Given that San Diego County has about 70 miles of Pacific coastline, you’re gonna want to make a trip to the beach during your San Diego vacation. But choosing the right stretch of sand in a city that's famous for them can be difficult. Each beach has its own personality, and you don’t want to bring your surfboard to an area better suited to wading through tidepools, now do you? Below, we’ve pulled together a list of our favorite San Diego beaches, organized according to the sorts of things you can (or can’t) do there.

For Sporty Types: Mission Beach

• Why: From sand volleyball games worthy of Top Gun to basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and ultimate frisbee fields, this popular one-mile beach stays active day and night. Trainers at nearby Wave House Athletic Club even offer beachfront boot camps.
• Where to stay: Hotel Iris pairs vintage vibes with boutique amenities, and it’s just a 15-minute drive from the sand.

For Dog Lovers: Ocean Beach Dog Beach

• Why: Pooches can roam off leash at any time of day or night at this 24-hour beach. A wide expanse of sand offers excellent conditions for adding a game of fetch to your San Diego vacation itinerary.
• Where to stay: The Ocean Villa Inn is located right next door, and, most important, it’s dog-friendly.

For Underwater Explorers: La Jolla Cove

• Why: Out of the long list of San Diego beaches, this picturesque spot on the city's north side boasts some of the richest marine life. It’s practically screaming for a scuba-diving or snorkeling excursion.
• Where to stay: La Jolla Cove Suites, set right on the beach

For Beachcombers: Shell Beach

• Why: You don’t have to strap on a snorkel to see crabs, anemones, and other forms of marine life here. Tide pools filled with interesting creatures form right along the shoreline at low tide, giving visitors on foot easy access.  
• Where to stay: The Hotel La Jolla offers 4-star accommodations less than 2 miles away.

For Beach Bums: Silver Strand State Beach

• Why: If you’re looking to trade the raucous crowds of Mission Beach for some peace and quiet, head to Silver Strand just south of Coronado for unspoiled views, great fishing opportunities, and nothing more strenuous than hunting for the beach’s trademark silver shells.
• Where to stay: Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa shares the island with the beach—and is every bit as restful.

For Surfers: Tourmaline Surfing Park

• Why: Generations of surfers have cut through the cliffs of Tourmaline Canyon to reach this popular spot, where the waves are plentiful and the regulars live by the mantra "Surf Well, Spread Aloha, Share Waves Without Judgment."
• Where to stay: Gaslamp Plaza Suites provides a cosmopolitan counterpoint to a day on the waves.