Best Beach in El Capitan Reservoir

"South Carlsbad State Beach is a beautiful stretch of protected coastline with white sand, coastal bluffs, and warm water. The beach offers an array of outdoor activities to enjoy –  swimming, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing, shelling, and of course just hanging out. South Carlsbad State Beach is one of the top Carlsbad attractions.Carlsbad Village The bluffs above the beach offer excellent camping, and the 220-site South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is very popular with easy access to the beach and amenities such as bathrooms with showers, electricity, and water and Wi-Fi."

"San Diego's monument to sports and fitness, this 4,600-acre aquatic park has 27 miles of shoreline including 19 miles of sandy beaches."

"Tide Beach Park is located approximately 1/2 mile north of Fletcher Cove at Solana Vista and Highway 101. The beach itself is primarily known for its large reef, or “Table Tops,” and its San Diego tide pools. Lifeguards are on duty there during the summer months."

"Why go: You’re at the Children’s Pool and would like to step out on the sand to explore a different beach. South Casa Beach is located directly south of the Children’s Pool (which is also referred to as Casa Beach). In fact, it’s just on the other side of the Children’s Pool lifeguard station, which also services South Casa Beach."

"South Casa Beach is a small triangle-shaped cove just south of Children’s Pool Beach in La Jolla. Children’s Pool is also known as Casa Beach so this beach got the […]"

"Parts of this three-mile stretch of beach located just south of Del Mar lie below beautiful bluffs and winding hiking trails. Lifeguards usually staff the north end of the beach, which is where the bathrooms and showers also sit. Nice swaths of sand mark the beach, which is a favorite with families, boogie boarders, and sunbathers."

"For a truly unique San Diego hiking experience you simply can’t get anywhere else, head to Torrey Pines State Beach. Torrey Pines offers a multitude of trails, and none is particularly challenging. However, the views are spectacular."

"The park was named after Christopher (Kit) Carson, the famous scout who guided Captain John C. Fremont over the Sierra Nevada Mountains during a government exploration expedition. The City of Escondido acquired the land for its largest regional park from the City of San Diego in 1967. Address:3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025"

"Peaceful, aromatic, and oh so colorful, the San Diego Botanic Gardens are where we go when we just need some time to ourselves. Stroll through gardens in different stages of bloom, admiring the beauty that surrounds you as you feel your mind quiet down. Open every day from 9-5 (closed on Christmas!), you can’t have the same experience twice!"

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."

"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."

"Comprising 1,200 acres in San Diego, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States, and also one of the oldest. It features over 15 museums, meandering paths, overflowing gardens, green belts, several theaters, gift shops, restaurants, a carousel, mini railroad, and San Diego Zoo. Admittance to the park is free, as is access to the luscious gardens, trails, The Botanical Building, and Timken Art Museum."

"Families appreciate the beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities at Balboa Park. This expansive outdoor space includes 17 museums, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and over a dozen different gardens. Many visitors come here to enjoy the Pepper Grove Playground, a large kids' recreation area with slides, swings, a jungle gym, sandbox, playing fields, and picnic tables."

"This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings."

"The San Diego Asian Pacific Historic District, San Diego’s historic Chinatown, is an eight-block district adjacent to and in part overlapping with the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District. The San Diego Chinatown is bounded by Market Street on the north, 2nd Ave. on the west, 6th ave. on the east and J st. on the south. 22 structures are considered historically contributing."

"The Chinese Historical Museum displays Chinese-American art, culture and history. Housed in a restored mission-style building, exhibits include miniature models, historic photographs and rare artifacts related to the heritage of San Diego’s Chinese community. *Small donation requested."

"The Seeley Stable Museum is a reproduction of the Yuma to San Diego stage stop. It displays a wide collection of 19th-century transportation vehicles and equipment as well as other rare artifacts."

"This hike will take you through unique rock structures, and at the end, you can enjoy the sunset from the beach (a sometimes nude one). Don’t forget to check out the Mushroom House too while you’re there. More: Photo Guide to Hiking the Ho Chi Minh Trail"