Mission Bay includes 27 miles of shoreline with numerous parks, beaches, islands and coves, restaurants and resorts. The bay is part of 4,200-acre Mission Bay Park, the largest man-made aquatic park in the country, and the ninth largest municipally-owned park in the United States.
Mission Bay is packed with activities of all kinds, including the famous marine park SeaWorld San Diego where Shamu the whale reigns over 200 acres of world-class entertainment, as well as favorites such as Fiesta Island, Leisure Lagoon, Sail Bay and Mariners Cove.
But you don't need to pay admission to enjoy Mission Bay's scenic beauty and white sandy beaches, and indeed the Bay is a great place for any water sport, from water skiing and wakeboarding to sailing, snorkeling, and just plain swimming.
Some of the standout locales on the bay include: Fiesta Island, a popular location for events such as charity walks and runs, bicycle races, time trials; Sail Bay which has a beautiful running path, Crown Point, a favorite place for volleyball; Ski Beach a nice place for picnics; Mission Bay Sports Center at Santa Clara Point, with watersport rentals and instruction; the resort hotel at Vacation Isle; Mariners Point, the large sandy peninsula off of Bonita Cove and a tern sanctuary; Quivera Basin for fishing and scuba diving charters, the Islandia Hotel with various shops and restaurants nearby; and Dana Landing, the busy boat launching ramp and sportfishing center.
Bird watching is prime along the north bank of the San Diego River flood channel, especially when the tide is out. The bay is home to a wide range of birds, including terns, egrets, sandpipers, herons, and curlews.
Mission Bay is one of San Diego's most popular locations to fly a kite, picnic or sail a model yacht. Fire rings make it possible to cook out and stay warm. Mission Bay Park also offers a variety of free opportunities to the public such as professional volleyball and Over-the-Line sporting events. Annual attendance in the park is estimated at 15 million.
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