27 Local Things To Do In Pacific Beach San Diego

Is Pacific Beach worth visiting? Pacific Beach has a lasting reputation as the wild part of San Diego, known for its bars, parties, and young crowds.

While, from a Southern California local’s perspective, this is very much accurate, this is not all that PB has to offer. 

This sun-soaked beach neighborhood is full of fun activities and places to visit for any visitors, no matter their age or interests. Keep reading for the 27 Best Things to do in Pacific Beach.

Best Things To Do In Pacific Beach

1. Spend the night at a luau 

The Catamaran Hotel is a fun, family-centered stay that includes a large pool, in-house arcade, beautiful Polynesian theme, and weekly luaus on the beach.

2. Relax in a luxury beach home

Pacific Beach is full of luxury vacation rentals right on the beach that will make you never want to leave.

3. Or enjoy a luxury stay

Tower 23 is a beachfront luxury boutique hotel that offers top-notch views and amenities. 

4. Rent a pier-top vacation cottage

The end of Crystal Pier is home to a cluster of rental cottages:  a beautiful and unique option for those looking to stay right above the water.

5. Easily book private whale and dolphin-watching tours

Whale-watching tours take you right off the coast of PB to enjoy whale migrations from June to September.

6. Hit one of PB’s hottest bars for a night of dancing

Firehouse is a popular restaurant by day, and by night, it is one of Pacific Beach’s most lively clubs.

7. Cool down with a classic treat

Mr. Frostie is a local landmark where locals flock on summer days to get soft-served ice cream and other treats.

8. Escape the party scene at North Pacific Beach

If you’d like a mellow beach day with your family or even for yourself, North Pacific Beach is out of the way of the younger and wilder crowds.

9. Rent a few bikes and cruise around

Bike rentals are easily available throughout PB, and beach cruisers are a fun way to explore without having to worry about traffic or the price of Ubers.

10. Dine on coastal cuisine

Head to World Famous, which has been a well-known restaurant in Pacific Beach since 1970.

11. Enjoy beach views from the boardwalk

The Pacific Beach boardwalk is a little over 3 miles long and is an easy and beautiful way to travel the coast.

12. Get out in the waves for surf lessons

San Diego Surf School is a well-known group of guides who will show you the ropes for the day.

13. Soak in a truly eclectic shopping experience

Pangea Outpost is known for its mixture of the most strange and amazing treasures from over 70 vendors.

14. Dine in at San Diego’s #1 breakfast spot

Kono’s Surf Club Cafe offers huge portion sizes and modest pricing so you can fill up after a morning in the water.

15. Enjoy some local shopping

While Pacific Beach is not known over other neighborhoods for its shopping, there are plenty of stores to browse in the area.

16. Take a walk along Crystal Pier

This historic pier offers shops, restaurants, and beautiful ocean views.

17. Grab a pair of skates and get rolling

Roller skating has made a resurgence in San Diego, so you’re likely to happen upon some experts who can teach you a trick or two.

18. Spend a day playing games on the sand

Try your hand at cornhole or the popular game, Spikeball. 

19. Enjoy Mexican food and a party atmosphere from one of PB’s best rooftop views

El Prez is a hotspot known for its Mexican food, endless cocktails, and rooftop parties. 

20. Join a game of beach volleyball

Bring your own volleyball and gather a team, or ask to join an existing game.

21. Visit a bowling alley the whole family will enjoy

Break Point; unlike most bowling alleys, also offers great food and cocktails. 

22. Treat yourself to a spa day

The Catamaran Spa offers Asian and South Pacific-inspired spa treatments right along the sand.

23. Make an Instagrammable coffee stop

You may have seen Better Buzz Coffee tagged on Instagram before, but the hype is valid because they serve some unique and tasty drinks.

24. Take one of San Diego’s many amazing yoga classes

San Diego is full of highly-rated yoga studios to help you find your zen.

25. Indulge your sweet tooth

Baked Bear is a popular dessert shop that sells an assortment of cookies and ice cream for all lovers of sweets.

26. Cast a line and catch some fish

Crystal Pier is home to a bait shop and the perfect vantage point to drop a line into the water below.

27. Invite friends for a picnic with a view

Kate Sessions is a favorite spot of locals. A grassy park high above the city offers the most beautiful views imaginable.

Where to Stay In Pacific Beach San Diego

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

Budget-Friendly Option: The Beach Cottages

Mid-Priced Option: Tower 23 Hotel

Lux Option: Pacific Terrace Hotel

Best Tours In San Diego

Looking for the best tours in San Diego? Check out these top-rated & reviewed tours on Viator: 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I spend a day in Pacific Beach?

🏖️ An idyllic day in PB often starts with a trip to the beach for surf lessons or to one of the area’s many yoga studios as a great way to set the mood.

🏖️ After this, recharge with one of San Diego’s famous California Burritos, which is known for containing French fries. If this doesn’t sound like your type of breakfast, there are tons of great brunch spots in the area.

🏖️ Midday is a perfect time to take a bike ride on the boardwalk and take in the scenery. Maybe even stop to join a pickup game of beach volleyball.

🏖️ After this, there are countless authentic Mexican food restaurants in the area that are an integral part of the San Diego experience. 

🏖️ After watching one of the West Coast’s incredible sunsets, take a shower in your hotel and choose one of your favorite outfits for a night on the town.

🏖️ Get dinner at one of many restaurants and if you want to extend your night, ask some locals what bars will be the most fun that particular night. Extra points for finding live music performances. 

What is Pacific Beach known for?

While Pacific Beach is undoubtedly known for its bar scene and nightlife, this is not all it has to offer.

PB is also recognizable for its location directly on some of the best stretches of sand in San Diego, as well as its unique shopping and food options. Pacific Beach is lively and exciting year-round.

Is Pacific Beach a party area?

Pacific Beach is absolutely famous for its wild bars and clubs and the crowds who inhabit them.

While other areas, like the Gaslamp Quarter, are also hot spots for going out, Pacific Beach tends to attract younger crowds, consisting mostly of college students and recent graduates from the surrounding area and schools.

Downtown typically attracts a slightly older crowd in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties.

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

Whether you’re interested in visiting Pacific Beach for spring break to experience its famous party scene or looking for a peaceful family vacation, this neighborhood has more than enough to keep you busy while you’re in town.

We hope that this post about things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego has made your itinerary creation just a bit simpler.

You will surely enjoy your visit as this sun-soaked, fun atmosphere is full of energy and embodies the San Diego lifestyle.