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Living In Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach, or PB as locals call it, is a vibrant beachside community in San Diego that attracts beachgoers, surfers, and sun-lovers alike. Residents living in Pacific Beach enjoy access to boutique shops, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafes, with many businesses backing to the beautiful boardwalk and sandy beaches. While Pacific Beach has a reputation as a party haven for young adults, PB is a popular choice for home buyers of all ages – anyone seeking leisure, entertainment, and relaxation. Just south of La Jolla and Mount Soledad, this eclectic neighborhood offers three miles of boardwalk and an endless beach vacation vibe. Despite its spring-break-like atmosphere during weekends and holidays, PB is relatively mellow on weekdays and during cooler weather. A walk along the boardwalk is a great way to get a feel for the area, where you can see a mix of tourists and locals enjoying the sand and surf.

$1,700,000 Median

$758,000 Median

San Diego Unified

0 Min to Beach

15 Min to Downtown

15 Min to Airport

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About Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach is one of the oldest suburbs in San Diego, dating back to 1887. The establishment of the San Diego and Old Town Railway in 1888 connected Pacific Beach to downtown San Diego, and the town saw an influx of lemon growers and packers at the turn of the century. In the 1920s, Crystal Pier and the Roxy Movie theater opened and following World War II, many hotels were established. During the 1960s, the city invested in Mission Bay Park, which led to more development in the area. When UC-San Diego opened in La Jolla in 1960, more people settled in the area, including young adults chasing the allure of fun, sun, and waves in one of the most beautiful parts of San Diego.

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Pacific Beach Education

Pacific Beach Schools

Schools in Pacific Beach are part of the San Diego Unified School District. The neighborhood has an overall A-rating on A-rating on Niche.com though the schools aren’t as highly rated as in other parts of San Diego. Still, many of the schools are rated 7 or higher on Great Schools and the proximity to La Jolla public schools and private schools make living in Pacific Beach a great choice for families looking for a quality education for their children.

Pacific Beach Elementary Schools include Pacific Beach Elementary, Kate Sessions Elementary, and Barnard Elementary. Barnard Elementary is notable as it is a Mandarin Magnet school and students spent part of each day immersed in the Mandarin language. Some homes in the northern part of the 92109 zip code are inside the boundary to send their kids to Bird Rock Elementary, in the neighboring community of Bird Rock. The primary middle school for this neighborhood is Pacific Beach Middle School. Again, some homes will be inside the boundary for Muirlands Middle School in La Jolla. Most older kids go to Mission Bay High School, with some Pacific Beach homes having the option to send their teens to La Jolla High School. Private schools and alternative schooling options include Crown Point Jr Music Academy and St. Paul’s Lutheran School. In La Jolla and UTC, you’ll find the Bishops School and the Preuss School.

Pacific Beach Living

Pacific Beach Shopping & Local Businesses

Pacific Beach residents love supporting local businesses. You’ll find more independently owned shops than national chains, along with a wide variety of local restaurants and bars. Nostalgic food stops Mr. Frostie and Kono’s Café are popular with both locals and tourists.

On the boardwalk, visitors can stroll along the beach while browsing through local shops and enjoying the ocean views. Whether you’re looking for a new swimsuit, souvenir, or unique beach-themed décor, there’s something for everyone. Meanwhile, Garnet Avenue offers a lively party scene, with clubs, bars, restaurants, and shops that cater to all tastes. Pacific Beach’s first food hall just opened on the corner of Mission and Garnet! With more than six restaurants slated to occupy the space, Mission + Garnet is must-visit if you’re touring Pacific Beach. Be sure to also grab a drink and kick back and relax at a rooftop bar!

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Around The Area

Browse through the top rated businesses that Pacific Beach has to offer!

Surf, Relax, and Enjoy Coastal Bliss

Pacific Beach Lifestyle

The Pacific Beach lifestyle is vibrant and filled with plenty to see and do. Most notably, residents enjoy spending time at the beach or catching a wave at one of the many spectacular surf breaks along the three-mile stretch of sand. Tourmaline Beach, the neighborhood's northernmost beach, is a coveted surfing-only beach that is great for novice surfers, longboarders, windsurfers, and kiteboarders. North Pacific Beach is a calm stretch of beach that is perfect for families with lifeguard-supervised swimming areas and facilities. Pacific Beach from Crystal Pier to Pacific Beach Drive offers a mix of amenities, including dedicated parking and bathrooms along with bicycle rentals, beachside restaurants, bars, and lifeguard stands. Parking can be a challenge, but the lot at Tourmaline Street and side roads on the north side of the pier are good options.

As we mentioned above, one of the best ways to get a feel for the Pacific Beach lifestyle is to explore the boardwalk. Stretching 3.2 miles, the boardwalk runs from Law Street in North Pacific Beach to the South Mission Beach jetty. This exclusive pedestrian walkway is safe to stroll and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including bike riding, jogging, walking, and roller blading. Grab a breakfast burrito at the famous Kono’s Café or pick up a sweet treat at the Baked Bear to enjoy while you walk.

Crystal Pier is a historic San Diego landmark and privately-owned pier in Pacific Beach. Built in 1927, the pier is accessible to the public during the day and offers great views of the Pacific Beach shoreline. The pier is a popular spot for fishing, whale-watching, and watching surfers catch waves. The beach end of the pier has over-the-water vacation cottages for rent, which are a unique accommodation option in San Diego. The pier is located at the end of Garnet Avenue, the main street in Pacific Beach, which is home to many boutique shops, restaurants, and bars.

Nearby Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, and Belmont Park offer a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. Sail Bay, part of Mission Bay, provides a continuous sandy beach and a paved walkway called Bayside Walk. Anglers can also enjoy prime shore fishing in Fishermen’s Channel, where spotted bay bass, corvine, halibut, leopard sharks, bat rays, barred sand bass, and calico bass can be found. Fanuel Street Park, located along Sail Bay, is a popular section of Mission Bay Park with an expansive grassy area and playground equipment right on the beach, perfect for families. Crown Point Park, located on the southern portion of Pacific Beach, has numerous basketball and beach volleyball courts, a boat launch, and a spacious sandy area. Belmont Park, San Diego's iconic beachfront amusement park offers games, rides, and entertainment, including the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster and The Plunge swimming pool.

Heading inland, you’ll find the beautiful Kate Sessions Park which boasts some of the best views in San Diego. On clear days, you can enjoy panoramic views from Bird Rock down to the city of San Diego, with Coronado Island and Mexico glittering in the distance. Residents can engage in a variety of outdoor activities, including Frisbee, barbecuing, and picnicking on the expansive grassy slope. Dogs are a common sight, although off-leash play is technically not allowed. The 79-acre park is named after Kate Sessions, a well-known horticulturist in San Diego.

Local News & Advice

Read helpful resources and articles related to the area.

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