20 Best Beaches in San Diego For Families With Kids

San Diego has the best beaches! If you’re looking for kid-friendly beaches, this is a great place because we have miles of coastline to choose from. Here is what makes a kid-friendly beach for me:

First off, parking, always parking. If you know me from Instagram, you know I love large parking lots. Even better if the beach has free parking! I will make do with street parking on occasion, but I much prefer the lot for easy loading and unloading. I also need the actual sand to be close to the parking. I have a lot of kids and kids have a lot of stuff. I don’t want to lug it too far! Oh and of course public restrooms are a must. Extra points if they are clean (most are on this list). 

Another feature I love in many of San Diego’s beaches is that lots have a play structure. The best kid-friendly beaches have playgrounds and large grassy areas for the kids to run the sand off before getting in the car. Bonus points for excellent picnic areas, calm waters, volleyball courts, and a permanent lifeguard station. I have younger children so I prefer beaches with gentle waves and without strong currents, though the lifeguards will usually warn you when riptides are present. 

Before we proceed, here is a link to all the beach essentials we have collected throughout the years. Each item is loved and valued. But like a true San Diego mom, all our beach toys are collected from those that tourists leave behind.

Here are the best family beaches in San Diego!

1. Kellogg Park / La Jolla Shores Beach
2. La Jolla Tide Pools
3. Torrey Pines State Beach
4. Moonlight Beach (also called Moonlight State Beach)
5. Fletcher Cove Encinitas
6. Powerhouse Beach / Park
7. Coronado Beach Dunes / Famous Hotel Del Coronado Beach
8. Mission Beach Bonita Cove
9. Windansea Beach
10. Bird Rock La Jolla
11. Mission Bay Tecolote Shores
12. Cabrillo National Monument
13. Silver Strand State Beach
14. Oceanside Pier
15. The Beach in front of Belmont Park
16. Black’s Beach
17. Coronado Central Beach
18. South Ponto Beach
19. Tide Beach Park
20. Del Mar City Beach
21. South Carlsbad State Beach
22. Tamarack Beach

Kellogg Park / La Jolla Shores Beach

This beach is a family favorite and if you visit it you will see why! The beach has a gentle sandy entry which is great for small kids. There’s a HUGE free parking lot. It is crowded on a warm Saturday afternoon. However, the parking lot is so big that many people are coming and going, making it easy to find parking.

I loved the modern lifeguard tower and that they spend time advising swimmers about potential rip currents via loudspeaker. The lifeguards also keep the surfers and boogie boarders separate from the swimmers and enforce it if anyone floats to the wrong area.

This is a decent beginner surfing beach. This is where we’ve take our friends or family to try surfing for the first time. There are waves for everyone and a sandy bottom should you wipe out!

There is also a cute lifeguard-themed playground. The bathrooms are right next to the playground. There’s a kid-level fish-identifying exhibit by the bathrooms that kids love looking at. 

Where to Eat Near La Jolla Shores

The drive to get there is through a pretty La Jolla neighborhood. I thought I was lost at first but then we came out of the neighborhood and the parking lot was right there. If you drive or walk south past the big lifeguard tower you will find some cool surf shops and restaurants on Avenida de la Playa.

Something cool about Avenida de la Playa is they shut down the road and have outdoor dining! It started during the pandemic and everyone liked it so they kept it. We have eaten many meals on that street and let the children wander freely. The best spots are: Osteria Romantica, Piatti’s and Dough Mama Pizzeria. There’s also a crepe place with an Oreo crepe that is amazing!

If you would like to try surf lessons, sea kayaking, or surf rentals I highly recommend Everyday California. They are great with kids especially. You can rent boards and wetsuits from their shop and then pick them up on the beach. If you type in code SDMAMAS you can get 15% off any rental or lesson. They even do five-day surf camps in the summer for both locals and tourists. 

La Jolla Tide Pools

Want to take your kids to see ocean wildlife but don’t want to pay for a museum or aquarium? The La Jolla Tide Pools are your best bet! We love coming here to spot anemones and sea urchins.

The tide pools only make up one part of the beach. There’s also plenty of sand for playing in and having a beach day. If you go just a little further north you will also be able to see the La Jolla Seals. Go just a little bit south and you’re at Windansea, my favorite beach overlook. To get to the tide pools plug in 303 Coast Blvd. We found free street parking on Coast Blvd.

Mom tip: when you are going to the beach and you’re not planning on getting in wear rain boots! That way you can chase your kid when they inevitably run into the ocean without getting soaked yourself.

Torrey Pines State Beach

This was the first beach we discovered in San Diego. It’s smaller and has lots of natural beauty with cliffs on either side. The parking situation is confusing but there is free beachside parking if you can grab a spot when someone leaves. 

If you can’t find free parking, there’s a paid parking lot for a $20 flat rate per day (covered by the CA Parks Pass). The Torrey Pines hiking trails are at the end of the beach so go check those out if you are the hiking type!

Insider tip: this beach is actually rocky. So much so that the city hauls in a bunch of sand each May to cover the rocks and it’s sandy through the summer and fall. One time we showed up at high tide and there was nothing but rocks. Not a single sandy spot to be found. The kids still had a blast throwing rocks though.

Moonlight Beach (also called Moonlight State Beach)

Moonlight State Beach is quickly becoming one of our family favorites for a good beach day. From the new surfboard playground to snack shack to the hyper-observant huge lifeguards this is a great family beach. They bring in a lot of sand every spring for the summer. In the winter it’s rocky!

I like parking at the corner of B Street and 3rd to avoid the giant hill coming down from the parking lot. Plus there’s no time limit if you park over there and it’s free. I heard from another mom to not let your kids play in the runoff by the sand entrance due to questionable water quality.

Mom tip: bring a wetsuit so you can be the fun mom in the water with your kids!

Fletcher Cove Encinitas

This is a fun little beach that has a small play structure! I love how the playground overlooks the beach. During Christmastime, there is a huge Christmas tree right as you turn in. Park in the lot, there’s no time limit and it’s free. 

They just put in a brand new play structure and it’s a ton of fun! The play structure is suited for older kids, however there are some small playhouses for younger kids. They have summer concerts here in the big grassy area. 

There is a bit of a walk to the actual beach. It’s down a hill with no stairs so it’s easy to bring your beach wagon. Also great for de-sanding the kids on the walk back to the car. There are showers halfway up the hill. 

Powerhouse Beach / Park

Powerhouse Park overlooks the ocean in the charming city of Del Mar. There is a huge shaded sand pit with tons of toys. While you’re watching your kids play, try to spot some dolphins from the benches next to the play structure. This park is also next to the Surfliner train track. It’s very exciting when a double-decker train blares through! Every kid stops to watch.

They just finished a brand new playground and it was worth the wait! We loved the fish theme and the wonderful swings facing the water. 

There’s street parking all up and down Powerhouse but they are RUTHLESS on the tickets. Like if you go a minute over they will be there and ticket you. I know they set a timer, I just know it. 

Nearby food options include Del Mar Pizza and Monarch which both have outdoor dining. 

Coronado Beach Dunes / Famous Hotel Del Coronado Beach

Cornado is a resort city located on an island near downtown San Diego accessed via the Coronado Bridge. It’s famous for its historic red-roofed hotel and its naval base. I’ve always loved the small-town neighborhood vibe here and all the cute craftsman houses!

There are two beaches here right next to each other with slightly different vibes. Coronado Dunes is beautiful! We have taken family photos here before. The other one is the actual beach in front of Hotel Del Coronado. This one is fun because you get the view of the hotel in the background. The sand here is so soft and fine. You will probably be finding it in your house for weeks. 

Our favorite place to eat on Coronado is Miguel’s. It’s right across the street from The Hotel Del and super kid-friendly. Get the white queso! Some other spots include Village Pizzeria because it’s delicious, affordable and family-friendly. Other contenders are Henry’s, Peohe’s, Tartine, Lobster West, and McP’s Irish Pub. There’s a Chipotle nearby if you’re on a budget, but I have been increasingly disappointed in the quality of Chipotle’s food over the last few years. 

If you’re here during the holidays, you’re in for a treat. They have the best Christmas lights in San Diego!

Mission Beach Bonita Cove

Bonita Cove is my favorite playground we’ve taken our kids to in San Diego! This is a newer park in Mission Beach with tons of cool play equipment for big and little kids. 

The park is right on the ocean which gives it a wonderful San Diego feel. It’s modeled after the nearby Belmont Park so there are carousel swings and a giant slide that looks like a roller coaster! There’s free parking next to the park in the Bonita Cove parking lot.

Windansea Beach

This spot is what I picture when I think of San Diego. The colors and scenery are almost so perfect that they don’t  feel real! 

They named Windansea beach for a long-gone resort that stood at this place in 1909. This beach is our family’s favorite spot to look out over the ocean. 

The iconic shade shack has been destroyed many times both by the ocean and by vandals. The locals always rebuild. After you are done up high, climb down to the tide pools and search for critters. To the right of the shade shack there are some pretty cool caves to explore. Park in the little lot between Westbourne and Nautilus Street.

Bird Rock La Jolla

Want to go tidepool somewhere you can walk out forever and see tons of animals? Bird Rock is a good bet! Address for the stairs to get down to the spot pictured is 403 Sea Ridge Drive. This is more of a tidepooling beach, but you could make a beach day out of it if you really wanted to. 

Check online for when low tide is. It changes every day. At high tide you can barely get down the stairs.

This was the first place we saw a sea star in the wild! We were losing our minds with excitement. Usually, if there is one someone else has also spotted it so ask around!

No bathrooms so plan ahead or bring a travel potty.

For food check out: Wayfarer Bread, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, or Lark & Owl.

Mission Bay Tecolote Shores

Got a kid that loves to fly kites? Check out one of the top 10 kite flying spots in the USA… which just happens to be in San Diego! To find the kite flying spot, navigate to Tecolote Shores playground. It’s just on the other side. We find our kites at the kite shop in Seaport Village or on Amazon.

The Tecolote Shores playground is brand new! It just opened in November of 2022 and it’s gorgeous! Parking can be a little tough because it’s very popular, but it’s worth it. 

We were also pleasantly surprised by the Leisure Lagoon playground with nearby picnic benches. And of course, my kids had to swim in this water of questionable cleanliness. Straight to the bath when they got home!

Cabrillo National Monument

If you’re just getting to San Diego, this spot is a wonderful place to get your bearings. It’s up high so you can see all of San Diego!

A National Parks Pass will get you free admission, otherwise it’s $ 20 / car. This is the site is supposedly where the first European explorer set foot on the West Coast. 

Things to do here include: watch military jets take off, hike, visit the lighthouse, and hunt for critters in the tide pools!

Silver Strand State Beach

Silver Strand Beach is a bit of a drive, but worth it for a long stretch of mostly unpopulated beach. The beach is called Silver Strand because the sand has little sparkly flecks in it from silver oyster shells. 

It’s a great beach for collecting shells or digging up clams by the water line. We love coming here for a beach day with our family. If you have an RV, this is a common place for RV camping as well. Parking is $10 on weekdays or $12 on weekends, but is free with a CA State Parks Pass. 

Oceanside Pier

This is a great spot for a beach day because it has a playground! Unfortunately half the pier burned down in Spring 2024, but part of it is open to walk on. Keep an eye our for Charlie the pelican who hangs out on the pier there. 

Our favorite beachside restaurant is here, Brine Box. It burned down with the fire, but hopefully, they will rebuild it. While you’re here, visit the Top Gun house they have since turned into a bakery! We found parking south of the pier in a small paid lot. 

The Beach in front of Belmont Park

This is an easy spot to make a whole day of amusement park and beachgoing. Belmont Park is such a fun seaside amusement park! It’s less crowded than the other theme parks and more budget-friendly as it is free to enter. You have the option to pay per ride or get their unlimited wristband for $60 for adults or $55 for kids.

The wristband covers not only the rides but also a large ropes course, laser tag, ziplining, and a whole host of other fun activities. You can easily spend a whole day here. Pair it with a visit to the nearby Bonita Cove Park and a sunset on the beach!

Belmont Park has a series of festivals throughout the year. Their Christmas light display is particularly wonderful as is the spring Belmont in Bloom. We love the Beach House restaurant nearby for kid-friendly dining. 

Visit the beach in front of Belmont Park as well for a full San Diego day!

Black’s Beach

I’m including this because you need to know it, not necessarily because I would recommend taking kids here for a beach day. Part of it is a nude beach (right as you get off the stairs).

If you’re not nervous about your kids potentially seeing a few nudies (they mostly keep to themselves) this is a gorgeous dark sand beach you shouldn’t miss! It also has one of the more famous surf breaks in San Diego.

Park at Torrey Pines Gliderport and take the steep trail down to the beach. When you get to the bottom turn left for the regular beach or right for the bare butts.

The first time we came here we did NOT know this was a clothing-optional beach. Turns out we took our kids to a nude beach by accident. We didn’t point them out and the kids didn’t notice, so no harm done right? We went in the winter and there was only one guy there sunbathing. I heard in the summer it’s much harder to ignore naked people so proceed with caution.

The following are beaches my awesome San Diego mom community suggested on Instagram. We will be visiting them soon and reviews are incoming!

Coronado Central Beach

South Ponto Beach

Tide Beach Park

Del Mar City Beach

South Carlsbad State Beach

Tamarack Beach

Allow me to introduce myself…

My name is Camille! I am a San Diego stay-at-home mom who is never ever at home. I share a lot of fun things to do around San Diego including parks, restaurants, LEGOLAND, the zoo etc.

My goal with my Instagram account and blog is to make any mom feel prepared for any outing with her kids so that she doesn’t have to stay home unless she wants to. Getting out with my kids was key for me in overcoming postpartum depression so I try to pay it forward by sharing what we do to help other moms in a similar situation. Read more about my story here.

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