A true California beach town, Pacific Beach exudes a vibe of youth, hipness, surf, and sand. Hop on a beach cruiser and peddle along the shore on a cement boardwalk while the salt air blows through your hair. Grab a surfboard and catch some waves alongside Crystal Pier. Pop into a secondhand shop and buy some vintage jeans. Enjoy a tasty burger and a cocktail on the patio of one of many bars and grills. You're in Pacific Beach and fun is always in season, no matter what time of year you find yourself here.

The most popular Pacific Beach attraction is, of course, the beach. And there are miles of it. The shores of Pacific Beach are a great place to enjoy a game of horseshoes or a nighttime bonfire in one of many open pits. Best of all, though, Pacific Beach is the only place in California where you can enjoy a beer on the sand.

At the northern end of Pacific Beach is historic Crystal Pier, a great place to take a sunset stroll or cast a fishing line. There are plenty of shops in this area in which to rent bikes, roller blades and other Pacific Beach outdoor recreation necessities. For all your surfing needs, head to neighborhood surf shop Bob's Mission Surf for board rentals and surfing accessories, as well as surf apparel for all Pacific Beach visitors.

Pacific Beach recreational activities are abundant. Mission Bay Park is a beautiful natural environment that offers a reprieve from the "beach side" crowds. Ride around a bicycle trail, launch a jet ski or sail boat, enjoy a picnic, fly a kite or simply lounge on the sand on the "bay side" of Pacific Beach.

Family favorite, SeaWorld, located on Mission Bay, is also a must-see Pacific Beach attraction. With almost 200 acres of rides, shows and exhibits, Sea World is the ultimate Pacific Beach vacation destination.

Enjoy an old-fashioned boardwalk experience at Belmont Park in Mission Beach, located south of Pacific Beach in Mission Beach. Play arcade games, enjoy carnival rides, ride the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster and enjoy some greasy food. While you're here, visit another unique Pacific Beach attraction, the Wavehouse, where you can enjoy outdoor Kava bars with cocktails, an open-air barbecue restaurant, fire pits, hammocks, tropical palms, and meandering boardwalks. Make sure to also check out the FlowRider surfing platform, where you can hone your surfing skills on a non-stop wave.

Save time in your schedule and money in your budget for a very unique shopping experience on Garnet Avenue, the main strip of Pacific Beach. Funky, eclectic shops and boutiques dot this popular street, many of them second-hand and all of them featuring an array of trendy, designer, surfing and/or casual clothing. Check out the Buffalo Exchange and Anatomic Rag, two local favorites.

Nothing beats a night on the town in Pacific Beach and there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. Pacific Bar & Grill is a local favorite with great food and drinks, as is Moondoggies, located right next door. If you want to grab a cocktail during the day, sans food, head to Lahaina's, where you can enjoy a drink practically right on the sand while staring out over the ocean. For a laid back bar experience, check out the Open Bar.

A good Mexican meal means a visit to Gringo's Cantina. If you're craving sushi, Kabuki Sushi is one of the best places in town. For Sunday brunch, the Catamaran Resort & Hotel serves a very tasty champagne brunch in a beautiful setting.