Discovering San Diego through its Beaches

The rich terrain and year-round favourable climate of San Diego make it an outdoor enthusiast's perfect getaway, and that's before you even start exploring the city's many theme parks, award-winning restaurants, abundance of green public spaces and historical sites too. To get to know the real San Diego, a tour of the city's many superb beaches should be on every visitor's itinerary.

California's second largest city, and the eighth largest in America, boasts no fewer than a dozen beaches to its name, with everything from competitive level surfing coves to glamorous stretches of white sand popular with the sun kissed volleyball players and water sports seekers. In fact, more than 70 miles of well-kept beaches make up San Diego County's coastline, making the city and district a perfect holiday destination for families or thrill seekers.

The beaches around San Diego are used as much for recreation and fitness as they are for sun lounging, so expect popular haunts like Mission Beach to have their fair share of volleyball games going on at any one time. If you want to play too head to the southern edge of Mission Beach where well-kept volleyball nets can be enjoyed by anyone.

For families looking for a little less exertion and perhaps more facilities for children, Coronado Beach is perfect. Crystal clear waters, not too many waves and clean sands provide the best possible setting for the many kids' activities that go on there each day, though it can occasionally get a little too busy, so try Spreckels Park as a nearby alternative. For dog lovers, a beach can also provide a good space to exercise your pet and stretch the legs, and dog-friendly beaches like The Ocean Dog Beach and Del Mar's Dog Beach are both popular with locals and visitors alike, as dogs are allowed to run off of their leads and enjoy the ocean too.

Popular for its facilities and famous amusements though is Belmont Park, just off Mission Beach again; nothing beats sitting on the boardwalk with an ice-cream watching the many joggers, roller bladers and cyclists swarming past. Though you can't visit Mission Beach without daring to go on one of the fun fair rides, like the classic Big Dipper.

Surfers usually head out to Windansea, which is considered the very best surfing beach in San Diego and not really for the faint hearted. However, even if the beaches just play a small part of your trip to San Diego, the city and beyond hold a lot in store for inquisitive visitors, and San Diego hotels will be able to recommend anything from the liveliest bars to the most romantic restaurants.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.