Top 5 water activities for out-of-town friends
If you live in San Diego, you no doubt have out-of-town friends who are begging to come visit you. Besides catching a Padres game or taking them to one of more than 150 craft beer tasting rooms, you may want to take them on a couple of adventures they will talk about for years to come.
Since San Diego is famous for gorgeous beaches and perfect climate, have them enjoy summer the San Diego way: Get outside and experience a few must-do activities they won’t be able to do anywhere else.
Surfing at La Jolla Shores
The beach at La Jolla Shores is one of the best places to teach someone how to surf. You can park for free in the main lot by the lifeguard tower at the Shores. If you don’t have surfboard rentals there are places just a few blocks away that can accommodate you.
Also bring a mask and snorkel because just a few hundred yards to the south (in front of the Marine Room) you can swim with hundreds of leopard sharks that migrate here each summer. The experience will leave your guests amazed and impressed, I guarantee you!
8388 Camino del Oro, La Jolla
Kayaking the La Jolla caves
Also located at La Jolla Shores are a handful of businesses that rent kayaks and provide guided tours of the La Jolla caves. This quarter mile paddle takes the adventurer along the steep cliffs just to the north of La Jolla Cove. Once you get to the caves you can jump in for a fun dive and see local marine life including seals, Garibaldi and the occasional shark or whale. Wear plenty of sunscreen for this adventure because there is no shade on the kayaks and make sure you bring your GoPro!
La Jolla Kayak, 2199 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla
Skinny dip at Black’s Beach
Black’s Beach is the region’s only clothing-optional beach, and it lies at the base of the most beautiful beachside cliffs in San Diego County. I recommend this one to only your best of friends over the age of 18 and maybe leave mom and dad out of this one. You can surf, swim and play a pick up game of volleyball if you feel so inclined.
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, San Diego
Stand-up paddling at Carlsbad Lagoon
Just north of San Diego is the outdoorsman’s paradise known as the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. This beautiful place is the last bastion of no rule (almost) fun in Southern California. The rental company Carlsbad Lagoon is the place to get WaveRunners, boats, stand-up paddleboards and more to use in this small slice of heaven. Get your exercise in as you paddle around the lagoon enjoying the perfect water temperatures and sunshine.
4215 Harrison St., Carlsbad
La Jolla Cove snorkeling
The cove is San Diego’s jewel. People from around the globe flock here each year to swim in her protective waters with the local sea life. It’s an underwater reserve so no animals can be fished, hunted or taken. The marine life swims among the humans without fear. There are beautiful reefs and caves to check out, and if you’re into open ocean swimming, you can test your limits by heading to a series of buoys just off shore.
Coast Boulevard, La Jolla
As a lifelong San Diegan, Ken Lewis has surfing and ocean life in his DNA. A 30-year surfer himself, Lewis has worked in the surf and skate industry for most of his career. Send him thoughts about the surfing and fitness worlds to kenlewis760@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @hanger18.
Source: DiscoverSD
Here are more things to do in San Diego:
Top 10 Hikes in San Diego
10 More Top Hikes in San Diego
10 Best Beaches in San Diego