San Diego
by
Jerry Henderson

San Diego is 2 hours, by car, south of Los Angeles and minutes from the border of Mexico.

Pacific Beach

• Beach Inns and Motels
• Dog Beaches
• Beach Weddings
• Fire pits
• Camping

The San Diego area offers everything a beach lover could want. The beaches range from wide and long stretches of golden sand to cozy coves. If you want to get married on the beach, San Diego has a beach that will suit your needs. You can surf, fish, sail and at night San Diego offers a huge range of places to eat and to party. No place in California, maybe the world, offers so much to see and do in such a compact area.

Besides the beaches, there is Sea World, the world famous San Diego Zoo, and Mexico just a few minutes away. If you don't want to spend a lot of time in your car, a trolley system takes you from the Mexican border to downtown San Diego to the shopping malls in Mission Valley.

Fun & Useful Information for Beach Lovers:

Fire Pits

Most of the beaches have fire pits for evening hot dog roasts. However, during the winter months, when the surf and tides are high, the fire rings may be removed.

Dogs

Ocean Beach has a dog beach where dogs can run free. It's located at Ocean Beach Park which you will find at the end of Voltaire Street. On all other beaches, dogs are prohibited from 9 AM to 6 PM. During the other hours dogs are allowed only on leashes. Of course, you must come prepared to clean up after your dog.

Weddings

Call (619) 221-8901 for specific information. Here's an example, though. We attended a wedding on a bluff above the ocean about 300 yards from La Jolla Cove. The permit fee, spring 2002, was only $34.50. The grassy area held about 50 people. From our chairs we looked out over the Pacific Ocean. It was pretty spectacular. Keep in mind that any beach wedding is subject to fog, overcast skies, wind, rain, or at the other extreme, hot piercing rays from the sun. The day for the wedding we attended was perfect.

Camping:

Silver Strand State Beach allows camping on the beach but you must have a fully self-contained camper. Tents are not allowed. This state beach is located several miles to the south of the Hotel del Coronado.

Places to stay:

Crystal Pier is located on Pacific Beach near Mission Bay. The units are built on a pier out over the ocean. A concrete boardwalk runs the length of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. At the end of the boardwalk in Mission Beach, you'll find a small amusement park and an indoor public swimming pool. This is definitely a people watching place.

Here are some other inns and motels that are on the beach:

The beach on Coronado Island - The Silver Strand

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The beach along Pacific Beach

Click on Beach Info for maps showing San Diego beaches and more information on San Diego's great beaches.

Listing of all the beach hotels in these states: