Guidebook for San Diego
Entertainment & Activities
Roller coaster, midway games, and rides for the kids. Restaurants, bars, beach rentals, and souvenir shops. Just a 10-15 min walk from condo. No entry fee. Just pay for the rides individually or buy an unlimited wrist band. The souvenir shops have lots of Mission Beach and San Diego tee-shirts, beach towels, and all kinds of souvenirs. (Big free parking lots with overnight parking so park here if you're looking for parking for a second vehicle.)
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdRoller coaster, midway games, and rides for the kids. Restaurants, bars, beach rentals, and souvenir shops. Just a 10-15 min walk from condo. No entry fee. Just pay for the rides individually or buy an unlimited wrist band. The souvenir shops have lots of Mission Beach and San Diego tee-shirts, beach towels, and all kinds of souvenirs. (Big free parking lots with overnight parking so park here if you're looking for parking for a second vehicle.)
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.SeaWorld - Need we say more? The kids will love it!
This resort hotel has a huge tropical pool available for a nominal day use fee. There water slides for the kids and hey have poolside bar and relaxing spa treatments for the grownups.
17 locals recommend
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
1441 Quivira RdThis resort hotel has a huge tropical pool available for a nominal day use fee. There water slides for the kids and hey have poolside bar and relaxing spa treatments for the grownups.
Take a cruise on the Bahia Belle Sternwheeler Paddleboat at night. The Bahia Belle is a beautiful old 3 story Mississippi style paddleboat that cruises Mission Bay. $10/person. Boards hourly in the evenings starting at 6 pm.
18 locals recommend
Bahia Resort Hotel
998 W Mission Bay DrTake a cruise on the Bahia Belle Sternwheeler Paddleboat at night. The Bahia Belle is a beautiful old 3 story Mississippi style paddleboat that cruises Mission Bay. $10/person. Boards hourly in the evenings starting at 6 pm.
Beach equipment rentals. Rent bikes, beach chairs, surfboards, wet suits, etc. Rent by the hour, day, or week.
8 locals recommend
Mission Beach Rentals
3136 Mission BlvdBeach equipment rentals. Rent bikes, beach chairs, surfboards, wet suits, etc. Rent by the hour, day, or week.
Surfari Surf School - They offer daily surf lessons on the beach at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm starting at $55. Includes board, wet suit, and instruction. They are great instructors!
27 locals recommend
Surfari Surf School
3740 Mission BlvdSurfari Surf School - They offer daily surf lessons on the beach at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm starting at $55. Includes board, wet suit, and instruction. They are great instructors!
It's a bird - it's a plane - it's a person hovering over Mission Bay? That's right! The Jetlev jetpack uses water propulsion to lift you up to 30 ft above the water!
12 locals recommend
Jetpack America - San Diego
1010 Santa Clara PlIt's a bird - it's a plane - it's a person hovering over Mission Bay? That's right! The Jetlev jetpack uses water propulsion to lift you up to 30 ft above the water!
Mission Bay Aquatic Center offers surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand up paddling, waterskiing, rowing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Check out website for info.
84 locals recommend
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
1001 Santa Clara PlMission Bay Aquatic Center offers surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand up paddling, waterskiing, rowing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Check out website for info.
Rentals include boating, jet skiing, sailing, wakeboarding and other water sports. Hours of operation are 10:00am to 6:00pm 7 days a week. For information, please contact 858-488-1004.
49 locals recommend
Mission Bay Sportcenter
1010 Santa Clara PlRentals include boating, jet skiing, sailing, wakeboarding and other water sports. Hours of operation are 10:00am to 6:00pm 7 days a week. For information, please contact 858-488-1004.
Food Scene
Gabbiano Pizza
2912 Mission BlvdPizza & pasta, plus a large menu of hearty subs.
Cannonball is a bar & restaurant located on the roof above the bar "Draft". Trendy venue for upscale sushi & small Japanese dishes served in a rooftop space with ocean views.
119 locals recommend
Cannonball
3105 Ocean Front WalkCannonball is a bar & restaurant located on the roof above the bar "Draft". Trendy venue for upscale sushi & small Japanese dishes served in a rooftop space with ocean views.
Locals hang inside or on the patio for big, NYC-style pizza, Italian basics & vast draft-beer menu.
26 locals recommend
Luigi's At The Beach
3210 Mission BlvdLocals hang inside or on the patio for big, NYC-style pizza, Italian basics & vast draft-beer menu.
Outdoor dining in a cool Beach Resort setting. Views of the boardwalk, beach, and people try to surf the flow rider wave generator.
100 locals recommend
Beach House Grill
3125 Ocean Front Walk Outdoor dining in a cool Beach Resort setting. Views of the boardwalk, beach, and people try to surf the flow rider wave generator.
Destination for refined takes of surf 'n' turf with acclaimed view, cocktails & people-watching. Valet Parking.
163 locals recommend
JRDN Restaurant
723 Felspar StDestination for refined takes of surf 'n' turf with acclaimed view, cocktails & people-watching. Valet Parking.
Starbucks
4994 Newport AveThe nearest Starbucks.
Seafood & Steaks. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner. Tuesday nights the bar area has $1 shrimp tacos and Wednesday nights $1.50 lobster tacos. Valet parking or free validated parking garage.
207 locals recommend
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach DrSeafood & Steaks. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner. Tuesday nights the bar area has $1 shrimp tacos and Wednesday nights $1.50 lobster tacos. Valet parking or free validated parking garage.
IHOP
856 Grand AveBreakfast food all day! Free parking lot.
The most popular breakfast spot in Pacific Beach. It's located right by the Crystal Pier. There is usually a line outside if you get there after 9 am but the line moves quickly and its worth it. Cheap food and huge portions served up on paper plates. Come with an appetite or split a plate with a friend.
208 locals recommend
Kono's Cafe
704 Garnet AveThe most popular breakfast spot in Pacific Beach. It's located right by the Crystal Pier. There is usually a line outside if you get there after 9 am but the line moves quickly and its worth it. Cheap food and huge portions served up on paper plates. Come with an appetite or split a plate with a friend.
Great breakfast and lunch spot. Outdoor patio dining as well as indoor.
111 locals recommend
Olive Cafe
805 Santa Clara PlGreat breakfast and lunch spot. Outdoor patio dining as well as indoor.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located at Belmont Park. Sleek but casual American bar & grill features small plates plus beer on tap & beach views. Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks until late.
91 locals recommend
Draft South Mission
3105 Ocean Front WalkLocated at Belmont Park. Sleek but casual American bar & grill features small plates plus beer on tap & beach views. Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks until late.
Dim, tiki-themed brewpub with pool table, sports & a fireplace, plus giant servings of burgers & pub grub.
73 locals recommend
Guava Beach Bar & Grill
3714 Mission BlvdDim, tiki-themed brewpub with pool table, sports & a fireplace, plus giant servings of burgers & pub grub.
A dive bar with cheap drinks and free popcorn. But beyond the sticky dance floor, Comber's a great local bar to dance, drink and hear the Comber song at closing.
40 locals recommend
Beachcomber
2901 Mission BlvdA dive bar with cheap drinks and free popcorn. But beyond the sticky dance floor, Comber's a great local bar to dance, drink and hear the Comber song at closing.
Long-standing, bi-level bar features cocktails, a rooftop deck & a welcoming, laid-back ambiance.
21 locals recommend
The Pennant Bar
2893 Mission BlvdLong-standing, bi-level bar features cocktails, a rooftop deck & a welcoming, laid-back ambiance.
Coaster Bar & Grill - Breezy, basic sports bar draws crowds for beer selection, unique pub fare & buzzy beachfront patio. They offer a full menu and kids allowed.
14 locals recommend
Coaster Saloon
744 Ventura PlCoaster Bar & Grill - Breezy, basic sports bar draws crowds for beer selection, unique pub fare & buzzy beachfront patio. They offer a full menu and kids allowed.
Sightseeing
The pier is open to the public and you can walk out and get a great view of the beach areas and plenty of fresh air. The unique part is it has cottages that are available for rent right on the pier.
96 locals recommend
Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages
4500 Ocean BlvdThe pier is open to the public and you can walk out and get a great view of the beach areas and plenty of fresh air. The unique part is it has cottages that are available for rent right on the pier.
This is a historic state park, restored to resemble the old west when San Diego was first settled. There are wood sidewalks and dirt roads. Within the official park there are shopkeepers dressed in traditional period clothing. Check out the Mormon Battalion Museum for a free guided tour. Surrounding the park there are a lot of very popular Mexican restaurants and shops selling Mexican souvenirs (no need to travel to Tijuana.)
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
This is a historic state park, restored to resemble the old west when San Diego was first settled. There are wood sidewalks and dirt roads. Within the official park there are shopkeepers dressed in traditional period clothing. Check out the Mormon Battalion Museum for a free guided tour. Surrounding the park there are a lot of very popular Mexican restaurants and shops selling Mexican souvenirs (no need to travel to Tijuana.)
Contrary to the name of this spot it is not a beach reserved for "children." It is reserved for "Seals." Come here to have a great viewing spot of the seal and sea lions. (See if you can figure out the difference.)
108 locals recommend
Childrens Pool Beach
Contrary to the name of this spot it is not a beach reserved for "children." It is reserved for "Seals." Come here to have a great viewing spot of the seal and sea lions. (See if you can figure out the difference.)
Spectacular viewpoint on the top peak of La Jolla. You'll need a car to get here or take an Uber. Bring your camera or your binoculars. It's just a few miles up the road, driving through the ritzy neighborhoods of the wealthy of La Jolla.
270 locals recommend
Soledad Mountain
Spectacular viewpoint on the top peak of La Jolla. You'll need a car to get here or take an Uber. Bring your camera or your binoculars. It's just a few miles up the road, driving through the ritzy neighborhoods of the wealthy of La Jolla.
Shopping
If you need a new swimsuit or board shorts this is the place to go. They have all the current surf brands.
12 locals recommend
Beach & Resort Wear
4475 Mission BlvdIf you need a new swimsuit or board shorts this is the place to go. They have all the current surf brands.
Getting Around
Old Town Station
4005 Taylor StNearest Amtrak Train Station
Parks & Nature
If you have an extra car and need a place to park simply drive to the very south end of Mission Blvd. Turn to the left or right and there are free public parking lots. To the left is Mission Point Park with kids playground equipment and picnic tables plus some nice walking paths.
Mission Point Park
2600 Bayside LnIf you have an extra car and need a place to park simply drive to the very south end of Mission Blvd. Turn to the left or right and there are free public parking lots. To the left is Mission Point Park with kids playground equipment and picnic tables plus some nice walking paths.
This is a day use state park with great hiking trails overlooking the ocean. Spectacular views.
206 locals recommend
Torrey Pines
This is a day use state park with great hiking trails overlooking the ocean. Spectacular views.