Shelter Island
San Diego, CA
Shelter Island is a genuine man-made peninsula packed with marinas, hotels, and restaurants, with the Shelter Island Shoreline Park offering a sandy-and-rocky stretch and a fishing pier for anyone wanting the water without the boating scene. It's more a destination for a waterfront meal or walk than a classic beach day.
A genuinely scenic waterfront destination for a meal or walk, more about the marina views than a classic swim beach.
How we score beachesA sunset walk along the shoreline park here, with the marinas lit up, is a genuinely nice way to close out a day in San Diego.
Free lots serve the park and waterfront businesses.
Dogs are welcome on leash throughout Shelter Island Shoreline Park, including its sand beach, with no posted hour restrictions.
San Diego County's water climbs into the upper 60s and low 70s by late summer, the most comfortable window for swimming.
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.