I lived there 10 years...and although the City of San Diego is awesome, the best beaches (less crowded/great surf) are in North County, about 30 minutes north heading up I5. You should visit La Jolla (the cove), Del Mar, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Moonlight Beach (Encinitas). Stunning! The 5 can get crowded, however, so avoid it between 7-9 am Southbound and 3-5 pm Northbound.
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