

Local surfers frequent these beaches because of the consistent surf. or so each day. If you’re still unsure, ask a lifeguard. These flags are not put up during ‘off-peak’ months, and even during the summer are put up about 9 a.m. Signage indicates which activity is permitted on which side of the flags. The two most popular activities at Pacific Beach beaches are swimming and surfing.įor everyone’s safety, swim and surf areas off each of the major beaches are separated by black and yellow checkered flags posted between the zones. Did you know that not following lifeguard warnings is a misdemeanor, and harming a lifeguard is a felony? Swimming & Surfing Note that San Diego lifeguards are part of the Fire-Rescue Department, but are considered peace officers with the power to arrest. The main lifeguard tower is situated at the end of Grand Avenue. Lifeguard towers are staffed year-round from Mission Beach to North Pacific Beach. until dusk by San Diego lifeguards, but you should check with staff each day to find out their specific hours. Pacific Beach is one of only nine beaches in San Diego that has permanent lifeguard stations. And while looking for parking spaces be mindful of the many pedestrians and bicyclists who might not always be paying close attention.

Pacific Beach contracted tow companies aggressively monitor parking.

Pay attention to parking signs that limit the length of stay. Expect it to take some time, and you won’t get frustrated with the beach traffic.
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There are also paid lots, metered parking, and a few free parking lots like the small parking lot at Tourmaline Beach. You’ll have the best luck finding free parking during the high season if you arrive before 10 a.m. High season (May to September) is more difficult, whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, due to the influx of tourists to this popular neighborhood.įree street parking is abundant, not only along Grand and Garnet Avenues but on many side streets as well, including on the suburban streets that surround the beaches. But, it’s not impossible to find a good spot, especially during low season (October to April) and on weekdays. Parkingĭue to its popularity, parking throughout Pacific Beach can be challenging. But if you know all of this and what I’m about to share going in, you can have a nice beach experience here. It’s why some hotels outside of the area tell guests to go to La Jolla or Coronado beaches instead. We’re used to it, but my many years of providing San Diego travel advice has led me to conclude that the eclectic PB crowd doesn’t suit everyone. You might smell marijuana (it’s legal) and hear R-rated things. I do not recommend that kids use the bathrooms on the boardwalk alone, not even teens, unless you’re watching. Even on the quieter north end of the boardwalk, close to Law Street Beach and Pacific Terrace Hotel, you might still see and hear small clusters of homeless resting on the grassy areas along the boardwalk. Soon the dog was stepping all four feet onto the board and gaining speed.Note from Katie about Pacific Beach: I enjoy walks on the boardwalk, especially at sunset, and we do come to PB often for this and that. Weir says Angus was about 12 weeks old when he first put a paw up on the board and pushed himself along in the house. So when Weir got Angus, a friend gave him an old, beat-up skateboard in the hopes that the puppy would not be afraid too. That was a problem because Weir lives just steps from the busy boardwalk. His owner, Jim Weir, had owned an English bulldog once before who had been terrified of skateboards. Not yet.) All three of us whipped out our cell phones to shoot video.Īngus, a 6-year-old English bulldog, has been skateboarding since he was a puppy. Now, few things can stop me when I'm on vacation and headed to the Baja Beach Cafe for lobster taquitos and a strawberry-mango margarita.īut this last trip, I saw something I had never seen before.Ī dog on a skateboard actually skateboarding. Yes, the people watching on Mission Beach in San Diego is spectacular.

I came to an abrupt stop on the boardwalk, causing both Niki and Savannah to run into me from behind.
