Cali/San Diego help. Which beach do I want to visit with a family?

GoBlue34 · Jan 31, 2011

Obviously the first place I should ask this is a gambling forum...

Will be traveling with the family to Cali in late July, doing the Disney, Seaworld, type stuff. We want to stay on a beach around San Diego but can't figure out which one would be the best.

Lots of people like Coronado Beach but it says really small waves. I don't want my kids to drown but I also don't want waves that barely cover my feet.

Doesn't have to be a family only type beach but I don't want it to be where the bums all hang out either. Advice?

THawk+ · Jan 31, 2011

I used to visit friends in San Diego and they lived in both places. Ocean beach and Pacific beach both were good places when I was there...

niltes · Jan 31, 2011

pacific beach is not the best place for a family, especially in july.
further north will be very, very expensive due to the extra
demand for housing due to the del mar racetrack running.

THawk+ · Jan 31, 2011

Nites is right now that I think about it more, Pacific Beach not best for family. Ocean beach is better...

3peet · Jan 31, 2011

Stay in LaJolla! It's safe. It's within driving distance of Pacific Beach. Ask around town where LaJolla shores is. The waves are ridable, you can BBQ at the park, and there won't be the cholo's, gangbangers and druggies you'd deal with at Pacific or Mission Beach. It's the only family safe place left that won't intrude the locals and you can blend in.

Forget Coronado all togther unless your into history lessons, tourists, and retiree's. (no offense of course)

BAGIANT · Jan 31, 2011

I would suggest either La Jolla Shores or Carlsbad State beach.

RenoChazz · Jan 31, 2011

Del Mar

quantumleap · Feb 1, 2011

Solana Beach is real nice. When I was there they had dogs all over the place and many families as well. Lots of tidal pools for the kids to play in.

BAGIANT · Feb 1, 2011

You're talking about dog beach which is really in Del Mar. Further up the coast is much better.

HAT · Feb 1, 2011

If you're splitting time between SD & Anaheim....Check out San Clemente. Basically halfway between the Northern parts of OC & SD. Good family beaches, waves & downtown area.

30-40 minutes to Disney resort area, same to Legoland, less than an hour to Sea World.

And you can catch the Amtrak right at the San Clemente pier to Del Mar if you can sneak away from the family for a few hours. :103631605