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Here you'll find
information about the Lay of the Land, Water & Weather, Wind & Waves, Tides
& Tidepools, Where To Go and Finally What To Bring.
Lay of the Land
San Diego's coastline
has a generally west by southwest orientation and the Continental Shelf
extends many miles offshore, protecting us from the brunt of localized North
Pacific storm surges and distant Southern Ocean swells. This and a temperate
climate make San Diego's beaches safe and pleasant virtually year-round. The
North County coast is characterized by sandstone bluffs and fine beaches
from
Torrey Pines to
San Onofre. The Central Coast is marked by dramatic headlands at
La Jolla and
Point Loma with the expansive waterways of
Mission Bay bookended in between. In the South Bay, the long, beautiful
beaches of
Coronado and the
Silver Strand provide a natural barrier that has made San Diego one of
the world's great seaports and one of America's finest cities.
Water & Weather
San Diego enjoys
relatively mild winters and balmy summers. The late summer and early fall
months from August through October are invariably the best, while the late
winter and spring (February to April) are the least predictable. In May and
June, morning fog usually yields to sun by midday, and in the height of
winter, from December to January, the weather alternates between gloomy and
delightful, as violent but short-lived storms pass in and out of the region.
Even on the hottest of days, it's always a good idea to bring extra clothing
in case you prolong your stay into the evening, or want a little protection
from the sun and wind. Water temperatures range from the low 50s in winter
to the low 70s in the summer. If you plan to visit at any time other than
summer, or plan to spend a lot of time in the water, you'll want to wear a
close-fitting wetsuit. They come in all different sizes and configurations.
For sustained immersion activities like diving, a 5mm-7mm full-suit with
hood, booties and gloves is standard fare, while a 2mm-3mm suit is the call
for surfing. Wetsuits can be purchased or rented in any dive or surf shop
around town.
Wind & Waves
The most powerful storms
come from Alaska in winter, bringing large northwest swells, variable north
and west winds and some rain. In spring a mixed bag of medium-sized west
swell with steady afternoon onshore winds is the norm. South swells arrive
throughout the summer with the biggest and best ones coming toward the end.
Local warming patterns called Santa Anas generate offshore breezes in the
fall that bring fantasy days of warm, clear, dry conditions to the coast and
groom the shape of the surf, while the global climatic condition called "El
Niņo" (the child), can throw extreme conditions (both naughty and nice) at
San Diego once or twice each decade.
Tides & Tidepools
The tidal range in San
Diego is relatively mellow, a maximum of about 8 feet of change around the
time of new and full moon phases. Still, on a flat or gently sloping beach,
that can leave you high and dry or running for the hills in matter of hours.
Knowing if the tide is rising can prevent you from a rude awakening as a set
wave rushes in and soaks all your gear. A low tide will expose underwater
reefs (especially around
La Jolla and Bird Rock) and reveal a fascinating world of tidal plants
and animals. Daily tides are usually posted at lifeguard towers and provided
on phone and Internet surf reports.
Where To Go
Which beach you choose
should be based on one or more of three factors: What will it involve to get
there; what are your expectations; and how adventurous do you feel? We've
taken the liberty of rating the different beaches to help you decide. They
don't reflect quality judgments, but rather are intended as an indication of
how 'tame' or 'wild' an experience a spot offers. Depending on your tastes,
a hike down the Razor Point Trail at
Torrey Pines Park may be infinitely more rewarding than a picnic on
Mission Bay - or vice versa.
Expedition
Someplace hard to find or access. Requiring a long, strenuous trek. No
permanent facilities or lifeguards. Dangerous water conditions. Hardcore
locals. Examples include:
Leucadia,
Black's Beach and
Point Loma.
Adventure
Relatively isolated or deserted. Few if any facilities. Perhaps a stony
beach or primitive campground. Examples include:
San Onofre,
Cardiff and
Solana Beach.
Road Trip
A beach with features of specific interest to enthusiasts or locals.
Requiring an extra measure of effort for tourists. Examples include:
Carlsbad,
Pacific Beach and
Imperial Beach.
Cruise
An easy-access sand beach with basic facilities and lifeguards. Likely to
offer a cross-section of young and old, natives and neophytes. Examples
include:
Oceanside,
La Jolla and
Mission Beach.
Resort
The complete package. Safe, clean, comfortable, and family-friendly.
Lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, recreation, access to parks, restaurants and
shops. Examples include:
Del Mar,
Mission Bay and
Coronado.
What to Bring
A bathing suit or
wetsuit for swimming; shoes, sandals or booties for roads, rocks and hot
sand; warm clothing and a hat to cover up from wind and sun. Sunscreen,
towels, food and drinks, and any valuables you don't want to risk leaving in
your car. Other ideas include: umbrella, folding chairs, beach toys, boogie
board, mask, fins and snorkel, books, magazines, a kite or ball and big bag
or backpack to carry everything in. SECURE your car keys, wallet, watch,
jewelry, cell phone and other critical items somewhere safe where they're
not apt to be lost in the sand or sea.
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