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Between Coronado and Imperial Beach, miles of the “Strand” attracts families with its wide expanses, gentle waves, fire rings, surf fishing, grunion running (see Children’s Attractions) and, unique to San Diego beaches, clamming. The name Silver Strand comes from the tiny silver shells that dot the sand on the oceanside. Pedestrian tunnels lead to the beach on the bayside, where the water is warmer and calmer.

The laid-back atmosphere of Ocean Beach (see Ocean Beach) attracts locals and some out-of-towners. Surfers usually go out around the pier, and swimmers farther down the beach. There tends to be a strong rip current at the beach, so don’t swim out of sight from a lifeguard station. There are plenty of facilities, including showers, picnic tables, and volleyball courts.

Leashes optional! Your dog can run loose to chase after balls, Frisbees, and other dogs with joyous abandon. The beach is open 24 hours, so you can even come here for a midnight swim. Posts with handy plastic bags help you pick up the aftermath.

At this popular beach (see Mission Beach), sunburned, sandy bodies vie for space upon the sand, volleyballs and Frisbees fly overhead, and skateboarders and cyclists try to balance drinks and portable CD players as they careen down the boardwalk. If the beach scene gets overwhelming, Belmont Park (see Belmont Park) is just a block away.

Protected from the waves of the Pacific Ocean, 27 miles (43 km) of shoreline, including 19 miles (30 km) of sandy beaches, coves, and inlets, offer idyllic picnic locations. On sunny days, the water is filled with sailboats, kayaks, waterskiers, windsurfers, and rowers. Bike paths wind for miles along the shoreline, and wide grassy areas and ocean breezes make flying kites ideal.

A great beach-going spirit fills the air as skateboarders, joggers, and cyclists cruise the promenade that runs parallel to the beach. People-watching opportunities are endless, since Pacific Beach has a reputation of being the place to hang out. Take a walk out to the Crystal Pier Hotel (see Crystal Pier Hotel), past the bungalows to watch surfers shooting the curl.

Legendary among surfers for its shorebreaks, this beach found literary fame as the setting for Tom Wolf e’s The Pumphouse Gang. The beach gets a little wider south of the “Shack,” a local landmark, but those with small children should still take care.

A great family beach, but summertime gets crowded as sunbathers, Frisbee-throwers, and boogie-boarders spread out along a broad, sandy white strip lapped by gentle surf. Kellogg Park, which runs alongside part of the beach, is a good picnic area for those who forgot their towels. The La Jolla Underwater Ecological Reserve (see Diving) is just offshore, so divers are usually out in the water.

This beach is notorious for its nude sunbathers. Access to the beach, which lies between Torrey Pines State Beach and La Jolla Shores, is either down an unstable 300-ft (91-m) cliff or via a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk along the beach from either the north or south during low tide. Surfers find the southern end of the beach ideal, as well as the hang-gliders who launch off from the cliffs above.

Miles of sandy beaches and secret coves nestle beneath towering sandstone cliffs. During low tide, tide pools offer a glimpse into life under the sea. Torrey Pines is a San Diego favorite because of its lack of crowds, intimacy, and natural beauty. Parking is available at the Torrey Pines State Reserve (see Torrey Pines State Reserve) or by the gliderport on top of the cliff.