Get out and play

Sports & Recreation

Outdoor adventure is a year round pursuit in San Diego

Photo By Aaron Chang

The Inside Scoop on Outdoor Fun

San Diego may be known as a relaxing, kick-off-your-shoes beach destination but the locals have a passion for sports and recreation that runs as deep as the Pacific. An ideal climate, 70 miles of coastline and diverse topography draw outdoor enthusiasts to San Diego year-round. Whether you're looking for a heart-pounding mountain biking excursion, an active surf lesson or even an exhilarating high-flying glide above the cliffs, there's always something exciting and thrilling to watch, do and discover in San Diego.

Watersports

If watersports are on your vacation agenda, you'll find plenty of options including sport fishing, sailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and surfing, to name a few.

Individual Sporting Activities

On land, enjoy gorgeous hikes in the backcountry and along the coast, rock climbing, golfing at over 90 courses, mountain biking, running along urban and rural routes and horseback riding. For a bird's eye perspective on the spectacular San Diego coastline, try your hand at paragliding or hang gliding from La Jolla's Gliderport or skydiving both indoor and out.

Spectator Sports

For spectator sports fans, there is plenty of cheering to do as San Diego's professional sports teams battle it out each season. Get your Major League Baseball fix with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, where ballpark food takes on a whole new meaning with some of San Diego's favorite eateries and local craft beer on tap. Beyond the MLB, there are plenty of other spectator sports to enjoy, including international soccer tournaments, indoor soccer, ice hockey, rugby games, surfing, action sports competitions, marathons and much more.

Browse the articles and listings below to discover San Diego's best spots for fishing, sailing, scuba diving, mountain biking and more!

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Surfer throwin up spray right after coming out the barrel and smacking the lip

Surfing & Paddleboarding

Yoga

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Things to do

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7 Ways to Make a Splash in San Diego

Dive into these 7 big, bright water-related San Diego adventures

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Surf and Skate in San Diego

From the sand to the street, San Diego has been at the center of action sports for decades.

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San Diego's Outdoor Sports Scene

Ride, Surf, Skate and More

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Private Bay Tour of Downtown San Diego

Jan 17, 2023 - ongoing

Explore San Diego’s most classic landmarks on a fun, fast, boat cruise around the San Diego Bay!

Explore the San Diego Bay on a fun, fast, military inflatable boat.

Meet local wildlife including SeaLions, Harbor Seals, and tons of Pelagic Birds.

Take photos with the most iconic landmarks in San Diego including the Coronado Bridge and the Unconditional Surrender Statue.

Watch the sunset over the ocean, and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline as it reflects the colors of the sky.

See the Naval base and tour the fleet of active military vessels in the largest NAVY port on the west coast.

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Guided Tours Led by Docent Historians

Jan 9 - ongoing

Guided Tours at the Maritime Museum of San Diego is your opportunity to learn of the ships' in-depth stories from our trained knowledgeable historians, and enjoy the waterfront sights of San Diego Bay while meeting other people with like interests in maritime heritage and history.

The docent and volunteer community share a wealth of knowledge, and a passion and pride with visitors for this guided tour. Plan ahead and make your advance reservation today.

Choose from two 2 hour guided tours on select Wednesday's. 20 per time slot. 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.11:30 am - 1:30 pm.

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Gray Whale Watching Tour

Jan 17 - Mar 31, 2023

Join one of our daily, public Adventure Whale Watching San Diego tours, or reserve the entire boat for a custom, private whale watching experience.

Public Whale Watching Tours are booked on a per-person basis. Reserve the number of seats needed for the people in your group and share your experience with other wildlife enthusiasts. We reserve up to 10 seats on each boat for our public whale watching tours.

Private Whale Watching Tours reserve all seats on the boat for your party. This is a more personalized and intimate tour experience. Private whale watching tours are reserved for up to 10 passengers per boat for a flat rate. We have multiple boats and can accommodate larger groups upon request.

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Mermaid Half Marathon San Diego

Feb 25, 2023

Mermaid returns to San Diego's Mission Bay for a scenic women's 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Come out and experience the joy of crossing the finish line.

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7 Ways to Make a Splash in San Diego

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Surf and Skate in San Diego

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San Diego's Outdoor Sports Scene

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Private Bay Tour of Downtown San Diego

Jan 17, 2023 - ongoing

Discover

Guided Tours Led by Docent Historians

Jan 9 - ongoing

Discover

Gray Whale Watching Tour

Jan 17 - Mar 31, 2023

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Mermaid Half Marathon San Diego

Feb 25, 2023

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Offers

Activity

75-minute Naval History Bay Tour Only $20***

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Valid: Jan 10 - ongoing

Join us at the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a high-speed 75-minute narrated Naval History Tour! The US Naval Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift Boat Listed In National Register Of Historic Places is...

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Activities

Sunset Sail on San Diego Bay

Seaforth Boat Rental

Valid: Jan 5 - ongoing

Watch the sunset over the ocean and capture breathtaking views of San Diego’s Skyline in full sunset color, on your own private sail yacht. Departing daily out of Coronado and Downtown...

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Venues

10% off any 4:00PM Sunset Sail.

San Diego Sailing Tours

Valid: Oct 11, 2022 - ongoing

Enjoy an early Sunset due to the time of the year and get dinner after!

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San Diego Golf Courses

The Sweet Spot for Golf

With 72 golf courses in every conceivable setting from mountains to desert to ocean, it's no wonder Golf Digest named San Diego one of the Top 50 golf destinations in the world.

San Diego’s temperate weather keeping local links in playing condition year-round, so duffers and scratch golfers alike can get their fill of the wide fairways, rolling hills, stunning landscapes and challenging play that awaits players of all skill levels.

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Scuba & Snorkel

Swimming with Leopard Sharks

An unconventional way to enjoy the California coastline

Oh the stories you’ll tell when you say you’ve been swimming with sharks in San Diego.

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Fishing

Lake Jennings in San Diego's East County

Fishing, Boating, Camping, Picnicking, Hiking & More!

Lake Jennings is an East County recreation gem with family activities to keep your whole crew entertained.

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Restaurants

Ballpark Grub Guide

Petco Park does ballpark food a little differently

Gone are choices of lukewarm pizza slices, tasteless hot dogs and hockey-puck burgers. At Petco Park, they've gathered the local favorite eateries from around San Diego and packed them all into a ballpark. It's the ultimate San Diego culinary experience...disguised as a baseball stadium.

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