San Diego County has 70 miles of Pacific coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the state of California, and the country in general. Here is a brief overview of the beach communities that line the San Diego coast, all of which have their own unique setting and atmosphere.

Oceanside

Oceanside is the site of the famous Mission San Luis Rey, which was built by Spanish missionaries in the early 19th century. Today, Oceanside is the third biggest city in San Diego. Its north side borders Camp Pendleton, which is one of the largest military bases in the United States. Oceanside has eight beaches, a large pier that makes for a pleasant stroll, and a small harbor. Oceanside has been experiencing a dramatic growth since the 1970s, and its downtown area is currently being developed, with new apartment buildings, restaurants and hotels being built. Oceanside’s economic base is its commercial and industrial sectors.

Carlsbad

Carlsbad is a quaint coastal town located just south of Oceanside. It has beautiful, clean beaches and a picturesque downtown area where you’ll often find locals jogging, biking, or sitting in the patio of a local café enjoying the sun. There are some great jogging trails on the Carlsbad State Beach, and there are several nearby resorts and great shopping boutiques. Carlsbad is also the home of the famous Legoland Theme Park, a favorite with kids.

Encinitas

Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. It’s a beach city that includes the smaller communities of historic Encinitas, new Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain. Encinitas’s most famous beach is the beautiful Moonlight Beach. It’s a fairly wide beach that narrows as you walk south and the sea cliffs begin. Encinitas’s biggest industry is the growing of ornamental flowers, poinsettias especially.

Solana Beach

Solana Beach is south of Encinitas and it offers 1.7 miles of beautiful coastline. Fletcher Cove is its most famous beach and is a great spot to watch the sunset. Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue Design District is a colorful commercial district that offers great shopping, dining and some of the best live music venues in San Diego County.

Del Mar

Del Mar is one of the wealthier beach towns in San Diego, and many famous celebrities have purchased homes there, including the likes of Brad Pitt and Tony Hawk. Del Mar has many upscale residential communities and resorts. The San Diego County Fair happens every year at the famous Del Mar Fairgrounds, which also host the Del Mar Racetrack, where horseracing aficionados gather every year. Del Mar is one of the few places where the rare Torrey Pine grows.

La Jolla

La Jolla is a small, very wealthy and famously exclusive costal city that is not technically incorporated into the City of San Diego, but is located in San Diego County. La Jolla’s downtown area is very diverse and features plenty of upscale boutiques and restaurants. Downtown La Jolla is just a few blocks away from the beach. The La Jolla Cove attracts a lot of visitors, with its beautiful tide pools and the famous Seal Beach. Other La Jolla attractions include the Birch Aquarium and the Torrey Pines State Reserve. La Jolla is also the home to the University of California’s San Diego campus, as well as many of the country’s most renowned scientific research centers, namely in the biomedical field.

Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach (or PB, as it is more commonly called) is one of the best barhopping spots in San Diego. There is a lively party atmosphere on weekend nights, and always something to do. You’ll find some great breweries and restaurants in Pacific Beach, and can visit the nearby Mission Bay Park, a 4,500 acre water park near Mission Beach, where you can picnic in the grass or venture out into the water and try something new.

Coronado

Coronado Island is located in the middle of the San Diego Bay, and it is one of the most popular vacation beach communities in the country. It has an idyllic beach and a relaxing environment that’s perfect for unwinding and catching up on your down time. Coronado is renowned for its world class hotels and resorts, especially the historic Hotel Del Coronado, which has hosted a long list of famous celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna, and was the setting for the classic comedy film “Some Like it Hot”.