What are some good ‘less-populated’ beaches in san diego, california?
Jul 27, 2010 in
San Diego Beaches
I know a very popular beach there is Mission Beach, but I go to that beach almost every time I visit san diego, and it’s just full of too many people. I want to know if there is a sandy beach nearby that is a little less populated than that one, with nice waves too! Not a bay. Thanks 
There are small secluded spots in La Jolla. They are usually locals only because there are no rest rooms, parking lots, or other facilities.
Marine Street is very nice and Windansea is an historic surfing location. At low tide you can walk along the tide pools.
http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/marinestbeach.htm
http://www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/windan.shtml
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8 comments
stangace20 on July 27, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Blacks Beach maybe, but that’s a nude one, so unless you like seeing fat guy wangs, I’d say you’re outta luck (especially since it’s summer)
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Yeti on July 27, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Any easily accessible, sandy beach with nice waves is going to be relatively populated, period, especially this time of year.
If you don’t mind walking, there’s a pretty good gap between Mission Beach and Pacific Beach that tends to have a lot fewer people. I believe it’s about two miles from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach, with nonstop sand in between, so if you go maybe halfway in between, there usually aren’t a ton of people.
And Black’s Beach is known for nicer waves — surfers go there — but it can be harder to access and is generally known as clothing optional, too.
There are some things like Windansea that are sort of between La Jolla and Pacific Beach, but some days there are better than others. It can be a little rocky, for example, and is known for locals (surfers) being a bit protective, too.
References :
http://www.yelp.com/biz/windansea-beach-san-diego
Joe C on July 27, 2010 at 12:44 pm
There are small secluded spots in La Jolla. They are usually locals only because there are no rest rooms, parking lots, or other facilities.
Marine Street is very nice and Windansea is an historic surfing location. At low tide you can walk along the tide pools.
http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/marinestbeach.htm
http://www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/windan.shtml
References :
long time La Jolla resident
The Fred on July 27, 2010 at 1:11 pm
San Diego North County has a lot of beautiful beaches, but parking and beach access is a problem. Drive up to Del Mar and go north, hugging the coast as best you can. Find a parking spot (be prepared to walk a ways) and do some exploring. You’ll find a number of lightly populated beach areas
You can even find beaches in La Jolla that aren’t too overcrowded, you just wont be able to find a parking spot anywhere near the beach.
And of course don’t expect facilities or lifeguards.
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Kevin Biz on July 27, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Here is the summary.
La Jolla Shores = Cleanest beach, family oriented, life guards, parking, rentals, food, weak waves.
Mission Beach = Crowded beach, young crowd, lots of police on patrol, parking, life guards, parks, rides, bars, food, occasional bums, okay waves. TIP: South Mission Beach (near the Jetty) is less crowded.
Pacific Beach = same as Mission Beach, but more shopping and no rides. TIP: North PB (north of the pier) is less crowded.
Ocean Beach = Less crowded, but smaller beach area to explore, young crowd, lots of hippies, some police on patrol, life guards, bars, foods, occasional bums, okay waves.
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where the turf meets the surf on July 27, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I would go abit further north from Mission Beach past Crystal Pier to Tourmaline. Walk past Crystal Pier and it’s probably the least populated place where people go. It’s far enough from the boardwalk where the tourist normally stay. Coronado Beach is amazing this time of the year and will be less crowded than Pacific Beach. You could go to La Jolla Shores as well. It’s one of San Diego’s nicer beaches. Mission Bay is a big NO. Absolutely nada waves and I don’t think even the tourists go in the water!!!
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K on July 27, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Try Scripps beach or Torrey Pines City Beach, just north of La Jolla Shores. Park near Kellog park near La Jolla Shores, and arrive early to park in the free parking lot, or just drop off your group and you can find parking about 4 blocks away. Walk north toward Scripps Pier and you are at Scripps beach, or continue past the tidepool area and you will arrive at Blacks Beach City beach. When you want to use the restroom or have lunch at a restaurant, you can walk south to La Jolla Shores.
The surfing is good at both and not nearly as crowded as La Jolla Shores proper. There are some rocks and tidepools north of Scripps beach to explore, and at low tide (3 feet or lower) you can walk past them along the Torrey Pines cliffs towards Black Beach city beach. It is 3 miles from La Jolla Shores to Blacks Beach state beach, where you start entering the nude beach area, but most people never make it that far, so you’ll find this section of beautiful beach fairly deserted.
Enjoy!
References :
http://www.san-diego-beaches-and-adventures.com/la-jolla-shores.html
http://www.san-diego-beaches-and-adventures.com/blacks-beach-ca.html
antonio p on July 27, 2010 at 2:47 pm
You could drive 10 min south to Coronado Island, in the morning it’s even better, yes sometimes there is alot of visitors but it’s a larger beach and one of the nicest in San Diego, more private I would say, they have dunes too, it’s just more spacious than all the other beaches.
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