Where can you play beach volleyball in San Diego?
South Mission Beach has 14 permanent courts by the jetty, the heart of the scene; Ocean Beach has more near the pier. Most are first-come, first-served, and play can start at 6 a.m. after a 2026 rule change.
- South Mission courts
- 14
- Open play
- Courts 5–14
- Earliest start
- 6 a.m.
- Cost
- Free
Since 1997 in current form
South Mission
Rule changed in 2026
Bring a ball
The short version
- South Mission Beach has 14 courts near 2600 Ocean Front Walk; courts 5–14 are open play, first-come, first-served.
- Ocean Beach courts 1, 2, 3 and 11–14 are open to the public; others may be permitted for events.
- In 2026 the city changed its rules to allow play from 6 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. after early-morning players pushed back.
- Portable nets aren't allowed inside the permanent court areas.
- Leagues and lessons include the San Diego Beach Volleyball League, Volo, and Sinjin Smith camps for kids.
San Diego has been a beach volleyball town since the city put nets on South Mission Beach in the 1960s. The current 14 courts were installed in 1997 with help from Bill Walton and other boosters, and since 2002 the nonprofit San Diego Beach Improvement Group has helped maintain them.
Where to play
| South Mission Beach | Ocean Beach | Elsewhere | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courts | 14, permanent lines and nets | Multiple, south of the pier area | Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Coronado and North County beaches |
| Open play | Courts 5–14 | Courts 1–3 and 11–14 | Varies |
| Vibe | Busiest, all levels, leagues | Locals, more relaxed | Casual pickup |
| Parking | Free South Mission lot, fills on summer weekends | Street and beach lots | Varies |
South Mission Beach
- Courts
- 14, permanent lines and nets
- Open play
- Courts 5–14
- Vibe
- Busiest, all levels, leagues
- Parking
- Free South Mission lot, fills on summer weekends
Ocean Beach
- Courts
- Multiple, south of the pier area
- Open play
- Courts 1–3 and 11–14
- Vibe
- Locals, more relaxed
- Parking
- Street and beach lots
Elsewhere
- Courts
- Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Coronado and North County beaches
- Open play
- Varies
- Vibe
- Casual pickup
- Parking
- Varies
The rules at city courts
- Open courts are first-come, first-served. Other courts can be reserved by permit for tournaments and leagues.
- Open courts can't be used for organized camps or clinics without a permit.
- No portable nets inside the permanent court area.
- Play can begin at 6 a.m.; the city adjusted its rules in 2026 after enforcing an 8 a.m. start.
Leagues and lessons
Getting into the game
- 01
Just show up
Pickup 2s and 4s happen most days. Ask to get in the rotation; winners usually stay on.
- 02
Join a league
The San Diego Beach Volleyball League runs clinics and co-ed 4s at South Mission; Volo runs adult rec leagues at Ocean Beach.
- 03
Kids' camps
Sinjin Smith camps for ages 7 to 14 meet at South Mission in summer.
- 04
Mind the sun
Bring water and sunscreen; sand gets hot on summer afternoons, so mornings and evenings are best.
Planning a beach day? See the best beach for you and the Mission Beach boardwalk e-bike rules.
Courts
Approximate court locations.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 8, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
City of San Diego · Aug. 2026
Open play courts 5–14; no portable nets
City of San Diego · Aug. 2026
Open courts 1, 2, 3, 11–14; no camps or clinics
NBC 7 San Diego · 2026
6 a.m. start restored
Times of San Diego · 2026
14 courts, up to 50 players from 5:30 a.m.
California's Best Beaches
Courts installed 1997 (Walton); BIG since 2002; SDBVL; Sinjin Smith camps
San Diego Magazine
Nets installed in the 1960s