San Diego County is home to many sweeping, scenic ocean views -- one more beautiful than the next.
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Monica Garske
Downtown San Diego’s gorgeous skyline and views of the San Diego Bay are on full display along the Embarcadero. The waterfront zone is filled with maritime history, including the USS Midway Museum, the fishing harbor and the Maritime Museum of San Diego, home of the famous Star of India. A walk along the scenic Embarcadero will remind you why this is truly America’s Finest City.
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Monica Garske
Breathtaking views are synonymous with Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, whether you’re enjoying the beach or hiking one of the many scenic trails. The coastal reserve is located in La Jolla, off 12600 N. Torrey Pines Rd. The trails offer many safe lookout spots where you can take in the beauty of the ocean and snap a photo or two to look back on when you need a break from the daily grind. This place gets packed on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
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Monica Garske
Between Pacific Beach Drive and the scenic Crystal Pier, you’ll find panoramic views of Pacific Beach. Sit on the sand with a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy the sights and sounds, take a stroll down the pier, or get some exercise in on the boardwalk. However you choose to enjoy this spot – just make sure you’re taking the time to gaze at the Pacific Ocean.
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David Gerak
If you like diving, the La Jolla Reefs is a beautiful place to take a dip. On a clear day, divers could see schools of fish and eelgrass in the vibrant aquatic ecosystem and, of course, run into a few other curious divers. This particular spot is called Hospitals Reef, and is located off Coast Boulevard, just south of the Casa de Manana assisted living community. You can access the reef by walking down some sandstone rocks toward a small area called Wipeout Beach, then swimming south onto Hospitals Reef. Many divers take to the water in the fall through March, in search of spiny lobsters crawling around on the eelgrass. In the summer, divers can see schools of grunion amid their spawning season.
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Instagram/@cozinhacombossa
Take a stroll on this historic, wooden, 1,942-foot pier and check out sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and all of the wildlife that surrounds the area. Visitors can enter the pier at the Oceanside Amphitheater. This landmark is central to Oceanside, often serving as a seaside stage for community events, car shows and concerts.
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Ricardo Jackiewicz
Del Mar – with its North Beach (north of 29th Street) and coastal parks (Powerhouse and Seagrove, located above the 15th Street surf break) – is a perfect place to experience beachside relaxation. Come for the vistas, stay for the weather.
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Located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula off Cabrillo Memorial Drive is the Cabrillo National Monument, which commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at the San Diego Bay in 1542. In addition to the monument, the seaside park is home to must-see tidepools (low tide is unforgettable) and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
