Pacific Beach San Diego Open Water Swimming

Pacific Beach access from the large parking lot at the foot of Grand Avenue or street parking along Mission Boulevard.

Best swimming before 8AM to avoid crowds. Lifeguards present 9AM-dusk year-round. Watch for strong rip currents, especially near Crystal Pier. Regular water quality updates available through San Diego County’s Beach Watch program. Accessible via MTS bus routes 8 and 9. Beach amenities include showers, restrooms, and a paved beachfront boardwalk.

Local swimmers often gather informally at Law Street beach access point early mornings – look for bright open water swim buoys. Confirm with them that the route to Crystal Pier marking the halfway point of a 2-mile stretch to La Jolla is a good one.