Home Search by budget Destinations Beaches Interactive map Services Booking Collections Ratings VIP Club
Find flights Book transfer
Home / Beaches / Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach

Пляж Пасифик
United States · Beach · San Diego
moderate
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for young people, surfers and families thanks to the lively atmosphere, lifeguards and developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.

Best month

July

Water
+18.0°C
Length
4 800 m
A classic California beach with a wide sandy strip and a boardwalk. It features a lively atmosphere and amenities, popular for swimming, surfing and walks.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A classic California beach with a wide sandy strip and a boardwalk. It features a lively atmosphere and amenities, popular for swimming, surfing and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Wide sandy beach
  • 3.2-mile boardwalk
  • Lifeguards year-round
  • Developed infrastructure
  • Nightlife
  • Surfing
  • Family zones

Cons

  • Crowded
  • Noisy
  • Parking problems
  • Alcohol prohibited
  • Cool water
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for young people, surfers and families thanks to the lively atmosphere, lifeguards and developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Pacific Beach is known for its 3.2-mile boardwalk connecting residential areas, shops and beaches. It is one of San Diego-s liveliest spots with numerous bars and restaurants.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
4 800 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
4.0 m
Average Water Temp
+18.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+21.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
1.0 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
June
Season end
September
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
moderate
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: car break-ins possible in the parking lot. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
Dangerous creatures
stingrays
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
Get insured
Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
Get insured
Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
Claim
Flight compensation
Compensair — EU flight claims
Claim
eSIM for travel
Airalo — mobile internet worldwide
Connect
eSIM without roaming
Yesim — 190+ countries
Connect
eSIM for travelers
Saily — affordable data abroad
Connect
Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
20 pcs
Best restaurants

Kono-s Cafe

American

Popular boardwalk cafe with breakfast and burgers.

The Fishery

Seafood

Seafood restaurant with fresh fish and oysters.

PB Alehouse

American

Brewery with craft beer and BBQ.

Nearby cuisines

Seafood

Fresh Pacific Ocean seafood

Must try: Grilled fish, prawns, oysters

American

Classic American cuisine

Must try: Burgers, breakfast, beer
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
No
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash First aid kit
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and nightlife.
Local Rules
Littering and alcohol consumption are prohibited. Swim only in lifeguarded areas.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
Find the best flight deals
Find flights
Airport transfer
Meet & greet, fixed price, 24/7
Book transfer
International transfer
GetTransfer — worldwide transfers
Book
Transfers worldwide
intui.travel — group & private
Book
Car rental
DiscoverCars — rent worldwide
Rent a car
Car rental
QEEQ — compare rental prices
Rent a car
Car rental
GetRentacar — 100+ countries
Rent a car
Car rental
Economybookings — low-cost rental
Rent a car
Car rental in Europe
AutoEurope — EU & UK
Rent a car
Bikes & scooters
BikesBooking — rent motorbikes
Rent
Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
Rent a car
Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Crystal Pier

Historic pier with restaurants and ocean views.

Tourmaline Surfing Park

Surfing beach with slow waves for beginners.

Mission Beach

Neighbouring beach with Belmont Park amusement park.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Pacific Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity moderate, average temperature +18.0°C, warms up to +21.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Pacific Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 1.0 m.
Pacific Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Pacific Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 4 800 metres.
Pacific Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in June. It ends in September. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Pacific Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Pacific Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: stingrays. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Pacific Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Pacific Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Pacific Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Kono-s Cafe, The Fishery, PB Alehouse. Cuisines available: Seafood, American. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Pacific Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, First aid kit.
Pacific Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and nightlife.
Pacific Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Littering and alcohol consumption are prohibited. Swim only in lifeguarded areas.
Pacific Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Pacific Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for young people, surfers and families thanks to the lively atmosphere, lifeguards and developed infrastructure. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Pacific Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Pacific Beach is known for its 3.2-mile boardwalk connecting residential areas, shops and beaches. It is one of San Diego-s liveliest spots with numerous bars and restaurants.
Pacific Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Wide sandy beach, 3.2-mile boardwalk, Lifeguards year-round, Developed infrastructure, Nightlife, Surfing, Family zones. Cons: Crowded, Noisy, Parking problems, Alcohol prohibited, Cool water.
Pacific Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Crystal Pier, Tourmaline Surfing Park, Mission Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Pacific Beach: how do I get to the city of San Diego?
The beach is located near the city of San Diego. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for San Diego.

City

San Diego

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.