Mission Bay Park
Mission Bay Park
4.5
About
Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country. It consists of over 4,235 acres in roughly equal parts, land, and water. Mission Bay boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 of which are sandy beaches with eight locations designated as official swimming areas.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
619 reviews
Excellent
360
Very good
209
Average
40
Poor
7
Terrible
3
hotweatherfan1
Indianapolis, IN519 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We stopped here after catching a glimpse of it from the highway. We were very happy that we did. The walking trail provided a great way of seeing the area. It wasn't super crowded. There were plenty of restrooms and trash cans along the way as well. The only downside were the homeless that were there.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb W
Reno, NV2,571 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We rented bikes and road around this area. It was much less busy than the boardwalk. There is a nice view of the city and SeaWorld's rollercoasters.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Billie F
Tangerang, Indonesia351 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This is nice park with good environment, good for sunset ambients n sport (jogging n basket ball) too
It’s nice place for relaxing in the late afternoon
It’s nice place for relaxing in the late afternoon
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waddler
York, UK10,391 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We were staying in easy walking distance of both the beach and the bay and appreciated the differing experiences.
The beach was wavy, with dolphin and sunset opportunities. The bay is a calm swimming and water play experience which is also good for kids. The beaches are man-made on the bay but good for hanging out on nonetheless.
There are several places to rent gear and craft to get out on the water.
The beach was wavy, with dolphin and sunset opportunities. The bay is a calm swimming and water play experience which is also good for kids. The beaches are man-made on the bay but good for hanging out on nonetheless.
There are several places to rent gear and craft to get out on the water.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily K
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We stayed in an VRBO in this area and we were so glad that we did. It had plenty of things to do and it was a quick walk between ocean and bay side of the area. Belmont Park was a definite plus.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donna m
Tacoma, WA7 contributions
Oct 2022
The best part to me at Mission Bay/Mission Beach was Bellmont Park, lots of fun and vendors for shopping. Bumper cars, zip lining, roller coaster, good eats, plenty of vendors along the beach.
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikeS7619
San Tan Valley, AZ127 contributions
Aug 2022
I only kayaked here for a day but saw the entire bay.
I started at the park at the northeast of the bay, and traveled counterclockwise around the inner islands, spending about an hour just outside of and in the entrance channel. Watch out for the current if you take a kayak out cause if pushes you towards the jetty on the south side of the channel. The area by SeaWorld was also pretty active but overall, a very nice area to kayak.
If you do try to kayak all the way around, be aware that you'll have to carry the kayak over the entrance road that is used to get onto the main island, but it wasn't far.
I started at the park at the northeast of the bay, and traveled counterclockwise around the inner islands, spending about an hour just outside of and in the entrance channel. Watch out for the current if you take a kayak out cause if pushes you towards the jetty on the south side of the channel. The area by SeaWorld was also pretty active but overall, a very nice area to kayak.
If you do try to kayak all the way around, be aware that you'll have to carry the kayak over the entrance road that is used to get onto the main island, but it wasn't far.
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ6,451 contributions
Jun 2022
Mission Bay Park is huge, and consists of 4235 acres in equal parts of land and water. It is a very spread-out Park, and has endless paths for walking, jogging or bicycling, plus has a whole bunch of children’s playgrounds and benches to sit on and read or people-watch. The Bay has a lot of potential for water activities, and the Sunsets are breathtaking.
Our family in California hosted an outdoor Graduation Party here in one of the areas, and had four Gazebos reserved for the event. We only needed 2 of them, so they let some other families use the other two. The shaded Gazebos were very large and had plenty of room to place snacks, drinks and dessert items on the tables. The rented Taco Stand was a huge hit. Fortunately, we were blessed with perfect weather.
The bathrooms near our area were clean and nicely maintained, and there were tons of parking lots scattered throughout the park.
Several parties were going on simultaneously on the day that we were there, but the park is so huge that there was no interference with each other.
We hope to be able to come here again on our next visit to San Diego.
Our family in California hosted an outdoor Graduation Party here in one of the areas, and had four Gazebos reserved for the event. We only needed 2 of them, so they let some other families use the other two. The shaded Gazebos were very large and had plenty of room to place snacks, drinks and dessert items on the tables. The rented Taco Stand was a huge hit. Fortunately, we were blessed with perfect weather.
The bathrooms near our area were clean and nicely maintained, and there were tons of parking lots scattered throughout the park.
Several parties were going on simultaneously on the day that we were there, but the park is so huge that there was no interference with each other.
We hope to be able to come here again on our next visit to San Diego.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gideon O
Nairobi Region, Kenya315 contributions
Oct 2021
Visited the park with friends while visiting San Diego. I, later on, had an opportunity to ride my bike along the pacific beach from La Jolla all the way to Mission Bay. It was both relaxing and exciting with so much to see along the way. I met lots of cyclists and friendly people along the way.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noxiousburrito
Ann Arbor, MI268 contributions
May 2022
Visited the Mission Bay Beach parks for an evening stroll. Lots of young people out playing volley ball and having beers with each other. Seems like a great place for locals to meet.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALEJANDRA G
Mexico City, Mexico4 contributions
hola Estela. Pregunta, sabes si rentan bicibletas ahi?
Gracias por tus comentarios...
Soy Alejandra
Hello, I was wondering if this attraction is free. I am working on planning a trip with children, and I am looking for as many free activities as possible! If anyone has any further suggestions, please let me know!
Di J
Pittsburg, CA188 contributions
Yes free
Can I have an event like a party, baby shower, bbq, birthday party and set up a gazebo/canopy?
Lisa V
San Diego, CA93 contributions
YES! There are many areas all around Mission Bay, some with covers, some not. IN some areas there are also children's play structures. A favorite area with covers, bathroom and play area is at the northeast end of the bicycle path.
kbeato
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA7 contributions
Is there a place to rent bikes in Mission Bay? Also for riding on the esplade in Mission and/or Pacific Beach?
BlueMoby
San Diego, CA9 contributions
Yes there are tons of bike rental shops in Mission Beach. Just google them as you can find one every few blocks. It usually costs about $20 for the day. The boardwalk runs all along the bay and ocean
youngalf
San Diego, CA
Hello,
I live right across the 5 and walk my black lab here a few times a week. You do have to keep your dog leashed when walking in the park, but you can still bring them. You can also go right over to Fiesta Island for plenty of leash free places for our pups:) Hope this helps!
-Alf
Are dogs allowed at mission bay park
Darlene L
San Diego, CA52 contributions
Yes, this is a great area for dogs. You can even have them run off-leash on Fiesta Island.
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Claim your listingMISSION BAY PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mission Bay Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Mission Bay Park:
- Dolphin & Whale Watching Sunset Cruise (From S$87.43)
- Bike Around San Diego Bay to the Ocean (From S$186.97)
- Two-day Los Angeles & San Diego Private Tour (From S$3,362.65)
- Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San Diego (From S$240.77)
- San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay (From S$53.80)
- Hotels near Mission Bay Park:
- (0.56 km) Mission Bay Inn San Diego
- (2.79 km) Beach Hut Bed and Breakfast
- (1.66 km) Surestay Hotel by Best Western - San Diego/pacific Beach
- (0.76 km) A, NEWLY REMODELED Spacious Luxury Studio, perfect Get-Away, KING BED
- (1.18 km) San Diego Mission Bay Resort
- Restaurants near Mission Bay Park:
- (0.03 km) Mission Bay Beach Club
- (0.45 km) The Pub
- (1.17 km) Covewood Restaurant
- (0.42 km) Ny Giant Pizza
- (1.60 km) Sushi Ota
- Attractions near Mission Bay Park:
- (1.67 km) Pacific Beach
- (3.34 km) Coletta Sportfishing
- (8.29 km) San Diego Zoo
- (3.80 km) Waterhorse Charters
- (3.92 km) Malarky Sailing Charters