Mission Bay

Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. In 1944, a Chamber of Commerce committee suggested turning Mission Bay into a tourist and recreational center to help expand the city's mostly military community. In the late 1940s, they converted it into what is now beautiful Mission Bay Park. The park offers many recreational activities, including paths for walking, jogging, and biking, volleyball nets plus playgrounds for children.

Amenities

• Life Guards: Lifeguard stations are located in designated areas.
• Water Activity: There are 8 official designated swimming areas.
• Restrooms/Showers: Public restrooms and showers are available.
• Beach Fires: Fires permitted in designated fire rings.
• Dogs: Some areas in Mission Bay Park allow dogs to be on leashes, other areas such as Fiesta Island are leash free, and other areas do not allow dogs. Please pay attention to posted signs.
• Camping: There is a youth campground located on Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island and throughout the year youth groups with their leaders enjoy a full camping experience there. A permit is required to use this site. It is unlawful for adults to camp, sleep overnight or lodge overnight in Mission Bay Park.
• Fishing: Fishing is permitted in all areas of Mission Bay, except in areas designated for swimming, water skiing and personal water craft use (including take off and landing zones). Fishing is also not allowed from any bridge.
• Other Activities: Mission Bay offers boat docks and launching facilities, sailboat and motor rentals, bike/walk paths, basketball courts, and playgrounds for children.

Bonita Cove

West Bonita Cove has a large playground with a tot lot and access to the water with a lifeguard on duty. Fire rings, picnic tables, and barbeque grills are also available. East Bonita Cove has a comfort station with a beach rinse-off shower.

Crown Point

Crown Point is broken up into three areas: north, middle and south. It has one picnic shelter, picnic tables, barbeque grills, fire rings, and a small tot lot nearby. There is also a swimming area staffed with a lifeguard in the summer months. A boat launch and basketball courts are also available for use by the public.

De Anza Cove

This park has a volleyball area, a tot lot, park benches, picnic tables, and a path for jogging or bike riding. There is also a launch ramp for boats and jet skis, and pubic showers. Swimming, boating, and water skiing are allowed, and there is a lifeguard on duty during the summer months.

Fiesta Island

Fiesta Island is located in the center of Mission Bay. There are bonfire rings around the shore of the island, and dogs are allowed off their leashes. Skiing is permitted in Hidden Cove.

Hospitality Point

Hospitality Point is a large, grassy area with views of Mission Bay, the San Diego River and the Pacific Ocean. There are picnic tables, a picnic shelter, fire rings, and a path for jogging or bike riding.

Mariner's Point

Mariner's Point is a sandy peninsula off of Bonita Cove. The tip of the cove is a Least Tern bird-nesting preserve. Park users must be at least 500 feet away from this protected area. There is a picnic shelter and restrooms available, but swimming is not allowed.

Mission Point

Mission Point is located at the south end of Mission Blvd. Amenities include showers, a tot lot playground, picnic tables, park benches, fire rings and a path for jogging or bike riding. Swimming is permitted; however, there is no lifeguard on duty. Dogs on leashes are allowed before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Model Yacht Pond

The pond is used for sailboats and motorboats. The turf area south of the pond has plenty of shade, trees, and a large grassy area. Food is allowed, but no glass containers. Alcohol is not permitted. There are restrooms available, and parking is free.

Playa Pacifica

Playa Pacifica is located south of the Visitors Information Center and north of the Hilton Hotel on East Mission Bay Drive. During the summer months, a lifeguard is on duty in the swimming area. Here you can also find a tot lot, a picnic shelter, basketball courts, jogging path, and fire rings.

Rose Marie Starns South Shore Park

South Shores Park is the closest park to Sea World. It is a small park used for boating purposes with a boat ramp and RV dumps. There is a small grassy area with a few picnic tables. Since the lot is mostly for vehicles with trailers, there are few parking spots for vehicles without trailers.

Ski Beach

Ski Beach is located on east side of Vacation Isle off of Ingraham Street. It has a large grassy area, picnic tables, fire rings, and a path. There is also a boat ramp and ski area on the south side. There is no swimming allowed in this area.

Sunset Point

This park in Mission Bay is located at the northwest corner of Dana Basin, to the left of the Dana Landing Resort. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and a path for jogging or bike riding. During the summer, especially on weekends, arriving early is recommended since the parking lots fill up quickly.

Tecolote Shores North

Tecolote Shores is in East Mission Bay. It has showers, a playground, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and a path. Swimming is permitted, but there is no lifeguard on duty.

Vacation Isle

Vacation Isle East is located east of the Model Yacht Pond, and Vacation Isle West is located to the west of the pond. Both areas have sandy beaches, picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms.

Ventura Cove

This park in Mission Bay is located in the 1100 block of West Mission Bay Drive on the right-hand side of the street after crossing the channel. During the summer months, swimming is permitted, and there is a lifeguard on duty. Ventura Cove has picnic tables, benches, and fire rings.