Pacific Beach

Once a sleepy little beach town, Pacific Beach pulses today with the heartbeat of the young and active.  "PB", as it is known locally is home to many college students, single professionals and families.  A paved walkway parallels the beach from just south of Tourmaline Surfing Park to the navigable inlet almost 3 miles to the south. Walking, jogging, bicycling and skating are permitted on the walkway, but speed is regulated for safety reasons. There is no shortage of places to eat, drink, shop and party along Garnet Avenue and Mission Blvd., where dining becomes an adventure of choice with a wide range of ethnic restaurants, nightclubs, sports bars, pubs and coffee houses.  Pacific Beach is the most popular beach destination in the city of San Diego and draws large crowds in the summer, especially holiday weekends.

Crystal Pier, a publicly accessible free fishing pier, is a landmark and symbol of Pacific Beach history. The pier has a operating motel located over the surf and is open free to fishermen during daylight hours. For information about accommodations at the pier call the Crystal Pier Motor Hotel at 858-483-6983 or (800) 748-5894.   

Just about 1 mile south of Crystal Pier is Belmont Park with the Big Dipper, a half mile wooden track roller coaster originally built in 1927.  The coaster has survived and was restored and reopened in 1990 as a San Diego historic site.  With its sharp curves, dips and 70 foot drop it's an incredible fast action packed ride. Today, in addition to the coaster, there is shopping, great restaurants and an Olympic size fresh water pool called the Plunge at the site. Super fun here! The photograph to the right shows an aerial view of the Big Dipper roller coaster and some of the adjacent parks and bays in the background.

The beach continues south for about two miles becoming Mission Beach and ending at the inlet to Mission Bay. In the 1950'es the city developed a once marshy river bed into a 5,000 acre aquatic park now called Mission Bay. Dredging created islands, beaches and a navigable inlet to the Pacific Ocean. Today this park is used for a variety of recreational activities such as picnics, fishing, swimming, sailing, water skiing, and other family activities. 

Mission Bay is located just south of Pacific Beach and east of Mission Beach.  The City of San Diego is in the process of $200 million dollars worth of improvements including new parks, wetlands, nature centers, bike paths, pedestrian walkways, new sail-boarding facilities and additional free parking.  

History of Pacific Beach