San Diego 2026
Outdoor Things To Do in San Diego
70 miles of coastline, 250+ sunny days a year, and trails that drop from coastal cliffs to the Pacific — San Diego was built for the outdoors.
San Diego's outdoor scene spans calm Mission Bay water sports, exposed coastal hikes at Torrey Pines, sea cave kayaking in La Jolla, and 70 miles of public beaches from the Mexican border to Del Mar. Use the guides below to plan by activity type.
Beaches & Coastal
Best Beaches
Ranked — from Coronado's flat white sand to La Jolla's wildlife-rich cove.
La Jolla Cove
Sea lions, snorkeling, and sea caves — the most scenic spot on the coast.
Mission Beach
San Diego's liveliest beach — boardwalk, volleyball, and body surfing.
Sunset Cliffs
Dramatic natural park with cliff views and the city's best sunsets.
Torrey Pines
State reserve with coastal hiking trails that drop down to an uncrowded beach.
Hiking & Scenic
Water Sports & Tours
La Jolla Kayak Tour
Paddle into sea caves along the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
Whale Watching
Gray whales, humpbacks, and blue whales — best Jan through March.
Harbor Cruise
San Diego Bay — USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, and the skyline by boat.
Surfing & Water Sports
Beginner surf at Pacific Beach, Mission Bay rentals, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Parks & Nature
Best Beaches in San Diego
Coronado Beach consistently ranks among the top beaches in the US — wide, flat, and backed by the Hotel del Coronado. La Jolla Cove is the most picturesque: protected from surf, crystal-clear water, and home to a year-round sea lion colony. Mission Beach is the most social, with a two-mile boardwalk connecting it to Pacific Beach.
Torrey Pines State Beach, reached via trail from the state reserve above, is the least crowded — no direct road access keeps visitor numbers low. For locals, Ocean Beach and Del Mar are favorites that avoid the tourist-heavy spots.
Full beach rankings →Hiking Near San Diego
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the most iconic San Diego hike — trails cut through rare Torrey Pine forests along 300-foot sandstone cliffs above the Pacific. The Guy Fleming Trail is 0.6 miles and easy; the Beach Trail drops to the sand below. Cowles Mountain (1,592 ft) in Mission Trails Regional Park is the most popular local hike with 360-degree views.
Potato Chip Rock in Poway is an 8-mile round trip to one of the most photographed spots in Southern California — a thin rock formation at the summit of Mt. Woodson.
Full hiking guide →Water Sports & Kayaking
La Jolla's seven sea caves are only accessible by water, and several outfitters run guided kayak tours from La Jolla Shores. Mission Bay is the best spot for beginners — a fully enclosed bay with calm water ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing. Whale watching cruises depart from the Embarcadero year-round, with gray whale season peaking January through March.
La Jolla kayak guide →