29 Fun Things to Do in Mission Beach San Diego
If you’re searching for the best things to do in Mission Beach San Diego, you’ll quickly see why this lively seaside neighborhood is a favorite for both locals and visitors. With its iconic boardwalk, Belmont Park’s classic amusement rides, and miles of sandy shoreline perfect for surfing or sunbathing, Mission Beach captures the energy and fun of a true California beach day. Whether you’re here for thrills, relaxation, or waterfront dining, Mission Beach has something for everyone.
Don’t have time to read the whole article?
One of the best things to do in Mission Beach is this Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour with a perfect 5 Star Rating!
29 Fun Things to Do in Mission Beach San Diego
Nestled on a sandbar stretching between Mission Bay and the vast Pacific Ocean, Mission Beach has a laid-back coastal vibe. It is a charming seaside neighborhood with two expansive sandy beaches and a landmark amusement park built in 1925.
Mission Boulevard, the primary thoroughfare of this vibrant locale, has an array of cozy shops, delectable eateries, and intimate bars, forming a tapestry of small-scale establishments.
Within this bustling and close-knit community, residents and visitors alike are spoiled for choice with abundant outdoor activities spanning both land and sea.
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Car rental: I recommend Discover Cars 🚘
Travel insurance: I recommend Safety Wing ⛑️
Accommodations: Booking.com 🏨
Activities: Things you have to do 🥾
1. Cruise Mission Beach Boardwalk – Ocean Front Walk
It’s rare to find a long boardwalk. Ocean Front Walk extends over three miles and connects two of San Diego’s hippest beaches, Pacific Beach and South Mission Beach.
Going from one beach to the other and back is 6 miles of excellent walking along the beach.
Walk, jog, inline skate, bike, or simply people watch on this boardwalk next to beautiful ocean views.
2. Ride the Big Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park
Belmont Park in Mission Beach is a significant landmark. The most famous ride in the park is the Big Dipper, the second oldest roller coaster in the US, built in 1925.
That doesn’t make me want to jump on it. If you’re cautious like me, there are many more fun things to do in Belmont Park, like…number 3.
3. Spend time playing in the Belmont Park Arcade
The Arcade at Belmont Park promises hours of amusement with its ever-evolving collection of over 70 games, regularly updated to ensure access to the latest and most exciting games.
Game prices range from $.25 to $1, there’s something enjoyable for everyone within a budget-friendly range.
Parents can relish the timeless charm of Skee-Ball, while kids can engage in the thrilling Hoopla basketball shoot-off game, with the chance to collect tickets and claim prizes.
4. Play old school carnival games across the Belmont Park Midway
Try classic carnival games like balloon busting, ringing the high striker bell, tossing balls into angled tubs, and others.
Games range in price from $1 to $5, so this is a very budget-friendly way to entertain little ones for hours.
5. Scale a 30-foot wall at Belmont Park’s Sky Climb
At Belmont Park, young adventurers are bound to have a blast conquering the Sky Climb, an impressive 30-foot wall boasting an assortment of pathways leading to its peak.
Equipped with secure harnesses, children can utilize the well-positioned handholds and footholds strategically arranged along this towering vertical challenge.
With multiple levels of difficulty available, the Sky Climb caters to children of all ages, from the littlest ones to teenagers, ensuring a thrilling experience for everyone.
⛑️ Travel Tip for Sky Climb: It’s worth noting that participants must weigh a minimum of 40 pounds and not exceed 250 pounds to partake in this attraction.
6. Race to the top of a giant palm tree
Race to the top of a giant palm tree (a replica) and ring the bell under a bunch of bananas. You’ll be harnessed in and use hand and footholds as you climb.
The first to ring the bell wins.
7. Traverse the Sky Ropes Adventure Course at Belmont Park
Have you ever wanted to try one of the challenges on Survivor? Now you can, at Sky Ropes Adventure.
Test your hand and foot coordination, strength, and dexterity on this two-story rope adventure with 26 challenging elements. After finishing each obstacle course, zip-line to the next one!
8. Zip-Line through the air at Belmont Park
Harness in, and climb to the top of the Zip Line Tower, where you take off and reach speeds of 15 miles per hour. Two rides per ticket!
⛑️ Travel Tip for Zip-Line: Riders must be a minimum of 46 inches tall and weigh between 50 and 250 pounds.
9. Try to beat a laser maze like an Ocean’s Eleven character
This is so much fun and much harder than it looks. Go into a small room where you’ll try to get through multiple laser beams that crisscross the small space.
The goal is to get through the maze in the fastest amount of time. If you hit a laser, it adds seconds to your overall score.
10. Take a private whale or dolphin-watching tour
The majestic blue whales make their seasonal migration past San Diego, offering a good chance to see them from mid-June to September. This Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure is highly recommended with 5 out of 5 star ratings.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Private Whale & Dolphin Adventure: Rating 5/5
Please be advised, this tour is popular and likely to sell out. Buy tickets in advance.
11. Grab a beer like a local
Draft South Mission, located along Ocean Walk, is a great place to end the day and watch the sunset. With nearly 100 beers and floor-to-ceiling windows with a view from every table, it’s the perfect casual spot with excellent bar food.
12. Eat excellent sushi on the biggest rooftop along the San Diego shoreline
Enjoy Pacific-Rim-influenced California cuisine at Cannonball, home to one of the most extensive rooftop bars on the San Diego Coastline, a mere 20 feet from the sand.
If you want to be on the sand, check out the next number on the list.
13. Enjoy a drink in a cabana on the sand
The Beach House Grill allows customers to eat and drink in cabanas on the sand, so you are right on the beach.
14. Rent a bike to see the town and boardwalk
Mission Beach is just the right place to get around on a bike. You don’t have to deal with traffic on the boardwalk, so it’s great for little ones. And there are bike rentals all over town.
Cheap Rentals (yes, that is their name!) offers rentals specifically for the beach, including bikes, surfboards, longboards, SUPs, kayaks, and even beach chairs.
15. Try a classic Dole treat at Belmont Park
After playing games at Belmont Park, stop by the Dole Whip stand for a classic orange whip that will cool you right down.
Belmont Park has many unique vendors to satisfy the kid in you, from Hot Dog on a Stick to the Sweet Shoppe.
16. Tike Town Adventure Golf at Belmont Park
When in San Diego, the chance of rain is slim to none. However, if you run into a rainy day, you can always head to Tike Town in Belmont Park, an 18-hole indoor mini-golf course.
⭐️ If you get a hole-in-one on Hole 18, you’ll win a $5 Power Card to use at the park’s arcade.⭐️
17. Shop on Mission Boulevard
Mission Boulevard, the neighborhood’s main artery, has several small bars, delicious restaurants, and quaint boutique shops.
It’s the best street to satiate your shopping craving and provides great people-watching opportunities.
18. Take a surf lesson
Mission Beach is a beach town, and like many beach towns in California, it is home to great surf schools, shops, and lessons with a similar surf-culture vibe as Ocean Beach in San Diego.
If you want to take a lesson, Mission Beach is one of the best places to get your surf on. Try the Surfari Surf School, which offers classes and rental equipment for many water sports, like SUP, wake surfing, and kite surfing.
19. Try a less crowded fishing spot
Located in South Mission Beach, the Mission Bay Jetty provides a serene escape from the bustling crowds typically found on nearby beaches.
This secluded spot offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination to indulge in the art of fishing. With fewer people around, you’ll have ample space to cast your line and hone your angling skills in a tranquil setting.
20. Check out a local fav, Miss B’s Coconut Club
Once you enter Miss B’s Coconut Club, you’ll instantly be transported to Waikiki. It is an island-themed restaurant and bar with great food and even better drinks.
21. On a really hot day go to an immersive pirate and alien theater
In Belmont Park, the Xanadu 7D Theater is an immersive experience that lets you move and shake in your seats while fighting pirates and aliens.
22. Rent roller skates for the boardwalk
Besides surfing, there’s no other activity more Californian than roller skating. The boardwalk is a great place to do it, extending for three miles. That’s a lot of skating surface to cover. Just be sure to wear a helmet.
23. Scuba dive to San Diego’s Wreck Alley
Some tours allow you to scuba dive to San Diego’s shipwreck, Wreck Alley. If you want to snorkel, this is an excellent place.
24. Play volleyball on the beach
Bring your Top Gun volleyball game to the beach and join one of the many games already in play or bring a ball and a few friends. There is nothing more San Diego than playing volleyball on the beach.
25. Eat the #2 taco in California
The Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill‘s fish taco was voted one of the 10 Best Fish Tacos from California by USA Today. Everyone loves a great taco!! Driving there right now. 🚗
26. Try the ultimate game of laser tag
Inside Belmont Park’s captivating three-level laser tag arena, inspired by the iconic Tron-themed adventure, two teams clash in an action-packed battle (with a maximum of eight players per team).
The objective is to accumulate points by successfully targeting and hitting opposing team members’ vests.
Each shot landed temporarily deactivates the struck player’s laser gun, adding an element of strategic timing to the intense competition.
27. Mine for treasures in Tiki Town
Great for little ones, this Belmont Park attraction lets kids mine for treasures at Jungle Gems in Tiki Town.
Jungle Gems will occupy the most energetic child. Young miners eagerly sift through bags of dirt, uncovering hidden treasures such as stones, gems, fossils, and occasionally rare finds like arrowheads or shark teeth.
Each child receives an identification card, enabling them to match their discovered gems with the items on the card, enhancing the excitement and educational value of the experience.
28. Take a tour on an electric bike through Mission Beach
Rent an e-bike from Pacific Beach E-Bikes and tour through the stunning locales of Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, and La Jolla. You’ll cover a lot of ground on an e-bike.
29. Spend the whole day on Mission Beach
Last but not least, grab a blanket, a chair, and a shovel and spend the whole day on Mission Beach. Mission Beach is a great beach for relaxation. There are well-kept facilities, lifeguards, and fire pits.
South Mission Beach has grassy spots for picnics, grills, and picnic tables. Spend all day sunbathing, surfing, and doing beachy things!
Best Tours in San Diego
There are so many things to do in San Diego. If you’d like more ideas for your trip to Mission Beach and the San Diego area, click on the button below to see more tours in San Diego that will inspire you to visit this beautiful place with perfect weather.
Things to Do in Mission Beach San Diego: FAQs
Is Mission Beach San Diego worth visiting?
Yes, Mission Beach San Diego is worth visiting. Famous for its surf culture, beautiful beaches, and landmark amusement park, it’s a great place to visit with a laid-back California vibe.
Is Mission Beach swimmable?
Yes, Mission Beach is swimmable. Other water activities are welcome, like surfing and boogie boarding. Mission Beach is a great all-day beach with lifeguard stations, clean facilities, and showers.
Can you drink alcohol on Mission Beach?
No. Alcohol is prohibited on San Diego beaches and all California beaches, as well as Mission Bay Park and parking lots adjacent to beaches and beach parks.
What is the difference between Mission Beach and Pacific Beach in San Diego?
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are two popular neighborhoods linked by a 3-mile boardwalk – Ocean Front Walk.
The boardwalk along Mission Beach is wider than it is along Pacific Beach. You can walk the boardwalk from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach and back again.
What is so special about Mission Beach?
Mission Beach is a casual seaside neighborhood with two broad sandy beaches and a historic amusement park. It is a laid-back surfer town with excellent food and many outdoor activities.
Mission Beach is also the birthplace of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and is the closest access point to the reef, less than 40km offshore.
Why can’t you swim at Mission Beach?
You can swim at Mission Beach. However, swimming at South Mission Beach is not advisable because of the sharp rocks that cause a hazard to swimmers.
The main beach to the north is where swimmers will enjoy the beach and swimming. The beach to the north has lifeguard stands, showers, and clean facilities to change.
How long is the walk at Mission Beach?
The boardwalk is a 6-mile loop. When you add the bay, it’s about 17 miles total. For parking, park for free at the Mission Bay parking lot.
Can you walk along Mission Beach?
Yes, Mission Beach is a walkable beach. It is a great beach for walking and exploring.
Wrap-Up: Things to Do in Mission Beach San Diego
So, as we’ve listed, you can see that within this bustling and close-knit community, residents and visitors alike are spoiled for choice with an abundance of outdoor activities spanning both land and sea and plenty of fun things to do in Mission Beach.
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California Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for California?
100% YES! – With basic coverage averaging $1.50 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
💦 Can you drink the water in California?
Yes — But I wouldn’t. It doesn’t taste very good and there are contaminants in it. You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters drinking water while on the go (traveling) and helps keep you hydrated.
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in California?
Yes — Renting a car in California is one of the best ways to explore this vast, awesome state, and kind of a must! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local California companies, so you get the best rates. (read more)
🏨 What’s the best way to book my California accommodations?
For California hotels, Booking is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a California Airbnb, don’t forget also to check VRBO, which has better rates than Airbnb.
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Head to the Ultimate California Packing List to get all the information you need about packing for a trip to California.
🛫 What’s the best site to buy airfare to California?
For finding cheap California flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
