Find your castle in these sands 🌴

Neighborhood Guide for Pacific Beach, San Diego

Beach views in PB. | Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

Life in San Diego can be beachy keen, and Pacific Beach has become a popular spot for people to surf through their days. The neighborhood blends laid-back living with outdoor activities + nightlife to give residents a taste of everything San Diego has to offer.

Let’s discover (or rediscover) why so many locals love this area — including SDtoday readers. We asked you which neighborhoods you’d like us explore, and many of you mentioned PB — particularly as a neighborhood for young professionals + out-of-towners.

☀️ Need to know
You’re not the only one with your eyes set on PB. In August 2022, the area’s average home listing price rose by 24.4% compared to a year prior. Wondering why? While we can’t say for sure, Pacific Beach is known for its fun, sunny lifestyle with over a mile of beaches, and is home to many schools like Pacific Beach Elementary + Middle schools and Mission Bay High School.

PB 1970s SDtoday — Cruisin’ through PB, 1970s style. | Photo via @historyofsandiego

📜 The early days
The name Pacific Beach dates back to 1887 when the underdeveloped land was set to be used during San Diego’s population boom. Prior to this, it was settled by the Kumeyaay people who called this area hamo or jamo. The neighborhood was originally set to be the home of the College of Letters, but it only lasted a few years before the space was sold — in 1910 to the San Diego Army and Navy Academy, then again in 1936 to the Brown Military Academy.

This attracted families + tourists, and even more so when Crystal Pier was built in 1927. By the 1940s families settled in the area after World War II, and by the 1950s the population had reached 30,000.

The 1970s saw an investment in development of the neighborhood, and bigger buildings were built to be used as homes + hotels. Ironically, this attracted a college crowd by the 1990s, and the neighborhood became a mix of a college town + residential community — a reputation it still holds today.

EXPLORE THIS BEACH

The tides have turned — it's your turn to share this story.

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Today

Trivia Night | Wednesdays | 7-9 p.m. | Duck Foot Brewing Co., Miramar | Free | Test your knowledge, grab a pint + grab food from a food truck. 🦆
Home Free | Wed., Sept. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $68+ | The country a cappella group brings their pipes — and “Road Sweet Road Tour” — to downtown San Diego. 🎤

Thursday

“Hands on a Hardbody” | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | Coronado Playhouse | $24+ | The Tony-nominated play about 10 Texans hoping to win a truck and a new lease on life. 🛻
Ryan Kelly Live | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | The American Comedy Co. | $20 | Join the TikTok comedian for a night of laughs. 🎤

Friday

Dave Matthews Band | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre | $83+ | Crash into this live show. 🎸
Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market | Fridays | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bernardo Winery, lower courtyard | Shop local produce, artisan goods, handmade items + more. 🍑

Saturday

Oktoberfest at The Brewery | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-6 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Bierhalle in Vista | German-inspired brews, fun contests, and Bavarian everything. 🍻
Christian Nodal | Sat., Sept. 17 | 8 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego | $72+ | The singer — named the most successful Regional Mexican artist of all time by Apple Music — headlines the Midway District venue. 🎶

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

76º | Mostly sunny with early clouds | 12% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:32 a.m.
Set: 6:56 p.m.

Tide

Low: 6 a.m. + 7:11 p.m.
High: 12:21 a.m. + 12:22 p.m.
Water Temperature: 73º

Civic

The California Energy Commission vowed to add more hydrogen fueling stations to San Diego County as the state moves to end sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This mandate assumes 5% of California drivers will use hydrogen-power cars, but our county has few filling stations, and most are operating at capacity. 💧 (Times of San Diego)
Something new clicked into the San Diego County Library system. Chromebooks + hotspots are now available to check out at 33 branches for up to a year (while supplies last). Thanks to a $4.3 million federal grant, this TechConnect program brings 7,000 devices to San Diegans in need of digital access. 💻

Transit

Want to test our transit system? Fare enough — San Diego Metropolitan Transit System + North County Transit District is bringing back Free Ride Day on Wed., Oct. 5, to offer no-cost trips on the Trolley, COASTER, SPRINTER, and fixed-route buses. The event corresponds with California Clean Air Day. 💳

Open

The Brick Hotel in Oceanside welcomed Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar — and to answer your question, it’s named for its culinary director: Quinnton “Q” Austin. The eatery offers a New Orleans-influenced menu, like its sister restaurant Louisiana Purchase in North Park, and is owned by Grind & Prosper Hospitality. 🍤 (Eater San Diego)

Sports

Wave hello to San Diego County’s newest observance. Yesterday, September 13 was named San Diego Wave Fútbol Club Day in a declaration signed by Nathan Fletcher — Chair of the Board of Supervisors. The occasion celebrates our powerhouse new team and their record-breaking, sold out game this Saturday. 📅
The San Diego Wave FC will step into San Diego by walking the one-mile stretch from Ruocco Park to Waterfront Park — where a ceremony will be held — today from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The event celebrates their first game at Snapdragon Stadium this weekend. It’s sold out, but you can win tickets by spotting their logo on city buses. ⚽
Petco Park confirmed the Padres game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 11 sold out for the 25th time this season. This marks a record number of packed houses since the team moved their home base to the downtown stadium 18 years ago — and the season isn’t over yet. ⚾

Opening

Villa One Tequila Gardens — the lounge partnering with Nick Jonas + John Varvatos — will debut downtown at 701 Fifth Ave. on Wed., Sept. 21. The 5,000-sqft, open-air lounge will offer cocktails, a menu with modern Mexican cuisine, and 160+ tequila and mezcals. 🥃

Outdoors

Spectators onboard a recent San Diego Whale Watch excursion were in for a massive surprise when they encountered a whale shark. The spotted giant was estimated to be about 25 ft long, and Captain Bryan McGrory — who’s worked with the company for four years — had never encountered one before. 🐳 (NBC 7)

Holiday

Time to plan your costume. Seaport Fudge Factory announced its Halloween Town Costume Party will return to Seaport Village on Sun., Oct. 30. In addition to the spooky attire, guests will enjoy music, games, and sweet treats. 👻

Drink

Tasty and healthy? Yes, please. Super Coffee is the energy-boosting, great-tasting drink with 0g added sugar, 10g protein, and 200mg of caffeine — and only 80 calories. Taste for yourself to see why it’s creating so much buzz. ☕ *

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Balboa Park leaves a light on 💡

Balboa Park lights up for Welcome Week 2022

No matter your colors, show them in San Diego. | Photo via @CityofSanDiego

Have you seen the colors in Balboa Park? The landmark has been glowing this week in honor of Welcoming Week.

The new initiative lasts through Sun., Sept. 18, welcomes immigrants + refugees moving to San Diego, and aims to help them get acclimated to their new home. But it’s not just a colorful display — locals can stop by libraries and recreation centers to write notes to welcome newcomers and help them feel included.

This program is sponsored by the City of San Diego’s Office of Immigrant Affairs as it continues to provide resources to help build an inclusive + safe city. The program also supports the department’s Strategic Plan on Immigrant & Integration.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. I was super excited to write about Pacific Beach today. I’ve spent a lot of time in this community, and I couldn’t write about PB without mentioning local Dr. John “Slomo” Kitchin. He chose to retire from his job and spend his days rolling around the boardwalk on his rollerblades — slowly. He’s super friendly, and a bonafide legend in the area.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Trek into our Q+A with Canyoneers president John Ploetz.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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