Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is the most popular beach destination in San Diego. It boasts wonderful oceanfront beaches as well as a residential community, home to college students, single professionals and families. The community extends approximately 3 miles along the Pacific Ocean, and stretches east to Interstate 5. Pacific Beach provides an adventure in dining being home to many ethnic restaurants, inviting you to experience new taste sensations. Sports bars, nightclubs, pubs and coffee houses abound.
The one-mile stretch from Tourmaline Surfing Park south to Crystal Pier is home to serious surfers and sailboarders year round. Cliffs that provide a spectacular ocean overlook border the immediate beach area north of Crystal Pier.
The two miles of beach from Crystal Pier to Pacific Beach Drive is a Mecca for swimmers, sunbathers and boogie boarders, the ideal place to build a huge sandcastle. In fact, you may see a 10 - 15 foot sand castle being built by the community for special events. The boardwalk in this area is dotted with shops and restaurants with patios and decks for avid ocean watchers.
Pacific Beach is a special spot for vacationers, winter and summer. Penny Realty offers condos, high rises and beach houses. The vacation rental section of this website will help you find just the right place for you and your family.
Crystal Pier - is a landmark and a symbol of Pacific Beach history. The Pier was completed in 1927 with a popular, over the water ball-room at the very end. Although the ballroom has been gone for many years, destroyed by a storm, the Pier is still an important part of Pacific Beach activity. It is open to the public for fishing during daylight hours and is a popular spot for watching the spectacular sunsets.
Garnet Avenue - is the main shopping district of Pacific Beach, with the first six blocks filled with interesting shops, bars and restaurants. It's like the main street of a small town. The Avenue has special events such as the Christmas parade and a huge block party. Be sure to 'check it out'.
The best of the beach...
Best Boogie Boarding - Just head for the oceans edge. Although it takes a while to learn to body surf, boogie boarding provides an opportunity to get royally crunched without any practice whatsoever. However, once you experience that first 'good ride', you can become addicted.
Best Sunset - Discover what local surfers have known for years. For optimum technicolor, choose a day when there are wisps of clouds in the west and the sky is illuminated by a red reflection from the clouds and it can hardly be beat. For those who are frequent sunset viewers, or those just lucky enough to be there at the right time, on clear cloudless days, you might just catch one of the famous PB "Green Flash" sunsets. I can assure you they are for real!!!
Best Beach Overlook - Law Street Park - This two block long patch of green grass with several benches overlooks the beach from the top of a 25 foot cliff. It is a favorite spot for observing the beach below and the endless numbers of rubber suited surfers displaying their skills at wave riding just off shore. The park is also a favorite for picnickers and sunset watchers.
Best Beach Nobody Knows About - Few beachcombers are aware of the restful, bay-front stretch of beach on Sail Bay. Unlike the Ocean beaches with a never ending parade of breaking waves, this beach water front is as calm as a lake shore. The view across the bay will almost always find at least a few sailboats making their way back and forth across the open water.
Best Bicycling - Pacific Beach and Mission Beach boardwalk - OK, it's not perfect. There's heavy competition from pedestrians, skateboarders, jugglers, dog walkers and joggers. But you can't beat the scenery along the boardwalk, whether it's the ocean on one side or the partying throngs in their condos or restaurant decks on the other. Plus, there is a bicycle path on the bay side without all the crowds, if you prefer that.
Average temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F | 69°F | 69°F | 72°F | 76°F | 78°F | 77°F | 74°F | 70°F | 66°F |
| Avg. Low | 50°F | 52°F | 54°F | 56°F | 60°F | 63°F | 66°F | 67°F | 66°F | 61°F | 54°F | 49°F |
