Active Pursuits

Ballooning & Scenic Flights

A peaceful dawn or dusk balloon ride reveals sweeping vistas of the Southern California coast, wine country, rambling estates, and golf courses. For a champagne-fueled flight at sunrise or sunset, followed by an hors d'oeuvres party, contact Skysurfer Balloon Company (tel. 800/660-6809 or 858/481-6800; www.sandiegohotairballoons.com). The rate for a 40- to 60-minute flight is $195 per person for the sunset excursion in Del Mar (25 min. from downtown) and $165 for the sunrise flight in Temecula (70 min. north of downtown). Or call California Dreamin' (tel. 800/373-3359 or 951/699-0601; www.californiadreamin.com). They charge $158 per person for a 1-hour sunrise breakfast flight in Temecula and $248 for sunset flights in Del Mar that last up to 1 hour; both include champagne and a personalized flight photo. California Dreamin' also offers a biplane adventure over Temecula's wine country starting at $248 for two people. You may also be interested in the Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival held in early June; call tel. 951/676-6713 or visit www.tvbwf.com for information.

In San Diego's North County, Biplane, Air Combat & Warbird Adventures (tel. 800/759-5667; www.barnstorming.com) offers a variety of experiences, from serene sunset flights to mock dogfights.

Biking

San Diego is one of the nation's preeminent bicycling destinations, with millions of dollars earmarked for bicycle paths throughout the city and county, including one that will parallel the rail line as far as Oceanside. The city was even named "one of the top 10 cities in the U.S. to bicycle" by Bicycling magazine. Many major thoroughfares offer bike lanes; but downtown is definitely a challenge. To obtain a detailed map by mail of San Diego County's bike lanes and routes, call RideLink Bicycle Information (tel. 511 or 619/699-1900) or go to www.511sd.com (there's also a downloadable version). You might also want to talk to the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (tel. 858/487-6063; www.sdcbc.org).

The paths around Mission Bay, in particular, are great for leisurely rides. The oceanfront boardwalk between Pacific Beach and Mission Beach can get very crowded, especially on weekends (but that's half the fun). Coronado has a 16-mile round-trip bike trail that starts at the Ferry Landing Marketplace and follows a well-marked route around Coronado to Imperial Beach, along the Silver Strand. The road out to Point Loma (Catalina Dr.) offers moderate hills and wonderful scenery. Traveling old State Route 101 (aka the Pacific Coast Hwy.) from La Jolla north to Oceanside offers terrific coastal views, along with plenty of places to refuel with coffee, a snack, or a swim. The 13-mile climb up steep switchbacks to the summit of 6,140-foot Mt. Palomar is perhaps the county's most invigorating challenge and offers its most gleeful descent.

Cycling San Diego by Nelson Copp and Jerry Schad (Sunbelt Publications) is a good resource for bicyclists and is available at most local bike shops.

Rentals, Organized Bike Tours & Other Two-Wheel Adventures -- Downtown, call Bike Tours San Diego, 509 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/238-2444; www.bike-tours.com), which offers delivery ($5) as far north as Del Mar. Rates for a city/hybrid bike start at $22 for a day, and include helmet, lock, maps, and roadside assistance. Other downtown shops include San Diego Bike Shop, 619 C St. (tel. 619/237-1245), and across the street Pennyfarthing's Bicycle Store, 630 C St. (tel. 619/233-7696); hourly rates are about $4, $25 for a 24-hour rental, or $150 for a full week.

In Mission Bay, there's Mission Beach Surf & Skate, 704 Ventura Place, off Mission Boulevard at Ocean Front Walk (tel. 858/488-5050), for one-speed beach cruisers; Cheap Rentals, 3685 Mission Blvd. (tel. 858/488-9070), for mountain bikes and more; and Hilton San Diego Resort, 1775 E. Mission Bay Dr. (tel. 619/276-4010), for multispeed bikes. In La Jolla, try California Bicycle, 7462 La Jolla Blvd. (tel. 858/454-0316; www.calbike.com), for front-suspension mountain bikes. In Coronado, check out Bikes and Beyond, 1201 First St. at the Ferry Landing Marketplace (tel. 619/435-7180; www.hollandsbicycles.com), for beach cruisers and mountain bikes; they also offer surrey and skate rentals. Expect to pay $7 per hour for bicycles, $30 for 24 hours.

Hike Bike Kayak San Diego (tel. 866/425-2925 or 858/551-9510; www.hikebikekayak.com) has a variety of bike tours, including a plunge down La Jolla's Mount Soledad. Adventurous cyclists might also like to participate in the Rosarito-Ensenada 50-Mile Fun Bicycle Ride, held every April and September just across the border in Mexico. This event attracts some 7,500 riders of all ages and abilities. It starts at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and finishes in Ensenada and cruises along paved highway. For information, contact Bicycling West, Inc. (tel. 858/483-8777; www.rosaritoensenada.com).

Bird-Watching

The birding scene is huge: More than 480 species have been observed in San Diego County, more than in any other county in the United States. The area is a haven along the Pacific Flyway -- the migratory route along the Pacific Coast -- and the diverse range of ecosystems also helps to lure a wide range of winged creatures. It's possible for birders to enjoy four distinct bird habitats in a single day.

Among the best places for bird-watching is the Chula Vista Nature Center at Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (tel. 619/409-5900; www.chulavistanaturecenter.org). You may spot rare residents like the light-footed clapper rail and the western snowy plover, as well as predatory species like the American peregrine falcon and northern harrier. In addition, the nature center has aquariums for turtles, sharks and rays, aviaries featuring raptors and shorebirds, and a garden featuring native plants. Also worth visiting is the Kendall-Frost Reserve in Mission Bay. Most of this 30-acre area is off-limits to the public, but you can get close to it via the pathway that extends north from Crown Point or by kayak. The reserve draws skimmers, shorebirds, brants, and, in winter, the large-billed savannah sparrow. The Torrey Pines State Reserve, north of La Jolla, is a protected habitat for swifts, thrashers, woodpeckers, and wren tits. Inland, Mission Trails Regional Park is a 5,800-acre urban park that is visited by orange-crowned warblers, swallows, raptors, and numerous riparian species; and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park makes an excellent day trip from San Diego -- 268 species of birds have been recorded here.

Birders coming to the area can obtain a copy of the free brochure Birding Hot Spots of San Diego, available at the Port Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Hwy., and at the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Birch Aquarium. It's also posted online at www.portofsandiego.org/sandiego_environment/bird_brochure.asp. The San Diego Audubon Society is another great source of birding information (tel. 619/682-7200; www.sandiegoaudubon.org).

Fishing

The sportfishing fleet consists of more than 75 large commercial vessels and several dozen private charter yachts, and a variety of half-, full-, and multi-day trips are available. The saltwater fishing season kicks off each spring with the traditional Port of San Diego Day at the Docks, held the last weekend in April or at the beginning of May at Sportfishing Landing, near Shelter Island; for more information, call tel. 619/234-8793 or see www.sportfishing.org. Anglers of any age can fish free of charge without a license off any municipal pier in California. Public fishing piers are on Shelter Island (where there's a statue dedicated to anglers), Ocean Beach, and Imperial Beach.

An ideal time for fishing is summer and fall, when the waters around Point Loma are brimming with bass, bonito, and barracuda. The Islas los Coronados, which belong to Mexico but are only about 18 miles from San Diego, are popular for yellowtail, yellowfin, and big-eyed tuna. Some outfitters will take you farther into Baja California waters on multi-day trips. Fishing charters depart from Harbor and Shelter Islands, Point Loma, the Imperial Beach pier, and Quivira Basin in Mission Bay (near the Hyatt Islandia Hotel). Participants 17 and over need a California fishing license.

Rates for trips on a large boat average $42 for a half-day trip or $90 for a 3/4-day trip, or you can spring $120 to $225 for a 20-hour overnight trip to the Islas los Coronados -- call around and compare prices. Prices are reduced for kids, and discounts are often available for twilight sailings; charters or "limited load" rates are also available. The following outfitters offer short or extended outings with daily departures: H&M Landing, 2803 Emerson St. (tel. 619/222-1144; www.hmlanding.com); Lee Palm Sportfishers, 2801 Emerson St. (tel. 619/224-3857; www.redrooster3.com); Point Loma Sportfishing, 1403 Scott St. (tel. 619/223-1627; www.pointlomasportfishing.com); and Seaforth Sportfishing, 1717 Quivira Rd. (tel. 619/224-3383; www.seaforthlanding.com). All of these shops rent tackle.

For freshwater fishing, San Diego's lakes and rivers are home to bass, channel and bullhead catfish, bluegill, trout, crappie, and sunfish. Most lakes have rental facilities for boats, tackle, and bait, and they also provide picnic and (usually) camping areas. A 1-day California State Fishing License costs $13, a 2-day is $20, and a 10-day, nonresident license is $39. For information on lake fishing, call the city's Lakes Line tel. 619/465-3474.

For information on fishing at Lake Cuyamaca, 1 hour from San Diego near Julian, see "Julian: Apple Pies & More" in chapter 12. For more information on fishing in California, contact the California Department of Fish and Game (tel. 858/467-4201; www.dfg.ca.gov). For fishing in Mexican waters, including the area off the Coronado Islands, angling permits are required. Most charter companies will take care of the details, but if not, contact the Mexican Department of Fisheries, 2550 Fifth Ave., Ste. 15, San Diego, CA 92103-6622 (tel. 619/233-4324).

Hang Gliding & Paragliding

The windy cliffs at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr., La Jolla (tel. 877/359-8326 or 858/452-9858; www.flytorrey.com), create one of the country's top spots for hang gliding and paragliding. The difference between the two nonmotorized sports? Hang gliders are suspended from a fixed wing, while paragliders hang from a parachute. In both instances, watching the pilots control these delicate crafts along the brink of the precipice is awesome. A 20- to 30-minute tandem flight with a qualified instructor costs $150 for paragliding and $175 for hang gliding. Even if you don't muster the courage to try a tandem flight, sitting at the cafe here and watching the graceful acrobatics is stirring.

If you already have experience, you can rent or buy equipment from the shop at the Gliderport -- note that the conditions here are considered "P3" -- or take lessons from the crew of able instructors. A 3- to 5-day beginning paragliding package is $895; advanced hang-gliding lessons run $195 per day and must be scheduled ahead of time. Winds in December and January are slightest (that is, least conducive for the activities here), while March through June is best. The Gliderport is open daily from 9am to sunset.

Hiking & Walking

Walking along the water is particularly rewarding. The best beaches for walking are Coronado, Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores, and Torrey Pines, but pretty much any shore is a good choice. You can also walk around most of Mission Bay on a series of connected footpaths. If a four-legged friend is your walking companion, head for Dog Beach in Ocean Beach or Fiesta Island in Mission Bay; they're two of the few areas where dogs can legally go unleashed. The Coast Walk in La Jolla offers supreme surf-line views.

The Sierra Club sponsors regular hikes in the San Diego area, and nonmembers are welcome to participate. A Wednesday mountain hike usually treks in the Cuyamaca Mountains, sometimes in the Lagunas; there are evening and day hikes as well. Most are free of charge. Call the office at tel. 619/299-1743 weekdays from noon to 5pm, or consult the website, www.sandiego.sierraclub.org. Volunteers from the Natural History Museum (tel. 619/232-3821; www.sdnhm.org) also lead free nature walks throughout San Diego County.

Marian Bear Memorial Park (tel. 858/581-9952 for park ranger; www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation) in San Clemente Canyon has a 7-mile round-trip trail that runs directly underneath Hwy. 52. Most of the trail is flat, hard-packed dirt, but some areas are rocky. Benches and places to sit allow you to have a quiet picnic. From Hwy. 52 W., take the Genesee South exit; at the stoplight, make a U-turn and an immediate right into the parking lot. From Hwy. 52 E., exit at Genesee and make a right at the light, and then an immediate right into the parking lot.

Lake Miramar Reservoir has a 3.5-mile, paved trail with a wonderful view of the lake and mountains. Take I-15 N. and exit on Mira Mesa Boulevard. Turn right on Scripps Ranch Boulevard, then left on Scripps Lake Drive, and make a left at the Lake Miramar sign. Hours are sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week; parking is free. There's also a pleasant path around Lake Murray. Take the Lake Murray Boulevard exit off I-8 and follow the signs. See www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation for information on both locations.

Other places for scenic hikes listed earlier in this chapter include Torrey Pines State Reserve, Cabrillo National Monument, and Mission Trails Regional Park. Guided walks are also offered at each of these parks.

Jogging

An invigorating route downtown is along the wide sidewalks of the Embarcadero, stretching around the bay. A locals' favorite place to jog is the sidewalk that follows the east side of Mission Bay. Start at the Visitor Information Center and head south past the Hilton to Fiesta Island. A good spot for a short run is La Jolla Shores Beach, where there's hard-packed sand even when it isn't low tide. The beach at Coronado is also a good place for jogging, as is the shore at Pacific Beach and Mission Beach.

Safety note: When jogging alone, be wary of secluded areas in Balboa Park, even during daylight hours.

Sailing & Motor Yachts

There are more than 55,000 registered water craft docked at 26 marinas throughout San Diego County. Sailors have a choice of the calm waters of 4,600-acre Mission Bay, with its 26 miles of shoreline; San Diego Bay, one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world; or the Pacific Ocean, where you can sail south to the Islas los Coronados (the trio of uninhabited islets on the Mexico side of the border). Joining a chartered sailing trip is easy.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego (tel. 619/234-9153; www.sdmaritime.org) offers half-day and 3- to 6-day sailing adventures aboard the Californian, the official tall ship of the state. This ship is a replica of an 1847 cutter that sailed the coast during the Gold Rush. Half-day sails depart select Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm from the Maritime Museum downtown and are priced $32 for adults, $24 for seniors over 62 and active military, and $21 for kids 17 and under. Reservations are required for multi-day trips that make for Catalina Island and points as far north as San Francisco; fares start at $465. Half-hour bay cruises are also available (Friday through Sunday) aboard Pilot, the bay's official pilot boat for 82 years. Tickets are $3 plus regular museum admission price.

Based at Shelter Island Marina, Classic Sailing Adventures (tel. 800/659-0141 or 619/224-0800; www.classicsailingadventures.com) offers two 4-hour sailing trips daily aboard the Soul Diversion, a 38-foot Ericson. The afternoon cruise leaves at 1pm, and a champagne sunset sail departs at 5pm. The yacht carries a maximum of six passengers (minimum two), and the $75-per-person price includes beverages and snacks.

You can pretend you're racing for your country's honor with Next Level Sailing (tel. 800/644-3454; www.nextlevelsailing.com), which offers bay sails aboard one of two 80-foot America's Cup Class racing yachts. The 2-hour excursions, either on the Stars and Stripes or the Abracadabra, are $99.

If you have sailing or boating experience, go for a nonchartered rental. Seaforth Boat Rental, 1641 Quivira Rd., Mission Bay (tel. 888/834-2628 or 619/223-1681; www.seaforthboatrental.com), has a wide variety of boats for bay and ocean. Powerboats range from mini runabouts ($48 an hour) up to 240-horsepower cabin cruisers ($395, 2-hour minimum); 16.5- to 36-foot sailboats start at $35 an hour; and jet skis begin at $90 an hour. Half- and full-day rates are available. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are also available, as well as fishing boats and equipment. Seaforth has locations downtown at the Marriott San Diego Hotel & Marina, 333 W. Harbor Dr. (tel. 619/239-2628), and in Coronado at 1715 Strand Way (tel. 619/437-1514).

Mission Bay Sportcenter, 1010 Santa Clara Place (tel. 858/488-1004; www.missionbaysportcenter.com), is located on an isthmus extending into the bay and is adjacent to basketball courts, a ball field, and picnic areas. It rents sailboats (from $18 per hour), catamarans (from $30 per hour), sailboards ($18 per hour), kayaks (from $13 per hour), jet skis ($90 per hour), pedal boats ($17 per hour), and motorboats (from $85 per hour). There are discounts for 4-hour and full-day rentals; private instruction and group lessons are also available.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

San Diego's underwater scene ranges from the magnificent giant kelp forests of Point Loma to the nautical graveyard off Mission Beach called Wreck Alley. At the aquatic Ecological Reserve off La Jolla Cove, fishing and boating activity has been banned since 1929. Diving and snorkeling, though, are welcome in the 533-acre reserve; and it's a reliable place to spot garibaldi, California's state fish, as well as endangered giant black sea bass. Shore diving here or at nearby La Jolla Shores is common, and there are dive shops to help you get set up.

But boat dives are the rule. Check out the Islas los Coronados, a trio of uninhabited islets off Mexico (a 90-min. boat ride from San Diego), where seals, sea lions, eels, and more cavort against a landscape of boulders (watch for swift currents). There's also the Yukon, a 366-foot Canadian destroyer that was intentionally sunk in 2000. It's part of Wreck Alley, an artificial reef less than 1 mile out from Mission Beach that includes several other vessels and the remains of a research platform toppled by a storm in 1988. Water visibility is best in the fall; water temperatures are cold year-round.

The San Diego Oceans Foundation (tel. 619/523-1903; www.sdoceans.org) is a local nonprofit organization devoted to the stewardship of local marine waters. The website features good information about the local diving scene; www.sandiegodiving.com is another good resource. Notable dive outfits include Ocean Enterprises (tel. 858/565-6054; www.oceanenterprises.com), Lois Ann Dive Charters (tel. 800/201-4381; www.loisann.com), Scuba San Diego (tel. 800/586-3483 or 619/260-1880; www.scubasandiego.com), and OEX Dive & Kayak Centers (www.oexcalifornia.com), which has four locations in the county -- La Jolla (tel. 858/454-6195), Mission Bay (tel. 619/224-6195), Point Loma (tel. 619/758-9531), and Oceanside (tel. 760/721-6195).

Skating

Gliding around San Diego, especially the Mission Bay area, on inline skates is the quintessential Southern California experience. In Pacific Beach, rent a pair of regular or in-line skates from Resort Watersports (tel. 858/539-8696), based at the Catamaran Resort, 3999 Mission Blvd., or Play It Again Sports, 1401 Garnet Ave. (tel. 858/490-0222). In Coronado, go to Bikes and Beyond, 1201 First St. at the Ferry Landing (tel. 619/435-7180).

If you'd rather ice skate, try Ice Town at University Towne Center, La Jolla Village Drive at Genesee Avenue (tel. 858/452-9110; www.icetown.com). During the winter holidays, outdoor skating rinks open at the Hotel del Coronado and downtown at Horton Square (tel. 858/966-5887).

Surfing

Some of the best surf spots include Windansea, La Jolla Shores, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Imperial Beach. In North County, you might consider Carlsbad State Beach and Oceanside. The best waves are in late summer and early fall; but winter storms bring big surf, too. Even in summer, many locals use a wetsuit. For surf reports, check out www.surfingsandiego.com or www.surfline.com.

Boards are available for rent at stands at many popular beaches. Many local surf shops also rent equipment; they include La Jolla Surf Systems, 2132 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla Shores (tel. 858/456-2777; www.lajollasurfsystems.com), and Emerald City: The Boarding Source, 1118 Orange Ave., Coronado (tel. 619/435-6677).

For surfing lessons with all equipment provided, check with Kahuna Bob's Surf School (tel. 800/524-8627 or 760/721-7700; www.kahunabob.com), based in Encinitas; San Diego Surfing Academy (tel. 800/447-7873 or 760/230-1474; www.surfsdsa.com), which offers lessons at South Carlsbad State Beach; and Surf Diva (tel. 858/454-8273; www.surfdiva.com), a surfing school for women and girls, based in La Jolla. Surf Diva has become so popular it now does private lessons for guys, too.

Swimming

Most San Diego hotels have pools, and there are plenty of other swimming options for visitors. The centrally located Mission Valley YMCA, 5505 Friars Rd. (tel. 619/298-3576; www.missionvalley.ymca.org), has two pools available daily (and nightly), including a new outdoor facility -- call for schedule information. The nonmember fee is $5 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and children 15 and under. In Balboa Park, you can swim in the Kearns Memorial Swimming Pool, 2229 Morley Field Dr. (tel. 619/692-4920; www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/aquatics). The fee for using the public pool is $5 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and children 15 and under; call for seasonal hours and laps-only restrictions.

In Mission Beach, you'll find the fabulous indoor pool, The Plunge, 3115 Oceanfront Walk (tel. 858/228-9300; www.wavehouseathleticclub.com), part of Belmont Park since 1925. The huge pool, recently renovated, also has a full gym facility. Nonmember swim hours are Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 8am and noon to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 4pm. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors and children; discounted family nights ($4 per person) are held Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, 4 to 8pm.

In La Jolla, you can swim at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Dr. (tel. 858/457-3030; www.lfjcc.org). The ozone-filter (no chlorine) pool is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 6am to 7:30pm, Friday from 6am to 5pm, Saturday from 11am to 5pm, and Sunday from 8:30am to 5pm. Admission is $10 adults, $5 for ages 14 and under.

Tennis

There are some 1,200 public and private tennis courts in San Diego. Public courts include the La Jolla Tennis Club, 7632 Draper, at Prospect Street (tel. 858/454-4434; www.ljtc.org), which costs $5 for adults and is free for those 18 and under. It's open daily from dawn until the lights go off around 9pm. The Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Dr., in Balboa Park (tel. 619/295-9278; www.balboatennis.com), has more than 2 dozen courts, including a stadium court. Day passes are $5 adults, $3 seniors 65 and above, $2 for 17 and under; reservations are for members only. The courts are open weekdays from 8am to 8pm, weekends from 8am to 6pm. The ultramodern Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 W. Point Loma Blvd., near Ocean Beach and SeaWorld (tel. 619/221-9000; www.tennissandiego.com), has 20 lighted hard courts and 4 clay courts. They're open Monday through Friday from 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 7:30pm. Court rental is $6 to $8.50 per person for all day usage (upon availability); a $4 light fee may apply for night play. Those 17 and under play free.