List of beaches in San Diego County facts for kids
Welcome to the sunny beaches of San Diego County! This area is in Southern California in the United States. This article lists many amazing beaches from north to south. They are grouped by the towns or communities where you can find them.
San Diego has all kinds of beaches. Some are long, sandy stretches perfect for walking or playing. Others, especially around La Jolla, are smaller sandy spots tucked between rocky areas or inside pretty coves. You might even see tall cliffs made of soft sandstone behind some beaches. Other beaches are next to freshwater lagoons where rivers meet the ocean. Get ready to explore!
Exploring North County Beaches
The beaches in North San Diego County are listed from north to south. Even if the sand stretches for miles, different parts might have different names. This often depends on where you enter the beach.
- San Onofre State Beach
- Trestles: A famous surf spot.
- Old Man's: Known for its calm waves.
- Trails: Great for camping and exploring.
- Camp Pendleton
- This is a large Marine Corps base. It has 17 miles (27 km) of coastline.
- Del Mar Beach Resort: You need special permission to visit this beach on the base.
- Beaches in Oceanside
- Harbor Beach: Near the harbor.
- Buccaneer: A popular local beach.
- Oceanside City Beach: Right in the heart of Oceanside.
- Saint Malo Beach: A private beach community.
- Beaches in Carlsbad
- North Carlsbad beaches: Many spots to enjoy the sand.
- Carlsbad City Beach: A central beach in Carlsbad.
- Tamarak Surf Beach: Good for surfing.
- Carlsbad State Beach: A state park beach.
- South Carlsbad State Beach: Another state park beach.
- Ponto Beach: A popular spot within South Carlsbad.
- Beaches in Leucadia
- Grandview Beach: A scenic beach.
- Beacons Beach: Also known as Leucadia State Beach.
- Stone Steps: Named for its access stairs.
- Beaches in Encinitas
- Moonlight State Beach: A very popular family beach.
- D Street Beach: Also called Boneyard Beach.
- Swami's Beach: A well-known surf spot.
- Beaches in Cardiff
- Pipes: A surf break.
- San Elijo State Beach: Great for camping by the ocean.
- Cardiff Reef: Another famous surf spot.
- Cardiff State Beach: A beautiful state beach.
- Seaside: A nice beach area.
- Beaches in Solana Beach
- Tide Park: Perfect for exploring tidepools.
- Fletcher Cove Park: Also known as Pillbox.
- Seascape Surf: A good spot for surfing.
- Beaches in Del Mar
- Dog Beach: A special place where dogs can play off-leash.
- Del Mar City Beach: The main beach in Del Mar.
- Powerhouse Park: A park overlooking the beach.
Beaches in the City of San Diego
These beaches are located right within the city of San Diego. Some beach names, like "Pacific Beach" and "Ocean Beach," are also the names of the communities they are in.
- Torrey Pines State Beach
- Torrey Pines City Beach: Part of the beautiful Torrey Pines area.
- Black's Beach: Known for its tall cliffs.
- Beaches in La Jolla
- La Jolla Shores: A wide, sandy beach popular for families.
- La Jolla Cove: A small, scenic cove known for its clear water and sea lions.
- Boomer Beach: A small beach next to La Jolla Cove.
- Shell Beach: Great for finding seashells.
- Children's Pool Beach: Also called Casa Beach. It's a protected area where seals often rest.
- Wipeout Beach: A small, rocky beach.
- Hospitals Beach: Another small, rocky cove.
- Marine Street Beach: Known for its strong waves.
- Windansea: A famous surf spot with a unique surf shack.
- Beaches in Pacific Beach
- Tourmaline Surf Park: A popular surf spot.
- North Pacific Beach: The northern part of the long Pacific Beach.
- Pacific Beach: A lively beach with a boardwalk.
- Beaches in Mission Beach
- Mission Beach: A long, sandy beach with a boardwalk and amusement park.
- Mission Bay and Beaches: Many beaches and parks around the calm waters of Mission Bay.
- South Mission Beach: The southern end of Mission Beach.
- Beaches in Ocean Beach
- Dog Beach: Another popular spot for dogs to play.
- Ocean Beach City Beach: A classic beach with a long fishing pier.
- Beaches in Sunset Cliffs
- Sunset Cliffs: Known for its beautiful cliffs and amazing sunset views.
- Beaches in Point Loma
- Cabrillo National Monument: You can explore amazing tidepools here during low tide.
Beaches in Coronado and South Bay
These beaches stretch from the entrance of San Diego Bay all the way south to the border with Tijuana, Mexico.
- Beaches in Coronado
- Coronado Central Beach: Famous for its sparkling sand and the historic Hotel del Coronado.
- North Beach: The northern part of Coronado's coastline.
- Glorietta Bay: A calm bay perfect for water activities.
- Silver Strand State Beach: A long, narrow beach connecting Coronado to Imperial Beach.
- Ferry Landing Marketplace: A spot with shops and views of the bay.
- Beaches in Imperial Beach
- Imperial Beach: The southernmost beach in California, with a pier.
- Border Field State Park: A unique park right at the U.S.-Mexico border.