Pacific Beach & Mission Beach
San Diego, 92109
a.k.a. Heaven on Earth
Pacific Beach (or PB to the locals) is a historic San Diego beach town, the "finest beach in the world," and home to a diverse array of people ranging from 20-somethings, to young families, to residents who have been here since almost the beginning.
We specialize in Pacific Beach homes & investment properties, and we cannot complain—it's a great place to live, work and play!
We've prepared this page to share a local's perspective on one of San Diego's most sought-after neighborhoods. But first, if you're curious about Pacific Beach homes for sale or how much your Pacific Beach home could sell for, start by creating your free San Diego MLS account!
Founded in 1887 by the Pacific Beach Company, a group of visionary developers with gusto in their hearts, PB is a special brand of unpretentious heaven on earth. With La Jolla to the north and Ocean Beach to the south, PB strikes a perfect balance between its neighbors—effortlessly glamorous beaches, miles of bike paths around a glimmering bay, a thriving restaurant and bar scene, and a laid-back flip-flop vibe. This San Diego neighborhood is about choosing to live the good life.
Empey Realty is headquartered in PB, and founded by a long-time PB resident. We strive to embody the spirit of PB—the thriving entrepreneurial spirit of its local businesses, the hardworking young professionals and families who live here, and the wisdom to know that life is for living, and sometimes you have to take a beach day.
Mission Beach shares the 92109 zip code, but it definitely has its own character. Located on a narrow strip of land between the awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean and peaceful, glimmering Mission Bay, there is nowhere in the world like Mission Beach. It's fun, funky, and stunningly gorgeous, like most of the people there.
We specialize in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach homes and investment property. The rental market in PB and Mission Beach is continually going through the roof, so it's a great place to invest in income property. For more on the San Diego investment property market, click here.
Otherwise, read on for our Local's Guide to Pacific Beach and Mission Beach—what to see, do, eat, and how to own property in our little slice of heaven.
A Local's Guide to Pacific Beach
Table of Contents
Pacific Beach & Mission Beach Parks, Trails, & Activities
Pacific Beach has a ton of fabulous parks where you can have picnics or celebrate holidays, birthdays, and more, with ocean views, bay views, or panoramic views of it all. Among our favorites are Kate Sessions Park, a large, sprawling grassy park up the hill on the way to Mount Soledad; the overlook at Law Street beach, where you might catch a free sunset yoga class; and of course Crown Point, with its rolling grassy hills abutting the peaceful bay.
Most parks and beaches are dog friendly and there are plenty of trails for biking, walking, running and skating. But be careful with the alcohol. They banned drinking on the beach and in parks several years ago and now if you get caught enjoying a glass of cabernet with your BBQ, it could cost you a hefty fine.
Aerial View of the Western Part of Mission Bay Aquatic Park, Mission Beach's Belmont Park in the Foreground
Let's not forget Mission Bay Aquatic Park, one of the finest and largest aquatic parks in the world. Visitors enjoy sailing, jet skis, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, and simply "beach cruising" along its gorgeous bayside and oceanfront bike paths.
Beach Cruising on Mission Bay
The ability to bike nearly everywhere you need to go is a huge reason people love living here. And while you're getting where you need to go, you've got ocean or bay views, and get to check out some of the best beach real estate in the world!
Couple Running on Mission Beach Boardwalk
And no visit to PB or Mission Beach would be complete without a ride on the historic Giant Dipper beachside rollercoaster at Belmont Park. Our recommendation: take a shot of tequila at Sandbar or the Coaster Saloon, then take a ride on the Giant Dipper at sunset. You cannot beat the panoramic views from the top of the rollercoaster, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and gorgeous Mission Bay on the other. Belmont park also offers arcade games, mini-golf, riding the wave machine, and lots of great restaurants and bars. Click the link to learn more about the history of Belmont Park, and then get your butt down here! Contact us any time for a tour!
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The Historic Giant Dipper Rollercoaster at Belmont Park
Pacific Beach Events & Other Fun Stuff To Do
There's never a shortage of a good time in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. For the latest local events, news, and gorgeous homes, follow us on social media using the icons below. And don't miss out on these classic recurring PB events:
The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year, but they're best known for the wild and crazy 2-weekend Over The Line Tournament on Fiesta Island each July.
The PB Farmer's Market, every Tuesday from 2:00-7:00 pm on Bayard St. between Garnet and Hornblend, has everything from fresh & local produce to bread, cheese, & delicious cooked food!
The San Diego Crew Classic in March, in which rowers from around the world come to compete on picturesque Mission Bay.
The North PB Sip 'N Stroll in July, showcasing local businesses within the community (with refreshments, naturally).
The Brazilian Day Festival in September.
The Pacific Islander Festival also in September.
Pacific BeachFest, the new take on the old PB Block Party, held in October.
The Pacific Beach Holiday Parade and Santa Run. For more pics of the holiday parade click here.
PB Holiday Parade Finale - Our Brave Firefighters from House 21!
Pacific Beach Schools
Pacific Beach is a community that cares, and it's reflected in the great schools available to PB residents. In San Diego Unified School District, schools in each community are organized into "clusters," which consist of a high school, and the middle and elementary schools which feed into it. Click the link for more information on San Diego Unified School District Clusters.
The group of schools serving Pacific Beach is called the Mission Bay Cluster, and consists of the Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy (K-6th), Sessions Elementary, Pacific Beach Elementary, Crown Point Junior Music Academy (K-5th), Pacific Beach Middle School, and Mission Bay High School. For a map of the schools in this cluster, click here.
Kids Playing in the Waves After School - Life is Good in PB!
Where to Eat, Drink & Enjoy Happy Hour In Pacific Beach
There are a ton of great places to eat, drink, and get a little tipsy (responsibly!) in PB. These are just a few of our favorites. Feel free to call us for a locals-style tour!
Mr. Frostie: A PB institution—established in 1949, this quintessential ice cream shop has amazing sandwiches, hot dogs, sundays, shakes, and of course, soft serve goodness. A perfect treat.
Isabel's Cantina: Delicious and healthy fare! Mostly farm-to-table, locally sourced ingredients, & inventive recipes fusing Mexican & Asian influences. Recommendation: Chicken pozole soup (always on special) & the jalapeño torta. Oh yeah, and brunch is really good too! And happy hour. Basically everything.
Amplified Ale Works (a.k.a. "Kebab Shop"): Second story beer garden with ocean views, house craft beer, a wide variety of other international brews, & delicious kebab sandwiches & salads. Great beer specials and dog friendly! Recommendation: A pint of Konig Pilsener & a kebab, naturally!
The Local Pacific Beach: Always a good time, with great live music and DJs. Awesome open deck with ocean views. Recommendation: Sunset happy hour, order a mule and fish tacos.
Open Bar: A locals-style dive bar half a block to the beach. Great for a stiff drink with friends in an unpretentious atmosphere. Recommendation: Shot of Jameson & people watching from the outdoor patio.
Lahaina Beach House: The one & only, legendary PB bar with open air deck on the ocean. Recommendation: Do not visit PB without having a drink and watching the sunset here. It's worth braving the crowds. Food is very good too. Cash only.
710 Beach Club: Another awesome establishment with a long history in PB. It has undergone renovations in recent years & is a great place to watch live music or sports, with great food & drink specials too. Check their entertainment lineup here, and don't forget that happy hour goes until 7:10!
Cass Street Bar & Grill: If the food wasn't so darn good, we'd call this a dive bar. But the food makes this nautical-themed locals spot much more than just pool & shuffleboard. Recommendation: Fresh fish plate or gumbo. You can't go wrong. Beer & wine only.
Bahia Don Bravo: Best Mexican food ever. Totally authentic, salsa made fresh daily, just amazing! They've been called the best fish taco in San Diego, second only to a food truck near the Mexican border. Recommendation: Crispy chicken tacos, fish tacos or mini (street-style) tacos.
Rocky's Crown Pub: Best burger in the world. A cozy no-frills, homestyle bar. You can order a hamburger or a cheeseburger, beer or wine, & that's it (well, fries, of course). Don't let the crowds scare you, just order and a seat will open up by the time your food comes.
Where to Eat, Drink & Enjoy Happy Hour In Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a little pocket of paradise on the south end of PB. Sometimes the line between the two blurs (in which case, take a cab). Here are some of our favorite places along the gorgeous peninsula we call Mission Beach (in order from north to south).
Rubicon Deli: "Bigger & Better" is how they roll, using only the best, fresh local veggies & meats and their famous breads which they bake fresh every day. Recommendation: The Crandie.
Saska's: This classic steakhouse has been there longer than Disneyland has existed. The Saska family recently sold it to another PB restauranteur, but some family members continue to work there. Great food & stiff drinks in an Old Mission Beach atmosphere. Lots of history here. Recommendation: Steak & lobster, side salad w/ house-made honey bleu cheese dressing. Ask for Billy.
Olive Cafe: A cozy converted house coffee shop with great breakfast & lunch. Order at the counter & enjoy your breakfast in the "living room" by the fireplace, or out on the deck, watching the beach cruisers roll by.
Sandbar & Coaster Saloon: Two great sportsbar & grill options right across from the historic Giant Dipper rollercoaster at Belmont Park. They both have great food, atmosphere & beers on tap! We recommend a shot and then a ride on the rollercoaster!
Beachcomber: The "dive-iest" bar on our list, this IS Old Mission Beach. Definitely worth checking out if you want interact with the locals.
It's Always a Good Time at Saska's, A Mission Beach Tradition
Pacific Beach & Mission Beach
Real Estate
The Pacific Beach real estate market is very unique, and heavily in demand. We are actively involved in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach real estate, so if you ever want to know what's going on in the current market or would like access to the San Diego MLS, give us a call!
If you own a home in Pacific Beach, you might be surprised at how much you could sell for. There is a severe shortage of properties for sale in Pacific Beach, and overwhelming demand. This market gives you incredible leverage during the initial contract negotiations, which you must take advantage of in order to make the escrow process as smooth and predictable as possible. If you'd like a free home value analysis or to discuss the strategies you should employ when it's time to sell your home, give our broker Lauren a call today!
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Pacific Beach Real Estate By the Numbers
We update these stats each month. The numbers you see below represent last month's sales activity.
Pacific Beach Investment Property is a Great Way to Watch Your Money Grow as Rents Keep Going Up!
It's a Great Time to Buy Pacific Beach & Mission Beach Investment Property...
...And Oceanfront Luxury Homes Too!