Mission Bay is an artificial, saltwater bay located south of the Pacific Beach community of San Diego, California created from approximately 2,000 acres (810 ha) of historical wetland, marsh, and saltwater bay habitat. The bay is part of the recreational Mission Bay Park, the largest man-made aquatic park in the United States, consisting of 4,235 acres (17.14 km2), approximately 46% land and 54% water. The combined area makes Mission Bay Park the ninth largest municipally-owned park in the United States.
Mission Bay looking toward the east, May 2011
Mission Bay sunset
Mission Bay as seen from the beach behind the Catamaran Resort
Downtown San Diego Skyline as seen from Ski Beach in Mission Bay
Pacific Beach is a neighborhood in San Diego, bounded by La Jolla to the north, Mission Beach and Mission Bay to the south, Interstate 5 and Clairemont to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. While formerly largely populated by young people, surfers, and college students, because of rising property and rental costs the population is gradually becoming older and more affluent. "P.B.," as it is known as by local residents, is home to one of San Diego's more developed nightlife scenes, with a great variety of bars, eateries, and clothing stores located along Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard.
The beach at Pacific Beach looking south
Crystal Pier, originally constructed in 1927
looking down the cliffs overlooking Pacific Beach north of Crystal Pier
The beach near the boardwalk and pier