70 Miles of Coast
Your guide to San Diego — beaches, trails,
tide pools, neighborhoods and things to do.

Field guide index

Beaches

Explore beaches through our San Diego field notes. Find practical guides, coastal context and links to the official information you need before heading out.

Sunlight behind a wave breaking against Windansea's rocks
La Jolla

Beach in La Jolla CA: Choose the Right Shoreline

La Jolla's beaches do different jobs. Compare a sandy park base, a small cove, a surf shoreline and quieter pocket-beach settings.

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View north along La Jolla Shores toward Scripps Pier; access equipment is not pictured
San Diego city beaches and Mission Bay

Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in California: San Diego Guide

Beach accessibility depends on the route, equipment and conditions, not a single label. Start with San Diego's official access program.

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Pacific Beach sand and Crystal Pier viewed from near the oceanfront
Pacific Beach

San Diego Beaches in November: Pacific Beach Boardwalk

An oceanfront walk can be a good November beach plan. Keep swimming, surf conditions and after-rain water quality as separate decisions.

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San Elijo State Beach on the North County coast
San Diego County

Campsites San Diego: Beach Camping and Waterfront Options

Compare San Diego beach campsites, bluff-top campgrounds and Mission Bay RV parks, including tent rules and reservation checks.

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Eroded sandstone bluffs and the Pacific at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
San Diego coast

San Diego Coast Photos: A Place-First Visual Guide

A photo-led starting point for recognizing coastal settings and planning your own pictures without crossing closures or crowding wildlife.

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Morning surf and sand at Marine Street Beach in La Jolla
La Jolla and North County

Hidden Beach San Diego: Five Less-Obvious Coastal Stops

Five alternatives to a big beach day, chosen for a smaller-scale visit rather than promises of empty sand or secret access.

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A paved path beside a seawall and coastal slope in Carlsbad
Carlsbad

Carlsbad Sea Wall Trail: Upper and Lower Walks

An easy-to-plan oceanfront walk, with one important detail: Carlsbad's upper and lower seawall paths have different dog rules.

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Rocky shoreline at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego
San Diego coast

Secret Beaches San Diego: Quieter Coast, Public Access

A quieter beach day comes from good timing and a suitable public route, not from crossing fences or following unmarked cliff paths.

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