At the bottom of Southern California, San Diego County stretches for 70 miles, occupying some of the nation’s most pristine coastline. From world-class waves to coastal hikes, San Diego’s beaches have it all. From our Oceanside boutique hotel, you’re just a short walk away from Oceanside’s sprawling coastline, where some of the most consistent waves in all of San Diego country break. As the northernmost town in San Diego County, Oceanside is a gateway to San Diego’s illustrious coastline and charming beachside communities. Dive in below as we highlight our favorite spots from North to South on the coast in The Greenroom Hotel’s Guide to the Best San Diego Beaches.

North County San Diego Beaches

Oceanside Pier/ Harbor

In terms of consistency and exposure to year-round swell, Oceanside takes the cake when compared to other San Diego beaches. Oceanside gets swell from all directions, with exposure to summer south swells, winter north swells, and everything in between. Beyond surfing, Oceanside has several long sandy beaches that are perfect for unwinding in the sun. Just a short walk from our Oceanside hotel will have you planted in the sand at South Oceanside Beach. After a day in the sun and the surf, downtown renowned Oceanside’s breweries, eateries, and distilleries await.

Swami’s Beach Park

For surfers, Swami’s stands as the ultimate point break in San Diego. Swami’s is a reliable righthand point break that produces long, rippable walls. The wave at Swami’s is a favorite for solid winter swells that reel down the point and offer surfers an open canvas. As a beach, Swami’s is a delight to visit. Swami’s Seaside Park offers clifftop views of the waves as well as running and walking paths.

Grandview

Grandview in Leucadia is one of many cliff-lined San Diego beaches in North County, offering stunning ocean views, long sandy expanses for walking and running, and reliable waves. Grandview is a quiet neighborhood beach with a reliable reef break.

Del Mar

Del Mar may only occupy a small section of San Diego County's coastline, but its beaches are well worth a visit. In the 2-mile stretch of coastline, a Del Mar beachgoer can expect sandstone coastal bluffs and a relaxed crowd of mostly locals, surfers, walkers, runners, and sunbathers. Powerhouse Park and Seagrove Park are the two main beach parks, and the area is home to North County’s only official dog beaches.

San Diego Proper

Torrey Pines State Beach

Towering sea cliffs meet a crashing sea at Torrey Pines. Torrey Pines State Reserve offers hiking, running, and walking trails amongst the massive seaside cliffs. Below lies one of the best waves in Southern California— Black’s Beach. Black’s is a peaky, steep beach break that holds size and breaks with force. As far as scenic beaches go, those at Torrey Pines are hard to beat. The cliffs stretch 350 feet into the sky, making the walk down to the beach more of a hike. Black’s Beach, while one of San Diego’s most coveted surf breaks, is also a clothing-optional beach. So, don’t be surprised if you get out of the water and find that a few sunbathers are missing their clothes.

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla offers gentle waves, perfect for logging, idyllic palm tree-lined streets, and a charming local community close to the heart of San Diego. Based on an analysis of Instagram hashtags, La Jolla Cove was judged to be San Diego’s most beautiful beach. The secluded cove, tucked away amongst the overhanging sea cliffs is the perfect place to take a dip in the Pacific or lay out with a book for the day.

South Bay San Diego Beaches

Coronado

Coronado’s wide sandy expanse is the most pristine stretch of coastline in the South Bay area. Home of the luxurious Hotel Del Coronado and pricey seaside homes, Coronado offers a well-visited yet luxe beach experience. Beyond its popularity with visiting families, Coronado is one of the most in-demand wedding venues of all the San Diego beaches.

Plan your SoCal getaway with the Green Room Hotel and stay in the heart of South Oceanside. Our South Oceanside location gives guests unrivaled access to both Oceanside and Carlsbad. Our guests can enjoy all our community has to offer, from the beaches to the breweries, coffee shops, and more.