The Best Swimming in San Diego
Looking for the best swimming in San Diego? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Diego. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top swimming spots in and near San Diego
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San Diego, California
Bonfire at Fiesta Island
4.7This island offers scenic views of of mission bay and if you're lucky, you can catch fireworks from Sea World. The bonfire rings are stationed around the island, so make sure you get there early to stake yours out, especially if you're headed there on the weekend. Dogs are allowed off leash at th...Read more -
San Diego, California
Surf Scripps Pier
5.0Park on La Jolla Shores Drive and make the short walk down the boat ramp north of the pier. This spot often has some of the clearest waters in San Diego, making it a picturesque place to surf. During low tide, check out the tide pools just north of the surf spot to find some awesome sea life.Read more -
San Diego, California
Explore La Jolla Cove
4.8La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in San Diego, located on the coast just south of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. La Jolla Cove is also one of the best spots in San Diego for snorkeling and scuba diving. This calm cove is ecologically protected with many animals making their ho...Read more -
San Diego, California
Swim in La Jolla Cove
4.9La Jolla Cove is an iconic destination in San Diego for visitors and locals alike. Anyone visiting San Diego knows La Jolla Cove is famous for sea lions, beautiful sunsets, sea caves, kayaking, diving, etc etc. The entire area is a great place to eat, drink, relax and spend a day enjoying the Cal...Read more -
San Diego, California
Explore Sunset Cliffs Open Ceiling Cave
0.5 miStarting from you parking spot on the street you will see it right away. Then look to the right in the small bay--to the right of it you'll see a small place to climb down. There is no rope so be careful when scaling it. Walk south until you hit the reef wall and walk along it until you get aroun...Read more -
San Diego, California
Hike the Beach Trail at Torrey Pines State Reserve
5.02 mi / 364 ft gainI'm stoked for those of you to find this adventure! Torrey Pines is home to a species of tree that is one of the most rare native pines in the United States. Below I have directions on how to get to the trail head as well as the parking lot to park for the hike. There is a charge to get into the...Read more -
Coronado, California
Catch a Sunset at Coronado Beach
4.6Photograph the iconic and historic Hotel Del and Coronado Beach on Coronado Island. The Del is a beautiful Victorian resort, which is the second largest wooden structure in the United States. The Del offers amazing photo opportunities during sunset and during sunrise when it is beautifully backli...Read more -
Imperial Beach, California
Catch a Sunset at the Imperial Beach Pier
5.0From San Diego, head South on Hwy 5 for 12 miles. Take a right on exit 5A for Palm Ave/CA-75. Take CA-75 west for 1.6 miles. Stay on Palm Ave as it splits from CA-75. Take Palm Ave for 1 mile until it reaches the coast. Turn left on Seacoast Dr and take it for 1 mile until you reach the Imperial ...Read more -
Carlsbad, California
South Carlsbad Campground
5.0South Carlsbad Campground is a picturesque experience. Imagine gorgeous sea cliffs overlooking a lovely beach, with ample activities to pursue (or just lay in the sun and enjoy some quiet time). The most popular campsites, 1-70 and 156-222, are perched on the edge of a bluff and feature the best ...Read more -
Ramona, California
Hike to Cedar Creek Falls
4.84.2 miThe trail starts out at a hill in a residential area and ends in an unexpected spot where there is a beautiful waterfall complete with swimming hole. Surrounded by 75-foot high cliffs, a magnificent waterfall splashes into a pool known as the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Hikers have been known to dive fro...Read more -
Descanso, California
Hiking to the 3-Sisters Falls
4.9Although this hike is not very long (in terms of distance) it will be a workout nonetheless...as possibly one of the harder hikes in all of San Diego. Start out earlier in the day for a less strenuous trip and be prepared to drink a LOT of water. The path is fairly well marked and at certain poin...Read more -
San Clemente, California
Beach Day at San Onofre
5.0This spot is no secret but it’s by far one of the best beaches California has to offer and has been regarded since the 1950s as a friendly surfing sanctuary. The beach is divided into three surf spots (named from North to South), known as “The Point,” “Old Man’s,” and “Dogpatch.” To access the be...Read more -
Warner Springs, California
Camp at Oak Grove Campground
/ 2772 ft gainApart from being visually appealing, the campground features open, yet secluded sites that are perfect for stargazing and shooting-star spotting. Each campsite has a picnic table and a grill. There are vault toilets and flush toilets. There is also potable water. If you are interested in seeing b...Read more -
San Clemente, California
Camp at San Mateo Campground
5.0San Onofre State Beach, best known for its famous surf breaks, additionally offers two well equipped campgrounds.San Onofre Bluffs has fire pits and picnic tables, as well as outdoor showers, chemical toilets, and an RV dump station. Swimming and surfing are popular here.Further inland from the b...Read more