Mission Beach

Mission Beach has everything you'd want to see on the cover of a Beach Boys album: a bustling boardwalk, a colorful amusement park, and a buzzing mix of locals and tourists. Belmont Park, an amusement park with the long-running Giant Dipper roller coaster, bumper cars, and other classic carnival rides, is the most popular Mission Beach attraction. The main thoroughfare in Mission Beach is the intersection of West Mission Bay Drive and Mission Boulevard, near Belmont Park.

Several businesses, including bike and surfboard rental shops, Draft restaurant on the boardwalk, and Miss B's Coconut Club tiki bar, are within walking distance. Mission Beach never sleeps: if you want to be where everyone is, especially the 20-somethings, this is the place to be in San Diego. If you're looking to "just get away from it all", other beaches that aren't as developed may be preferable.