Posts Categorized: Coastal Area

This pier belongs to the the University of California, San Diego’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography. It is not a recreational pier and you can’t walk on it, but it is not only one of the most popular beaches in San Diego, but one of the most scenic. The village is a quaint town on a cliffside that leads down to the ocean, and is home to high-end shopping and dining topped with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

There are many things to do on Oceanside’s beaches, from everyday happenings to special events like surf competitions, concerts, car shows, triathlons, and the Oceanside Harbor Village. The Village offers dining, shopping, and other activities complete with a lighthouse. Each with their own vintage feel, there are many types of restaurants here, from burger places to seafood joints to pizzerias.

Ocean Beach is known to locals simply as OB. It is a small beach town and it is the perfectly small vintage beach town where you find things like record stores and hippy vans. One of the most laid-back areas on our list, OB attracts many surfers and this is another hot spot for waves.

Located about 8 miles north of San Diego, Ocean Beach Pier is the longest pier in the county, the second longest on the west coast (behind Santa Cruz), and the longest concrete pier in the world.

Imperial Beach is 13 miles south of San Diego but only about 7 miles from the border.

This is Surfhenge, and it is a direct tell-all of the surfer nature of Imperial Beach (IB to locals). Of all the places to go surfing in San Diego, this arguably takes the top spot.

Just 10 miles north of San Diego, Pacific Beach (or PB to locals) is the quintessential Southern California beach. This is a complete party beach town and attracts many college students from the area who come for the night clubs and beach volleyball. With its shack-like eateries, bars, and various other things to buy and… Read more »

This particular pier is not on an ocean, but it is across the bay from San Diego. At the pier is a marketplace with shopping (you will even find a seashell shop!), galleries, and eateries ranging from the casual to the high-end. You can rent a bike or walk, but either way the palm tree and rock-wall lined path next to the bay will offer you views of the city and the sailboats that constantly graze the water.