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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!

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Things to do

What's Hot|
What's On|

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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2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships

Nov 1 - Nov 2, 2024

It all starts with Future Stars Friday, where the sport’s stars of tomorrow compete in five Juvenile (two-year-old) races. The non-stop action continues on Saturday where the Breeders’ Cup will crown nine more World Champions across different surfaces and divisions, including the season-defining $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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HALLOWEEN CRUISE ON WDE

Oct 26, 2024

Get ready for a wicked good time on a Halloween cruise on Mission Bay! Show off your spine-chilling style with a creative costume and sip on a Halloween-inspired welcome cocktail. The adults-only party boat is packed with two live DJs pumping out spooky dance beats, a cash bar with delicious libations and snacks, as well as a photo booth to capture all your spirited shenanigans.

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Electric Bike/Train Coastal Tour

Aug 7, 2024 - ongoing

Want to ride the rails and explore on your electric or road bike? The tour begins at the Solana Beach Train Station where you will board the train, with your bike, headed to Carlsbad Village.  The train follows the coastline, so you can enjoy spectacular views along the way. Once off the train in Carlsbad, your bike adventure will begin.   As you ride back to Solana Beach you will enjoy incredible coastline vistas, white sand beaches, meditation gardens, local history, and restaurants to experience for lunch. The bike riding leg of the tour is about 16 miles with up to 14 stops along the way.

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Petco Park Pregame Tours

Mar 28 - ongoing

 In addition to our daily tour offerings, check out our pregame tour options for 2024!

Standard Pregame Tour


Take part in a unique, one-of-a-kind game day tour opportunity to experience America's #1 Ballpark!

Your tour begins with a behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park. Enjoy a ballpark tour like no other as you learn the history of the San Diego Padres and Petco Park. Your tour will end with an exclusive opportunity to view Padres batting practice from one of our outfield venues.

Standard Pregame Tours begin at the Gaslamp Gate, located on 7th Avenue/Tony Gwynn Drive at K Street.

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What's Hot

View More

7 Ways to Make a Splash in San Diego

Discover

Surf and Skate in San Diego

Discover

San Diego's Outdoor Sports Scene

Discover

What's On

View More Events

2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships

Nov 1 - Nov 2, 2024
Discover

HALLOWEEN CRUISE ON WDE

Oct 26, 2024
Discover

Electric Bike/Train Coastal Tour

Aug 7, 2024 - ongoing
Discover

Petco Park Pregame Tours

Mar 28 - ongoing
Discover

More from San Diego

Neighborhoods

Offers

Activities

Kids Fish Free!

Lake Jennings
Valid: Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2024

Enjoy the Great Outdoors with the kids at Lake Jennings! This October, kids aged 12 and under fish for free! Just mention "San Diego Tourism Authority: Kids Fish Free" at the Lake Jennings Bait...

Accommodation

San Diego Zoo Package

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Valid: Aug 9 - ongoing

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the perfect waterfront location for exploring all that Southern California has to offer. The hotel is just minutes away from popular attractions like...

Activities

Electric Bike Rentals & Tours - KIDS RIDE FREE

Dynamite Electric Bike Tours
Valid: Aug 1 - Sep 30, 2024

Kids ride free when riding with their parent.  We offer electric bike rentals, through our rental parner, Pedego Solana Beach.  Rent our kid friendly bikes or child seats/trailers and there...

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