Mission Bay Park

Mission Bay Park is the kind of place San Diego families take for granted until out-of-town relatives visit and can't believe it's free. At 4,600 acres, it's the largest aquatic park in the country — a massive stretch of calm bay water, sandy beaches, grassy lawns, playgrounds, and 27 miles of paved bike paths that give families an almost unlimited number of ways to spend a day outside.

For families with young kids, the real draw is the calm bay water. Unlike the Pacific Ocean, the bay beaches — particularly at spots like Bonita Cove, Vacation Isle, and Crown Point Shores — are shallow and gentle, making them genuinely safe for toddlers to wade and young kids to swim. No riptides, no heavy surf, just warm water and sandy shores.

Older kids and tweens can graduate to the rentals available through Mission Bay Sportcenter: kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and bikes. Renting bikes and riding the 27-mile path around the bay is a favorite family activity that covers real distance without requiring any prior outdoor skill.

Playground equipment is scattered throughout the park at multiple locations, including Tecolote Shores North and South, which have well-maintained climbing structures right next to bay access. Crown Point Shores has picnic facilities with grills and covered areas for larger family gatherings.

Parking is generally free throughout the park, though the popular spots fill fast on summer weekends. Arriving before 9am secures your choice of location. Weekday visits are consistently calm and rarely crowded.

There are no park-wide concessions, so packing a cooler is the standard move. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach's restaurant strips are 5-10 minutes away by car for a post-park meal.