Top Hot Spots In San Diego For The Outdoor Enthusiast

Let me begin by saying that if you’ve never been to the Golden Coast, its an absolute must! Walking down the streets of San Diego was like walking through a dream. Having grown up in the Midwest, I couldn’t believe that I was still in the US!

California in itself is such a huge state and there is so much to discover. But today I’m just going to start with San Diego. 

Visiting San Diego was what originally uprooted me from my cozy Midwest life, and led me to reside on the Golden Coast.

San Diego was like a compartment of sub-neighborhoods that all flowed flawlessly into one large portion of beaches, restaurants, wildlife and parks. There is more to see and do around every corner.

Being the adventure enthusiast that I am, I am going to keep my focus on the outdoorsy attractions. So, if you love nature, love to explore, and love variety, this list is for you.

1. Balboa Park

One of the most well-reknowned gems of San Diego is the infamous Balboa Park. Here, there is a plethora of restaurants, theaters,  museums, and natural allure that has caught the interest of the general public.

But the reason that I’ve added it to my list for the outdoor enthusiast is because, well, the entire park is outdoors. You can walk around for hours admiring the beautiful conglomeration of nature mixed among the unique architectural structures that line the many arched pathways.

If you’re feeling up for a stroll, are interested in learning more about the history of the area,  or would like to simply sit and read beneath the swaying palms in the many surrounding gardens, you can do all of that and more.

2. Torrey Pines

I don’t know why I’ve never heard of this place before visiting, but it is definitely note-worthy. Torrey Pines is a state natural reserve right alongside the ocean where you can find the native “Torrey Pine” tree. This area is the only place in the whole world where this tree grows, so try to squeeze this in!

While visiting a nearby area, I heard a pretty cool story from our kayaking tour-guide. He claimed that Dr. Seuss himself helped save the Torrey Pine tree when the entire park was threatened to be overrun by expanding housing. As the story goes, the builders were outraged when a few people fought to keep the park open, one among them being Dr. Seuss himself.

It is said that eventually they named the area a natural reserve that was to be untouched. This story ended up being the inspiration for Dr. Seuss’ all too familiar story of “The Lorax.”

Seeing this reserve is enough of a treat for anyone, all stories aside. The pines grow alongside winding roads and hills that overlook the sea. You could hike for hours (which is just what we did) and never tire from the relentless beauty.

And when all is said and done, you can always take a dip into the sea after your long journey comes to an end. Perfection!

3. La Jolla Cove

Ah, the infamous La Jolla. Who wouldn’t love to spend a day enjoying the serenity of this little city?

Take a walk along the multi-colored shops and cafes that line the cliffs of the sea.

Stop and watch the sea lions sunbathing and jumping from the rocks of the cove.

Kayak alongside the shores of the cove itself and explore what the waters have to offer with an added snorkeling tour.

The options are endless at La Jolla Cove. But one thing is for sure: there is adventure waiting around every cliff and corner.

While visiting, my husband and I found a very beautiful hiking trail that swerved around the city where you could look down just past the cliffs of the sea and even walk over a bridge where you can see a visible earthquake fault line called Rose Canyon Fault.

La Jolla is one of the most beautiful communities in San Diego and is definitely one of those places that you need to experience in order to fully appreciate it. 

4. Sunset Cliffs

This area has got to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen on the Golden coast. There are paths that wind down along the coast where you can attempt to climb down to the beaches, watch as the surfers dance in the waves, or simply stroll along the seaside cliffs.

True to its name, this is a fantastic spot to sit and watch the sunset. It creates quite a romantic setting and is the perfect spot to have a sunset picnic. Be sure to bring your camera along to capture some stunning pictures!

5. Beaches

1. Moonlight State Beach is a beautiful stretch of water located near Encinitas in San Diego. Depending on the time of year that you go (we went in October) the beach has enough space to be pretty private. Parking is free and the park is open until 10pm every day. 
2. Pacific Beach (pictured below) is another great beach to go to if you are looking for more of a tourist vibe. This beach is lined with carnivals, restaurants and coffee shops as the roller-skaters wind their way between every passerby. It is a great family location, with a lot of different activities to choose from within a five mile radius. This is one of San Diego’s more popular beaches, so be prepared for crowds.
3. Ocean Beach must have been recommended to us by every San Diego local that we ran into. This beach is a good mixture of laid back locals and hipster grunge. You may find a crowd smoking alongside the boardwalk while families fish overhead. Unfortunately, when we visited, there was a lot of kelp washed up on the shore (mid October). But otherwise it was a beautiful spot, with a dog-friendly beach just a ways down, so be sure to bring your furry friend along. There is also a huge selection of dining within walking distance, so you can’t go wrong here. 
4. La Jolla Cove Beach is definitely one of my favorite spots. It is usually pretty busy here, with both people and sea lions lining the shores. But don’t let that intimidate you. These beaches are a perfect little getaway and, if you go offseason, you may just find yourself in your own private slice of paradise. 

6. Launch Pad

Just in between Black’s beach (nude beach) and Torrey Pines State Park, there is the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Here you can choose between paragliding or hang gliding (prices differ). Or you can simply hang out at the cafe, grab a bite to eat, and watch as a bunch of people pay money to literally jump off a cliff.

Just an FYI here: if you do choose to glide down to Black’s beach, you are probably going to see more of the human anatomy than you bargained for. So just be sure that the whole family is prepared for that.

As you can see, San Diego has a wide variety of places to go and things to see, and this is just scratching the surface. So please, go and share your experience with us!

What is it that you love most about San Diego? Make sure to tell us in the comments below!

<3 Val