Pepper Park
National City, CA
Pepper Park is a genuine bayside park on San Diego Bay in National City, with a boat launch ramp, play equipment, and a marina next door. It's a working-waterfront kind of park, more about bay access for boaters and families than a classic beach day.
A genuinely practical bayside park for boaters and families, useful rather than scenic.
How we score beachesThis is a real practical stop for boat launching rather than a swimming destination, know that going in.
A lot serves the park and boat launch.
Dogs are welcome on leash throughout Pepper Park, including its sand area, with no hour restrictions noted.
Sheltered bay water warms up earlier in the season than the open ocean nearby.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.