Swimmers and sunlovers are drawn to the excellent surf conditions and soft sand San Diego beaches offer. The City's reservoirs provide a variety of outdoor activities, such as boating, fishing, and hiking. El Capitan is the only reservoir that allows the use of personal watercraft , such as jetskis. Lake Hodges offeres a unique setting to enjoy Windsurfing. Swim, splash and play with the Park & Recreation Aquatics Program . San Diego's miles and miles of publicly owned open space and preserves provide outdoor recreation and scenic beauty. |
Recreation centers throughout the City offer a variety of recreational activities. The City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department operates three municipal golf courses . Torrey Pines, Balboa Park, and Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center. The City of San Diego is proud to host hundreds of special events each year. See this week's Special Events. Mission Bay Park , the West Coast's largest aquatic park, covers more than 4,000 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities. Mission Trails Regional Park encompasses nearly 5,800 acres of both natural and developed recreational areas for hiking and overnight camping. |
San Diego Arts and Cultural
- Balboa Park
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- Spreckels Pipe Organ Pavilion
- San Diego Museums
- San Diego Historic Missions
- Little Italy
San Diego Boat Charters / Tours
- Harbor / Bay Cruises
- Classic Sailing Adventures
- San Diego Harbor Excursion
San Diego Ecology
- San Diego Parks
- Wild Animal Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Scripps Institute of Oceanography
- Mission Trails Park
- Wildlife Marsh (Sweetwater Marsh)
- Mission Bay Park the park consists of all of the bay and most of its shore areas and stretches for miles. There are many park facilities within a short driving distance, each with their own personality.
- La Jolla Children's Pool is a park and beach with the main attraction being the many seals lying on nearby rocks, or on the beach within a few feet from your view! This is a protected marine area for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving among the seals. The La Jolla Caves are located nearby. La Jolla is about a 15 minute drive north on Interstate 5.
- Sunset Cliffs is a beautiful scenic area a short drive south with high sheer cliffs.
- Tide Pooling in San Diego is best is at Scripps Pier in La Jolla. Another area can be found before you reach Cabrillo Monument, on the west side. It is best to go a little while before low tide.
- The Ocean! There is fishing, boating, parasailing, photography, whale-watching (in the winter) and so much more. Lie on the sand, walk in the surf, swim, boogie board, surf, and just enjoy!
- Grunion run Grunion are a small silver fish found only along the coast of southern California & northern Baja California. It's quite a site to see thousands of Grunion come out of the water completely to lay their eggs in the wet beach sand on a few nights after the highest tide associated with each full or new moon.
San Diego Guest Services Concierge and Party Planning
- San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Mission Beach Visitor Center check the papers for concerts, sporting events, contests, promotions, and much more.
- La Jolla Concierge Services
San Diego Music Venues
- House of Blues San Diego
- Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
- Humphreys By The Bay
- Canes Bar and Grill
- Belly Up Tavern
- 4th and B
- The Casbah
San Diego Amusement Parks, Attractions & Places of Interest
- SeaWorld is a 10 minute drive from the beach. It is open at night during the summer.
- Disneyland
- Legoland
- Mission Bay Park across Mission Blvd. from Belmont Park there are picnic tables, playgrounds, barbecues, rest rooms, volleyball courts, soft grass, benches, and some cozy spots under palm trees. The park stretches for miles along the bay's calm waters. Summer Daily Fireworks - take place at 9:50 p.m. every night at Sea World. You can look out the back porch toward the bay, or walk or drive closer for a better view. Sea World is open in both the day and evenings during the summer.
- The Boardwalk is 2 3/4 miles from the South Jetty to Crystal Pier. You can walk, jog, roller blade, bike ride, skateboard, and people watch.
- The bay side walk just 5 minutes, across Mission Blvd. to beautiful Mission Bay. You can walk for miles on the sidewalks which hug the bay. Water sports include sailing, swimming, paddle boating, kayaking, jet skiing, motor boating, fishing, and more.
- Belmont Park the historic amusement park has the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, bungie trampolines, the human gyroscope, Virtual Reality, and other rides and games.
- The Plunge is also in the park. It is a public indoor Olympic size swimming pool. It is located at Mission Blvd. and West Mission Bay Drive on the board walk, about a 15 minute walk south of the beach house.
- Belmont Park and the Big Dipper Rollercoaster
- Crystal Pier just walk north on the board walk from the beach house for about 10 minutes to this historic structure. You get a great view of the surfers from above. And stop at the wonderful little coffee stand before you get to the end - a beautiful viewing spot perched way out in the ocean.
- Cabrillo Monument
- Del Mar Race Track
- Coronado Island
- Maritime Museum
- Old Town
- Seaport Village
- Gaslamp Quarter (downtown)
- Casinos
- Wineries (surrounding area)
- Tijuana, Mexico
- And Much More clothes and jewelry boutiques, pubs, restaurants for all budgets and tastes, ice cream shops, tourist shops, surf shops, rental shops for roller blades and everything else, coffee shops, markets, and many other conveniences.
San Diego Fun Rentals
- Mission Beach Cheap-Rentals Surf and Skate Equipment Rentals
San Diego Sports
- Olympic Training Center
- Holiday Bowl
- San Diego Padres Baseball
- San Diego Chargers Football
San Diego Tours
- San Diego Trolley Tours
- USS Midway
- Whale Watching (winter months)
- Open Cockpit Biplane Rides
- Scenic Helicopter Tours
San Diego Water Sports
- Pacific Surf School
- Seaforth Boat Rentals
- Endless Summer Adventures
- Pacific Beach Surf School
Reservations and Regulations
You now have the option of renting the Gazebos at Lemon Grove Park and Berry Street Park. For more information, contact the Recreation Services Department at 619-825-3815.
- Gazebo Rental Application
- Parks and Facilities Ordinance
- Facility Use Policy and Regulations (Rentals fees are included in this document.)
Park Hours
Parks are open daily as follows:
6:00 am – 9:00 pm, April – October
7:00 am - 7:00 pm, November – March
City Parks and Facilities
2259 Washington Street
Six acres with a playground, gazebo, picnic areas and tables, restrooms, basketball court and walking path.
7071 Mt. Vernon Street
Six acres with a playground, gazebos, picnic areas and tables, restrooms, and walking path.
8105 Lemon Grove Way
One acre, neighborhood park with street parking only, playground, picnic area and tables, basketball court, and walking path.
3200 Main Street
Immediately south of City Hall, this passive park features large grassy areas, custom fountain, historic Canary Island palms, a miniature lemon grove and two historical buildings, the 1897 Parsonage Museum, now home of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and the H. Lee House, a 1928 Tudor revival home, designed by Frederick Clemeshaw, a San Diego architect.
3062 School Lane
This small park is located directly across from the Fire Station. Home of the new "Skate Spot" this park features picnic tables, benches and an open grass area.
