Mission Beach is a community spanning roughly two miles of ocean front on a strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. It was developed in the early 1900s after land sales were encouraged by its neighboring communities of Pacific Beach to the north and Ocean Beach to the south. John D. Spreckels offered small lots for sale in the area and many of the residential homes were built in the 1930s to 1940s. Mission Beach is the most densely developed community in the city of San Diego. It has the smallest lot sizes as well as a land use designation across the majority of the land of 36 dwelling units per acre.
In 1925, in an effort to stimulate land sales, John D. Spreckels built the historic amusement park, Belmont Park, originally named the Mission Beach Amusement Center. The park, featuring the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, is adjacent to the boardwalk where you can find people walking, rollerblading, skating, biking, and dining. The active lifestyle does not end there, with the Wave House Athletic Club located at the south end of Belmont Park, featuring a full service beachside fitness center. The area also has an active nightlife with many eateries and bars.
Mission Bay is a man made bay that borders Mission Beach to the east. It was created to enhance recreational opportunities, where you can find visitors wakeboarding, paddle boarding, and sailing, among other water activities. It encompasses Mission Bay Park, which allows overnight camping with an RV, and Fiesta Island, which has an off-leash dog park. At the southern end of the bay is SeaWorld, a tourist destination for many families visiting San Diego, featuring marine animal shows and thrill rides. Additionally, there are a few hotels and resorts, one of which is The Catamaran, situated right on The Bay.
