San Diego Adventure Guide

Summer’s end may be right around the corner, but it’s not too late to cram in one last adventure. San Diego is home to a wealth of activities, excursions and tours that will get your blood rushing. What makes Southern California great is the combination of beaches, mountains and desert regions in one place, so thrill-seekers can have unique, memorable experiences. Grab a pen and cross some things off that bucket list – this summer is shaping up to be the adventure of a lifetime. 

Torrey Pines Glider Port

2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr., La Jolla, CA; $175–$225

Ready to jump off a cliff? The folks at Torrey Pines Glider Port are. Running the largest tandem paragliding operation in the world, the Glider Port is the premier place to go for your next flight adventure. Thrill-seekers take to the skies in tandem paragliding flights with certified instructors, as well as lessons in paragliding, hang gliding and powered paragliding. The breathtaking cliffs of Torrey Pines and endless ocean view make gliding here a one-of-a-kind experience – and with around 300 days of perfect flying weather a year, there’s no reason not to fly. 

Miramar Speed Circuit

8137 Miralani Dr., San Diego, CA; $20/RACE

Sitting in San Diego traffic is bad enough, but if you’ve got a need for speed it’s doubly painful to spend the afternoon crawling along the freeway. Take the next exit in Miramar and make your way to the Speed Circuit instead; there, you’ll find the thrill of indoor go-kart racing along an inventive track. The high-performance karts are designed for tight cornering and straightaway speeds up to 40 mph. The track is open to racers 48 inches and taller. 

San Diego Dune Tours

6 W Evan Hewes Highway, Ocotillo, CA; $185-$289

Despite the excellent appeal of San Diego’s coastline, it’s not the only place to have fun. The desert offers perhaps a surprising amount of adventure, too. Motorsport enthusiasts can hop on a dirt bike, dune buggy or ATV and race their way over a variety of desert landscapes including sand dunes, dry lake beds, red clay mountains and more. San Diego Dune Tours traverse the vast trails on-site in Ocotillo for individuals, groups and families and offer packages up to four days long. The tours are fully customizable, but by reservation only. 

SD Expeditions

2148 Avenida De La Playa, Ste. E, La Jolla, CA; $180–$399

The only way to learn a new culture is through immersion, and exploring the wonders of the sea requires the same process. Nothing can substitute the experience of being surrounded by vibrant sea life like coral reefs, towering kelp forests and schools of native fish. SD Expeditions coordinates eye-opening ocean adventures for both the novice and expert diver, offering guided tours around San Diego as well as SCUBA certification training.

Surfside Ranch

2225 Hollister St., San Diego, CA; $50–$120

Anyone can go for a walk on the beach, but how about a ride... a horseback ride, that is. Horseback riding is an adventure that offers a special connection with nature and animals that most other activities can’t provide. There’s no high-tech gadgets here – only you, your horse and the beautiful scenery you both journey to explore. Ride along the beach at sunset or traverse through the San Diego County Trail System. Surfside Ranch matches a rider with their perfect horse companion for an unforgettable trip. 

Flyguys Flyboarding

1450 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego, CA; $120–$180

The ultimate watersport adventure combines the best of two worlds: sky and sea. Flyboarding is just that sport. Using water propulsion (provided by a jet ski attached with a hose), the flyboard lifts its user high into the air, allowing plenty of room for flips, tricks and any acrobatic feat you can imagine before diving beneath the surface. The FlyGuys team promises a quick training session where guests learn to ride in mere minutes. After that, there’s plenty of time to play.

California Dreamin' Hot Air Balloon Ride

33133 Vista Del Monte Rd., Temecula, CA; $148-$298

Adventure isn’t synonymous with adrenaline rush. For those seeking an exciting activity minus the high-speed, a hot air balloon may be the perfect thing. See the sun rise over the mountains in a burst of a color while floating delicately above the Temecula Valley Wine Country, or instead catch the sunset on the ocean with a flight over coastal Del Mar. California Dreamin’ offers shared and individual packages any day of the week. 

La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline

22000 CA-76, Pauma Valley CA; $99

Tucked at the bottom of the Palomar Mountains on the La Jolla Indian Reservation is one of San Diego's ubeatable adventures: the longest zipline in southern California. Featuring more than 6,000 feet of course, this zipline trail sends riders soaring over the lush forests of the Pauma Valley and the rippling San Luis River with a killer view of the mountain range. But this is no casual ride––the zipline can reach speeds up to 55 mph. Still, there's nothing like the wind in your face and the stunning views on the horizon over the course of the zip.

Xtreme Adventures

2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA; $595-795

Some adrenaline junkies have expensive taste, but don’t let the price tag stop you from ogling that Lamborghini. Your dream car is sitting on a racetrack right here in San Diego, waiting for you to get behind the wheel. XTreme Adventures has four exotic supercars in their collection to drive today, including a Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari California and Porsche 911. These cars were made for the winding roads of California’s coasts and mountains, and you can take them there! Sign up for an adventure tour and drive it like you own it. 

Go Jump Oceanside

480 Airport Rd., Oceanside, CA; $189-$199

You’ve never seen an ocean view like this before. Whether crossing off a bucket list item or conquering a lifelong fear, skydiving offers the ultimate rush. Go Jump Oceanside is the only skydiving facility in SoCal to jump near the Pacific Ocean, so you’re getting two breathtaking experiences in one heart-pounding adventure. Go Jump provides tandem jumps as well as solo training and can capture the whole thing on high-quality video for your souvenir.

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