Things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Crystal Pier on Pacific Beach, San Diego

Sandwiched between La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach to the south, Pacific Beach – or P.B. as it's known to locals – is a sun-drenched slice of Californian paradise. Alongside a beautiful sandy beach and fairly calm waters, it boasts some of the best nightlife in the area, with a high density of lively bars and restaurants frequented by the local student‘n’surfer crowd. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego.

Beach Party Atmosphere

Central Pacific Beach’s party vibe is the stuff of legend. During the day, the sunkissed blonde sands are alive with kitesurfers, kids playing volleyball and everything else in between. Firepits glow red in the twilight of balmy summer evenings as revelers soak up the gentle sea breezes and prepare for an evening in the hip bars and restaurants around the broad, palm-lined Garnet and Grand avenues.

Mosey along to the SD Taproom on Garnet to sample a selection of San Diego’s legendary craft beers, from hoppy pale ales to rich chocolate stouts. A bar menu that includes pizza, burgers and giant pretzels will help soak up all that lovely beer. Or hit the Pacific Beach Fish Shop for ocean-fresh tacos brimming over with the grilled fish or crustacean of your choice, plus crab cakes, clam chowder and more.

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The three-mile oceanfront boardwalk stretches all the way south to Mission Beach and Mission Bay, and bustles with cyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and shoppers. Hire a bike to explore this scenic stretch of the California coast, and make a day of it by taking a picnic and meandering south around Mission Bay’s winding shoreline. Or head north into the bluffs of La Jolla, with their spectacular sea views.

Fishermen angle for bass and halibut off Crystal Pier, jockeying for position with selfie-takers. Tread its boards as the sun sets, turning the sky several remarkable shades of orange, pink and purple, for some of the finest photo opportunities in the area.

You needn’t stray too far from the main drag to find a relatively quiet stretch of beach, either: the calm waters and broad sands just north of the pier are a little less lively and especially popular with families as a result. Like Central P.B., North Pacific Beach has designated swimming and surfing areas, and a reassuring lifeguard presence.

Surf’s up! Grab your board and make for Tourmaline Surfing Park. This cute cove where P.B. meets La Jolla is surrounded by cliffs and accessed down a steep, palm-lined road through Tourmaline Canyon. The slow-rolling waves make this beach popular with novice surfers, as well as windsurfers and kiteboarders when the wind is up.

Park Life

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A big favorite with in-the-know locals, Kate Sessions Park is 79 acres of gorgeous greenery set on the verdant slopes of Mount Soledad. Pack a picnic and throw down your blanket on the grassy lawns for fresh sea air, balmy breezes and some absolutely cracking views of Mission Bay, P.B. and San Diego’s famous urban skyline. On clear days you might even glimpse the Coronado Bridge curving across the shimmering blue ocean. There’s a playground as well as plenty of wild trails for walking and biking. As dusk descends, fire up one of the barbecues for a sunset cookout and enjoy that magical moment when the lights come on in downtown San Diego’s distant skyscrapers.

Lying east of the Pacific Beach neighborhood on the other side of Interstate 5, Tecolote Canyon National Park makes for a great day out thanks to its unchallenging walking trails and nature center with information on the canyon’s diverse flora and fauna, including a rainbow of butterflies and wildflowers and the occasional snake. Take the 10-kilometer Tecolote Canyon Trail, which weaves its fairly flat way through the narrow valley, and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic birds that give the canyon its name (tecolote is the Spanish word for owl).

A shorter trail through the Native Plant Garden is ideal for families. Plants are numbered along the trail, and you can learn the names of each both in English and Kumeyaay, the language of San Diego’s original Native American settlers.

Top Nearby Attractions

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North of Pacific Beach, picture-perfect La Jolla boasts wild, pine-scented hills and valleys and a long stretch of alternatingly rocky and sandy coastline that make it great for surfing, swimming, sunbathing and... seal-spotting. A number of colonies of harbor seals call this sunny spot in California their home. Head on up to Children’s Beach, where you’ll find dozens frolicking playfully in the surf and basking on the warm sand. Originally intended as a safe place for kids to swim following the installation of a concrete breakwater in the 1930s, it’s now one of the best seal-spotting destinations on the coast, with the colony estimated to be over 200 strong.

And, if the cute seals have whetted your appetite for marine life, you’re in for an absolute treat at SeaWorld San Diego, just a short distance south of Pacific Beach in Mission Bay. Here’s where you’ll find orca whales and other giants of the deep including beautiful loggerhead turtles, other-worldly Japanese spider crabs and the elusive giant Pacific Octopus, a master of disguise. There are 19 enormous aquariums to explore here, plus stacks of high-octane thrill rides to keep everyone entertained.

You’ll find gentler, more old-fashioned fun at nearby Belmont Park on Mission Beach, where the wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster is a century-old National Historic landmark. Other fun amusement rides in this nostalgia-fueled beachfront theme park include bumper cars, mini golf and a traditional painted carousel.

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Save on things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego

Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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10+ Romantic Things to Do in San Diego

Spending time in sunny San Diego around Valentine’s Day and looking for some ideas on how to spend this special day? If you’re looking for romantic things to do in San Diego, whether that's for Valentine's Day or for a romantic date night any time of year, check out our a few of our suggested activities. Wander Balboa Park San Diego is one of the most temperate cities in the country, and is likely to be pleasant even in mid-February. So there’s no reason why you can’t spend an afternoon or an evening walking with your loved one through the nation’s largest urban cultural park. In addition to its beautifully cultivated gardens and striking architecture, Balboa Park also features some of the region’s premier museums. So whether your love’s deepest desire is to visit the pandas at the San Diego Zoo, or gaze upon the stars at the Fleet Science Center, you will find plenty to do indoors and out. Stroll the Japanese Friendship Garden Part of the pleasure in Valentine’s Day is the personal time spent with the one you love. For a uniquely romantic setting for your personal time this year, take a stroll through this one-of-a-kind garden. Nearly 100 years old, the Japanese Friendship Garden, San-Kei-En is designed to offer Zen serenity and peace. It was originally created as a gesture of friendship between the U.S. and Japan, and now attracts visitors from all over the world with its simple design and classic features. A visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden will cultivate the perfect state of peace and harmony for you and your partner. Explore the Art World Since the dawn of time, man has turned to art to express his love. In fact, some of the most famous pieces in history were inspired by this universal emotion. To soak up some of that passion yourself, stroll through the galleries of San Diego’s nationally renowned fine arts museum – the San Diego Museum of Art. Collections feature everything from the European old masters, 19th and 20th-century paintings, and new works of modernism to sculpture, artifacts, and multi-media artwork. Over Valentine's 2020, you could stop by the Art After Hours for only $5 after 5:00 p.m. on Fridays, experience exhibitions and the Museum’s 20 galleries while live music plays at Panama 66 in the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court. Alternatively, on the 15th from 9AM - 1PM, drop in to their Valentine's Workshop where you will join Museum Educator Sheena Dowling for an interactive workshop that takes its inspiration from the many forms and expressions of love depicted in the Museum’s works of art. Learn about traditional printmaking techniques and use them to create your own embellished prints or card sets. Other artsy options in the San Diego area include the San Diego Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Hit Up a Ball Game For the sporty couples out there, there are plenty of San Diego sports activities to enjoy. One of our favorite sporty date ideas is an afternoon or evening at the San Diego Padres Stadium, PETCO Park. You can take a tour of the park most days, or take in a home game when they're in town. There are few things as fun and date-like than a good, old-fashioned baseball game, complete with beer and hotdogs! Of course, this won't be available as Valentine's date idea -- you'd need to wait until March 26 for the 2020 MLB season to begin. If you're still interested in exploring PETCO Park, take a course of this beautiful establishment to see its unique architecture and the perfect situation. These tours are available in the off-season, so you could make it part of a larger Valentine's day plan. Reflect on Your History Valentine’s Day is not only a time for romance but also one of a reflection when we think about our personal histories and how we came to be with the people we love today. San Diego’s unique Museum of Man is on a mission to help answer questions about that quintessentially human quality. It’s the only institution in the region devoted to the celebration of diversity, and one of the only in the world that’s all about the human experience. Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, the Museum of Man brings together beauty, history, anthropology, art, and artifacts from ancient and contemporary cultures. It’s a great way to learn something about our past as you plan for the future. After all, what is more essential to mankind than the idea of love? Adventure Through La Jolla Views don't come much more striking than this. If you’re the outdoorsy sort of couple who would love nothing more than to enjoy the fresh and beautiful weather of a San Diego winter, then some time spent in La Jolla sounds like the perfect date idea. Whether you want to hike, bike, snorkel, or swim, there are plenty of options to keep everybody happy. Plus, it's easy to rent the necessary equipment and gear, so no need to bring your own. Even better? You don't need a lot of (or any!) experience to enjoy these activities, so why not take the opportunity this Valentine's Day to try something new? Take a tour of the area, or explore on your own – there’s no shortage of beautiful vistas and stunning ocean scenery to keep you happy. Hop Aboard a Romantic Cruise Another tried-and-true option is the romantic cruise. There are several options floating around for your enjoyment (pun intended), like the champagne brunch cruise or the weekend cruises offered by Hornblower Dinner Cruises. Or, if you’d prefer something a little less formal and overtly lovey-dovey, then a regular cruise might do the trick, like a scenic one-hour Harbor Tour. This thoughtful cruise is an excellent sight-seeing option, too, so it's good for those of you who have come to San Diego for a special getaway trip. Indulge in a Romantic Dinner Call me old-fashioned, but to my mind there are few things as enjoyable as a good romantic dinner. Fortunately, San Diego has some of the most amazing food in the region for you and your Valentine to sample, whether you’re interested in high-end seafood or street-side Mexican. If you’re looking for ideas for great romantic restaurants, explore areas like the Gaslamp Quarter/Banker’s Hill, Downtown, La Jolla, and Del Mar. We recommend using a service like OpenTable to book your free reservations - just do it early! Take in a Show If you want to really impress your culturally-inclined date, then a musical performance or theatrical show is a reliable option. This time of year, San Diego has plenty of great shows in town for you to choose from, although there isn't necessarily a lot on the holiday itself because it falls in the middle of the week this year. If you can be flexible in your dates, the Civic Theatre has a performance by the San Diego Opera, and the Balboa Theatre is hosting the California ballet. Sweetheart Sail at the Maritime Museum Hop on board the Californian or San Salvador and enjoy a three-hour scenic tour of San Diego Bay on a special 'Sweetheart Sail.' You'll get to see native wildlife, the stunning San Diego skyline, and landmarks along the way. Enjoy chocolates and champagne while onboard your romantic cruise. Remember to Save on Attraction Admission From the classical to the quirky, and everything in between, we’ve put together some of our favorite romantic things to do in San Diego and we just know you’ll find something to help you put together that perfect date. Remember, some of these great options are included on the Go San Diego pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the special events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Diego pass.
Katie Sagal
Parasailing off the cliffs of La Jolla, San Diego
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Adventurous Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is an adrenaline fiend’s playground, a sprawling city of beaches, cliffs, canyons and theme parks that promise all manner of thrills, from century-old wooden rollercoaster rides to paragliding from the bluffs high above La Jolla’s pristine sands. Brace yourself for our pick of the 10 most adventurous things to do in San Diego... Kayak Through the Sea Caves Set sail from La Jolla Shores and paddle your way gently across the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an astonishing marine reserve with gin-clear waters where you might spot friendly leopard sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, harbor seals and bright orange Garibaldi fish darting under your boat. You’ll soon reach the seven secret sea caves at La Jolla Cove. Steer your kayak inside to follow in the footsteps (boatsteps?) of smugglers who snuck alcohol and opium into San Diego via these same secret passageways during the Prohibition era. Kayaks are available for rent at La Jolla Shores. Ride a 100-Year-Old Rollercoaster Expect thrills galore with a healthy dollop of nostalgia at Belmont Park, an oceanfront fairground that’s been operating at San Diego's Mission Beach since 1925. Amid ultra-modern scream machines that perform high-speed vertical drops and stomach-flipping somersaults you’ll find more sedate old-fashioned amusements such as mini golf, bumper cars and an aerial assault course. The Giant Dipper rollercoaster is the undisputed jewel in the park’s crown. Here since the park opened, this traditional wooden construction provides rickety thrills aplenty along its 2,800 feet of track. Hop aboard, if you’re brave enough. Hit the Surf San Diego’s gentle rolling waves make for ideal surfing conditions, attracting thousands of surfers to its shores every year. Hire a board to give it a go yourself. Sheltered areas at La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach are particularly forgiving for newbies, and your inevitable first wipeout should be considered a rite of passage. But, if a mouthful of sand and seawater is enough to confirm that surfing isn’t for you, look on the bright side: you can always plonk your board upright in the sand and use it as a sunshade while you admire the views. Brave California’s Longest Zipline Thrillseekers rejoice! For here’s an extreme sport that will really get the adrenaline pumping. Set in an Indian reservation north of the city in the verdant Pauma Valley, the La Jolla Zip Zoom boasts the longest zipline in California. Here, brave souls can soar high over canyons, forest canopies and the San Luis Rey River at speeds reaching up to 50mph. There’s over 6,000 feet of ziplines to whiz down across the whole reservation, with the longest a whopping 2,500 feet. Not for the faint of heart. Lace up your Boots San Diego’s unique landscape makes for some excellent walking opportunities. Hit the hiking trail through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of rugged cliffs and wild plateaus named for the endangered Torrey pine, which is unique to this reserve. You’ll also find colorful wildflowers, towering cacti and monolithic rock formations; maybe even the occasional cheeky raccoon or lizard. Head to Yucca Point Overlook for fine views across the La Jolla bluffs to the golden beaches and shimmering ocean below. There are also guided tours available at Mission Trails Regional Park and Tecolote Canyon. Rent a Jet Ski Do you feel the need... the need for speed? Tear up the waters of San Diego Bay on a Yamaha Waverunner jet ski ride against the picturesque backdrop of the Downtown skyline. These streamlined dream machines can reach speeds of up to 65mph so you can visit bay attractions including the USS Midway aircraft carrier, Shelter Island and the curvaceous Coronado Bridge in no time at all. Keep your eyes peeled for playful seals and dolphins frolicking in the surf and maybe even racing alongside you! Leap off La Jolla’s Cliffs San Diego activities don’t come much more adventurous than leaping into the unknown on a paragliding experience from the cliffs at Torrey Pines. Take a tandem ride from the Gliderport here and let your expert guide do all the hard work while you admire sweeping views of the coastal bluffs and spot leopard sharks cruising the clear waters below. Top tip: paragliding is also a mesmerizing spectator sport, so those without a head for heights can simply bring along a picnic and enjoy the colorful spectacle from terra firma. Have a Whale of a Time San Diego is prime whale-watching territory, with majestic blue whales often spotted off the coast in summer and fall, and gray whales migrating to and from the warm lagoons of Baja en masse for calving season in winter and spring. Get up close to these magnificent creatures on a boat tour. If you’re lucky you might even spot a mother swimming with her calf, or get close enough to feel the sea spray from a blowhole or disappearing tail fin. Dozens of trips depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund if you fail to see anything. Sample Unusual Beers San Diego is the craft beer capital of the USA, with dozens of microbreweries concocting weird and wonderful beverages for your delectation, and taprooms on nearly every street corner. It would be simply remiss not to sample a few while you’re here. Head to Hillcrest Brewing for unusual brews including Crotch Rocket Irish Style Red Ale and Banana Hammock Scotch Ale. And stagger on down to North Park for a punchy, hazy Technomancer at Modern Times’ taproom, known locally as ‘the Flavordome’. Major beer festivals hit town in June, October and November, when sampling the gamut of beers, from stouts to sours and frothy IPAs to flavored brews, is positively encouraged. Go Ghost-Hunting Here’s a way to increase your heart rate without going to the extreme lengths of e.g. jumping off a cliff strapped to a man with a big parachute. Once described by LIFE magazine as ‘the most haunted house in America’, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town has seen its fair share of grisly deaths over the years and was reputedly built on the site of a former gallows. Eek. Scare yourself silly on one of the museum’s spooky evening tours – if you dare. Save on adventurous things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
San Diego Visitor Info
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