Summer (and into fall, too) in San Diego means sun, surf and, sometimes, a lot of traffic. But don't let crowded beaches and parking woes keep you from enjoying the coast. MTS offers expanded service on Routes 8 and 9 through early September, making it easier than ever to ditch the car and hop on a bus to the beach.
Both routes start from Old Town Transit Center (or from Balboa for Route 8, if you’re coming from Clairemont and Balboa area). Route 9 takes you to SeaWorld, past Crown Point along Ingraham, while Route 8 will take you west to Mission Beach, Belmont Park and more.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach or the bay, check out a few more fun destinations along the way.
Places To Go on Route 8
Kobey’s Swap Meet
(Sports Arena Bl & Hancock St)
Kobey’s Swap Meet is a fun attraction for anyone looking to go thrifting. The swap meet is every weekend, Friday through Sunday. On the last Saturday of the month, Kobey’s hosts “Vintage Alley” with vintage clothing vendors. Kobey’s brings a mix of new and used items, and you’ll never know what kind of gems you’ll find. The swap meet is accessible from both Route 8 and 9.
Belmont Park
(W Mission Bay Dr & Mission Blvd)
Who doesn’t love a wooden roller coaster by the ocean? There is tons to do around Belmont Park including arcade games, carnival games, more rides (like the Tilt-a-Whirl), a zipline, an escape room, mini golf and an indoor swimming pool. So many decisions! Even if you’re on a budget, it’s fun to just walk around and people watch.
Bonita Cove
(W Mission Bay Dr & Gleason Rd or Mariners Way)
Bonita Cove offers the perfect spot to get some sun with your littles in tow (plus, remember that kids ride FREE when they have a youth PRONTO card). The bayside offers a more family-friendly atmosphere for those who want to get away from the waves of Mission Beach.
Visit the Seals at the Bahia Resort Hotel
(W Mission Bay Dr & Gleason Rd or Mariners Way)
Three rescued harbor seals live at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Gracie, Billy and Elmer are all blind seals who live on the property. It’s free to view the seals who happily spend their days swimming and sunbathing. Their habitat is right at the front of the property (next to the bus stop), giving you easy access to the seals.
Quick Bites
Olive Baking Company
(Mission Blvd & Santa Clara Pl)
735 Santa Clara Pl, San Diego, CA 92109
Looking for an on-the-go bite for breakfast? Check out the Olive Baking Company in Mission Beach. They sell a variety of baked goods, including savory kolaches. Olive Baking Company offers savory flavors like jalapeno cream cheese, bacon egg and cheese, sausage egg and cheese, and spinach mushroom and ricotta. Want more of a sit-down meal? Their sister restaurant, Olive Cafe, is just across the street.
The Funky Lemon
(Mission Blvd & San Luis Obispo Pl)
3415 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
This locally owned spot serves coffee, fresh juices, acai bowls, pastries, and toast and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Located just a couple of blocks from either the beach or the bay, this is a great spot to fuel up before your day at the beach.
Pacific Beach Ice Cream Company
(Grand Ave & Cass St)
1010 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Cool off with a sweet treat just blocks from the beach at the Pacific Beach Ice Cream Company where you can get ice cream flavors like Julian Dutch Apple Pie, Chocolate Covered Bananas, Kahlua Espresso Martini, and Skrewball Peanut Butter Cookie.
SeaWorld and Beyond on Route 9
SeaWorld
(SeaWorld or Ingraham St & Perez Cove Way)
Catching the bus to SeaWorld? Use the Route 9 bus for easier access to the park. Route 9A does not enter SeaWorld, but you can still use the stop at Ingraham St at Perez Cove Way for access.
The Tower at Paradise Point
(Ingraham St & Vacation Rd)
Paradise Point is a resort in the middle of Mission Bay with access to a few smaller public beaches. If you wander around inside the resort though, you’ll find this tower that you can climb up for a stellar view. Plus, it’s free!
Model Yacht Pond
(Ingraham St & Vacation Rd)
The Model Yacht Pond was originally built for use by San Diego city schools which used to have model boat competitions at the pond. The program was dissolved, but the San Diego Argonauts continued using the pond for model boating and racing. You can find them using the pond every Saturday morning with either electric or steam-powered scale models of various warships or yachts plus radio-controlled sailboats. In August, the group will be holding a week of model boat races. For more information, visit the San Diego Argonauts website.
Ski Beach
(Ingraham St & Vacation Rd)
Across the way from Paradise Point is Ski Beach which is on the east side of Vacation Isle on Ingraham Street. This is a great spot for a picnic with your family. Though no swimming is allowed, there is a children’s playground here.
Crown Point
(Ingraham St & Crown Point Dr)
Crown Point is a large multi-use area with picnic tables, shelters, and a swimming area. The sandy beach is great for a walk and there’s plenty of space for picnics and games.
Rocky’s Crown Pub
(Ingraham St & La Playa Ave)
Don’t want to picnic? Check out Rocky’s Crown Pub for some burgers. A lot of locals say that Rocky’s has one of the best burgers in San Diego – but that’s for you to decide. Their simple menu only offers hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries (plus plenty of drinks). Be sure to bring cash with you and note that you must be 21+ to enter the pub.
Photo by Micah Fluhart on Unsplash
While summer may be drawing to an end, there’s still plenty of time to explore San Diego's beautiful beaches hassle-free with Route 8 or 9. (Plus, locals know the beach is often the best getaway into October.) Whether you're heading to Mission Beach for a day of rides and games or relaxing at a quieter spot like Crown Point, riding the bus means avoiding traffic and parking stress. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination—leave the car behind and let MTS take you to your next beach adventure!
