Katie Restrepo Are you looking for the best beaches in San Diego for families?
In this Adventure-Seeking Mom guest post, born-and-raised San Diego local Katie Restrepo of Family Travel Folio shares her favorite beaches in San Diego for family adventures.
A Local’s Take on San Diego Beaches
There are so many beaches in San Diego and they all have their unique details—some are better for families than others.
I was born and raised in San Diego and will never move away because I love being by the Pacific Ocean. Take it from a local, not all beaches are the same.
Let’s dive into my top picks, what makes the perfect family beach in San Diego, and some Southern California beach safety tips.
Best Beaches in San Diego for Families
Finding the best family beach really depends on what type of beach day you want. Tide pools, good waves, perfect sand? Other things to do and see nearby?
There are so many options to choose from. Here are some of my favorite family-friendly San Diego beaches, and some insight into what makes it the perfect choice for your family.
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores is my favorite place in San Diego.
It doesn’t have the softest sand (we’ll get to Silver Strand State Beach in a little bit), but it has everything you need for the perfect beach day.
Known as San Diego’s “family beach,” you can do it all: boogie board, jump waves, swim, surf, snorkel. They even have kayaking tours that go to the nearby caves.
The sand is great for finding sand crabs and making sand castles. Nearby is an open grassy area and a playground.
The Scripps Pier and some tide pools are to the north. Then drive just up the hill to La Jolla Cove and find a more bird’s eye view of the ocean with some pocket beaches you can walk down to.
La Jolla Cove is popular for its sea lions. Take some selfies from a respectful distance then walk along the sidewalk path further south to find seals at Seal Beach. If you want a really cool experience, walk down into Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave from inside the Cave Store (there is a small per-person fee, but it’s worth it!).
Parking can be a pain and the beach gets crowded, but if you get there early there are no issues.
Mission Bay Beaches San Diego
Mission Bay is one of the best beaches in San Diego for families because of its fantastic parks and picnic areas. In fact, it’s the go-to spot for birthday parties and company picnics.
Mission Bay offers great spaces for lawn games, beach activities, and barbecues. I remember going here growing up for my dad’s company picnics. They had a bounce house and clowns making balloon animals and doing face paint.
The water here is calmer than the open ocean (no waves), making it a preferred choice for you and your little kids to splash around.
Mission Bay is also a great place for water sports! Bring your own paddle boards, jet skis, and kayaks. You can also rent kayaks or take a Mission Bay kayak tour with a local company.
Just be careful if trying to kayak around the whole bay. Mission Bay is divided into two main areas: the east side near Fiesta Island (perfect for watching SeaWorld’s fireworks!) and the west side just a few blocks from Mission Beach.
There’s a sand bar connecting Fiesta Island to shore, so you can’t actually paddle all the way around.
Mission Beach San Diego
Mission Beach is one of the best kid-friendly beaches in San Diego for multiple reasons.
It has an amazing boardwalk perfect for bike riding or rollerblading. We love taking the bikes here because of the smooth sidewalks and great views of the ocean and Mission Bay.
This beach is also the home of San Diego’s beloved Belmont Park, a beachside amusement park that opened in 1925. Belmont Park is famous for its Giant Dipper roller coaster, but it also has lots of other attractions including bumper cars and kiddie rides. There is even a mini golf course!
We took our oldest here a couple of months before baby sister was born as an “all-about you” day. She absolutely loved everything, including watching Daddy go on the bumper cars she wasn’t old enough to ride yet.
Mission Beach in San Diego has the perfect sand for making sand castles. Plus, it’s a great place to try and spot marine life. I have spotted a pod of dolphins out on the water multiple times.
One of the best parts is that part of mission pay is just a few blocks away.
You can easily walk from your beach house to the bay for a paddleboarding session and then head back to the beach to bask in the ocean waves.
Hungry? You’ll find plenty of food options. My personal favorite? The carne asada fries from Mr. Ruribertos Mexican food. Trust me; it’s a must-try!
Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach is a state park so you do have to pay for parking unless you have a California state park pass (sorry, the national park pass won’t cut it!).
One of our go-to hikes, especially when family visits from out of town, is the Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop. It leads to an incredible outlook and then meanders down to the beach. You can walk along the sandstone cliffs back to the parking lot.
Recently we did this hike with my baby niece, aunt, and cousin, followed by a few fun hours of beach time.
The hike itself? Nothing too strenuous. Simple and enjoyable, but watch out for high tide!
You don’t want to walk along the bluffs too close to high tide – trust me, we learned the hard way on a previous adventure. Not our finest moment, but lesson learned.
By the lifeguard tower at Torrey Pines State Beach, there’s wet sand perfect for building castles and good-sized waves for surfers, boogie boarders, and swimmers.
It’s one of the best beaches in San Diego for families with bathrooms and shower spouts right up the stairs from the beach next to the parking lot.
Coronado Beach San Diego
Coronado Beach in San Diego is a great choice for families.
With its clean sandy shores and gentle waves, it’s a safe spot for kids to play. Spend a day building sandcastles or flying kites. Don’t forget to take in the view of the Hotel del Coronado.
The hotel is an attraction in itself, adding a unique touch to the beachside fun. It’s an upscale, historical hotel that often has events.
Our favorite is the beachside ice skating rink in the winter. A little pricey, but worth a once-in-a-while unique experience!
After a fun day at the beach walk around the cute Coronado shops and restaurants. Seriously, this little San Diego island is full of beaches and colorful beach houses and boutiques.
Many families vacation here, and a lot of locals drive over for a fun beach day.
Silver Strand State Beach
Silver Strand State Beach in California is a go-to for a day out, but keep in mind that it’s a State Beach, so parking isn’t free.
You can actually camp here, although it is RV camping only. Though I wish tent camping was an option (I’m more of a tent person myself), we made do with an RV rental.
The RV camping area is simple and perfect for bike riding or relaxing by your RV. The real star here- and the reason I love to go back- is the beach.
Honestly, it’s my top pick among the best beaches in San Diego for families, and I’ve been a local San Diego girl my entire life.
At Silver Strand, you’ll find soft sand and playful waves. It’s also a fantastic spot to search for sand dollars or find sand crabs.
Just make sure to check any shells for its owner. We picked up a beautiful shell and quickly realized it was still home to a Wavy Turban Snail.
The snail wasn’t very happy with us. The snail spit salt water at my daughter to show it was unhappy. We all had a good laugh at her surprise and gently placed the snail back in its home.
Silver Strand is not as crowded as some other family-friendly beaches in San Diego, making it feel a bit more like a hidden gem.
Moonlight Beach San Diego
Moonlight Beach in San Diego is another hidden gem.
This family-friendly San Diego beach is a great spot for swimming, thanks to its protected location. It’s not as well known which makes it less crowded than some other beaches.
The kids won’t be bored here, with plenty of playgrounds to explore and a spacious beach for them to run around on. If you’re into sports, you’ll appreciate the nearby volleyball and tennis courts.
My favorite part about Moonlight Beach is the firepits, perfect for roasting marshmallows. Imagine ending your beach day with a cozy bonfire and a tasty s’more! Not all of the San Diego beaches have firepits anymore.
Moonlight Beach gets its intriguing name from the early 1900s when locals used to picnic here at midnight. How’s that for a fun piece of local history?
Del Mar Beach
Del Mar Beach in San Diego is a great place for families looking for both fun and relaxation.
The soft sandy shores are perfect for building sandcastles with the kids or just lounging in the warm California sun. There’s tons of space for walking along the shore.
I loved just walking with my feet in the water when it was my baby’s nap time. She fell asleep right away in her carrier.
Del Mar Beach has restrooms, picnic areas, and free parking. Don’t worry, you’re allowed to bring all your fun beach toys! Fly kites, play games, then swim a little. Del Mar is a perfect beach for families because it has something for everyone.
Our favorite beach game is bocce ball. The sand definitely adds an extra challenge to the game, and it’s easy for little ones to participate.
Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach in San Diego has a calm and family-oriented atmosphere.
Right across from the beach are great dining options. One of our favorite restaurants, Las Olas, has really good Mexican food. If you don’t want to buy food, just bring your own lunch and eat at one of the many picnic tables.
This San Diego beach has a beautiful stretch of sand perfect for walking and building sandcastles. You’ll also find lots of tide pools to explore and great waves for boogie boarding.
Parking can be a bit tricky, but just get there a little earlier in the morning and you should be fine.
South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is a standout spot, especially if you’re into camping. With views from the bluff all the way down to the ocean, it’s one of my favorite beach camping spots in San Diego.
Getting to the beach requires going down a bunch of stairs, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
This extra trek makes it less crowded, offering a more quiet beach experience. Platforms with benches at the top of the stairs are perfect for watching that San Diego sunset.
The waves here are excellent for surfing and boogie boarding, or if you prefer, swimming and fishing. Just be mindful of some rocky stretches. They are great for exploring but not ideal for a classic sandy beach day.
We wear our waterproof sandals until we find a sandy spot to set up our beach towels and shade.
Remember, the gates to South Carlsbad State Beach close at sunset, so plan your visit accordingly.
Ocean Beach San Diego
Ocean Beach, or OB as we call it, is a smaller spot in San Diego that has a chill, laid-back vibe. If you have a teen who wants surfing lessons, this is a great spot!
San Diego’s Ocean Beach is a pretty good place for a swim. Just north of OB is Dog Beach, so if you bring your pup with this is the place to go.
It’s not our favorite beach since it’s smaller and not quite as clean with no playgrounds, but OB has its charm.
Ocean Beach is a popular San Diego destination, known for its chill atmosphere. It’s worth checking out, especially for its fun and eclectic shops in the area.
What Makes San Diego Beaches Family Friendly?
The waves off San Diego’s coast have a break to them which makes it really fun for little kids to jump over them without getting too deep in the ocean.
I remember visiting my grandparents in Florida and although the water was way warmer, the waves were more like swells. There’s no boogie-boarding fun with that kind of wave.
Most of San Diego’s beaches have restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Lifeguards are on duty most of the day, and they set aside separate areas of the beach for swimming and surfing. That way you don’t have your toddler get pummeled by a runaway surfboard.
Parking at the beaches in San Diego is usually free (with the exception of the state park beaches) and convenient.
San Diego Beach Safety Tips for Kids
Beach Safety Tips
- Sting Ray Shuffle
- Check the Surf Side vs Swim Side
- Swim Parallel to Shore for Rip Tides
- Reapply Sunscreen
- Drink Water
- Check High Tide
- Keep Your Distance from Wildlife
The number 1 beach safety tip I remember learning as a kid was to swim parallel to the shore. If you get caught in a rip tide (strong current), swimming parallel to the shore is the only way you’re going to get out of it.
I’ve never been caught in a rip tide, but I have noticed when the current is stronger. Always look up now and then to see where your towel/umbrella beach setup is. If the current is strong that day, you’ll probably be drifting one way or another away from your original spot.
On days like that, it’s good not to actually swim with your babies, toddlers, or kids who aren’t strong swimmers. You can still get your feet wet and play in the waves without going all the way into the ocean!
If you’re worried about sea life, stingrays are the most common. Shuffle your feet so it moves the sand around you.
That way if there’s a stingray nearby, they’ll realize you’re there and swim away from you before you accidentally step on it. We call it the Sting Ray Shuffle.
One year we had a ton of jellyfish, but they usually aren’t a big worry for casual ocean fun in San Diego.
Chances are good at seeing leopard sharks, garibaldi fish, sea lions, and harbor seals, but those animals usually don’t bother people. In fact, highly recommend snorkeling with the leopard sharks in La Jolla Shores. They’re so cute!
Summary of Best Beaches in San Diego for Families
The best beaches in San Diego for families are ones with soft sand, gentle waves, and lots of places to explore and play.
La Jolla Shores wins for best San Diego family-friendly beach with its tide pools, playgrounds, and opportunities to see seals and sea lions. As a local, it’s one of my favorite places to just hand out in San Diego.
If you’re looking for unique shells, soft sand, and fewer crowds try Silver Strand State Beach. Just keep in mind the gates close early evening to the public, and only those RV camping can stay overnight.
Mission Beach and West Mission Bay are perfect for amusement park fun, cruising on your bike, and paddleboarding. It’s very family-friendly San Diego beach with lots to do and see.
Whatever beach you choose, just make sure to remember the stingray shuffle and your sunscreen!
San Diego Beaches FAQs
Can I bring my own beach equipment and toys?
Absolutely! Feel free to bring beach chairs, umbrellas, and sand toys. We love bringing our pop-up beach shade tent and a cooler too. Just be sure to clean up after yourself and don’t set up your shade tent and towels too close to the water, especially if the tide is rising.
Are there any beachside rentals available for families near these beaches?
There are tons of beach house rentals almost everywhere in San Diego. I recommend checking Mission Beach for a beach house rental. If you’re looking for more of a beachside cabana, look for hotels, not rental houses. Hotel Del Coronado would be a great option for a higher-end beach day experience!
Are there any restrictions on bringing food or beverages to the beaches?
There are some restrictions on bringing food and beverages to San Diego beaches. Most food is fine, you just need to stay away from glass containers and clean up your trash. Most beverages are ok as well, but alcohol is prohibited at all San Diego beaches. Stick with water, juice, or sodas in non-glass containers.
About the Author
Katie Restrepo is a Disney-obsessed bookworm who loves to explore with her husband and their two girls. She created Family Travel Folio, a blog helping and inspiring parents to travel with their kids from camping to Disneyland and everything in between.
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