Home to legendary attractions, a world-class food scene, and vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, San Diego brims with urban excitement. But this breathtaking destination is filled with jaw-dropping landscapes too; a place of sculpted sandstone cliffs, secreted sea coves, and stretches of fine-sand beaches. From high-octane speed boat excursions to restorative yoga on the beach, San Diego is the perfect backdrop for a plethora of outdoor activities. Sink beneath the waves as you snorkel around sea caves in La Jolla, then skim the frothy surface on a luxurious sailboat. Try a new sport like surfing or sea kayaking, or get acquainted with the local wildlife on a whale watching or falconry experience. At the end of a busy day of sightseeing, soak up San Diego’s beautiful sunsets from a stand-up paddleboard tour. For more ideas, read the list below for the top outdoor activities in San Diego, California.
1. Try surfing at Pacific Beach (from USD 79.0)
If you’ve always wanted to try surfing, this excursion is perfect for beginners. This 90-minute tour is for groups of four people and starts at Pacific Surf School. There, your instructor will teach you how to balance and pop up, as well as the timing of waves. Your certified Pacific Surf School instructor will then lead you into the water to try out your new skills. If you’re hungry after your lesson ends, there are tons of fantastic restaurants around Pacific Beach.
BEST San Diego Surf Lessons By PACIFIC
Duration: 1.5 hours
2. Paddle board into the San Diego sunset (from USD 45.0)
Enjoy the beauty of a San Diego sunset on this paddleboard excursion. This small-group tour includes all equipment, including boards, paddles, and lights, and lasts for two hours. As you paddleboard through Mission Bay, you’ll get to enjoy the beauty of the evening and potentially see some local wildlife like marine birds and seals. When you get back to land, warm up by a bonfire with your group and new friends.
San Diego Paddle Board Sunset Glow Tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
3. Kayak through sea caves in La Jolla (from USD 45.0)
La Jolla Bay is a magnificent natural landscape filled with stunning sea caves and brimming with wildlife. One of the best ways to explore this unparalleled ecosystem is on a sea kayak. This 90-minute tour will guide you through La Jolla’s Marine Reserve, which is home to wildlife like seals, sea turtles, leopard sharks, pelicans, and dolphins. Conditions permitting, you will also visit the Emerald Cave, which is the only cave along California’s southern coast that you can kayak within. This tour is great for families, and it is open to participants over the age of five.
Kayak in La Jolla (Sea Caves and Marine Reserve)
Duration: 1.5 hours
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4. Set falcons soaring (from USD 77.0)
Watch falcons fly over San Diego’s sandstone cliffs in this unique experience. This falconry experience is conducted by Total Raptor Experience San Diego, and it offers a hands-on environment where you can learn and interact with these majestic birds. Over the course of this 90-minute activity, you will learn how to call and release a trained falcon, and watch real-life examples of the falcon’s flying styles and hunting behavior. As you learn about the role hawks and falcons play in the wild, you’ll get to watch as they swoop and soar over the sandstone cliffs at Torrey Pines Gliderport. This small-group tour is limited to up to 10 participants, and it includes plenty of hands-on interaction with the birds and the opportunity to take photos.
Falconry Experience over the beach
Duration: 2 hours
5. Ride the waves of San Diego Harbor on a speed boat (from USD 95.0)
San Diego is famous for its sunny weather, and one of the best ways to cool off from the heat is on the water. This excursion lets you skim the waves in a self-driven speed boat tour of San Diego. On this tour, you’ll follow a guide on a 13-mile (20-kilometer) tour around San Diego Harbor, and get to stop for photo opportunities at scenic points around the harbor. The two-hour tour starts at Cabrillo Isle Marina, where you’ll be given a safety briefing before settling into your own F13 speed boat for the remainder of the tour. Your guide will lead you from a different boat, while a two-way communication system will let you hear your guide throughout the tour.
2 hour self-drive Speed Boat Adventure
Duration: 2 hours
6. Hike to the top of Cowles Mountain at sunrise (from USD 59.0)
Watch the sun rise over the San Diego skyline from the highest point in the city. This guided hike takes you through Mission Trails Regional Park to the top of Cowles Mountain, and the excursion is about 90 minutes long. The trail is a three-mile (five-kilometer) round-trip, and it is rated as moderate to challenging. Your local guide is an experienced hiker who can share his knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and provide recommendations for the San Diego area.
San Diego Sunrise Hike - Cowles Mtn
Duration: 1.5 hours
7. Set sail in a luxurious sail boat (from USD 112.0)
Sail through the gorgeous San Diego Harbor and admire the city’s skyline from the beauty of the water. This luxurious small-group sailing tour takes you across the bay, past photogenic sites like the city’s skyline, the USS Midway aircraft museum, the “Unconditional Surrender” statue of a sailor kissing a girl, and the breathtaking Coronado Bridge. With an experienced captain as your guide, you can relax and take in the panoramas as the ocean breeze carries you on. This tour lasts for two hours, and it includes drinks and light refreshments.
Affordable Luxury Sailing Tours for 2-6
Duration: 2 hours
8. See amazing marine life on a whale-watching tour (from USD 120.0)
Embark on a marine safari with this whale-watching cruise. On this exploration, your captain will highlight your route on land and provide background of the marine life, then take you out on a semi-private RHIB. San Diego is home to amazing marine life, including gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seals, and this tour lets you see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. The tour lasts for 3 hours, and it is limited to groups of up to 10 participants.
San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Semi-private Boat
Duration: 2.5 hours
9. Snorkel in La Jolla Cove (from USD 59.0)
La Jolla Cove is part of a Marine Protected Area, and it is home to a breathtaking variety of marine life, including seals, sea lions, and colorful fish. This snorkeling excursion lets you take a dip into their underwater world, led by a marine biology teacher. After a brief snorkeling and safety introduction, you’ll get to explore the vibrant ecosystem of La Jolla Cove, and if conditions permit, get to explore the area’s famous sea caves. This excursion is for one hour, limited to groups of four participants.
Snorkel La Jolla Cove with a biologist
Duration: 1.5 hours
10. Enjoy a yoga session on the beach (from USD 36.0)
Take time to unwind and relax with a session of yoga on the beach. This 90-minute activity is perfect for beginners and seasoned participants alike, and it takes place on the beautiful La Jolla Shores. Stretch to the sound of the crashing waves and let the ocean breeze clear your mind as you meditate. Yoga mats and bottled water are provided, and your session concludes with a gentle forehead and temple massage.
Beach Yoga in San Diego
Duration: 1 hour
Explore the scenic beauty of San Diego
With its magnificent recreation opportunities and breathtaking scenery, San Diego is the perfect spot to enjoy outdoor activities. Here, you can start your morning with a sunrise hike up a mountain, and end your day by paddle boarding into the sunset. For the hours in between, relax on or underneath the water, and take in the beauty of San Diego’s marine and urban landscapes. Start planning your getaway today and add these outdoor activities to your San Diego itinerary!
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