Mission Bay, South Shores Park

Located to the east of SeaWorld San Diego, South Shores Park - also known as Rose Marie Starns South Shores Park - is a grassy recreational park that has an unnamed beach with light brown sand. This beach is also known as South Shores Park Beach. South Shores Park is situated in the southern part of a larger municipal aquatic park known as Mission Bay Park. Portions of South Shores Park also have beautiful coastal scrub vegetation. 

While South Shores Park does not have lifeguards, the park has many other amenities including a boat ramp, picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, a shaded picnic area, a paved bike path, and benches. Dogs on leash are allowed in the park before 9 am and after 6 pm between April and October. Between November and March, dogs are allowed before 9 am and after 4 pm. 

South Shores Park offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, picnicking, wildlife watching, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, and boating. The generally calm water near the beach in South Shores Park makes it ideal for beginner swimmers, kayakers, canoers, and paddleboarders. If you like birdwatching, you can view many varieties of shorebirds around South Shores Park. In addition, you can also view cedar waxwings and white-crowned sparrows in South Shores Park. If you are planning to fish in the water near South Shores Park, please make sure that you follow the local fishing regulations. You can also explore the interesting coastal scrub vegetation present in South Shores Park - during spring, many varieties of flowers bloom here, which adds a vibrant glow to the parks’ scenery. Fire pits present around the beach in South Shores Park also offer an amazing waterfront bonfire session. However, if you are planning to organize a bonfire in South Shores Park, you can visit the city of San Diego’s official website to obtain more information about the bonfire regulations in Mission Bay Park.  The Mission Bay Bike Path passes through this beach and offers a fun biking experience along the Mission Bay Park shoreline. 

Getting to South Shores Park is easy - from Interstate Highway 5, you need to turn west towards SeaWorld Drive, and then turn towards South Shores Parkway. South Shores Parkway will lead you to the park. A free parking lot is also available near this park. 

There are many attractions near South Shores Park. Point Loma Native Plant Garden features a variety of rare and endangered plants which are found along the San Diego River. USS Midway Museum is set in an aircraft carrier that participated in World War Two and was one of the longest-serving United States Navy aircraft carriers of the 20th century. This immensely popular museum features interesting historical exhibits, along with an aircraft gallery, a cafeteria, and a gift shop. If you are looking for another attraction near South Shores Park, The Maritime Museum of San Diego has an interesting collection of renovated historical ships, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship Star of India.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near South Shores Park. Sushi Tadokoro is an upscale Japanese restaurant that serves amazing sushi and sashimi. This restaurant has also been praised by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. Cesarina is an Italian restaurant which is known for serving outstanding pasta and Italian desserts. In addition, this restaurant has also been praised by the PACIFIC magazine. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near South Shores Park, Classics Malt Shop has a vintage ambiance. This restaurant also offers excellent burgers, sandwiches, fries, and hot dogs.

If you are looking for a hotel near South Shores Park, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Paradise Point Resort & Spa offers many amenities including five pools, four restaurants, spa, a marina, an 18-hole golf course, a fitness center, and tennis and basketball courts. In addition, the hotel also organizes exciting lawn games. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Wyndham Garden San Diego near SeaWorld which offers many amenities including a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near South Shores Park, the modestly priced 2-Star Motel 6 San Diego Near Seaworld is located conveniently close to some of the major landmarks in San Diego and also offers complimentary morning coffee and tea.