…………………………………………………………..©SanDiegoSunCoast.com
Can’t decide whether you want to swim, kite surf, sail, bike, or cook up some burgers? Head to Mission Bay and do it all! Nothing is better than a day spent around the water, then around a bright bonfire as the sun dips over the horizon. Mission Bay is San Diego’s very own answer to New York City’s Central Park. Winding its way through 27 miles of sand, resort hotels and marinas, Mission Bay spreads over a diverse 4,000 acres of water and green-space. Nestled between urban and beach, Mission Bay offers a plethora of outdoor activities, sandy coves and water from bay to ocean.
The parks and beach areas situated along Mission Bay welcome everyone. Parking is free, handicapped resources are generally available, picnic facilities abound, and water sport rentals are close at hand. Here you can still find fire pits [for now...]
“No more fire pits, why not?” Read on…
The city of San Diego, in an effort to cut back operating costs, has eliminated fire pit maintenance from their budget. Upon hearing of this sudden cut, an anonymous donor gifted the city enough money to keep these bonfires alight until June 2010. The city has established a website to solicit more funds. However, the site is largely unknown, and is far from reaching it’s goal with just a few months left. We may soon be left without the crackling welcome of the beach bonfire at our twilight gatherings. A tradition up in smoke? We hope not.
Ride the waves or your favorite horse…
On Fiesta Island, dogs are allowed to participate in all the beach fun normally reserved for their humans. Almost all of Fiesta Island is a leash-free area, so pups are welcome to splash, sniff, and play until they are weak with glee. On a recent visit, dogs were nearly outnumbered by horses, [see photo above] as Fiesta Island played host to a day-long equestrian outing, attended by nearly 50 horses and their riders. It’s official: dogs aren’t the only four-footed critters eager for a romp in the waves!
Off the shores in Fiesta Bay, water sports rule, with jet skis and speedboats churning up waves in the Bay and creating regular ’surf’ as the wakes break on the beach. Sail Bay is devoted to sail boats and sports, where they can catch the wind in the calmer waters.
For little ones eager to swim, there are some sheltered coves along the Bay, but in general swimmers must be very cautious of the drop-off. The depth can change suddenly, with water once knee-deep, now overhead. Areas with the most regular lifeguard staffing are Bonita Cove near Mission Beach, and Leisure Lagoon & De Anza Cove off Mission Bay Drive on the eastern side of Mission Bay. None of these however are under constant supervision, so swimmers must always beware.
Bike miles of traffic-free paths, hike, sail, ski, go boating, fish, romp or play. Picnic, gather, soak up the sun or just hang with a good book, Mission Bay is definitely the ‘Central Park’ of San Diego’s recreational diversity!
