Beaches / Waterways

A BRIEF HISTORY:

The San Diego River

The San Diego River is a river in San Diego County, California. It originates in the Cuyamaca Mountains northwest of the town of Julian, then flows to the southwest until it reaches the El Capitan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the river's watershed at 112,800 acre feet. Below El Capitan Dam, the river runs west through the cities of Santee and San Diego. While passing through Tierrasanta it goes through Mission Trails Regional Park, one of the largest urban parks in America. The river discharges into the Pacific Ocean near the entrance to Mission Bay, forming an estuary.

The river has changed its course several times in recorded history. When the first European settlers arrived in the late 18th century it emptied into False Bay, the present day Mission Bay. At some point in the 1820s it altered course and began to empty into San Diego Bay, which continued for nearly 50 years. Because of fears that the harbor would silt up, the river was diverted to its present course in 1877 by a dam and the straightening of the channel to the ocean.

Beaches

With 17 miles of coastline and 4,600 acres around Mission Bay Park, San Diego offers a wide variety of beaches and amenities. San Diego Lifeguards patrol the beaches from nine permanent lifeguard stations (Ocean Beach, South Mission Beach, Mission Beach, North Pacific Beach, Pacific Beach, Children's Pool, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, Blacks) and dozens of seasonal stations during the summer.

Spanning just over a mile in length, Mission Beach is at the center of the Golden Strand, between South Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. One of the most popular beach areas in the City of San Diego, Mission Beach draws large crowds in the summer to its oceanfront and adjacent Belmont park.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is located in the San Diego community of Ocean Beach. This is a wide beach, approximately one mile long and broken up by several rock jetties.

Dog Beach, San Diego's only 24-hour beach for dogs, is a sandy area at the north end of the beach. This is a dog-run area where dogs are always permitted without a leash. Dog owners are responsible for control and clean-up of their dogs. Standard dog laws apply on other portions of Ocean Beach and are strictly enforced.

The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier is at the south end of the beach and is available to the public for walking and fishing. Fishing from the pier does not require a fishing license, but catch regulations (including minimum size, bag limits and seasons) are enforced. There is also a restaurant and bait shop on the pier. Ocean Beach is one of nine beaches that has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.

Pacific Beach

Located just south of Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach extends south before becoming Mission Beach. One of the busiest beach areas in San Diego, Pacific Beach draws large crowds of locals and tourists in the summer. Pacific Beach is one of nine beaches that has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.

North Pacific Beach extends approximately one mile north of Crystal Pier to Pacific Beach Point. This beach is bordered by cliffs up to 75 feet in height with an extension of the boardwalk traversing the cliff-top along much of the south end of the beach. At the north end of the beach is Tourmaline Surfing Park which includes a public parking lot, showers and restrooms. This area is heavily used by surfers, kite surfers and sailboarders year round.

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores is a sandy beach approximately one mile long located in the community of La Jolla. In summer, waves at this beach are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches. La Jolla Shores is adjacent to the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. Fishing and removal of objects from this area is prohibited and possession of game is unlawful.

Many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. La Jolla Shores is one of nine beaches that has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, tucked between sandstone cliffs.  Because of its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. With small surf in the summer months, the north facing La Jolla Cove is ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers. Water visibility at the Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet.

La Jolla Cove lies within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which helps to ensure that marine life remains plentiful. Fishing and removal of objects from this area is prohibited, and possession of game is unlawful. La Jolla Cove is one of nine beaches that has permanent lifeguard stations patrolled by San Diego Lifeguards.