over the seawall flooding down into the main streets of the business district. With the many businesses that are close to the beach and the flooding that takes place yes beaches here do have the change of tides and the rain that comes you never know what to expect. Through the many years and the many years of History Mission Beach has changed with vacation rentals and the high-priced condos which line the beaches no there is no beer allowed on the beach or the boardwalk it can cost you a hefty ticket. As a yelp Elite Reviewer through the many events that I have seen being back to the beach when it was hit it changes the feeling and takes the beach even lower causing the high tide to go further up. Mission Beach does have the mighty Belmont Park and the many things for the kids and the adults when weather gets bad is to make the alternate plans to keep people safe and out of the weather. Safe beach Travel and have a great day.

Generally crowded during the summer. In January it's not too bad. Still amazing to come watch the sunset!

A family friend rented a house on the boardwalk here recently. Most of San Diego was raining but somehow it was sunny and pretty clear at the beach. That didn't last long but long enough to have a decently sunny afternoon and sneak in a pretty sunset. The waves were average but the water was freezing! With it being a chilly day, it was nice to be able to retreat into the house and warm up!

Love the beach, Mission has the romance of the sunset to fireworks (9pm). Joy me for a walk after dinner.

The Coney Island of the West Coast? Not quite, but Mission Beach is a fun place to spend an afternoon riding a roller coaster, burning quarters in an arcade, eating overpriced junk food, and/or tanning on a fantastic beach. It may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but most people who drink tea are boring anyway.

As many times as we've been here, I cannot believe I have not written a review! We truly enjoy the ocean and this area is one of our favorites. We enjoy our morning walks here. The view of the ocean helps us destress. We love the homes and condos here. Some are just ok, but then you'll see some unique ones with fantastic landscaping. Some homes decorate with pirates or surfing stuff. You'll see people biking or skating, too. Step out of their way. Once we tucker ourselves out, we usually stop at one of the local coffee shops. We'll pickup a coffee or a chai latte with pastries and sit down and enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean. It's so relaxing for us. It's also great to watch the surfers catch their waves! Sometimes the young college students will play volleyball and that's good entertainment as well. After that, we'll window shop and find a spot for breakfast or lunch with one of the local eateries. Overall, great place for people who enjoy the beach. There's a lifeguard station here. There's public restrooms available. Of course, the outdoor shower stations to wash off the sand. Parking? It's off street parking. We actually parked across the street in the residential area.

I mean, can it get any better than this? People watching, vendors, warm breeze, and conversations. I've talked Mission Beach up a bit just because of the ones I like, they have the non-rickety Ferris wheel! Among many other things, but let's just be real, that's a pretty neat entrance to roll up to while you look for parking. Don't be me and not being tennis shoes, though. I learned and teach quickly, to have that second lair handy. That board walk is long folks!

This place is AMAZING!!! I enjoy the sound of the ocean and the tranquil and gorgeous views. Grateful to appreciate this!

Very busy beach on warm/hot days! Get out there early to find a spot. There are beautiful homes along the boardwalk with volley ball courts and basketball courts at the end of one side. Some famous restaurants are in the area so make sure to scope them out. The main portion has changed a lot over the years so it's nice to come back and see the evolution! Enjoy!

Mission Beach is the best in San Diego. People from all over the world come here to party and explore the life on the Southern most tip of California. Lots of restaurants and bars here that serve good food and drinks. The street tacos and other street foods are good that they sell at the street vendors. Most powerful waves, and surfers here . Many years ago, I almost got killed by a big wave body boarding here. We love to come here and rent bikes, boards, and scooters here at Mission Beach. So, its my favorite place to be in California.

To return to Mission Beach is like returning to the land of Oz, if you reside somewhere else other than San Diego. Arriving there early as we did in the past I lucked out and found a premium parking spot not 30 seconds from the boardwalk. It was May Gray and we left before it burned off but it was still a good time. CA must have changed it's vendor laws because they were now lined up on the boardwalk selling various trinkets. It's still a great place to shop, people watch and of course there's the beach.

MISSION BEACH SEEMS NICE ========================= My husband I dropped my son off at his hostel in Mission Beach after spending the day with him all over San Diego. His hostel was right across the the street from Belmont Park and you could see the roller coaster right there on the corner. The traffic getting to Mission Beach from Downtown San Diego on a Saturday afternoon was a bit crazy, but the weather was nice and people were out enjoying it.

Such a beautiful and wonderful beach. Very walkable, with lots of places to eat right off the beach. Our family loved checking out the beach, playing under the pier and then heading to get a bite to eat. We felt safe and met friendly people down by the water. Additionally we appreciated the outdoor showers to rinse off our feet before leaving the area.

This beach is what I grew up near. I've lived in san diego most of my life. I grew up in mid city as a child and as a teen to adult I've lived in the Talmadge/Kensington area so the closest beach to me was mission beach then OB. I have a bias bc of nostalgia but aside from that, it's a pretty decent beach. Its gotten a lot more trashier since evidently there are more transients. Ofc nothing like terrible San Francisco. I hated s.f when I used to live there. It's small, crowded and most of all dirty and a housing haven for transients. Perhaps San diego will never get to where s.f is. I believe that San diego cares about their beaches and how their city looks. Most parts anyway. Mission beach has a walkway. A boardwalk if you will. They have some very overpriced restaurants and stands. The stands are mostly selling sports accessories like hats, Ponchos, bags etc. Some other stands sells dresses, bathing suits and boxer/briefs for about 40-60$. Their sales pitch is usually something about the environment, but again, it's san diego. The showers are constantly broken and the water sometimes doesn't run. What I like are the bikers, Rollerbladers, and the many people who walk there. It's lively and feels vibrant. The people are generally nice and the grass area is clean. You can't bring your dog on the beach but you can walk your dog on a leash on the walkway. I believe it's a 250$ fine, but it's been lenient. I bring my dog every time and people are chill. It's a great beach with some quirks.

Its a beach but a great beach. Not much to say other than walk around, enjoy the sunset, grab a drink, and breathe deeply. Lovely spot.

I had a great time visiting Mission Beach!! A very lively area with Belmont Park, the Boardwalk, and places to eat here along with all types of vendors selling all types of stuff, you can see it's easy to spend a day here. We walked along the Boardwalk for a while, it was hot, the beach had a fair amount of people. Running, bike riding and walking goes on here all day long. Kind of seemed like anything goes here also, seen some homeless people, burned out bonfires, people indulging if you know what I mean, but it's all good. This is a very clean beach, I enjoyed myself here!!

Mission Beach isn't too far for me so I definitely come here auto convenience but I also genuinely love how close the beach and the bar I love that I'm able to go paddle boarding and then can cross the street to sit at the beach for a while Belmont Park is also really fun if you're there with the family and there's restaurant on the side if you want to grab an ice cream or breakfast burrito I do understand that San Diego has a lot of amazing beaches. However, I do think Mission Beach is worth it.

This specific location right next to Belmont Park is just a little too crowded for my taste . We visited for a family barbecue (they love it here) on a Saturday . The biggest issue here is PARKING! After 12pm it just becomes a mess when trying to drive up to this beach and find a parking . I would recommend to Uber or park really far and walk . The beach is beautiful ! Very touristy ! There is a bar located right outside Belmont park which is great , but for me it's just too crowded , especially in the summer time . They also don't allow dogs unless it's before 9 am or 6 pm, but I saw a lot of people walking their dogs int the. Idle of the day .

Mission Beach never disappoints! This beach is clean and incredibly easy to access. The board walk is full of shops and restaurants and there's always something fun to do. Mission Beach continues to be my favorite beach!

Came here on a family beach day. We had a great time. There are lots of vendors and despite it being a busy saturday we had no problem finding a nice spot in the sand to enjoy the water. I love that they have lifeguards on duty because it gives peace of mind. The only con is parking. It took us about 30mins to find a parking spot. It would be helpful if there was someone there directing people because it was chaotic. I would come back but would be mentally prepared for the parking problem.

Beach was nice and easily accessible when you're able to find a space in the parking lot. Very chilly the days we went but still great to visit nonetheless. Some downsides though. -Some transients riding their bikes dangerously on the side walk between beach and parking lot. They need to be removed. -There was a group digging a large hole for no apparent reason. Dangerous. -Some people play their games while we're right smack dab in the middle of it. Don't ever do that.

We visited about 4 years ago and it was so much fun! A lovely place to hang out with yourself, with friends or family. Beach is lovely and not very cold and no rough waves so very child friendly that way. Plenty to play in the sand, a lovely walk around the boardwalk and cool places to eat nearby :) We went to Draft and enjoy a good lunch with good beers!

Beautiful beach plenty of parking even on the weekends. Has arcade and rides for the kids. Something for the whole family to enjoy

I miss living over here. It is a beautiful, lively, active, fun, busy beach. This beach is surrounded by clothing, and shoe stores, jewelry, coffee, sun glasses, beachy stuff, ice-cream, and top quality restaurants. There is beverages a lack if things to do. But if you've done, and seen all that, there's an amusement park right in the beach, and studio/hotel rentals on the board walk. There's always something for everyone. Oh yea, the most beautiful beach is right here in Mission Valley.

One of my favorite places to run. Fresh air and the nice sound of the ocean waves. It offers runners the option to run on the sand or on the boardwalk. I used this run as a good training track for my half marathon training. Roughly from end to end is about 6 miles don't quote me on that. On weekends it can get pretty crowded especially on the boardwalk. I've always been down here just to relax and watch the sunset. We've had a few bonfires here as well. There was restaurants right in the boardwalk you can go to or just down the street. Parking can get tricky but there is another parking lot across the street from Belmont Park. You can park there and walk over. Plenty of beach rentals here as well if you want a staycation or if you are coming out of town. Just get ready for crowds on warmer days. Lots of bikers and runners so make sure to stay on the right side of traffic.

OK I'm super shocked that I'm barely doing this review. I've been to this V beach over 15 times. This is one of my favorite beaches because you can simply bike log run skateboard etc. and have a great time. Also, lots of people take it vantage of the legal smoking of the marijuana and that's OK too. If you want to go smoke weed on the beach, this is the beast do that. As you know it's legal in California.. Also, if you want to rent bikes they got a really cool bike shop we can rent bikes for super cheap. We usually come to this beach 2 to 3 times when I'm here in San Diego. If you want to play volleyball, you can do that too. I am not sure if you can fish but I wouldn't be surprised if you can fish off peers. This is what I will call a very relaxing laid-back beach. The sunsets are beautiful. The water is nice. The sand is nice. They have lifeguards. What else could you ask for. If you've never been to this beach I suggest you check it out. I would say this is probably one of the more popular beaches in San Diego. It's public but it's still very nice. You do have a fair share of homeless people, etc.

This beach has it all: boardwalk where you can roller skate or go on a run or ride your bike, restaurants, boogie boarding at the beach, nice waves. There's lots of life guards so I feel safe. The beach is clean overall. It's a tourist spot during summer so it can get crowded. And parking can be an issue depending on the day and time you come. There's lots to do in the area. There's an awesome park nearby and also Belmont Park is walking distance.

Absolutely loved this beach!!!! Very clean! Restroom s available and showers! Life guards and security around! Especially since we have little kids running around it's good to know! Lots of pop up shops along the beach and a mini amusement park with rides, restaurants and bars around the beach as well was nice!! Highly recommended for families or just a tan day in the sun !

Wish we had more time to explore it. There was a lot of people still hanging out skateboarding walking around, taking photos, eating and exploring. On this night, it was still a little cold and breezy, but we still got some great photos just as the sun was setting. The last time I came down here I was told this is one of the dirtier beaches in San Diego, however, I have enjoyed it both times I went. People don't bother you. It's a beautiful place to explore. Go on a first date or go get a quick bite to eat or just to hang out and interact with other people that you usually don't get a chance to. Highly recommended.!!

Beautiful sandy beaches and an active boardwalk. We were about a mile walk to the pier. Lots of great restaurants in the area. Some quick service as well as a few dine ins. Roads are very busy and parking is limited and tight. Catch the sunset and everything will be alright!

Growing up in San Diego county I've been to beaches up and down the coast. There's a beach for every personality type and vibe. This beach is the one I go to when I want to people watch. I always love coming here. Been coming here to walk/run the boardwalk for years. From Belmont park to just after the crystal peor and back is just about 5 miles. I love going early morning on Saturday when it's not so crowded. Tourists season is prob the worst- but that's just because I like the calming, chill nature of the ocean- that's gets ruined for me easily with larger crowds, drunk people, and difficultly finding parking.

We love Mission Beach. It is kept clean and it's large enough that you can typically find enough space to enjoy the view, water, and sand without being right next to someone. We have found the people here to be generally respectful and friendly.

I've been coming to Mission Beach for staycations and weekend getaways for most of my adult life. The beach itself, is always clean, and the selection and prices of the rental properties can't be beat. Sadly, the last few years have been marred by inconsistent food, poor service from the locals, rampant vagrancy, and the absolute disgusting filth and refuse that line Mission Boulevard. How much longer I'll continue to visit MB, and spend my money there, is uncertain. It has been one of my most favorite places to enjoy life, and it makes me sad to think of having to find a new beach getaway. I implore the MB residents and local government to clean up your streets! Pick up the garbage! Get more police out there, and crack down on the undesirables! Put an end to the littering, the loitering by homeless people, and the folks rummaging through the garbage cans. C'mon, MB - take some pride in your community!

Great waves for learning how to surf. Parking easy- "Promenade" garage option close by. Restrooms close too. Family and conure approved

It's one of the most well known beaches in SD. My thoughts? The boardwalk can be busy. The area itself isn't the cleanest beach compared to the likes of Carlsbad or Torrey Pines. Lots of runners, walkers, and bikers in the area. It's pretty difficult to get by if you are a biker as you have to be super aware of those not paying attention. Then you have the super aggressive "others" on skateboards or other wheeled choices on the boardwalk which can be annoying. The views are great if you love the beach. Outside of that parking is always an issue if you stroll around at peak hours. For me...if I were to come here regularly it would be early in the morning to get a parking space.

A smaller version of Venice Beach with a paved "boardwalk." A bit too touristy for me with all the boutique hotels and interspersed eateries. A good stretch of beach. If you prefer calmer waters, on the other side there is a Bay.