Mission Beach & Pacific Beach Activities

Mission Beach and
Pacific Beach Surfing

Beginning and intermediate surfers enjoy the usually easy breaking surf along Mission Beach. It is usually best at higher tides. At the south end of the beach near the jetty some good right and left breaks attract a number of surfers.

Better waves are often found around Crystal Pier at Pacific Beach. Right and left beach breaks can be good at mid-tides. While mostly sandy, some rocks warrant caution. Restrictions keep surfers from getting too close to the pier.

Tourmaline Surfing Park

Tourmaline Surfing Park draws both beginning and experienced surfers to its waters. With a convenient parking lot, restrooms and showers, and consistent waves, it's no surprise that Tourmaline is a favorite with many. Tourmaline is known as a welcoming surf spot where everyone gets along. Separate areas for surfing and for swimming are clearly marked. Consistent winds make the beach a favorite with windsurfers and kiteboarders.

A stone bench was placed at Tourmaline in the memory of Skeeter Malcolm, a legendary Tourmaline surfer. In recent years a monument, spearheaded by the Tourmaline Tailgaters Surfing Association, was erected to honor all past and present surfers at Tourmaline.
Tourmaline Surfer Memorial

Tourmaline Longboard Classic

June TBA, 2021
The Pacific Beach Surf Club sponsors an annual Longboard Classic club competition at Tourmaline Beach.
Pacific Beach Surf Club

Kite Surfing

Kite surfers enjoy the winter and spring winds at Tourmaline. The crowds of surfers and swimmers at Tourmaline make it necessary for kite boarders to be careful during launches and landings. Although it should go without saying that kiters should avoid passing through areas with surfers, there have been incidents at Tourmaline. It is generally considered an experts only site because of the congestion. The best launch area is downwind of the pump station.

Surf Lessons and Camps

Mission Beach Surfing School

Mission Beach Surfing School offers surf lessons, surf camps, stand-up paddleboard lessons, kite surfing and wake surfing lessons. Instructors are certified in CPR, and also trained in ocean rescue and first aid. Group surf lessons are 1½ hours long with a student to instructor ratio of 4:1. Week-long surf camps begin in mid-June and continue through late August. Choose morning, afternoon, or all day.
Mission Beach Surfing School

San Diego Surf Lessons

Accredited instructors at San Diego Surf Lessons provide 1½ hour instruction in group, semi-private, or individual settings. Lessons are available 7 days a week from at 9 AM through 3 PM. Day camps for ages 6-17 are offered with CPR/Red Cross certified instructors. Week-long surf camps begin in mid-June and continue through late August.
San Diego Surf Lessons

Pacific Surf School

Pacific Surf School meets at Pacific Beach where they offer year-round surf lessons, surf camps, day camps, overnight camps, stand-up paddleboard lessons and kit surfing lessons. Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available along with weekend clinics. All instructors are certified in CPR and Red Cross first aid. Classes are limited to 1:4 ratio of instructor to students. Day camps run 5 days in the summer, offering morning, afternoon, or all day sessions.
Pacific Surf School

Surfboard, Paddleboard, and Bike Rentals

Cheap Rentals

Rentals of surfboards, swim fins, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, skimboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, skates, bikes and more.
3689 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach, CA
Cheap Rentals

Mission Surf

Surfboard rentals, also stand-up paddleboards and bikes
4320 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach
Mission Surf

Rays' Rentals

Rentals of surfboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, kayaks, skates, beach chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, and much more.
3221 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
655 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach
Ray's Rentals

RADD Action Sports

Rentals of surfboards, wetsuits, skimboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes
3837 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
RADD Action Sports

Cruiser King Bike Rentals

Beach cruiser bike rentals - men's, ladies', boys', girls', and electric
3830 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Cruiser King

Mission Beach Volleyball

South Mission Beach is home to the most volleyball action along the Golden Strand. Some of the courts are already equipped with nets and lines. The courts are open and available to the public all year round. Because of the courts' popularity, many try to arrive early and get in some games before 10 AM when the challenge rule goes into effect.

Fourteen volleyball courts at South Mission Beach were installed in 1997 with the help of basketball-greats Bill Walton and Bruk Vandeweghe and other supporters of beach volleyball. In 2002 the San Diego Beach Improvement Group (BIG) formed to maintain the volleyball courts along with nearby basketball courts. The non-profit's fund raising includes its King & Queen Beach Volleyball Celebration, a Silent Auction and the San Diego SIX-MAN Volleyball Fest. Money raised at these events is used to maintain the courts.

South Mission Beach 2017
Beach Volleyball Tournaments

California Beach Volleyball Association

Beach Volleyball Leagues,
Lessons and Camps

San Diego Beach Volleyball League

The San Diego Beach Volleyball League offers individualized clinics, group classes, and adult volleyball leagues. Co-ed 4x4 leagues are offered for C and B level players. The Beach Volleyball League also organizes tournaments. All classes meet at South Mission Beach. Confirm date and times on their website.

• Beginners Classes - Saturday or Sunday, noon to 1 PM
• Tweener Classes (between beginner and intermediate) - Saturday or Sunday, 1 PM to 2 PM
• Intermediate Class - Monday, 6 PM to 7 PM
• CBVA Training Classes - Saturday, Sunday 1 PM to 2 PM, Monday - Friday 8 AM to 9 AM
• Private Lessons (basic skills) Daily, 8 AM to 9:30 AM
• Team-In Training - Saturday or Sunday 8 AM to 9 AM

Club BeachDig

Club BeachDig offers training in beach volleyball to girls and women ages 8 to 26 at all skill levels. Their season runs from early May through July, broken into 4-week sessions that meet twice a week on weekdays from 4 PM to 8 PM. Practices are held at both South Mission Beach and La Jolla Shores. Club BeachDig also offers a variety of camps and clinics.

Sinjin Smith Beach Volleyball Camps

Sinjin Smith Beach Volleyball Camps for boys and girls ages 7 to 14 in San Diego are held at South Mission Beach from mid-June through August. The camp meets from 9 AM to noon. Participants may sign up for single day sessions, five to twenty sessions, or the entire summer. Their Sand and Sea Beach Camp has both morning and afternoon sessions.

West Wind Volleyball

West Wind Volleyball has programs for middle and high school girls and boys. Their week-long Sand Camps are scheduled for August at South Mission Beach. Camps runs from 7:30 AM to 9 or 9:30 AM.

San Diego Junior Lifeguards - 2021

Girls and boys ages 9 through 17 are invited to participate in San Diego's Junior Lifeguards, while those ages 7 and 8 can join the JGrommets. Online registration for 2021 begins March 6, 2021.

San Diego Junior Lifeguards and JGrommets

Junior Lifeguards develop of range of ocean related skills and information under the guidance of professional lifeguards. Participants learn about ocean and beach safety, first aid, CPR, and water rescue techniques while at the same time developing their physical fitness. Activities include body surfing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, beach games, and competition events.

JGrommets can participate in a week-long introduction to ocean awareness. Activities include ocean safety, open water swimming and other ocean activities.

Tryouts

All new participants in Junior Lifeguards and JGrommets must attend a tryout in order to participate. JGrommets must be able to swim 50 yards. Junior Lifeguards have more rigorous tryout requirements. Tryout dates are offered at various locations April through June.

2021 Junior Lifeguard Sessions

Junior Lifeguards choose either morning or afternoon sessions. Classes meet Monday through Friday at various locations around the Ocean Bay and La Jolla areas. (no class July 4)
Session 1 June 21 to July 16, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
Session 2 July 25 to August 20, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

2021 JGrommets Session

Session: July 19 to July 23, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.