san diego beaches

Best San Diego Neighborhoods Near the Beach

One of the many perks of living on the Southern California coastline is the ability to dip your toes into the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean pretty much any time you want. If living near the beach is a priority, there are certain San Diego beach towns you should investigate first.

Check out these areas and neighborhoods when looking for an apartment near San Diego beaches.

Coronado

coronado ca

Nothing gets you closer to the beach than an apartment in the picturesque San Diego beach town of Coronado. Located in San Diego’s Big Bay, just across the bridge from downtown, Coronado’s beaches are consistently voted among the best in the nation because of their gentle surf and pristine sand. Especially popular among those is Silver Strand State Beach, found on the southern tip of Coronado.

The beach in Coronado offers far more than just sand and surf, however. Stop by the famed Victorian-era Hotel del Coronado for drinks or to enjoy the site’s incredible architecture. Do some shopping and dining at Coronado Ferry Landing, or stroll some or all of the island’s 16 miles of boardwalk. Dog lovers also frequent Coronado Dog Beach, where Fluffy and Fido can run around sans leash to their heart’s content.

La Jolla

la jolla ca

Pronounced, “La HOY-a,” this coastal area of San Diego is one of the most popular destinations in the world and is surrounded by water on three gorgeous sides. All kinds of water sports thrive in La Jolla, including surfing, kayaking and snorkeling. Wipeout Beach is ideal for people who enjoy looking for marine life in tide pools or exploring caves. Boomer Beach is beloved by bodysurfers, thanks to its big waves, and Shell Beach is aptly named as it’s a great spot for hunting seashells!

Dubbed “The Beverly Hills of San Diego,” La Jolla boasts upscale shopping and restaurants featuring celebrity chefs. The beaches here are backed by the impressive Mount Soledad, giving the area a decidedly Mediterranean feel. Whether you’re looking for brunch, casual dining or a romantic date night, there’s a ton to choose from in La Jolla. Bonus — most come with an ocean view!

To take part in activities beyond working on your tan, check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The La Jolla Playhouse puts on excellent shows year-round, and the Comedy Store is a great option for when you need a pick-me-up.

Point Loma

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If you want to live in a beachside neighborhood that’s a little bit on the quiet side, perhaps you should consider Point Loma. Located on a peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean, Point Loma has a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the other San Diego beach towns. This bohemian neighborhood will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of apartment rent, which is always a bonus!

In addition to quiet, sandy beaches, Point Loma is home to the Cabrillo National Monument, which offers stunning views of the coastline and downtown San Diego. Fishing enthusiasts and rock climbers also enjoy Osprey Point, and the Point Loma Marina features excellent shopping and dining options. It’s not unusual to spot a whale on occasion here, either!

After a relaxing day at the beach, stroll through the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station, which is home to more than 48 museums, art galleries and design studios. Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay are another awesome local amenity in this San Diego beach town.

Mission Bay

mission bay ca

Mission Bay is the neighborhood of choice for 20-somethings and college students living in San Diego. A man-made saltwater bay, it offers tons of apartments close to the beach and is located just minutes from downtown. This area also boasts 27 miles of shoreline and plenty of areas to enjoy water sport activities from kitesurfing to sailing. For water sports enthusiasts, Mission Bay Aquatic Park is a must to experience, as it’s the largest park of its kind in the world.

Locals who don’t get enough of the Marine Life while on the beach can stop by SeaWorld San Diego, located in Mission Bay, for animal encounters, thrill rides and just a generally good time. Or, if volleyball is your jam, hit Crown Point for a pickup game or two. Then, of course, there’s East Mission Bay Park, with plenty of playgrounds and green space for other outdoor activities.

Pacific Beach

pacific beach ca

If living near bumping nightlife is a priority, there’s no better place to rent an apartment than in Pacific Beach, just north of downtown San Diego. This beach community is a popular place for students and young professionals to live and mingle, possibly because it has plenty of beach bars, casual eateries and taco stands, so perfect for a late-night snack.

Avid surfers will definitely want to check out Tourmaline Surfing Park while bathing beauties will adore the neighborhood’s namesake beach. Crystal Pier offers tons of water activity opportunities along its pristine coastline, or grab a bike and take in the area on wheels.

Imperial Beach

imperial beach ca

Perhaps the most low-key and laid back of San Diego’s beach communities, Imperial Beach is also the southernmost point in California, only five miles north of Mexico’s border. The Tijuana River National Estuary is a gem of Imperial Beach, as it’s one of the best places for birding enthusiasts to spot endangered birds and other wildlife. The Living Coast Discovery Center is another excellent spot for people who enjoy getting up close and personal with marine life in a controlled setting.

With four miles of beautiful sandy beachfront, this sleepy little town is one of Southern California’s hottest surf spots, but it’s also great for beach volleyball, horseback riding and sport fishing. If you’re looking for more action than activities related to the waves, sand and sun, Imperial Beach probably isn’t for you, as it’s one of the least commercial beach towns in San Diego. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, of course. In fact, the pier is a happening spot with lots of its own brand of personality and fun.

Ocean Beach

ocean beach ca

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the upscale neighborhood of Point Loma, the Ocean Beach community (or OB, as it is called by the locals) is a cool, eclectic little spot that remains largely untouched by commercialism. With all locally owned and operated shops and restaurants, Ocean Beach is full of personality, charm and fun, especially along both Newport Avenue and Voltaire Street.

Ocean Beach has its own large pier, which juts a full half-mile out into the Pacific Ocean. It also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the region, including Dog Beach for canine friends to romp and swim with abandon. Although there are plenty of hang-out spots, OB is less rowdy than nearby Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, so if you’re more into a fast-paced lifestyle, consider checking out those neighboring San Diego beach towns, instead.

Mission Beach

mission beach san diego

If you’re looking for the classic Southern California beach lifestyle, complete with sun, sand, surf, beach bums/babes and lots of noise and crowds, then Mission Beach is the place for you. Located between the ocean and Mission Bay, Mission Beach life is all about the three miles of beachfront boardwalk, which is packed with surf shops, nightclubs and laid-back beach bars. All the beautiful people of Mission Beach go to the local hotspots to see and be seen.

Adventure-seekers take note. Check out Belmont Amusement Park for a whirl on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, circa 1925, but thankfully restored since then. The park also has tons of other great carnie action to be enjoyed. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, head to South Mission Beach Park for some fishing and boat-watching action.

Solana Beach

solana beach ca

Solana Beach is a beautiful San Diego beach town located at the start of U.S. Route 101. With its white sandy beaches and a to-die-for shopping area, Solana Beach is perfect for artists, musicians and beach lovers with an active lifestyle but who prefer to shy away from large crowds.

Many of the beaches within the Solana Beach community aren’t easily accessible, requiring a short hike down a sandy trail or several flights of stairs, so the beaches are typically less crowded than other San Diego beaches. Fletcher Cove Beach and Tide Beach Park are two local favorites. Runners, bikers and walkers especially love getting blood pumping while taking in the artwork along the Solana Beach portion of the Coastal Rail Trail, a 1.7-mile path.

Once you tire of beach time, hop over to the Cedros Design District, packed with independently-owned businesses and boutiques, adorably housed in Quonset huts that date back to the 1940s! You’ll find a little bit of everything there, including cafes, home décor stores, antique shops and art galleries. Be sure to head back on Sundays for the local Farmer’s Market!

Don’t forget to take in a show at the world-famous music venue, Belly Up.

Surf, sand and serenity in these San Diego beach towns

Once a person lives in a neighborhood near a San Diego beach, it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else. The weather, salt air and generally laid-back vibe are tough, if not impossible, to give up.

What’s not tough, however, is adjusting to any of the San Diego beaches on this list!

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