San Diego and its surrounds feature some of the world's best beaches. The mild Mediterranean weather, sunny clear skies and warm clear water make visiting San Diego's beaches a perfect choice year round.

Mission Beach is around 2 miles of coastline between Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. The area is popular with the locals and offers a variety of activities such as volleyball, swimming, surfing, body boarding, kayaking, sunbathing and picnicking. If you like to go to the beach to "people-watch" this is the beach to enjoy. There is a boardwalk that is great for riding your bike, roller-blading or jogging with a view. South Mission Beach is marked by the Big Dipper at Belmont Park, a 73-foot-tall wooden rollercoaster built in 1925.

Likened to Venice Beach of Los Angeles, Pacific Beach is a colorful and casual seaside community of surfers, students, professionals and families. Here you will find funky shops, cafes, craft galleries and smoke shops. The paved paths and boardwalk that winds between the ocean and Mission Bay is full of bike riders, rollerbladers and joggers. Activities abound in the area, such as basketball, surfing, volleyball, kite flying, Frisbees, barbecues and picnics.

La Jolla (Spanish for "the jewel") is known for its elegance, luxury and fun in the sun activities. The area is full of world-class shopping and dining, numerous art galleries, five star hotels and upscale spas. There are a couple of choices when it comes to beach-going in La Jolla. La Jolla Shores has gentle waves and is popular with divers and beginning surfers. It is also home to an underwater canyon and ecological preserve. La Jolla Cove is small and offers some of the most breathtaking views in San Diego. There are several restaurants and cafes with views overlooking the sandstone cliffs. The water here is clear and perfect for snorkeling. Windansea Beach is a very popular surfer's beach. The famous shore break is best for only the experienced surfer. Torrey Pines State Beach, also known as Black's Beach is another popular spot for surfers. It is also unofficially known as San Diego's nude beach. The beach here is backed by 300 ft cliffs, and there is no other way to get here other than traversing these cliffs.

Ocean Beach is one of the most unique, colorful and eclectic coastal communities of San Diego. The area is known for its liberal, laid back, hippie culture. You won't find Starbucks or fast food chains here, but you will find vegan cafes and surf shops. The southern part of the beach is more of a surf beach. You will find a canine friendly beach to the north at Dog Beach, where you can let your pets run free. Whether you swim or surf, be careful as Ocean Beach has very strong rip currents.