Mission Beach, San Diego

Near the manmade islands of Mission Bay, this beach runs along Mission Boulevard and boasts a fabulous boardwalk. One of the best places in San Diego to soak up the city's beach lifestyle, this is an unsurpassed area for people watching or building sandcastles. For a faster pace, rent a bike or in-line roller skates or better yet, take a ride on Belmont Park 's world-famous wooden roller coaster. At whatever attraction you choose, be prepared for large crowds and limited parking at Mission Beach. There are a host of volleyball courts where you can spend your days enjoying in the sun with your friends.