Mission Bay spans 4,600 acres (almost evenly divided between land and water), including the 4,235.6-acre Mission Bay Park. The park features 27 miles of shoreline, including 19 miles of sandy beaches. East Mission Bay Drive borders Mission Bay to the east, Sea World Drive is to the south, and Mission Boulevard is to the west. Grand Avenue to the north is the closest major street.

Motorboaters, sailboaters, rowers, kite fliers, waterskiers, picnickers, joggers, and swimmers all use Mission Bay year-round. The area features abundant free parking (which usually fills up on warm summer days) as well as fire rings for barbecues. Mission Bay, which was dredged from marshland in 1944, remains home to many species of birds, fish, and other animals. A nature reserve is located at the northern end near Crown Point.