The city of San Diego and its surrounding communities are great places to find exciting outdoor activities. Residents of San Diego County and those visiting the area will discover a number of ways to enjoy the beautiful weather and explore the region's natural features. The county's cliffs, beaches and wilderness areas are ideal locations for climbing, surfing, snorkeling and hiking.
Water Sports
The Carlsbad Lagoon is a popular spot for all sorts of water sports. You can rent equipment or take lessons in wakeboarding, water skiing or jet skiing. La Jolla Cove is a good setting for scuba diving and snorkeling, thanks to its cliffs, reefs and wealth of marine life. While you're in La Jolla, stop by the Children's Pool, a former swimming beach that has become a tourist attraction due to the many harbor seals that gather there.
Hiking
The largest urban cultural park in the country, Balboa Park is home to a number of museums, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and a handful of rocky trails shared by hikers and mountain bikers. Most trails are a few miles long and some include major elevation changes. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a scenic wilderness area with short trails that allow visitors to see the rare Pinus torreyana pine tree and take in amazing views of the ocean.
Beaches
San Diego County has miles of Pacific Ocean coastline perfect for swimming or surfing. Windansea Beach offers excellent surfing, though it can become quite crowded, while Black's Beach and La Jolla Shores are good surfing sites as well. A bit further inland, Mission Bay Park is a recreational area covering more than 4,200 acres. Swim, jog or play volleyball at the park's 19 miles of sandy beaches.
Climbing
In addition to a number of indoor climbing facilities, the San Diego area boasts several good outdoor climbing spots. Mission Gorge, located in Mission Trails Regional Park, is a climbing area with routes suitable for both beginners and advanced climbers. Most climbs here range from 30 to 70 feet. If you prefer bouldering to vertical climbing, check out the Santee Boulders in the city of Santee or the small bouldering area atop Mount Helix.
Camping
Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park has 46 primitive camping sites for tents and vehicles. The campground accepts online reservations and allows pets for an additional fee. For a more challenging camping experience in a desert environment, try the Vallecito or Agua Caliente campgrounds in the eastern part of the county. Agua Caliente features geothermal springs and miles of walking trails. Both parks are closed during summer months.
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