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Beach Rules

Part of San Diego Beaches, our guide to San Diego beaches, coast and safety rules.

The City of San Diego bans alcohol at all public beaches and bays. Smoking and glass are not allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent lots. Open fires outside containers are prohibited, and no fires from midnight to 5 a.m. Lifeguards are generally on duty 9 a.m. to dusk.Checked October 23, 2026.

No alcoholall public beaches and bays
No glassor smoking
Midnight-5no fires
9 a.m.-dusklifeguards generally
AlcoholProhibited at all public City beaches and bays (City ordinance).
Smoking and glassNot allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots.
FiresOpen beach fires outside containers are prohibited at all San Diego beaches. No fires between midnight and 5 a.m.
Mission Bay fire ringsFirst come, first served, 5 a.m. to midnight; wood, charcoal or paper only; fuel no higher than 12 inches above the ring; fully extinguish.
LifeguardsNine permanent stations plus seasonal summer stations; generally 9 a.m. to dusk.
LeashCitywide leash not to exceed 8 feet.

Lifeguards

San Diego Lifeguards patrol the beaches from nine permanent stations, including Ocean Beach, South Mission Beach, Mission Beach, North Pacific Beach, Pacific Beach, Children’s Pool, La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores, plus dozens of seasonal stations in summer.

Fishing From a Pier

The City says a fishing license is not required where fishing is permitted from the pier, but catch regulations are enforced. See Pier Fishing Rules.

Dogs

Dog hours differ by City page. See Beach Dog Rules.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Alcohol, fire and lifeguard rules for Torrey Pines, Silver Strand and Coronado are set by State Parks and the City of Coronado and are not confirmed here.
  • Dog hours conflict between City pages; see Beach Dog Rules.

More in San Diego Beaches

FAQ

Is alcohol allowed on San Diego beaches?

No. The City bans alcohol at all public beaches and bays.

Can I have a beach fire?

Only in the provided rings where allowed. Open fires outside containers are prohibited, and no fires are allowed from midnight to 5 a.m.

Sources

  1. City of San Diego: Beach Regulations
  2. City of San Diego: Beaches and Bays
  3. City of San Diego Lifeguards: Beaches
  4. City of San Diego: Dogs in Parks
  5. City of San Diego Lifeguards: Mission Bay

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.