Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a popular and crowded San Diego beach on a thin strip between the ocean and Mission Bay with a nearly three-mile paved promenade.
Following John D. Spreckels' 1914 subdivision and a new wooden bridge, Mission Beach grew along a mile-long strip of sand between South Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. The boardwalk known as Ocean Front Walk runs past the Belmont Park amusement park, and lifeguards staff the wide sandy shoreline daily.
Mission Beach's History and Development
The 1925 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park anchors the northern stretch of Mission Beach, surrounded by residential structures built as summer cottages through the 1930s and '40s, with a few dating to the 1920s. Across the water lies Mission Bay, originally named False Bay by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 and reshaped from a tidal marsh beginning in 1944 when dredging started for an aquatic recreation area. The shoreline is patrolled year-round by San Diego Lifeguards from one of nine permanent stations along the city's coast, and the neighborhood itself developed following a 1914 subdivision when John D. Spreckels offered small lots for sale.
Best Photo Spots
Here are six Mission Beach photo spots, including a pier, amusement park, beachfront fire pit, jetty, and oceanfront boardwalk.
Crystal Pier
Photographs of This Location
Common Questions
San Diego Mission Bay Resort is located at 1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109.
Yes, Mission Beach has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.
Paddleboarding, kayaking, and rides across Mission Bay are available for capturing action on the water.
Practical Information
3171 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109; 3 miles; Mission Bay is reached from Interstate 5 via the East Mission Bay Drive, Grand Avenue, Clairemont Drive, or Sea World Drive exits.
Free; Designated accessible parking is available at San Fernando Place, Belmont Park, and the foot of Pacific Beach Drive.; Mission Bay offers extensive free parking lots adjacent to most swimming beaches, though Enchanted Cove and Sail Bay have no on-site lots and all lots fill on busy summer weekends.
Mission Beach has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.; all hours; Always open
Free
before 9am and after 6pm (Apr-Oct); The consumption of alcoholic beverages on Mission Beach is illegal as of April 2008, and nudity is not allowed.
Tipps fürs Shooting
- On busy summer days the accessible parking lots fill very quickly.
- Alcohol, glass containers, and overnight parking are prohibited throughout Mission Bay Park, and it is unlawful to park a vehicle there between 2 and 4 a.m.
- Slow down for congested pedestrian areas when cycling or skating on the boardwalk.
- Miles of bayfront pathways along Mission Bay are available for cycling-based photo sessions.
- Visiting photographers should consider walking or biking along the Ocean Front Boardwalk rather than driving, since parking becomes incredibly difficult during the busy summer months.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:20 PM - 1:44 PM
1:44 PM - 2:44 PM
12:30 AM - 1:30 AM
1:30 AM - 1:55 AM
Beste Jahreszeit
summer
Vermeiden
winter
| Monat | Sonnenaufgang | Sonnenuntergang | Tageslicht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:51 | 17:05 | 10h 14m |
| Feb | 06:31 | 17:34 | 11h 2m |
| Mar | 06:59 | 18:57 | 11h 58m |
| Apr | 06:19 | 19:19 | 13h 0m |
| May | 05:49 | 19:41 | 13h 51m |
| Jun | 05:40 | 19:58 | 14h 18m |
| Jul | 05:51 | 19:57 | 14h 5m |
| Aug | 06:12 | 19:33 | 13h 21m |
| Sep | 06:32 | 18:54 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:53 | 18:15 | 11h 22m |
| Nov | 06:19 | 16:47 | 10h 28m |
| Dec | 06:44 | 16:44 | 10h 0m |
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Barrierefrei
- Manual and motorized beach wheelchairs are available for free for one hour, picked up at the lifeguard station at foot of Ventura Street.
- Parken
- The resort is located at 1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109 with map and directions available.
- Fußläufig
- 20 minutes
- Fahrradfreundlich
- The Beach Promenade is a designated activity zone for bicycling with a speed limit of eight miles per hour.