As a Pacific Beach native (MBHS class of ’66) and self-proclaimed trivia enthusiast, I recently got to thinking about just how unique the 92109 ZIP code is. This ZIP code includes Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and believe it or not, a sliver of Ocean Beach. Being retired and having plenty of time on my hands, I decided to set out on a little project that led me to create the following list of reasons that the 92109 ZIP code just might be the most unique and diverse in the country.
Of course, out of the other 41,691 U.S. ZIP codes, there are many that share some of these same features. For example, thousands have permanent public restrooms, but 32? How about 41 free public parking lots or six roller coasters? It’s the sheer number of these various features all packed into a single ZIP code that makes this list so amazing.
For example, in this ZIP code there are:
11 bridges over water.
10 boat marinas.
5 boat launching ramps.
3 boat racing courses: for hydroplanes, sailing, and rowing.
2 aquatic centers.
2 campgrounds.
A yacht club.
A golf course.
A jet ski course.
A ski jump.
A model boat pond.
A model airplane field.
A drone obstacle course.
2 amusement/theme parks, six roller coasters (SeaWorld, Belmont Park).
Ocean sport fishing and whale watching.
Mission Bay, the largest aquatic park of its type in the country.
6 islands.
27 miles of bay and ocean shorelines, in which 18 miles are sandy beaches.
12-mile bay loop bike path with many other bay and ocean trails for miles beyond.
3-mile long ocean boardwalk.
6 waterfront resorts: Hyatt, Paradise Point, Dana, Mission Bay Resort, Bahia, and Catamaran.
32 permanent public restrooms.
At least 41 free paved public parking lots.
10 playgrounds with equipment and numerous volleyball courts, basketball courts, and baseball diamonds.
An ocean fishing pier with a hotel.
A surfing park.
4 dog parks.
2 ocean jetties (South Mission Beach jetty and OB dog park are in 92109).
2 wildlife preserves.
2 salt marshes.
1 river (San Diego).
1 creek (Rose).
Also, I’d like to mention the recent U.S. News and World Report article in which San Diego was listed as “the most fun place to live” in the country. It’s worth noting that many of the places that make San Diego so much fun are found within 92109. This is only a partial list of noteworthy characteristics that make 92109 unique and no doubt it can be expanded on. It was a fun little project, however, I admit that counting all those public restrooms was a bit of a stretch. I hope you enjoyed it!
