San Diego (specifically Mission Beach) is a city that needs no introduction. With its year-round close to perfect weather, amazing beaches, and plethora of attractions, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this Southern California destination. From surfing in the morning to riding bikes along the boardwalk in the afternoon, Mission Beach truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this travel guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your trip to San Diego. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to discover everything that “America’s Finest City” has to offer.
As you know if you’ve been following along on Instagram, we lived in Mission Beach for a full month and absolutely LOVED our stay! We have been longtime visitors of this specific area of San Diego (my boyfriend coming every summer growing up), and I actually used to live here for a short stint after college, so we knew what we were getting ourselves into! If you’re not familiar though, Mission Beach is a laid-back neighborhood whose namesake sands attract surfers, sunbathers and volleyball players. A paved bikepath paves the way in Mission Beach, and also Mission Bay, a popular spot for water sports. Belmont Park is along the beach here with the iconic wooden roller coaster built in 1925 (that you have to go on!). There are so many parts to San Diego since it’s such a MASSIVE city, but the best part in my opinion is definitely Mission Beach!
WHERE TO STAY:
To be honest, it’s REALLY hard to find a rental here in Mission Beach. It’s definitely a seasonal vacation spot, so during summer prices peak super high and there’s essentially no vacancy unless you book early! Somehow we lucked out on airbnb and found a cute little beach cottage that was one bedroom, one bathroom, RIGHT in-between the beach and the bay around Kingston St (so right in the middle which is a prime location). The further south you go in Mission Beach the nicer and quieter it gets, and the further north you are, the more rowdy it gets (just keep that in mind). We nailed it this time and got it just right in the middle of Mission Beach!
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK:
COFFEE/BRUNCH:
Better Buzz- iconic San Diego coffee chain
Saltwater Culture- surf shack/stand serving coffee outdoors
Olive Cafe- my #1 recommended spot for outdoor brunch (we eat here ALL the time when we’re in town, it’s our FAVORITE spot! make sure you order a scramble, and then go across the street to their bakery and grab a cinnamon roll too!)
The Mission- the French toast here is to die for!
Woody’s- grab breakfast burritos and eat along the boardwalk while you people watch
Kono’s- popular spot for visitors in town for affordable breakfast
Palmy’s- cute and trendy home outdoor space converted to a cafe under basket lamps, bistro lights, and palm trees
Harry’s Taco Club- low-key, casual, spot for breakfast burritos (take it to the beach down the street and enjoy)
Broken Yolk- make sure you sit on their rooftop for brunch!
Hotel Del Coronado- Shearwater restaurant has a breakfast buffet and is AMAZING! I took my boyfriend here for his birthday brunch and we enjoyed every second of being on this amazing property!
Harry’s Coffee Shop- cute, and delicious, diner-style brunch (sit outside for sure)
DRINKS:
The Local- great rooftop bar serving an awesome happy hour with ocean views
Baja Beach Cafe- one of our favorite happy hours to grab a beer at and watch the sunset (look for the green flash at sunset)
Flamingo Deck- the recent most trendy spot in Mission Beach with such GREAT vibes for drinks and dinner (also super instagrammable)
DINNER:
Pueblo- the best Mexican food and enchiladas in town for a fancier dinner spot
Davanti Enoteca- if you venture to Little Italy (downtown San Diego), go here for great Italian
Barbarella- Italian spot with great vibes
George’s at the Cove- great sunset views for drinks or dinner in La Jolla
DESSERT:
Baked Bear- ice cream sandwiches
Dole Whip- the same as what they serve in Hawaii!
WHAT TO DO:
Rent Bikes-we rented from SD E-Bikes in La Jolla and rode electric bikes from La Jolla all the way to Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach and back. Super fun activity to get out on the boardwalk even on a cruiser bike and ride up and down to people watch and scope out the beach scene!
Belmont Park- explore rides, games, and more fun at the beach
Hotel Del Coronado- this is a MUST VISIT! It’s the most beautiful property to walk around, enjoy the grounds, and even eat/drink there!
Torrey Pines hike- this is fun to get you outdoors along the coastline (fun fact: I was named after Torrey Pines golf course 😉
La Jolla Cove- this is neat to watch the seals and sea lions that come to shore, there are tons!
Kate Sessions Park- super popular spot to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a picnic with friends/family/your kids and dog, etc while watching the sunset!
OTHER TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
If you like to stay active like we do, definitely check out the gym in Mission Beach called “FIT”. We joined and paid for a month membership (unfortunately it’s on the pricier side, but well worth it if you work out daily). They have a rooftop workout area, lap pool, nice locker rooms, etc.
I recommend purchasing cheap cruiser bikes (either on FB Marketplace or Craigslist) if you stay for more than a week. Trust me, you’ll get your money back tenfold in enjoyment, it’s worth it! Bikes can add up when renting hourly, or even daily, so we opted to purchase bikes and ended up selling them at the end of our stay for exactly what we paid for. We rode around the beach boardwalk and the bay all month long and it was truly the HIGHLIGHT of our everyday in Mission Beach. I’d call that a win win! Getting out and experiencing a true “California beach scene” is what it’s all about in Mission Beach!