Rules and Regulations in Mission Beach

• What time is Mission Beach Open?
• When does Mission Beach Close?
• Covid-19 Regulations
• All Rules, Restrictions and Regulations
• Are dogs allowed in Mission Beach?

COVID-19 Mission Beach Rules & Hours

Per the San Diego County public health order in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this park is open for passive use only. Please follow the temporary protocols below for enjoying our parks and trails.

• Passive use only, such as walking, jogging, or hiking.
• No congregating or participating in sports activities, except for member of the same household or if practicing social distancing.
• Do not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact.
• Maintain social distancing of a minimum of 6-feet (1.8 meters)
• Wear face covering when in the parks and on the trails.
• Do not enter the parts of trails if you have a cough or fever.

Failure to follow these requirements may result in closure of the amenities. Please check www.sandiego.gov/status for updates regarding closers and restrictions. If you see something that needs attention, please submit the AskParks or the GetItDone app.

Hours & Curfews

What time is mission beach open?

Lifeguards generally start at 9am to patrol the water. What hours is Mission Beach open? The beach is open to the public during the day hours starting at dawn. There are specific curfews in Mission Beach, especially for special occasions like the covid 19 pandemic.

What time does Mission Beach close?

While there are not specific hours of operation or a closing time posted by the city for the general Mission Beach area, there are a number of curfews and restrictions you should be aware of:

• Once Lifeguards are off-duty water activities are no longer recommended until lifeguards return at 9am the next day
• Additional restrictions are included for tomes dogs are allowed on beaches and boardwalk
• Use of fire pits between is not allowed 12pm – 5 am
• Loud noise is never allowed. And regulations are in place for quiet hours to be observed after 10pm everyday
• Gathering of large groups is only allowed by permit

Regulations for Beaches, Cliffs, Walkways, Park Areas and Adjacent Parking Lots

• 

No Dogs

From November 1 through March 31, dogs are NOT allowed on the beach between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. From April 1 through October 31, dogs are NOT allowed on the beach between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. At all other hours, dogs must be leashed. Owners are expected to pick up after their dog. Dogs are prohibited at other hours of the day, except at Dog Beach (adjacent to Ocean Beach) and Fiesta Island (in Mission Bay). Visit our complete page for Dog Rules in Mission Beach fully explained.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are staffed year around at the permanent lifeguard stations (Ocean Beach, South Mission Beach, Mission Beach, North Pacific Beach, Pacific Beach, Children’s Pool, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores). In summer, additional lifeguards are staffed in seasonal lifeguard towers. Lifeguards are generally on duty from 9:00 a.m. to dusk; check with lifeguards for specific staff hours. It is a misdemeanor to fail to follow the lawful order of a lifeguard or to provide false information to a lifeguard. Any person who intentionally injures a lifeguard in California may be convicted of felony battery.

Fire Pits

Where fire pits are provided during the summer months, they are available on a first come, first served basis. The burning of rubbish is prohibited. Only wood, charcoal or paper products may be used as fuel. Fuel for the fire may not exceed a height of more than twelve inches above the upper edge of the fire container. The fire must be extinguished before leaving the beach. Fires are not allowed between midnight and 5 a.m. Coals must be removed or deposited in hot coal containers. Open beach fires outside containers are prohibited at all San Diego beaches.

Swimming

Never swim alone. Always swim near a lifeguard. Water areas off the major beaches are divided into swimming and surfing zones. A black and yellow checkered flag will normally be posted between zones. Check signs or ask a lifeguard for the proper zone for your activity.

Surfing

Water areas off the major beaches are divided into swimming and surfing zones to separate these users. A black and yellow checker flag will normally be posted between zones. Check signs or ask a lifeguard for the proper zone for your activity. Regardless of the area of use, it is unlawful to use any water recreational device (surfboard, boat, etc.) in a manner which endangers others.

Scuba

If you’re planning to dive, telephone the lifeguard beach information line (619-221-8824) for surf information before coming to the beach and always check with lifeguards before diving.

Fishing

Where fishing is permitted from the pier, a fishing license is not required, but catch regulations are enforced.

Boat Launch

La Jolla Shores has the only beachfront boat launch within City limits. Small vessels can be launched directly into the surf at the foot of Avenida de la Playa, approximately 300 yards south of the lifeguard station. This is an unimproved boat launch and vehicles are allowed to drive on the sand in a very limited area at five miles per hour or less. Four wheel drive is highly recommended.

Disabled Accessibility

The boardwalk and areas adjacent to the beach are accessible by wheelchair.

Beach Wheelchairs

A limited number of wide-tire beach wheelchairs are available from the lifeguards.

Large Groups

The basic rule of thumb is that any gathering of more than 50 people requires a permit from the Park and Recreation Department. A permit is also required for a wedding, water event, athletic event, voice and/or music amplification, or use of special setup equipment (such as an inflatable party jump, dunk tank, canopy, etc.) For permit information call Regional Parks at (619) 235-1169.

Boardwalk Speed Regulations

On the Mission Beach/Pacific Beach boardwalk, the maximum speed limit is 8 mph (13 kph).

No Motorized Scooters or Vehicles on Boardwalk

This includes electric scooters, motorized skateboards, bikes and mopeds.