25 Local Things To Do In Mission Beach San Diego

Is Mission Beach worth visiting? Mission Beach is known to many as the epicenter of fun in San Diego. It is the best of both worlds for those looking to incorporate all the variety San Diego offers. Being right on the beach and boardwalk, there is no shortage of fun activities for people of all ages to take part in. Meanwhile, Mission Beach still offers the many restaurants and exciting nightlife that can be found in other parts of the city.

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PRO TIPS

Planning your trip to Mission Beach San Diego? Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:

📸 Best Tours In San Diego:

Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charter of San Diego (for up to 12 people!)
San Diego 4×4: Border Wilderness (travel the off-beaten path)
Premium Valle de Guadalupe Wine and Food Tour (all-inclusive)
The San Diego Highlights Tour (all the top sights + free time to explore)
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise (check out the 2 guarantees!)

😴 Best Hotels In Mission Beach:

Old Town Inn (💲) (spacious rooms)
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa (💲💲) (3 pools + many water slides)
The Wayfarer San Diego (💲💲💲) (oceanfront + near SeaWorld)

🚘 Best Car Rental In San Diego: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)

Table Of Contents

Best Things To Do In Mission Beach

If you’re planning a trip to San Diego and want to be sure that you make the most of your time in Mission Beach, we have put together a list of our favorite activities to try and places to visit so you don’t have to spend countless hours researching. Here are the 25 best things to do in Mission Beach from a Southern California local:

1. Enjoy beach views from the boardwalk

A serene beach view at dusk with waves crashing onto the shore under a dramatic sky of purples and oranges during sunset. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

The Mission Beach boardwalk is about two miles long and always full of tourists and locals walking, biking, or skating between restaurants and activities.

2. Relax in a luxury Airbnb

Mission Beach is home to many of the most luxurious beachfront holiday rentals. Book a staycation and enjoy a whole weekend relaxing with ocean views.

3. Get an adrenaline rush on Belmont Park’s Big Dipper Rollercoaster

The iconic Belmont Park wooden roller coaster, Big Dipper, lit up with vibrant green and red holiday lights, surrounded by palm trees. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Belmont Park and the Big Dipper Coaster are historic landmarks that have been bringing joy to San Diego since 1925.

4. Enjoy burgers and beers along the boardwalk at Draft brewery

A restaurant front with a sleek design, wrapped in holiday garlands and lit with warm lights, creating a cozy evening ambiance. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

The Draft brewery is a popular stop for those wanting to fill up after a long day on the beach or in the waves.

5. Play games in the Belmont Park Arcade

The bright and festive entrance to Belmont Park at night, adorned with holiday lights and a "Winter Wonder" sign on the side, with a candy-themed decor leading to the amusement park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

If you are traveling with kids or looking to reminisce, this is the perfect spot to kill some time.

6. Drop in some local surf shops to buy souvenirs for loved ones

If you want to avoid the cheap, and often tacky souvenirs, local surf shops are a great place to find gifts that your friends and family will actually appreciate.

7. Watch the game at Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill

The Sandbar restaurant at night, decorated with holiday lights, featuring an open design with visible seating inside and candy cane ornaments on the exterior. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Immerse yourself in Southern California culture at Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill. Plus they have one of the best fish tacos in the state. In fact, they were recognized as #2 for the 10 best fish tacos from California from USA Today.

8. Test your wits at the Escapology, San Diego Escape Rooms

The glowing storefront of Escapology at night, showcasing its intriguing, escape room theme with steampunk-style decorations and neon lights. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

If you’re not into the bar scene, escape rooms are a great and thrilling way to spend a night out.

9. Join a game of beach volleyball

Bring your own volleyball and gather a team, or ask to join an existing game. Either way, you’re sure to get a good workout in.

10. Dive into Wreck Alley to explore a sunken ship

Whether you’re looking to complete a scuba certification while you’re in town, or you love to snorkel, there are great tour offerings that allow you to explore San Diego’s shipwreck.

11. Rent a few bikes and cruise around

Bike rentals are easily available throughout Mission Beach, and beach cruisers are a fun and efficient way to see the whole area.

12. Gather some friends for laser tag at Belmont Park’s Tron-themed facility

This is an always exciting way to spend the night for children and adults alike.

13. Book private whale and dolphin-watching tours

The ocean off of Mission Beach is full of beautiful sea life. Blue whales are known to migrate past San Diego from mid-June to September, so these are great months to book a tour.

14. Grab brunch at The Mission restaurant

San Diegans undeniably love brunch, so there is no shortage of great options around. The Mission is a popular spot with something on the menu for everyone.

15. Soak in the dive bar atmosphere at Thrusters Lounge

If you love a game of pool and the dive bar vibe, Thrusters Lounge is the place for you.

16. Enjoy sushi and a view at Cannonball Restaurant and Bar

The illuminated exterior of Cannonball restaurant at night, with its modern design, featuring an upper-level seating area and glass walls, surrounded by lights. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Cannonball is the perfect mixture of high-end food, a casual environment, and amazing views. This is an ideal option for couples on a date night.

17. Get out in the waves for surf lessons

Signing up for surf lessons is easy and experienced surfers make you feel confident and comfortable.

18. Set up blankets and a picnic at Mission Beach Park

There’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful scenery than sitting out in the fresh air and enjoying your favorite snacks.

19. Try your hand at roller-skating the boardwalk

Roller skating is huge in San Diego so you’re likely to happen upon some experts who can teach you a trick or two.

20. Enjoy a cocktail and a cabana on the sand at Beach House Grill

This beachy spot lets patrons enjoy food and drinks in cabanas directly on the sand. Talk about the San Diego experience.

21. Spend a day playing games on the sand

Nothing quite says San Diego like letting the kids wear themselves out with a long day of paddle ball and frisbee.

22. Grab a coffee and window shop along Mission Blvd.

Grab a latte and get a lay of the land by browsing all of the shops and restaurants that sit along Mission Blvd.

23. Experience the all-immersive pirates and aliens Xanadu 7D Theater

On days with more extreme weather, the Xanadu 7D Theater is an awesome place to take refuge. This all-immersive experience takes those who enter on a wild adventure fighting pirates and aliens, all from their moving and shaking seats.

24. Go fishing at the Mission Bay Jetty

The Mission Bay Jetty found in South Mission Beach is almost always far less crowded than it’s surrounding beaches, making it the perfect place to cast a line and practice fishing.

25. Enjoy island-themed cuisine at Miss B’s Coconut Club

A table filled with vibrant dishes, including tacos, rice, and vegetables, with a colorful mural of Miss B's Coconut Club featuring tropical plants and a woman holding a coconut in the background. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

This island-themed oasis could convince any San Diegan that they’ve been transported to Waikiki.

Where to Stay In Mission Beach San Diego

San Diego has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options in and near Mission Beach:

Budget-Friendly Option: Old Town Inn

Mid-Priced Option: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina

Lux Option: The Wayfarer San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mission Beach known for?

While San Diego as a whole is known as a beach city, Mission Beach is really the neighborhood that embodies the beach lifestyle. Aside from warm sand and fun in the waves, Mission Beach is also known for its many bars and wild nightlife.

The historical theme park, Belmont Park is another characteristic feature of the neighborhood that offers a host of activities for families.

Does Mission Beach have shopping?

Mission Beach does offer shopping. Many of the shops found in this area are themed souvenir shops or surf shops. If you are looking to take part in some high-end shopping, other parts of the city, like La Jolla, may be more suitable.

What is the difference between Mission Bay and Mission Beach?

The most obvious difference between Mission Beach and Mission Bay is that one is directly on the ocean while one sits on a large protected bay.

This means that those looking to surf or swim in waves will enjoy Mission Beach while those looking for still water without waves will enjoy the bay.

While both are busy, especially in the warmer months, Mission Bay can be a bit quieter than Mission Beach. Both are easily walkable or bikeable and offer tons of hotels, restaurants, and vacation rentals.

If you still can’t decide, don’t worry, because they are within walking distance of each other and it’s very easy to spend time in both neighborhoods on the same trip.

Is San Diego safe?

San Diego is widely known to be one of the safest cities in the nation for its size. Although some levels of crime are a given, and some of its neighborhoods are safer than others, the crime rate in San Diego remains below the national average.

Can I visit San Diego in the winter?

If you conjure up images of endless summer and salty surfers when told to think of San Diego, you’re not alone. Although this city is known widely as a summer vacation destination, San Diego has its draws during the colder months.

Can I visit San Diego without a car?

Visiting San Diego without a car is a viable option. When doing so, I recommend that you research ahead of time to determine what you are hoping to get out of your visit and choose a walkable neighborhood to stay in based on this.

If you choose to rent a car, here’s all you need to know about renting a car in San Diego.

How many days are needed for San Diego?

Because San Diego has so much to offer, I would recommend at least a 3-day trip to be able to explore different neighborhoods and visit as least 1 of its larger attractions such as Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo. But if you can, plan a 5-day trip to San Diego to see the best of San Diego and not feel rushed.

Final Thoughts

Mission Beach is a very diverse neighborhood of San Diego when it comes to the variety of things to see while visiting. We hope that this post about the best things to do in Mission Beach San Diego made it that much simpler to plan your next visit without the stress. Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.