Summer in the City: San Diego
Top Things to Do By the Pacific in the Southern California Sunshine
In San Diego this summer head for Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park and Coronado for sunbathing, surfing, scenery, spectacular views & sport.
San Diego is one of the best west coast vacation destinations at any time of year, with its mild southern California climate making it especially good in the winter. Most of the rainfall is in January and February, but the summer months are almost perfect for anyone who wants to combine culture (San Diego has lots of excellent museums) with a few days on the beach. Water temperatures are also at their highest from July through September.
So here, in strictly alphabetical order, are the places to head for if you want to get out of the city, and what you'll find when you get there:
Belmont Park
Home to one of the few old-time wooden roller coasters left in the United States, which is actually on the National Register of Historic Places. But while Belmont Park was a historic amusement park, it's been resurrected with the latest shops and restaurants, a Rock Wall for climbers, and surfing practice on the FlowRider simulated wave. If you (or your kids) get bored with just lying on the beach, Belmont Park provides a break and some action.
Coronado
Coronado Beach is one of the biggest and best in San Diego, looking very attractive and with the historic Hotel del Coronado as part of the scenery. It's easy swimming so popular with families – and also with the local marines who use it for training! It can get crowded on sunny weekends, in which case head south of the hotel to the Silver Strands beach, which is sometimes a bit quieter.
Mission Bay Park
If you like your fun more organised head for this free aquatic park that covers 27 miles of bay front, including 19 miles of sandy beaches. The Park offers biking and hiking trails, children's playgrounds and all the water sports you can think of. In one corner is Bonita Cove, a more sheltered area, very safe for children, and with picnic areas and playgrounds too.
Mission Beach
Another very popular San Diego beach that runs for two miles, backed by a boardwalk. At the north end of Mission Beach is the famous 1925 Belmont Park roller coaster and then if you keep going you come to Pacific Beach.
Ocean Beach
Runs for a mile and at the south end is the pier, were the surfers and fishermen hang out. At the north end is Dog Beach, one of the few around where cool canines can put on their shades and sunbathe. The tides here can be strong so it's not a good place for families.
Pacific Beach
North of Mission Beach, San Diego's Pacific Beach is where the action is, as it's a magnet for surfers and party people, especially North Pacific Beach which runs north of the pier.
Find some ideas of what to do in summer in the city in Los Angeles
