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Get out and play

Sports & Recreation

Outdoor activities in San Diego is a year round pursuit

Photo By Aaron Chang

The Inside Scoop on Outdoor Activities in San Diego

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. Find the perfect outdoor activities in San Diego for you!

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 outdoor activities in San Diego like 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. The nice sunny weather in makes these outdoor activities in San Diego even more enjoyable. 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 outdoor activities in San Diego and San Diego's best spots for fishing, sailing, scuba diving, mountain biking and more!

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Things to do

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San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

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Parade of Lights Dinner and Boat Parade Viewing

Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024

Maritime Museum of San Diego invites you to enjoy the 54th Annual Parade of Lights Dinner staged aboard the elegant Victorian-era 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley Sundays, December 8 and 15, 2024. Parade judges will be nested at the Maritime Museum as the brightly decorated boats cruise by the Museum fleet located at Star of India Wharf between Grape and Ash Street. The procession of boats starts at 5:30 p.m. and will follow a predetermined parade route. The parade route organizers project the parade to pass the north embarcadero and Maritime Museum of San Diego at approximately 6:20 p.m.

Maritime Museum of San Diego has been known for years as the best place on the waterfront to view the annual Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay.

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$10.00 Historic Bay Cruise w/general admission!

Aug 20 - ongoing

This boat tour provides visitors with an educational tour of San Diego Bay. The 45-minute Bay sightseeing tour takes guests out on the water in a large loop first heading toward North Island and the Aircraft Carriers, then stopping at buoy 22. Guests will then head just under Coronado Bridge and make a port (left) turn around one of the bridge pillars. The vessel then heads back towards the Maritime Museum along the downtown side of the waterfront.  Several attractions will be highlighted along the way as guests enjoy the fresh air and view.

Sheduled daily tour times Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Weekends: 11:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

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Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade

Dec 27, 2024

America's Largest Balloon Parade! Marching bands, floats, drill teams and giant balloons parade down San Diego's beautiful waterfront in celebration of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl.

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San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025
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Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024
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$10.00 Historic Bay Cruise w/general admission!

Aug 20 - ongoing
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Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade

Dec 27, 2024
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More from San Diego

Neighborhoods

Offers

Activity

$10 off Tall Ship Sail Experiences

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Valid: Mar 20 - ongoing

Join the Maritime Museum of San Diego Sail Crew for a 4-hour sail aboard the state tall ship Californian or the Spanish galleon San Salvador and save $10.00 with this promo code TALLSHIPSAILFUN24! ...

Venues

Luxury Yacht Wedding: 10% Midweek Discount

Adventuress Luxury Catamaran
Valid: Nov 7, 2024 - Jan 21, 2025

Love is in the air! Book your 3+ Hour Wedding on board the Adventuress Luxury Catamaran for this Winter and receive a 10% Discount on the charter rate. The Adventuress is a gorgeous 60' Luxury...

Activities

FREE Del Mar Racetrack Bike Tour

Dynamite Electric Bike Tours
Valid: Jul 24, 2024 - ongoing

Explore the Del Mar Racetrack, the village of Del Mar, and a great restaurant with views of "Dog Beach" and the Racetrack.  This tour is on us, just select the "Del Mar Bike Tour" from our mobil...

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