Making relaxation a priority every once in a while is certainly an important thing to do. If you only have a short time to make it happen, heading to Mission Beach, California for a sun-soaked day of fun is always the right choice! Here, a getaway that truly embodies a pristine coastal retreat is right at your fingertips in every season. Whether you’re looking for some much-needed serenity on the sand or you’re up for a day filled with high-energy thrills, this is always the place you’re going to find it. When you’re excited to make the most of every single moment of your day trip, the following plan is the place to start planning what to do in Mission Beach.
Get Your Adventure Started Early to Maximize the Experience
Mission Beach, California is a vacation destination with a lot to offer in the way of entertainment and fun, so above all, you want to be sure that you’re making plans to get your day trip this way underway as early as possible. Not only does this allow you to maximize your time here, but you’ll also treat yourself to a spectacular sunrise over the water that you deserve to enjoy. The perfect place to plan on watching the sun rise over the waves on your own, as a couple, or alongside family and friends on your day trip is the iconic Mission Beach Boardwalk. As you stroll along this beloved landmark in the early morning hours, you’ll find you have a prime vantage point over the water, reflecting the beginning-of-the-day pastel hues that are sure to inspire.
Fuel Up for the Day Ahead at Better Buzz Coffee
While the sunrise view that’s built into the start of your Mission Beach day trip experience is sure to delight, there’s a good chance that you’ll be looking for a place where you can easily fuel up for the fun to come. A great place to do exactly that is Better Buzz Coffee, located at 3745 Mission Boulevard. This popular coffee shop in the area opens up as early as 4:30 am, so no matter when you arrive, the doors are likely to be open for business. Better Buzz Coffee is loved by locals and visitors alike for its stylish ambiance, robust selection of lattes, and friendly service as well. Here, you can easily pair your perfect cup of java with a breakfast sandwich, wrap, smoothie, avocado toast, or an acai bowl as you anticipate the day’s activities to come, while enjoying stunning beach views too.
Include Learning a New Skill into Your Mission Beach Day Trip Fun Lineup of Activities
After breakfast, make your way onto the sand and gift yourself some downtime to just enjoy the scenery in good company. This is a great time to unwind on the shoreline while you reap the benefits of your beginning of the day meal. It’s also a great time of day to take in the view without having to contend with midday crowds.
Once you’ve enjoyed some time watching the waves roll in and the shore birds catch their breakfast, it’s time to look ahead to options to pick up the pace of your adventure. By 9:00 am, the doors open for business over at Surfari Surf Shop located right at 3740 Mission Boulevard. While this is a top-rated destination in the area among those experienced surfers looking for board rentals, it’s also the perfect place to be when you’re excited to try surfing in Mission Beach for the very first time. That’s because they run a comprehensive surf school on-site, as well as options to book paddleboarding lessons alongside experts too. Lessons typically run for an hour at a time and can be booked as private or semi-private experiences depending on your preferences. Lessons are suitable for learners ages 6 and up, and prices begin at around $106 per person.
Booking a lesson of this kind is a great way to get to understand the water, how to navigate your time on a surfboard, and to get a handle on safety instructions before trying your skills out on the water too. Your instructor will be there every step of the way to make sure you’re confident to go out, try surfing for yourself, and hopefully develop a true passion for this sport before you head home.
Set Your Sights on Belmont Park
Once you’ve had some quality time on the waves and hopefully found your balance in the process, take a little time to join a game of beach volleyball before heading back to your vacation rental to change clothes and get ready for even more thrills ahead. Next up is a late morning arrival at Belmont Park, where there’s truly something for visitors of all ages to enjoy on-site. Belmont Park is an iconic and historic beachfront amusement park, and a trip this way might not really feel complete until you’ve taken time to experience Belmont Park for yourself.
Your first stop when you get here should most definitely be the Giant Dipper, which is a wooden roller coaster rising 75 feet up in the air that was built in the mid-1920s and continues to be a fan-favorite ride today! The thrills only continue when you make your way to the Beach Blaster & Flip Out that pairs high-speed spins with gorgeous ocean views. If you’re looking for a challenge, time on the sky ropes and ziplines here are sure to delight, while those hoping for a competitive edge might find that time in the laser tag arena at Belmont Park ends up being the highlight of their stay. From the bumper cars and carousel to the fair-inspired food to enjoy along the way, Belmont Park is a stop you won’t want to leave off your Mission Beach day trip to-do list this year.
Make Lunch Delicious and Memorable
After you’ve had your fill of thrill rides, there’s a good chance you’ll have worked up an appetite. That’s when you and your fellow travelers will want to make your way to Cannonball. This eatery is found conveniently on-site at Belmont Park, and is located at 3105 Ocean Front Walk. They open at noon on weekdays and at 11:00 am on weekends, so you’ll want to plan your lunch stop accordingly. Cannonball is an inviting and stylish place to enjoy small Japanese dishes and sushi from a comfortable and scenic place on their rooftop dining patio. Whether you find you could go for some sashimi, a poke bowl, or a specialty roll, they’re all perfectly matched with a bird’s eye view out over the ocean, right from your table.
Paddle Your Way through a Relaxing Afternoon
When lunch is done and you’re feeling ready to get out and explore once more, that means it’s time to make your way to the Mission Bay Sportcenter, located at 844 W. Mission Bay Drive. This recreational outfitter is open from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm daily, and is a convenient place to rent a kayak for a few hours and paddle your way to local sightseeing fun. With your gear in hand, you can head out on the tranquil waters of Mission Bay alongside your family and friends, and unwind on the waves at your own leisurely pace. This is also an amazing opportunity to grab a pair of binoculars and keep your eyes open for sightings of pelicans and herons along the way. Below your kayak, it’s entirely possible to spot a stingray or two as well, depending on where you roam.
Treat Your Tastebuds to a Sweet Moment
On those day trips where Mission Beach is your destination of choice, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t make your getaway a dessert-before-dinner experience. To that end, once you’ve successfully returned your kayak rental, it’s time to head over to the Sweet Shoppe located at 3146 Mission Boulevard. Open from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm most days of the week, this is a great place to order up a scoop of ice cream in the flavor of your choosing with options to enjoy your selection in a cup or handmade waffle cone upon request. They also have plenty of frozen yogurt options on the menu, so do not worry, because there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
With ice cream in hand, you can take some time to stroll along the boardwalk once more, enjoying people watching as others rollerblade, bike, run, and take their dogs out for walks at your side. If your ice cream stop has you here toward the early evening hours, you might find you’re also right on time to enjoy settling into the sand once again and matching that sunrise you saw, with the perfect sunset view in Mission Beach too.
End Your Day with a Gorgeous Beach Bonfire
Much to the delight of day trippers heading this way, as well as those booking more extended stays, Mission Beach is set up with bonfire rings and fire pits in place. That means it’s entirely possible to end your day here with time gathered alongside family and friends around a beach bonfire that’s sure to inspire. While setting up your own beachside gathering is a great option, you can take the fun to the next level by letting the professionals over at Beach and Bay Bonfires handle the details of your experience too. Located at 3100 Mission Boulevard, Beach and Bay Bonfires is a 24/7 full-service beach bonfire provider in the area who is more than happy to help you pick the perfect location for your gathering, provide tiki torches to set a fun scene, and make sure your fire is bright and s’mores are firmly in place as well. They take care of everything from set up to clean up so you and your crew can relax, kick back, and make the most of the moment without any unnecessary stress.
Book a Mission Beach Rental Today!
Book Accommodations That Have You Enjoying the Luxury and Style Standards You Deserve on Your Day Trip Adventure
Even if you’re only in Mission Beach with the timeframe of a day trip to enjoy your surroundings, there’s no reason to leave elevated standards of luxury, comfort, or style out of the experience when it’s time to book your one-of-a-kind accommodations. At Pacific Sands Vacations, we’re proud to be a team of hospitality experts who are fully committed to making sure all of our guests enjoy a customized stay in Mission Beach that they deserve, no matter when they happen to arrive in California. Our impressive portfolio of inviting property options is vast and varied, giving travelers access to home-away-from-home options that don’t merely meet their travel needs, but effectively exceed their expectations too! Whether you’re on the hunt for just the right cozy abode by the sand, or you’re looking forward to time in a multi-level retreat with ocean views included, our team is here to help make it happen.
Our property options for day trip guests offer up a spacious layout to enjoy at all times. Floor plans are typically topped off with inviting furnishings that are comfortable, stylish, and lean into California-inspired aesthetics in many properties. When you’re not out exploring the flavorful options that come with a day trip in this direction, booking one of our rentals with a full kitchen included means you can just as easily end your day with a home-cooked meal as well. Our properties are set up with large master suites and guest rooms when rest is a priority, and it’s entirely possible to book a home with direct access to the sand. Those who are looking for more will love our rental options with rooftop patios to enjoy as well as homes with outdoor dining, impressive entertainment setups, and convenient fire pits on-site as well.
Take time to reach out to our team today to learn more about our exciting day trip rental selections available for your next getaway, as well as our properties that are perfect for an extended stay! We can’t wait to help you find a home that fits your unique travel style, and look forward to welcoming you to sunny Mission Beach soon.
