Mission Bay San Diego, CA
Do you want to know about a spot in San Diego where you can snorkel, skate, have a picnic, and play with your dog(s)—all in one day? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been saying that San Diego is a city full of incredible “spots,” and we’re excited to show you exactly what we mean.
Let’s talk about the Mission Bay Area, one of our favorite places to explore in San Diego. This neighborhood has gorgeous parks set against the bay, making it the perfect playground for outdoor lovers. Gustavo, Molly (our golden retriever), and I have spent countless days discovering special spots. Whenever we visit, we make it a point to leave the area better than we found it, picking up any trash along the way. It’s a small gesture, but we believe giving back to these natural spaces is part of truly enjoying them.
One of our go-to spots within Mission Bay is Mission Point Park, a peaceful green space with sweeping views of the water. There’s a small, tucked-away beach here that’s ideal for snorkeling, protected by natural rock barriers that create calm waters. Underneath the surface, you might spot stingrays gliding along the sandy bottom, colorful fish darting between the rocks, and if you’re lucky—seals, sea lions, or even a dolphin or two!
After a refreshing morning snorkel, it’s time to dry off and grab your board. A smoothly paved path winds along the water’s edge, perfect for skateboarding. You can take the path bayside for quieter views or beachside for a livelier scene. After about 15 minutes of skating, you’ll reach Mission Boulevard, lined with fun shops and delicious eateries waiting to refuel you, and also a sweet Amusement Park.
One of our favorite stops is Olive Café, a cozy spot serving hearty breakfasts, fresh pastries, delicious salads, and great coffee. I couldn’t resist their breakfast quesadilla—warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor—while Gustavo loved the chicken pesto sandwich. Both dishes hit the spot and gave us the energy to keep adventuring.
Not far from Olive Café, we also discovered Ray’s Rentals, located on the corner of West Mission Bay Drive and Mission Boulevard. This friendly rental shop has everything you need for a day of fun—surfboards, bikes, skateboards, and more, all at super reasonable prices. Surfing has been on both mine and Gus’s bucket list, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to rent a couple of soft-top boards and hit the waves. We brought them over to Tourmaline Surfing Park, a local-favorite beginner-friendly break, and had an unforgettable session in the sun.
By the end of the day, we couldn’t stop smiling—from snorkeling with sea life, skating by the bay, savoring a delicious meal, to catching waves on our boards, it felt like we’d packed a whole weekend of fun into just one day.
So next time you’re in San Diego, you have to check out this incredible “spot.” Whether you’re a beach bum, adventure seeker, or simply want to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors, the Mission Bay Area has something for everyone.
Have you been to Mission Bay in San Diego? Or are you adding it to your list? Let us know—we’d love to hear about your own favorite San Diego spots!
