Named after the local “godfather” of beach volleyball, the George Stepanof Volleyball Courts at Ocean Beach are the best place to play—and don’t require a reservation. The beach, which lies north of Point Loma, is also popular with surfers and skaters as well as with cyclists heading out on the Ocean Beach Bike Path (also known as the San Diego River Bikeway), a 3.7-mile (5-kilometer) trail that begins at the west end of the parking lot on Voltaire Street and West Point Loma Boulevard.

Most of the beaches in San Diego are great for family outings, but Del Mar Beach, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of San Diego, is the best. This beach is one of the loveliest in San Diego, and the roughly 2-mile-long (3.2-kilometer-long) stretch of sand has lifeguarded swimming areas and a seaside park with a playground. Spend the day picnicking, playing volleyball, and sunbathing—and you can also add a visit to the nearby Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

California surf culture is a big deal in San Diego, where professional-worthy breaks line the coast. Located just south of La Jolla, Windandsea is one of SoCal’s surfing gems. The relatively small beach is famed for undersea reefs, consistent breaks, and an iconic surf shack that has been designated a San Diego historical landmark. The beach itself can be blissfully free of tourists, but locals congregate here with their boards when the waves max out. However, these swells are not for beginners.

Pacific Beach (or P.B., as the locals call it) is a party hot spot for college students from the nearby UC San Diego campus. The area has a spring break–like feel to it, thanks to young people spending their days (and nights) alternating between hanging with friends in the sand and hitting up the many nearby restaurants, bars, and clubs. These parties often include beach bonfires, but travelers looking for a good time will have better luck heading out on an organized bar crawl.

Hikers looking for coastal views should visit Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, a wild stretch of beach, coastal bluffs, and lagoons south of Del Mar. The area’s claim to fame is the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course, but the reserve is laced with first-rate hiking trails that will take you to overlook points along the coast, including the Guy Fleming, Flat Rock Beach, North Fork, and South Fork trails to name a few. You can also visit this gem on a coastal road trip and watch for breaching whales.

Sunsets in La Jolla are among the most romantic on the West Coast and cozy La Jolla Cove—a special viewpoint nestled among sandstone cliffs below Scripps Park—offers some of the best. One of the most visited beaches in San Diego, the cove might seem a crowded option for romantic getaways, especially during the summer. However, if you plan ahead and visit in the morning or evening, you can experience beautiful, intimate sunrises and sunsets with someone special.

La Jolla Shores Beach and the adjacent La Jolla Shores Park make an ideal spot for a variety of water sports. The beach is a flat, 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) long expanse and boasts calm water, making it ideal for everything from kayaking to the famous La Jolla Sea Caves to safely snorkeling with sea turtles, sharks, and sea lions. Lots of local businesses rent equipment and offer lessons in popular sports like paddleboarding, and the beach itself is also a great place for a spot of yoga.

If you need a break from the throngs of beach-goers, or just prefer learning about history, the USS Midway—once the US Navy’s longest-serving aircraft carrier—is the perfect spot. A floating museum docked at the Navy Pier, across from Tuna Harbor Park, the carrier is an essential piece of American military history. While visiting doesn't require setting foot on the sand, an admission ticket is crucial, so make sure to book ahead of time if you want to explore the enormous ship.

There’s never a dull sunset in San Diego, but nature has made Sunset Cliffs Natural Park—with its viewpoints perched above the sea—a particularly special place for watching them. Secure a spot on Sunset Cliffs Beach, walk down to the scenic lookout at the southern end of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, or visit the park itself, which is famed for its bluffs, arches, and views of sunsets and surfers below its rocky cliffs.