When planning your next vacation, we know that there are so many factors that come into play. First, you have to decide where you want to go. Are you looking for a vibrant and buzzing cityscape? Or, are you searching for a scenic place to rest, relax, and unwind? Once you have that figured out, the next decisions are often where to stay and what to do. Luckily for you, we at Penny Realty love helping our guests with both of those decisions. If you are thinking of coming to the Mission Beach or the San Diego area, you will quickly see that there dozens of fun things to do in Mission Bay alone.
In addition to this seaside destination just minutes from downtown, there are even more things to do in other regions of the greater San Diego area. So much so, that you might find yourself overwhelmed by the vast number of choices. To help make things a little easier, we’ve narrowed down our list of the best things to do in Mission Beach San Diego to 5 excellent activities!
The recommendations below are just a few of our favorite things to do in Mission Beach San Diego.
About Mission Beach and the Mission Bay Area
Mission Beach is a famous 2-mile resort peninsula that boasts the Pacific Ocean on one side and beautiful Mission Bay on the other. It’s all yours to enjoy for a week, a month or a lifetime. This unique peninsula, only two blocks wide, assures that you are always only steps away from its broad white beaches or gentle bay waters. There is no shortage of things to do in Mission Beach, CA.
For those looking for downtown Mission Beach activities to enjoy, there are several things to do. A variety of shops and restaurants are located throughout Mission Beach, both on the boardwalk and Mission Boulevard, all easily accessible for your pleasure. Both, the beach and bay boardwalks, as well as the connecting courtyards, boast excellent vacation and long-term accommodations. Famed San Diego attractions such as SeaWorld, the Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town, Seaport Village and a host of others can easily be reached from Mission Beach.
7 of the Most Fun Things to Do in Mission Beach San Diego
You might be wondering “Why is Mission Beach one of the best San Diego beaches?” The short answer is that it’s the best beach in the area because it offers a lively place for people of all ages to enjoy. In addition to the great activities we’ve listed below, you’ll also find:
No matter your interests or favorite pastimes, you’ll find great things to do in Mission Beach San Diego and the rest of this excellent piece of the California coastline.
1. Explore the Mission Beach Boardwalk
2. Spend a Day at Belmont Park
If you are looking for a place that has it all, then Belmont Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. This classic amusement park is located on the beach but also features rides, food, and so much more, making it one of the best and most visited things to do in Mission Beach. The amusement park is best known for its Big Dipper, a half-mile wooden track roller coaster built in 1927. With its sharp curves, dips and the 70-foot drop, it’s an incredibly fast, action-packed ride. Today, in addition to the coaster, there are unique restaurants, shops and a variety of other rides including a special children’s area. A favorite attraction is an Olympic size, freshwater pool known as The Plunge.
One of the best parts about Belmont Park is that parking and admission are free. You only pay for what you want to do. Like we mentioned, they have amusement rides as well as water rides to help keep you cool in the warm sun. They also have shopping. Enjoy their surf shop where you can find all the essentials and a gift or two for loved ones. After that, you will most likely be hungry and they have an answer for that as well. Restaurants with ocean view dining are the best way to end your time at Belmont Park.
3. Learn How to Surf
When you are on the California coast, one thing you must consider doing is signing up for some surf lessons. Mission Beach is the perfect surfing destination because it offers a variety of great surf schools in the area. Surfari is just one company that we often recommend. They offer lessons for kids and adults alike as well as surf camps and other lessons too like paddle boarding. They have a low student to teacher ratios so you will be sure to get the attention you need.
4. Visit Sea World
Almost every large city across the nation has that one big attraction. For many, Sea World is often considered San Diego’s biggest attraction for visitors looking for things to do in Mission Bay. It’s no wonder when they have so many great things. When you visit, you can see an animal show, ride on their rides, and of course enjoy the wonderful service at their restaurants. Be sure to stay after the sun sets to see their amazing fireworks show!
5. Enjoy a Variety of Fun Water Activities
Since you are close to the ocean, you must carve out time to enjoy a day by the sea when you visit San Diego. Whether you’re vacationing right on the beach, or you just dip your toes in the water for an afternoon, there are a variety of great water activities and fun ways to enjoy the ocean. Some of the most popular things to do in Mission Bay include:
In addition, the Quivira Basin is one of Mission Bay’s most picturesque areas for water sports. Once a small boating pier, it has grown into a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the scenery. It includes both boat rentals and sales, with a full-service marina. Parasailing is also available at the marina.
6. Go to the Mission Bay Park 
Mission Bay Park is the largest facility of its kind in the world. It includes 27 miles of bayfront. It was developed in the 1950’s as a 5,000-acre aquatic park. The park is used for a variety of recreational activities such as picnics, fishing, swimming, sailing, water skiing, as well as softball and volleyball games and other sports, perfect for those looking for active Mission Beach attractions to enjoy.
7. Play Golf at the Mission Bay Golf Course
Golfers will tell you that the Mission Bay Golf Course is the best 18-hole executive course in town. This challenging course is the only night-lighted golf course in the area. It’s open 6:30 am – 8:30 pm year-round, but the lights stay on till 10:00 pm. Yes, this par 3 and 4 course is a winner.
Plan Your Trip and Experience These Amazing Things to Do in Mission Bay Today!
Mission Beach is a special spot for vacationers or long-term renters, winter and summer. As you can see, there are so many fun and memorable things to do in Mission Bay and we hope we have helped you sort through some of them to make a list perfect for you. We also hope that we at Penny Realty can help you find the perfect place to stay during your next San Diego vacation.
Penny Realty offers a wide variety of Mission Beach rentals and specializes in beach rentals that are great for seaside escapes just a short drive from downtown San Diego. Check out our rentals out right here on the website. Photos and full descriptions are found with every rental to make it easier in helping you find what you are looking for. So, what are you waiting for? Get started planning your next trip to our San Diego Beaches today!
