Silver Strand State Beach
RV Guide

California State Beaches have phenomenal opportunities for youth to get out and discover new things outdoors. On Saturdays at Silver Strand Beach, kids ages seven to 12 can join outdoor programs led by park rangers to earn their California State Park Junior Ranger badge and receive other incentives. Parents must be present to register children for the activities. Many nature programs are available for all ages at all different times of the year. If you're taking a family RV road trip, this is a great way to get the kids out into nature.

This campground was named Silver Strand because of the silvery oyster shells that historically covered the western coastline of this park. Just south of the campground along the Pacific Ocean, there is an excellent location for beachcombing any time of year. Take a stroll along the sand and keep your eyes open for sand dollars, moon snails, and cockleshells. You never know what treasures you may find. There is also a paved bike path that you may walk along if you get tired of the sand. So, if you're dying to get out on the beach, it's just an easy walk from your RV campsite, and you'll love bringing home the treasures you find along the shore.

During the winter months, a popular activity at the beach park is going on guided nature walks. Usually held on Sundays throughout the year, visitors can join a nature walk to identify plant life and animals in their natural habitat and learn about the local ecosystem. Bring your binoculars and hand magnifiers to see what you can discover. The walks are free, although there is a charge to get in the park. Groups will meet by the lifeguard towers.

Although the fish that are biting in the winter months are fewer than you'll find in the summer, anglers say that it's easier to catch your limit when the temperatures drop. Whether it's because there are fewer people fishing or the fish are migrating, you're bound to take your limit of delicious yellowtail, rockfish, or cod back to camp to cook up for the family. Be sure and check the weather before you launch the boat for some fishing because you don't want to run into any choppy waves while you're out. Luckily, the weather is pretty mild year-round in the Silver Strand State Beach area. You'll need to acquire a California fishing license if you are over 16 unless you are fishing from a public pier.

Silver Strand Beach draws many intermediate-level surfers to ride the waves. For beginners, there is a local surfing school that offers private and group surfing lessons at Silver Strand Beach. Swells come in from the west and south, typically at their peak in summer and fall. If you're planning on attacking those famous California waves, make sure you bring your surfboard in your camper and remember to always surf safely by wearing a life vest and surfing with a partner. If you need to rent equipment, there are marina rental shops in nearby Coronado, San Diego, and Chula Vista.

Important Safety Considerations

Ocean Hazards: California State Parks warns that large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can make seemingly safe activities deadly. Never turn your back on the ocean, supervise children constantly, and avoid climbing on rocks during high surf.

Water Quality: Be aware that the Tijuana River occasionally causes water quality issues along San Diego County's southern beaches, including Silver Strand. Check San Diego County Beach and Bay Water Quality before swimming. Posted warning signs indicate when water quality concerns exist.

Military Property: The beaches immediately north and south of Silver Strand are military property used for Navy SEAL training exercises. Stay within park boundaries marked by fencing and signage to avoid accidentally wandering into restricted areas.

Weather and Wind: Silver Strand is exposed to strong coastal winds, especially in spring and summer. Bring windbreakers, secure lightweight items in your campsite, and be prepared for wind-blown sand. Morning fog typically burns off by midday but can persist on cooler days.

Guided kayak tours are regularly offered during peak season at Silver Strand Beach. The minimum age to ride in a kayak is five years old, and children under ten must ride tandem with an adult. Call the marina at Loews Resort to reserve your spot.

If you're an experienced kayaker with your own equipment, you'll find several areas that offer a challenge to the more adventurous paddler. Just be careful not to paddle too far down the coast because beyond the state beach area is a military training area, and you don't want to run into any Seals of the human variety.

Beach volleyball is a California beach vacation must. This game has grown into an Olympic sport due in large part to the popularity of the sport on the sandy beaches in California. Round up some friends for a game of beach volleyball on the beautiful sand courts at Silver Strand. You can work on your tan while getting exercise too! The refreshing ocean breeze will cool you off as you play. If you forgot your ball, or need other supplies, like sunscreen or a hat, there are shops with beach amenities nearby.

At Silver Strand State Beach, you can fish from your boat or the beach, also referred to as surf fishing. Anglers suggest frozen anchovies, squid, or mussels for your bait and a fishing pole that you can cast right from the shore. But watch out for swimmers and surfers! You’ll be surprised at the variety of fish you may pull in: perch, yellow-fin croaker, sand bass, grunion, and halibut are just a few of the wide variety of species that inhabit the area.

Smaller sharks and rays are frequently hooked in these waters as well, so use caution if you reel in one of these. Check what the regulations are for keeping or throwing fish back into the water. Keep in mind, if you are over 16, you'll need a fishing license if you fish from a boat. Fishing from a public pier does not require a license, however.