Pacific Beach is the San Diego that everyone pictures when they hear “California beach town.” Surfers walking across the street in wetsuits. Skateboarders on a boardwalk that stretches for miles. Bars with patios that spill out toward the sand. It’s loud, it’s young, it’s perpetually sunburned, and it’s been exactly this way for as long as I can remember.
I first surfed PB as a teenager — clumsy and terrified on a borrowed longboard near Crystal Pier. The break here is forgiving, the locals are friendly (mostly), and the post-surf taco and beer ritual on Garnet Avenue is as good as any tradition in San Diego. Twenty-five years later, I still come back on summer evenings when the boardwalk hums with energy and the sunset turns Crystal Pier into a silhouette.
PB (nobody calls it “Pacific Beach” in full) sits between La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach to the south, connected by the Ocean Front Walk boardwalk. It’s the social hub of San Diego’s beach scene — the place where the nightlife, the surfing, and the casual California attitude all converge.
What Makes Pacific Beach Different?
PB is San Diego’s most energetic beach neighborhood. Where La Jolla is refined and Coronado is genteel, PB is a party. Garnet Avenue on a Saturday night is one of the liveliest bar scenes on the West Coast — dozens of bars packed into a few blocks, everyone in flip-flops, and a vibe that’s more spring break than sophistication.
But there’s more to PB than Garnet Avenue. Crystal Pier is a San Diego landmark — a 1927 pier with tiny cottages built right on top of it where you can actually sleep over the ocean. Kate Sessions Park, up on Soledad Mountain, has one of the best panoramic views in the city. And the surf breaks here are where half of San Diego learned to ride their first wave.
The neighborhood attracts a younger crowd — college students, twentysomethings, and surfers who’ve figured out how to share a $3,000/month rental four ways. But that energy is part of the charm. PB doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t: a beach town that lives to surf, eat tacos, and watch the sunset.
Pier at Golden Hour
Crystal Pier stretches toward the horizon as surfers catch the last waves of the day and the sky turns copper over the Pacific.
Where to Eat in Pacific Beach?
JRDN Restaurant — Tower23 Hotel’s beachfront restaurant is PB’s most upscale option. Seafood and steaks ($28-55 entrees) with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. The patio at sunset is spectacular. Reserve outdoor seating for dinner.
The Taco Stand — Tijuana-style street tacos that rival anything south of the border. Carne asada ($4), al pastor ($4), and a California burrito ($9.50) that’s a local religion. Cash preferred. Always a line at lunch — worth the wait.
Woody’s Breakfast and Burgers — PB’s go-to breakfast joint since forever. Giant portions ($10-15), strong coffee, and an outdoor patio that’s perfect for a slow morning after a late night on Garnet. Pancakes are the move.
Dirty Birds — Wings and beer in a sports-bar setting. 50-cent wing nights on Tuesdays draw lines around the block. Good craft beer selection ($6-8 pints). It’s not fancy but it’s exactly what PB does best.
Lahaina Beach House — Beachfront tiki bar and restaurant. The food ($14-28) is decent but you’re here for the location — directly on the boardwalk with unobstructed ocean views. Sunday Funday with live music and $5 beers is a PB institution.
Where to Stay in Pacific Beach?
Iconic: Crystal Pier Hotel — Sleep in a private cottage built on Crystal Pier, literally over the ocean. Waves crash below you. There are only 23 cottages and they book months in advance ($250-450/night). This is the most unique hotel experience in San Diego.
Upscale: Tower23 Hotel — Modern beachfront boutique right on the boardwalk. Clean design, ocean views, and JRDN restaurant on-site. $300-500/night. The best “real hotel” in PB.
Mid-Range: The Beach Cottages — Cluster of small cottages and rooms just off the boardwalk. Nothing fancy ($140-250/night) but clean, well-located, and charming in a retro-beach way. Includes parking, which is gold in PB.
Budget: Pacific Terrace Hotel — Despite the name, this is on the north end of PB near Tourmaline. Quieter than central PB, with ocean views and lower rates ($160-300) than the boardwalk hotels.
What to Do in Pacific Beach?
Is PB Good for Beginner Surfers?
One of the best spots in San Diego. The breaks near Crystal Pier produce consistent, gentle waves perfect for learning. Tourmaline Surf Park at the north end of PB is longboard-only — a mellow spot where beginners won’t get in anyone’s way. Rental shops along Mission Blvd charge $10-15/hr for boards and $10/day for wetsuits. Group lessons run $65-85/person for 2 hours.
What’s the Crystal Pier About?
Crystal Pier was built in 1927 and it’s the only pier on the West Coast with cottages on it. Even if you’re not staying there, walk to the end for the best sunset vantage point in PB. Fishing is allowed (no license needed on the pier). The pier is free to walk and closes at sunset.
Kate Sessions Park?
Kate Sessions Park sits on Soledad Mountain above PB and offers one of the best panoramic views in San Diego — you can see from La Jolla to Point Loma to downtown to Mexico on a clear day. It’s free, there’s plenty of parking, and locals bring picnics and watch the sunset. It’s PB’s best-kept daytime secret.
Endless Boardwalk
Three miles of oceanfront path stretching south toward Mission Beach — joggers, cyclists, and surfers sharing the California dream.
Scott’s Pro Tips
- Getting There: I-5 to Garnet Ave exit, then west to the beach. MTS bus 8 from Old Town is the easiest transit option. Rideshare from downtown is $12-18. On summer weekends, avoid I-5 between 10am-1pm — use Morena Blvd instead.
- Parking: Beach-adjacent parking fills by 10am on summer weekends. Free residential parking east of Mission Blvd (walk 5-10 min to beach). The Garnet Ave parking lot behind the shops sometimes has spots. Never park in permit-only residential zones — tickets are $65.
- Best Time: Summer (June-September) for full beach energy and warm water. September is the sweet spot — warm water, smaller crowds. June mornings are often overcast (burn off by noon). Winter PB is quieter but still pleasant (60-65°F).
- Garnet Ave at Night: The bar scene peaks 10pm-1am Friday-Saturday. Bars are 21+ after 10pm with ID check at every door. Uber/Lyft from Garnet is easy but prices surge after midnight. Pre-game at home — drinks here are $8-14.
- Surf Tips: Tourmaline Surf Park (north PB) is the best beginner spot — longboard-only zone, mellow vibe. Crystal Pier breaks are good for intermediate. Check Surfline.com for conditions. Morning glass-off (6-8am) has the cleanest waves.
- Budget Move: PB is one of the cheaper beach neighborhoods to visit. Taco Stand lunch for $10, free beach and boardwalk all day, Kate Sessions Park sunset, then happy hour beers on Garnet ($4-6). Full day for under $30.
PB isn’t trying to impress you with architecture or fine dining or cultural institutions. It’s a beach town, and it’s the best version of what a beach town can be. Learn to surf. Walk the boardwalk. Eat tacos. Watch the sunset from Crystal Pier. Come back to Garnet Avenue when the bars light up.
This is California, distilled.