Daytime Party Spots

    Because San Diego is home to numerous colleges and universities, as well as countless military men and women, twenty-somethings are never lacking peers to party with.

    There ain’t no party like a west coast party, and the best of them all is in Pacific Beach. Not for the faint of heart, every summer the entire community blasts off with wild festivities resembling the biggest, loudest, most beer-drenched frat party ever thrown. The two main drags, Garnet Avenue and Mission Beach Boulevard, heave with rowdy bars like Pacific Beach Bar and Grill, Tower 23, Johnny V, Typhoon Saloon, and Tavern at the Beach, open all day and long into the night. Most boast spacious patios for smoking, drinking, dining, and enjoying the San Diego sunshine.

    Above and beyond the bars, the beach itself is always one cosmic, exuberant party. If you’re twenty-one, glass-free alcoholic beverages are allowed on the sands from noon to eight in the evening. Make sure you don’t linger, or you’ll be ticketed. Several bars and restaurants sell pitchers you can bring right to your beach towel.

    If you’re in the mood for a fiesta, why not attend the city’s most autentico? Old Town, San Diego’s historic Mexican district, is a celebration every hour of the day, every day of the week. Tequila is a-flowing at all of the district’s innumerable restaurants, (like Cafe Coyote and Fred's Mexican Cafe) along with the largest, most colorful margaritas you’ll ever see. Roving mariachi bands are the life of the party-just remember to tip.

    The Wave House is a self-proclaimed Palace of Youth Culture: an immense, all-inclusive amusement kingdom for sun-worshippers of all ages. Located on Mission Beach’s busy boardwalk, among its many attractions are an athletic club, the historic Plunge swimming pool, and the innovative FlowRider Wave-in-a-Box. The latter is a crashing, land-locked wave with a perpetual barrel that offers simulated surfing to daring boarders., nicknamed "Bruticus Maximus."

    Besides water-based diversion, the park encompasses an extra 30,000 square feet of space dedicated to soaking in the sun over drinks and eats. Winding pathways, tiki torches, fire pits, tropical vegetation, and multiple bars provide an inimitable environment for intoxicating revelry. Recently, The Wave House hosted a whole mélange of stars for MTV’s wildly popular music showcase, TRL, among them Jack Black, Nicole Richie, and Ashlee Simpson.

    Picturesque Mission Bay, with its meandering beaches, parks and picnic areas, all of it iced in golden sunshine, is quintessential San Diego. Whether wandering the waveless water in a boat, lying out on the sand, or barbecuing blistering hot burgers with a side of cold cerveca, Mission Bay days mean priceless memories.

    In the middle of the bay lies man-made Fiesta Island, so titled for a reason-San Diego locals have laid claim on the deserted isle as a favorite party spot for years. During summer, Sea World fireworks blast brilliantly overhead as soon as the sun goes down. Bonfires are allowed until ten in the evening. After that, you can always extend the party in nearby Pacific Beach (see above).