Mission Bay

Neighborhood Spotlight

This small, bustling community, across the from Ocean Beach, separated only by a small channel of water, and neighboring Pacific Beach, is all about beach living and enjoying a tight-knit community—literally and figuratively, with 3,279 residents living in just .5 square miles.

However, us San Diegans will believe this is part of its charm, with small beach cottages packed into neighborhoods lining both the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay.

In fact, being surrounded by water has made Mission Beach the active and surf-friendly neighborhood that it is. Most residents sacrifice space to be just steps from the water or boardwalk, where you can bike, roller blade, walk or run as the sun rises every morning. After a long day, just walk to the other side of Mission Boulevard, the main road that splits this neighborhood into two sides, to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

As residents of Mission Beach, you can enjoy a lot more than sand and sunshine. This neighborhood is also home to Belmont Park, a small amusement park where you’ll find a wooden roller coaster, plenty of arcade games, a mini golf course and a variety of kid-friendly rides.

If the sights and sounds of an amusement park don’t appeal to you, head over to one of the many restaurants and bars in the area. If you’re looking for a dive bar experience you won’t have to go far, thanks to a variety of older bars that are still popular today. A more modern crowd can be found here too, eating and drinking at a number of new and popular establishments complete with rooftop seating for people watching and romantic nights.

When you need to forget about the grind of day-to-day life, head to the Wave House, a 30,000-foot, resort-style venue. Here you can rent a cabana for the day, ride the FlowBarrel (a wave machine) or grab dinner and drinks at their restaurant. Surrounded by tiki bars, fire pits and the sound of waves crashing on the beach, you’ll immediately feel more relaxed.

Despite being one of the more popular vacation areas in San Diego, the beaches in this area are often less crowded than those of Pacific Beach, the neighbor to the north. With large expanses of sand, built-in volleyball nets and a less-busy boardwalk, you can enjoy a tourist-free day on the beach. Be sure to grab your surf or boogie board and sunscreen before heading out the door so you can take full advantage of the San Diego sunshine.

If you’re an angler, don’t miss a chance to fish off the jetty at South Mission Beach Park. But, whatever you do, don’t drive. A bike is necessary in this small San Diego neighborhood, where parking is extremely hard to come by at all times of the day. Luckily, most necessities, including grocery stores and shops, are within walking or biking distance, making it easy to get around sans car.

Most San Diegans will agree that the only negative aspect of Mission Beach is the parking. If you love sun, surf and spending your time outside, this is the place for you. With such a small population, you’ll get to know everyone quickly. Before you know it, you’ll have all your go-to restaurants for weeknight drinks and weekend brunch, along with a volleyball team and favorite surfing spot.

[Feature photo source]

The above real estate information on Mission Beach was provided by John and Melissa Steele. John and Melissa can be reached at steelesandiegohomes@gmail.com or by phone at 619-887-4429.

Considering buying or selling a home? John and Melissa of Steele San Diego Homes have a passion for Real Estate and would love to share their expertise with you!

Steele San Diego Homes services all of San Diego county and also works with out of area clients to connect them with a strong local agent. Whether you’re interested in buying, selling, investing, or just want to learn more, John and Melissa Steele are here to help you.