Living in San Diego doesn’t automatically make anyone a beach expert.

It takes weeks, even years, of fine-tuning — figuring out which spot has the cleanest sand, the closest parking, the best people-watching. It takes even longer to find some of the more obscure, surfer-beloved spots like Windansea or Tourmaline or Pipes.

But summer officially starts this week, along with prime beach season. So if you’re still searching for your perfect spot, here’s a beginner’s guide to San Diego beaches:

Mission Beach