Author: Colleen

I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego's coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!
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Touring 10 Beaches-North County San Diego

North County San Diego

Living in Southern California, I have photographed many North County San Diego beaches. But I have not gotten even close to shooting every one of them!

So, it has been my mission this year to shoot every beach on the 70 miles of the San Diego coastline.

 Ok, let’s get going!

 Beaches of North County San Diego

On Jan 11, 2018, my daughter and I quickly rode to North County, San Diego, to photograph a few beaches.

—>The Beaches of San Diego County<—

Before leaving, I mapped out the ten shores we would be conquering. Our primary objective was to start at Wisconsin Street Beach in Oceanside, followed by the beaches of Carlsbad, and finally, end at Grandview Beach in Encinitas.

Oceanside Carlsbad Google Map North County San Diego
11.4 miles of coast covered

All in all, we covered 11.4 miles of San Diego’s 70 miles of coastline.

If there is one thing I have learned on the adventure, all these beaches listed below are best to visit on a mid to low-tide day, especially the beaches in Oceanside.

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San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers

Agua Hedionda Lagoon San Diego Lagoons

I have prepared a list of all San Diego lagoons and nature centers along the coastline and linked each site to its appropriate website.

Explore, have fun, and learn at the same time!

Nature Centers and San Diego Lagoons

San Diego doesn’t just have the best beaches in the country; we also have some of the most significant coastal wetlands.

With over 70 miles of coast to discover in San Diego, there are also several coastal lagoons to visit. If you are in the mood for a hike or are interested in the area’s natural history, you cannot go wrong!

I will start the list at the most northern location, Oceanside, and make my way South, finally ending at the Mexican Border.

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La Jolla Shores Beach

la jolla shores beach

 La Jolla Shores Beach has over 1 mile of sandy Beach. It is between the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and La Jolla Shores Hotel at 8300 Camino Del Oro in La Jolla, California.

This Beach has some of the most gentle waves during the summer in San Diego, making it an excellent beach for the family.

North View La Jolla Shores sand shore pier background

button map La Jolla Shores Beach

Discovering La Jolla Shores Beach

Due to its calm waters, this Beach is ideal for swimming or learning how to surf.   Additionally, a boardwalk is attached to the Beach, which makes biking, skating, and jogging popular activities here.

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San Diego Whale Watching Tours

Oceanside Harbor Oceanside Adventures Vessel

San Diego is one of the best places in the country to go on a whale-watching tour. In this article, I would like to present a comprehensive list of all possible San Diego whale-watching tours available in San Diego County.

Let’s See Some Whales and Dolphins!

There are several species of whale to encounter here, especially during the Gray whales’ migration season (Nov-April). The Blue whale (May-Nov) is another species commonly seen passing by the coastline of San Diego.

Along with whales, four possible species of dolphins are frequently seen on a San Diego whale-watching tour. These include the Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, the common dolphin, and the Pacific white-sided dolphin.

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The Beaches of San Diego County-Updated 2020

Stonesteps Beach Beaches of San Diego County

Here I would like to set up a comprehensive list of the beaches of San Diego County, beginning with the most northern shore and making my way down the coast until the most southern Beach sharing its border with Mexico.

For all those living in San Diego, we are incredibly fortunate to live in this gorgeous city. With an average daytime temperature of 69.8` F, what is not to love?

San Diego County has over 70 miles of unique coastline to appreciate and explore!

Experience San Diego Like a Local!

Having been fortunate enough to live in this area for over 30 years, I have explored almost every mile, except on the military beaches (San Diego has three of them. But I got a few pictures from the outside looking in, and I am grateful for that.

About two years ago, I made a pact to document as many of the beaches of San Diego County as I could. To make things as easy as possible, I will be listing each Beach and including the following criteria-

  • Map
  • Activities Available
  • Restrooms
  • Parking
  • Points of Interest
  • My Rating (1-5, with five being the highest)
  • Additional Information

(As you can see, restroom availability is a critical metric!)

I have written previously on many of these locations, so  I will also link each relevant post under Additional Information.

(Please look and share it with those you love.)

Whether you go to the Beach for the sun, water, or to walk on the sand, the beaches of San Diego County have something for everyone.

Let’s have a look!

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Let’s Take A La Jolla Coast Walk!

la jolla coast walk
La Jolla Shores Beach La Jolla Coast Walk
A view looking out to La Jolla Shore beach

La Jolla is a popular seaside coastal community located 20 minutes from Downtown San Diego. La Jolla is one of the first places I take visitors from out of town. And once here, we venture off on a La Jolla coast walk.

Walking the Coast of La Jolla

There are so many things to experience in La Jolla, but it is an absolute must to walk the coast of La Jolla.

There are all kinds of things to do in La Jolla: hiking, beachcombing, biking, swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking; the possibilities are endless!

And do not get me started on all the fantastic photo opportunities available!

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For the Love of San Diego Beaches

San Diego Beaches

At the beach, life is different Time doesn’t move from hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun. Anonymous

little girl on sand
I have always loved the beach!

Discovering San Diego Beaches

 Sometime back, I remember reading that San Diego beaches are considered some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. So it was only logical that when I moved down here from Los Angeles to go to college, it was my mission to see if this theory was correct. Are the beaches of San Diego such a big deal?

Though I had been to San Diego only once as a child,  the one thing I remember is Mission Beach. Well, when I finally went out to explore the San Diego coastline, I was not let down, not by a long shot! That was as far as my association with San Diego beaches went, flat and sandy.

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Experience San Diego Whale Watching

California gray whale san diego whale watching

It is that time of year again! California’s official state marine mammal, the California Gray whale, is starting its way down South! Generally speaking, this is the best time for San Diego whale watching.

San Diego Whale Watching

Whales pass through San Diego year-round but usually prefer to stay more than five miles offshore. On the other hand, Gray whales tend to keep close to the shore when traveling South; as a result, this is a great time to see them from onshore.

Let us now look at a few fascinating facts about the Gray whale; also, I have included a summary of some other possible whales you are most likely to encounter while on a San Diego whale watching tour.

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Top 5 Spots to View a San Diego Sunset

Mission Bay San Diego Sunset
Mission Bay, San Diego

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God– G.K Chesterton

Encountering a San Diego sunset on the coast is something you will never forget. With San Diego having over 70 miles of coast,  where are the best places to experience a San Diego sunset?

Few things touch my soul more than a sunset. Something magical happens when the sun’s rays hit the ocean water, and it is as if the entire surroundings are shining from within.

I am pleased to share my top 5 spots where I think you can see that exceptional San Diego sunset in all its glory and more!

Under each listing, I have included one fun fact, or in other words, a secret.

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SeaWorld – A Journey Through the Years

 

SeaWorld, one of San Diego’s premier adventure parks, is situated on 21 acres in Mission Bay Park and is located just 5 miles north of Downtown San Diego. This marine zoological park first opened its gates in 1964.

It wasn’t until ten years later that I had the pleasure to walk through those gates for the first time as a child. I do not remember much, except for one thing: getting soaking wet from the Shamu show and wondering why in the world the water was so cold.

In college, I volunteered at San Diego State University to help a research biologist input data from his Elephant seal study at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute(HSWRI). I loved every time I walked through those doors. I felt like I arrived, even if it was only volunteering.

SeaWorld- Over the Past Thirty Years

My husband and I have lived in and around San Diego County for over 30 years, and we have enjoyed being SeaWorld’s annual pass members for at least 10 of those years. I love that my children not only had a blast on all the activities and rides, but they were also experiencing and learning many things regarding the marine ecosystem as a whole.

I want to share with you a few photos I have compiled over the years!

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Exploring Coronado Island San Diego CA

Hotel del Coronado Coronado Island San Diego CA
Map Coronado and North Island-1918
Map of Coronado-note the ‘small neck of land (The Silver Strand) toward the right corner of the map.

Every year, Coronado Beach makes the Top 10 beaches in the US. This beach is one of my children’s favorite, as well. Coronado Island in San Diego, CA, can be seen across San Diego Bay from Downtown San Diego.

In particular, we enjoy the vast sandy beaches and adore going to the Hotel del Coronado, located less than a mile from our starting point.

Would you like to tour Coronado Island in San Diego, CA? Well, you have come to the right place. Come and join me on an epic adventure, going back in time and staying in the present simultaneously!

Let’s go!

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Discover Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Map
Aerial Map of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is over 18 acres of cliffs adjacent to the Western coast of Point Loma, beginning at Ladera Street.

There is a sandy trail that runs parallel to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard that makes for a gorgeous walk.  Whenever we have company visiting from out of town and want to show off our coastline, this is where we go.

The Beauty and Wonder of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Above is a short video that showcases the beauty of the cliffs next to the water.

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Oceanside Beach CA- Let’s Go!

Big winter waves off Oceanside Pier

Oceanside Beach, CA, is 30 min north of Downtown San Diego in North County San Diego. Did you know that the city of Oceanside is best known for being the home of the Marine Military Base Camp Pendleton?

Join me for a mini-tour of Oceanside Pier a day after a winter storm!

View on Oceanside Pier CA, looking North
View from toward the middle of the  Oceanside Pier

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Discovering Oceanside Pier CA

Oceanside Pier CA

Oceanside Pier

May 17, 2015- Oceanside Pier

Oceanside Pier is one of the largest piers in the State of California; measuring the length of 1954 feet.

This pier was first built in 1888 but was ultimately wiped out by a storm in 1890.

Eventually, it was again rebuilt in 1893 and additionally restored four more times due to heavy storms. The original location was at what is now Wisconsin Ave Beach.

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Getting to Know San Onofre State Beach

san onofre state beach

San Onofre State Beach is over 3000 acres of sandy and rocky beaches, weathered bluffs, and coastal wetlands located on the northernmost border of San Diego County and 3 miles south of the city of San Clemente in Orange County. 

My family and I love to explore this area!

San Onofre State Beach

Over 2.5 million people frequent San Onofre State Beach every year, making it one of the top five most visited state parks in California.

Come and join me for a tour!

Fun Fact- “Onofre” in Spanish means defender of peace.

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