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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Del Mar Racing Season

Jul 16 - Sep 6, 2021

San Diego horse racing takes place where the "turf meets the surf" at the Del Mar Racetrack. Fans flock to the track each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Racetrack racing season, mid-July - early-September. Be part of the magic and nostalgia of this long-time horse race tradition dating back to 1937 when Bing Crosby greeted the first guests, and Seabiscuit won by a nose in the infamous race in 1938. This season features the nation's top racehorses, trainers and jockeys, and plenty of fun in the sun.

Friday, July 16 - Labor Day, September 6, 2021

Racing Thursdays - Sunday, and Labor Day Monday.

First Post 2 PM most racing days, 4 PM on Fridays.

*dates and times subject to change. Visit DelMarRacing.com for up to date information.

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$15 Swift Boat Naval History Tour w/Admission!

May 29 - ongoing

Only $15 for this exciting and educational Maritime Museum Swift Boat Tour. Ride the only active passenger carrying Swift Boat in the country. Feel the power of the twin 12 cylinder 2-stroke Detroit Diesels as you take a behind the scenes 75 minute narrated tour of San Diego's military history.

Weekends only. 12:15, 2:15 pm

Swift Boat Veterans have assisted crew, guided visitors on tours, supported the ship maintenance staff, and generated funds to keep the PCF 816 Swift Boat in tip-top condition. They are a passionate force that can be counted on now just as they were in the past when Swift crews patrolled the waterways.

Tour route heads under Coronado Bay Bridge, Naval Base San Diego, and then Naval Amphibious Base. PCF 816 then heads back by the aircraft carrier basin and Naval Air Station North Island before returning to the Museum.

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TVG Pacific Classic

Aug 21, 2021

Watch many of the country's top horses compete at the classic distance of 1 1/4 miles in Del Mar's signature event, the Grade I TVG Pacific Classic, on Saturday, August 21.

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Catalina Island Deep Sea Fishing Day Trip

May 3 - ongoing

Catalina Island offers exciting deep sea fishing opportunities. Full day trips travel to Catalina Island daily catching over two dozen different species of fish. Beautiful island backdrops make for a amazing experience.

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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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Del Mar Racing Season

Jul 16 - Sep 6, 2021

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$15 Swift Boat Naval History Tour w/Admission!

May 29 - ongoing

Discover

TVG Pacific Classic

Aug 21, 2021

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Catalina Island Deep Sea Fishing Day Trip

May 3 - ongoing

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Offers

Activities

San Diego Visitor Special Whale & Dolphin Tours

Oceanside Adventures Luxury Cruises

Valid: Jun 21 - ongoing

Save 20% off General Admission price for our 2 hour Whale & Dolphin tours by using promo code SAN20. Great for all ages, year round daily trips. Our 50 ft. luxury catamaran was...

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Accommodation

LUXURY PICNIC PACKAGE

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Valid: May 4 - ongoing

Treat your family or friends to this incredible outdoor, private experience, curated just for you! We've partnered with our friends at Outside Together Co. on a special package that includes overnight...

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Activity

$10 Historic Bay Cruise with General Admission*

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Valid: Jun 10 - ongoing

Purchase general admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and add a 45-minute narrated Historic Bay Cruise aboard the country's oldest active Pilot boat for only $10 more! Limit reservations....

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Rob Machado

Surf-Scene Specialist

Australian-born, California-raised, pro surfer Rob Machado has spent most of his life atop a surfboard. Still one of surfing’s most iconic and beloved figures, he never strays too far from his favorite San Diego swells.

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Golf

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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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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Sports & Recreation

How to Support San Diego’s Local Businesses

While communities across the globe practice social distancing, you are never far from our hearts here in San Diego, and we'll be here to provide you with plenty of virtual sunshine.

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Visitor planning guide

For the ultimate guide to planning your San Diego vacation, view and download the San Diego Visitor Planning Guide, packed with useful information that will help you plan the perfect San Diego getaway.