San Diego Beaches
Titan Beach Rentals guarantees our guests first-class customer service, and one of the many ways we do this is by providing all our vacationers with a guide to help plan their vacation. Offering local tips and suggestions can make planning your activities less of a hassle and more enjoyable.
Our San Diego guide is meant to introduce our guests to the area by sharing all of our favorite San Diego beaches. From a day at Coronado Central Beach, to a trip whale watching at La Jolla Shores, we have you covered.
If you have any questions, or need us to help narrow down some of our suggestions, please feel free to contact us! Also, you might enjoy reading our recommendations for the best breweries and wineries in San Diego.
Mission Beach
A straight, one-mile strip, of beach just south of Pacific Beach and ending at the Mission Beach jetty, this area is extremely popular among tourists staying nearby, and the local, younger crowd.
Perfect for families, due to the proximity to vacation rental, resorts and hotels; it is also bordered on the east by Mission Bay. Not just for sun bathing, the area is flush with volleyball players, surfers, swimmers, kite surfers, stand-up paddle boarders (on the bay), and more.
Additionally, the beach’s claim to fame is the oceanfront boardwalk, which spans the entire length of the beach, from north to south. The boardwalk is littered with bars, restaurants, shops, and Mission Beach vacation rentals.
Separating North and South Mission Beach, is the famous Belmont Park. While there is plenty of foot traffic and shops, South Mission Beach is a bit quieter, and also the location of some of the most competitive volleyball courts in San Diego.
Coronado Central Beach
Most famously known for the historic Hotel del Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, this gorgeous tombolo, located directly across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego, has some fantastic beaches.
Perhaps the most popular, Coronado Central Beach is directly outside the Hotel del Coronado, and is famous for its white sand and appearances in movies.
In addition to this beautiful beach, there is also the North Beach, which is a leash-free dog beach, and the Ferry Landing Beach.
Finally, the Silver Strand Beach stretches along a seven-mile isthmus connecting Coronado back to the mainland, and is perfect for camping, fishing, water sports and more.
Del Mar Main Beach
One of the more popular family beaches, this area runs from North Torrey Pines State Beach and up to the border of Solana Beach. Located right in the heart of downtown Del Mar, there are plenty of activities.
The southern section of the beach is typically more low-key, with local surfers and residents. Moving north, and into Del Mar, there are two coastal parks (Powerhouse and Seagrove), the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, plus access up the cliffs into the town where there are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and more.
This beach is also a favorite for whale watching, swimming, picnics, and your typical family environment. Parking is difficult, so get there early.
La Jolla Shores
A mile long strip of beach, snug between two rocky points of the La Jolla coastline, is the ultimate location for a family-friendly adventure. Not only is it located at Kellogg Park, which is perfect for picnics, games, grilling, and birthday parties, but there is tons to do in, and under, the water.
La Jolla Shores is well known for having plenty of marine life in the area, such as sea lions, local fish, lobsters, rays, even friendly Leopard sharks (don’t worry, they are essentially harmless). You can even spot the gray whale migration during the winter! As such, the area is popular for stand-up paddle boarding, kayak tours, snorkeling, surfing, scuba, and all sorts of other water rentals.
The parking lot is quite large, there are fire pits, which are extremely popular, and there is a central lifeguard station. However, be prepared to come early during the summer, and any weekend.
Newport Avenue Beach (Ocean Beach)
Located directly in the heart of Ocean Beach, Newport Avenue Beach has as much foot traffic and things to do as any beach in San Diego. Surrounding the area are homes, vacation rentals, hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, even a weekly farmer’s market. There are endless things to do, but do not expect your typical quiet beach area.
In addition to the local activities, you also have the Ocean Beach Pier at the south end of the beach, right off Newport Avenue. This section of the beach is very popular for surfing, including many competitions on the weekends.
A very unique atmosphere, come prepared to laugh, enjoy the scenery, and especially people watch.
Cardiff State Beach
Home to a quaint beach town, and well known for its awesome surf. Cardiff State Beach is located directly off Highway 101, and provides a picturesque view of a California beach. Just beware of the rip tides, which frequent the waters around here.
The beach itself is located just west of the San Elijo Lagoon. This large wetlands and ecological reserve is home to many marine life, local birds, and seven miles of friendly trails to explore. The area is distinct, due to the tides rolling through the lagoon twice each day.
Finally, there are plenty of restaurants and shops up and down the 101, so you do have access to other events and activities as well.
Windansea Beach
Hands down, the most famous of all the La Jolla beaches, and perhaps all of San Diego. It is most well known due to its popular surf break and the historic Surf Shack. In fact, Andy Warhol shot his 1967 film, “San Diego Surf” at Windansea beach, making the locally famous surf break, nationally popular.
If you are not paddling out at one of the four breaks (Big Rock, Simmons, Turtles, Middles), the area is perfect for photography. The small shoreline, beautiful sand and sunsets, plus the massive sandstone rock shelves which litter the area, create an gorgeous environment.
Finally, take a stroll around the area and enjoy some of the finest homes in San Diego. Windansea is an affluent beach community, with tons of multi-million dollar homes and stunning architecture.