Things To Do Outside In San Diego

With its year-long mild climate and location right on the beach, it is easy to go outdoors in San Diego. Our local insiders know their stuff: they’ve visited the breweries, walked along the beaches and kayaked the coast so they can recommend you all the best spots.

1. Oceanside Pier

Architectural Landmark

If you’re looking for an idyllic day out in San Diego, get yourself to Oceanside Pier. Take a romantic stroll along the wooden pier and watch the sunset. Dolphins and seals may poke their heads up to say hello. If you’re keen on a seafood supper, you can fish here without a license, and there’s a small bait shop where you can rent everything you need. Recommended by local insider Lauren Rogers

2. Stone Brewing Escondido

Brewery

With a one-acre beer garden and an expansive outdoor patio, you can’t fail to catch some rays at Stone Brewing Escondido. They’re huge advocates of sustainability, so you can drink knowing the ingredients have been locally sourced. Take a brewery tour and learn all their inside secrets, or just kick back with a group of friends and sample their drinks. Recommended by local insider Lauren Rogers

3. Buzz Buggy

Amusement Park

See all the sights of San Diego from a different viewpoint in an electric tuk-tuk from Buzz Buggy. Set your own itinerary or let the crew recommend a customized trip. Choose from a beer tour; a tequila and taco adventure; or an Instagrammable expedition around the best photo ops in town. It’s a sure-fire hit with groups and a guaranteed good time. Recommended by local insider Lauren Rogers

5. La Jolla kayak and snorkel tour

Natural Feature

Take to the water on a brightly colored, plastic kayak with an expertly trained tour guide who will take you on a spectacular aquatic journey. There’s loads of safety gear and the trip is lots of fun. Visit the sea caves of La Jolla, make friends (from a distance) with sea lions, turtles, leopard sharks and marine fish when you snorkel the ecological reserve. Recommended by local insider Hebah Bukhari

6. Ho Chi Minh (La Jolla) Trail

Hiking Trail

This recommendation comes with a very big, flashing neon sign that reads ‘Be Careful’. This hike isn’t for everyone as it’s sticky in places with drops down to the gorge and very little traction underfoot. You’ll have to have your wits about you. It is a beautiful trail though, and not too congested as it seems even the locals don’t know too much about it. The path leads down to Black Beach where, if you wish, you can remove all your clothes and jump straight in the sea – it is San Diego’s only clothing-optional beach. Recommended by local insider Hebah Bukhari

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.