A vacation in San Diego conjures lazy days at the beach, a visit to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Balboa Park’s world-class museums, SeaWorld, Seaport Village, Coronado Island and the Mexican ambience of Old Town San Diego.
That’s all here, for sure, but for the more adventurous, San Diego County offers a plethora of experiences providing thrills, chills and exciting entertainment or serene, surreal and highly memorable moments you'll never forget. Here are a few favorites for those seeking an adrenaline rush or just a unique adventure to remember.
Torrey Pines Gliderport, La Jolla: Torrey Pines Gliderport is a world-class flying site with 100 years of flying history and Southern California’s premier location for solo and tandem hang-gliding, paragliding, sailplanes and remote-control models. Whether you’re a flight enthusiast or newbie to cruising the Pacific coast air thermals, they’ve got you covered. Earn your wings taking a tandem paraglider flight with a world-class instructor while you take in stunning bird’s-eye views of the dramatic coastline, the emerald links of Torrey Pines Golf Course and opulent cliffside mansions before landing safely on Black’s Beach for a hike back to the clifftop.
K1 Speed, Carlsbad: If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to blow off steam, the head-to-head action of K1 Speed’s indoor go-kart racing offers the addicting thrill of racing high-performance electric karts on an indoor track. My favorite way to race is their spur-of-the-moment Arrive & Drive package with no reservation needed at this first location of K1’s multiple Southern California venues that opened 20 years ago. The high-performance-design track accommodates all levels of drivers from novice to expert with tight turns and fast straightaways. After the speed thrill you can relax in its Paddock Lounge cafe and do some gaming in its arcade.
SC Paintball & Airsoft Park, Lakeside: Whether you’re a daring newcomer or seasoned player, you can unleash your inner warrior at SC Village Paintball Park in Lakeside, just 40 minutes from downtown San Diego. The park features different paintball fields to satisfy all types of thrill-seekers: a concrete park of intricate cement obstacles to hide behind and hunt your opponents, a castle field to lob paintballs shots from historic-looking parapets and a Western field where you can get your cowboy on shooting paint around saloon-style buildings.
San Diego 4x4 Off-roading: For a slower but still thrilling driving experience, navigate high, steep, heart-pounding climbs behind the wheel of a 4x4 following a guide through the winding trails of the Otay Mountain Wilderness and more rugged mountain-range terrain in San Diego’s vast East Country. San Diego 4x4 trails provide an incredible binational view—depending on the weather, as far as 115 miles in the United States and across the border into Mexico. Drive individually to learn off-roading terrain techniques and enjoy a catered meal on unique trails with a customized group trip.
GoJump Skydiving, Oceanside: Born in Oceanside with a goal to offer the safest skydiving experience at locations throughout Southern California in San Diego, Los Angeles and farther afield, you’re in safe hands with GoJump, whose instructors have (happily) completed 25,000 tandem skydives annually in Oceanside alone. They use brand-new, purpose-built skydiving aircraft and the latest in parachute technology. While the experience can be somewhat nerve-wracking for newbies to skydiving, you'll never forget the views as San Diego County rushes up toward you.
Compass Balloons, Del Mar: For a more leisurely and serene but still breathtaking experience, consider my favorite—a sunset hot-air balloon ride complete with champagne. You'll have a bird’s-eye view of everything from San Diego’s downtown high-rises and the county’s exclusive golf course to the crystal coastline of the Pacific Ocean as you float above the vistas and mazes of its coastal canyons—a great way to take in an awe-inspiring high-sky view of America’s Finest City, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas or Temecula’s wine country.
