Are you looking for an adventure in San Diego where you can get off the beaten path and explore more of this city in southern California? If so, keep reading, and you’ll find our guide to San Diego and the best ways to get around as well as the best spots to see without the masses of tourists. So, start looking at the San Diego luxury homes and begin planning your perfect trip today.

How to Get Around San Diego

First, if you want to get away from the tourist areas and have an adventure, you’ll need to have your own transport. Some of the attractions are far from downtown and having a set of wheels gives you flexibility. You should search online to get an idea of what the prices are going to be and pick up the vehicle when you arrive. Or, if it’s your first time in San Diego, stick around the central parts of the city and use the trams to get around and see the Gaslamp Quarters and San Diego’s Spanish Old Town before getting a car.  

The Best Places to Visit

Adventures come in many shapes and forms, but most don’t take place inside the confines of a city. San Diego has a lot of attractions that any first-time tourist should consider visiting before heading to other more secluded spots. The must-visit sights are the Sunset Cliffs, a long series of cliffs that provide the perfect place to see the sunset, Coronado Island and heading to one of the beaches. Others include the La Jolla neighborhood where you’ll find several upscale restaurants, bars and shops.

After you have experienced the city, now it’s time to get out and explore the wider region. Activities include renting a bicycle for the day, hiking and getting involved in water sports. If you’re lucky, you can even go whale watching depending on the time of the year.

Bayshore Bikeway

Cycling gives you the freedom to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. It combines exercise with an alternative way of getting around. Cyclists also have the freedom to stop whenever they want to get their perfect photograph. If this is something that sounds fun to you, check out Bayshore Bikeway. The 39-kilometer cycle path begins at Flagship’s Coronado Ferry near San Diego Bay and heads through the Silver Strand Beach, the small town of Coronado, the US Naval base and finally to the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Those up for an adventure and wanting to leave the car parked for the day will love the Bayshore Bikeway.

Mission Trails Regional Park

Anyone who wants to escape the concrete jungle of the city will be interested in the hiking opportunities inside Mission Trails Regional Park. There are several trails of different abilities that take you around the park where you can see a variety of landscapes and wildlife. And if that’s not enough, why not bring your tent and stay for the night in the great outdoors?

Mission Bay

Mission Bay is a large aquatic park covering a total area of 4600 acres making it the largest in the world. The park has lots of places to explore on foot and to soak up the environment as well as a variety of water sports. Many locals come here to take part in kitesurfing and stand up paddleboarding. You can rent jet skis here too. In the evening, it’s not uncommon for families to have barbeques around the park next to the water. There are also more than 43 kilometers of coastline around Mission Bay, which means you’re sure to find a perfect spot.

More Adventures

Depending on what time of the year you’re in San Diego, there may be other options available for your adventure. One of the highlights during the winter between December and March are the migrating whales. The grey whales swim up the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to the northern parts of the sea for feeding. If you want to experience this, there are several tours available.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a short drive from San Diego and has some of the best trails in the country. As the name suggests, pine trees fill the area with sharp cliffs making a scenic area to hike. Most tourists often spend a full day inside the nature reserve. You can also make the day trip to Death Valley or head out to the wider San Diego County. It’s advisable to visit the Death Valley as part of a tour, especially in the summer. Travelling around the county reveals small towns, secluded beaches and an abundance of experiences you won’t find in San Diego’s city center.

Another epic adventure is to take a trip across the border to Mexico’s Tijuana. Some tourists make the day trip by following the San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line to the Mexican border where they can then cross and visit the small border town. This creates an excellent activity for someone who has never visited Mexico because of the contrast in culture, way of life and traditions. Just remember to bring your passport!

An Epic Adventure in San Diego

If you want to explore San Diego and have a real adventure, find yourself a set of wheels and explore the wider area. Or get out onto the nature trails for a day of hiking and rent a bicycle and cycle along the Bayshore Bikeway. More adventurous tourists take a day trip to Mexico or visit Death Valley. San Diego is full of adventures giving you the chance to have a very different vacation.