10 Best Activities to Do in San Diego
San Diego’s Most Popular Activities
With beaches, mountains and canyons surrounding it, San Diego is an ideal destination for visitors looking for an active vacation. Get outside of your San Diego hotel and let the ocean wind tousle your hair as you surf, sail or bike in the warm California sun.
1. Surfing
Good for: Adventure
Whether you’re a beginner or an old hat, San Diego has terrific waves for surfing. Lessons are available throughout the city, but the Pacific Beach Surf School provides the wet suit, the board, and even chairs and umbrellas for your companions.
Location: 4150 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach 92109 , USA
2. Sailing
Good for: Adventure
The steady wind and sunny skies of San Diego make it ideal for sailing. Even if you’ve never sailed before, you can rent a boat with a skipper or take a sailing lesson on the bay. There are dozens of companies to choose from, but Seaforth Boat Rentals has the largest selection.
3. Scuba diving or snorkeling
Good for: Adventure
Choose from an array of diving locations or earn your scuba certification. Even if you don’t have time for a dive, you can rent snorkeling gear and explore La Jolla Cove, or take a snorkeling tour from Scuba San Diego.
Scuba diving or snorkeling
4. Kayaking
Good for: Adventure
Consider taking a guided kayak tour. San Diego Bike & Kayak Tours specializes in ocean tours around the La Jolla Cove and its caves. Or just rent your own kayak.
Location: 2222 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla 92037, USA
5. Rock climbing
Good for: Adventure
The oldest rock-climbing destination in the city is the Mission Trails Regional Park, with over 150 lead and top-rope routes.
Location: 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail 92119, USA
Rock climbing
6. Biking
Good for: Adventure
Flat trails along the ocean make for gentle rides, while the Cleveland National Forest’s trails are more rugged and challenging. Or rent a bike downtown from the San Diego Bike Shop.
Location: 619 C Street, Downtown 92101, USA
7. Hang gliding
Good for: Adventure
The cliffs overlooking the ocean in Torrey Pines have been a proving grounds for motor-less flight since 1928. The sea breezes and elevated grounds make this location top notch for gliding. Take lessons, rent a paraglider or consider a tandem flight.
Location: 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla 92037, USA
Hang gliding
8. Skateboarding or in-line skating
Good for: Adventure
The city’s skate parks have bowls, snakes and rail slides for hard-core in-line skaters. Other may prefer a more leisurely ride along the beach boardwalks. Both boards and skates can be rented from Cheap Rentals.
Location: 3689 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach 92109, USA
Good for: Adventure
The mild weather and clean air make San Diego a hiker’s paradise, with rugged mountains in one direction and cliffside beaches in the other. And just a hop, skip and a jump from La Jolla are the trails of the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Read more
Location: 12600 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla 92037, USA
Hiking
Good for: Adventure
Some of the best-kept nets are located on the south end of Mission Beach, where you can rent a volleyball nearby. Alternately, you might even be able to catch an impromptu game on the La Jolla campus of the University of California-San Diego. Read more
Beach volleyball
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.