Pacific Beach, known as simply “PB” to locals, is a beach community with one of San Diego’s best nightlife scenes. It neighbors La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach/Mission Bay to the south. The community was developed between 1886 and 1888 after the completion of a cross-country railroad in 1885. Soon after, a railway connected the area to downtown San Diego and La Jolla.
During World War II, the United States Navy operated an anti-aircraft training center in Pacific Beach. The population grew fix times during the war and development continued to increase in order to accommodate. So much so that a 30-foot height limitation for buildings was established in 1972 due to high-rise construction in nearby Mission Bay. Streets were named after late 19th century federal officials, incrementing in alphabetical order as they move further from the coast.
Activities are endless in the small community of Pacific Beach. The boardwalk, called Ocean Front Walk, stretches just over 3 miles along the beach and is connected to Crystal Pier, which includes an oceanfront hotel as well as a popular surf spot, Tourmaline, that Kelly Slater is known to frequent. The nightlife is comparable to the Gaslamp Quarter downtown, with many established bars and shops along Garnet Avenue, Grand Avenue, and Mission Boulevard, with a generally younger college crowd. Some favorites include Maverick’s Beach Club, Pacific Beach Shore Club, El Prez, The Local, and The Duck Dive. The area also includes the popular Kate Sessions Park, featuring a playground and a large lawn overlooking the ocean, a perfect place to wind down with family and friends.
