Pacific Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.

Pacific Beach Rating

Beach Personality: Home to a Historic Pier and Hotel

Pacific Beach is physically very similar to the nearby Ocean Beach, but with less tideline debris. The sand is light tan and soft and the water is a deep, clear blue.

Along with all the things to do at the beach, there is a lot of activity along the paved oceanfront walkway. You can walk, run, bike, rollerblade and skateboard here, which is a rarity on most pedestrian paths.

The most unique thing about Pacific Beach is the historic Crystal Pier Hotel. The hotel is a collection of cottages directly on Crystal Pier, and if you are staying there you can drive onto the pier and park right outside your own little cottage. The location can’t be beat and the novelty factor is high too.

Beach Activities:

Swimming
Surfing
Boogie boarding
Body surfing
Skim boarding
Paddle boarding
Pier fishing
Lounging

Beach Amenities:

Public bathrooms – Yes.
Showers – Yes.
Parking – Yes, limited free parking on the street.
Food – Yes, within walking distance of the beach.
Lifeguard – Yes.
Dogs allowed on the beach – Yes. Dogs are allowed on the beach 4 PM to 9 AM from November 1 to March 31. From April 1 to October 31, they are allowed on the beach from 6 PM to 9 AM.

Additional amenities – drinking fountains, paved path, benches, grassy park, pier, and handicap accessible beach.

Beach Rentals:

Crystal Pier Bait and Tackle on Crystal Pier rents poles and everything else you need to fish off the pier.

Boogie boards, surfboards, wetsuits, bikes, beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent at various stands along the oceanfront path.

Directions:

Pacific Beach is located at Grand Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in San Diego, California, 92109.

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin