This is a rather short and flat five mile one way bike ride I find myself taking about once every month or so.  So round trip, it is 10-miles and makes you feel like you've gotten some exercise and relaxation all on the same trip.  There are several ways to get to Mission Beach by bike.  You could bike the entire way from downtown or from wherever you are, but if you're looking for the abbreviated version this should be your plan.  

I like to incorporate transit as part of this bike ride.  I could bike all the way from downtown, but there are sections around Old Town and Middletown where I don't feel quite as safe biking on the road next to fast moving traffic.  So bike to your nearest Green Line trolley station - for me that's the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego.  There is no extra charge to board with your bike.  They ask that you board on the back end of the trolley car since there is slightly more room on that end.  Technically, there are only supposed to be two bikes at a time on a trolley car, but I've seen several on board at once without a problem.  You'll need to stand with your bike since there is no space to store your bike on the trolley car.  Each trolley set usually has three cars and the middle car is usually the oldest trolley car where there are steep steps instead of level boarding.  You'll want to avoid the middle car.  You'll stay on the trolley for five stops if you board at the Santa Fe Depot.  Exit at the Morena/Linda Visita station. There is a sidewalk on the southside of the platform (the side opposite of the buildings).  Take that sidewalk down to the roadway, which is Friars Rd.  

You'll head west from here along the parking lot.  There is a dedicated bike lane on Friars Rd and there usually is not much traffic on this section.  However, cars can be going rather fast.  So I like to cross the street and ride on the opposite side of the road where there is a separated two way bike path. As you bike down the road just a bit,  you'll come to a construction site where they are working on the Blue Line trolley extension to UC San Diego.  If you are biking on the weekend you can just ride right through the construction zone and around the heavy equipment.  Otherwise you may need to get on the sidewalk for this section and be alert of any work that is taking place.  After the construction zone, the separated bike path continues until you get to the turnoff for Old Sea World Drive.  This used to be the road to get to Sea World, but is now an unmaintained recreational trail where you'll see bikes, joggers and an occasional car where people come to fish along the San Diego River.  Let me stress that this is an UNMAINTAINED trail.  The road is falling apart with many potholes and cracks, so you'll need to pay close attention to the road.  As you continue west Sea World will be on your right side and the San Diego River will be on your left side.  Here you'll see a number of birds that range from seagulls to pelicans to least terns.  Continue down the path under two different overpasses.  There is usually some construction at the first overpass, but you can ride right through without any problems.  Right after you travel under the second bridge, the path will come to an end and you'll turn right on the road which is Quivira Way.  Here you'll ride past a conference center and several marinas in Mission Bay on your left.  On this road you'll have a bike lane and not a dedicated path, but traffic is very light here and I always feel completely safe.  Continue on this road until you get to the stop sign and turn right to access the traffic light.  You'll turn left at the traffic light onto Mission Bay Drive.  This road is a four lane divided roadway where you'll be riding in a bike lane on the right side.  While there is a lot of beach traffic on this road, it is usually going pretty slow because traffic can be backed up getting to the beach, especially in the summer.  This is the best part about biking to the beach - you are bypassing all that traffic and you don't have to look for a parking spot once you get to the beach.  There is only one hill on the entire journey and that's on this road as Mission Bay Drive goes up and over the Mission Bay channel.  Some people who are out of shape may need to walk their bike up this short stretch.  Once you get to the top of the bridge you can see Mission Bay on both sides with the ocean off to your left, across the street.  It's just so pretty to see all the blue water, sailboats and green grass from the many parks that surround  Mission Bay.  And then it's all downhill from here.  Continue on this road just past Mission Blvd and the road will end at the ocean.  

After that bike ride I'm usually hungry, so I will turn left on the boardwalk (you can ride your bike on the boardwalk) and just a few feet down will be a number of restaurants with ocean and beach views.  My favorite spot is Cannonball, which is upstairs - so you may miss it if you aren't looking closely.  Here I can have a salad or sushi with a margarita and watch all the people down below on the boardwalk and beach.  I could spend all afternoon here (and have).  Check out my entry on Cannonball to see what I like to order.  After my meal, sometimes I'll walk through Belmont Park - the beachside amusement park right next to Cannonball.  If I'm feeling adventurous, I'll purchase a ticket to ride the roller coaster.  Other times I'll just  hop back on my bike or leave it locked up and hop on an electric scooter to the north end of the boardwalk in Pacific Beach.  As you ride north, the ocean will be on your left with amazing vacation homes on your right.  As you get closer to Pacific Beach you'll see a number of restaurants and bars on your right side.  Some of my favorites are Baja Beach Cafe, JRDN, and Waterbar.  I usually like to claim a spot in the beach in this area, near Crystal Pier.  

Crystal Pier has wooden cottages available to rent that were originally built in 1930.  It's a pretty cool wooden pier where cars can drive right up to the door of their cottage.  I totally recommend taking walk down the pier and checking it out.  In December, there is a Christmas Tree at the end of the pier.  Today, the beautiful Cape Cod style cottages have modern amenities such as kitchenette and private patios.