Channel your inner marine biologist at one of San Diego’s tide pools. You’ll likely see hermit crabs, snails, sea urchins, and, if you’re lucky, an octopus. Get a taste of local culture at one of San Diego’s farmers markets. The fresh food and live music will be sure to bring you closer together!
Hike Torrey Pines State Park
Perched along the sun-drenched Southern California coastline, Torrey Pines State Park is a hiker’s dream come true. This spectacular preserve is characterized by sandy ocean beaches, windswept cliffs, and unique flora and fauna including a rare Torrey pine that can be found only in the reserve.
The park offers many great hiking trails, but one of the best is the Guy Fleming Trail. This easy loop takes you to crazy cool overlooks, a view of the world-famous golf course, and some interesting geological formations.
Make sure to keep an eye out for a variety of bird species, too. Torrey Pines is home to more than 500 different types of birds, which means it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one of the many migrating species that pass through the area in fall and spring.
For a longer hike, try combining the Beach Trail with Razor Point and Broken Hill for a 3.5-mile trek that explores the top of the preserve. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water and sunscreen there are long stretches without shade on these steep trails! For an even more in-depth exploration of the landscape and ecology, join a guided hike or mindfulness walk. These educational tours are led by park docents and provide a more in-depth experience of Torrey Pines’ incredible natural beauty.
The perfect blend of adventure and romance in San Diego with your partner. From thrilling hikes in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to sunset strolls along the scenic La Jolla Cove, enjoy quality time together. And when it’s time for your San Diego wedding, ensure a seamless celebration with San Diego wedding transportation services.
Take a Bike Ride
When it comes to fun things to do outdoors in San Diego, there’s no shortage of awesome activities for active couples and groups of friends. Whether you’re a couple that loves to challenge each other with activities like Axe Throwing or Smash Room, or you prefer more chill dates, there are plenty of amazing options.
For a romantic day out in SD, take a bike ride along the boardwalk with your sweetie or a group of close pals. There are many different biking paths in the area, including the paved Mission Bay Bike Path, which connects to the beach boardwalk. If you want to go further afield, try cycling the scenic Silver Strand Bikeway.
If you’re not a fan of biking, take a sea kayak tour. You and your buddy can explore a variety of beautiful San Diego coves, harbors, and islands. You’ll be able to spot marine life, enjoy the sunshine, and see some of the city’s best beaches.
For a real thrill, join a whale watching cruise. You’ll be able to admire the beauty of gray whales as they travel between Alaska and Baja California. These outings are typically available from December through February via kayak and through April by ship. For a different kind of whale adventure, you can also go snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding.
Go Bungee Jumping
When the weather is nice, San Diego’s coastal neighborhoods are filled with people walking, rollerblading and biking along scenic boardwalks and bluff-top trails. You can join them for a sand-and-surf stroll on Mission Beach, or go a step further and hike the 3-mile boardwalk around Pacific and Mission beaches. The paved path also serves as a great scenic route for a morning run or sunset stroll.
Located at the tip of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument offers spectacular ocean and bay views, hiking trails, tide pools, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. It’s a great place for kids to earn Junior Ranger badges and explore California’s 16th-century heritage, too. You can also visit the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and get up close to sea lions, pelicans and dolphins at the nearby Wildlife Conservation Park.
Nothing brings people together like a live music concert, especially one set in an outdoor venue overlooking the water. Catch a show at the Rady Shell, San Diego’s newest waterfront entertainment center, to experience both visual and auditory stimulation with your date.
Go Sea Kayaking
Kayaking is a fun way for active couples to explore San Diego’s coastal waters. Many kayak tours feature a combination of snorkeling and/or beach lounging along with the paddling action. For example, the HBK Adventure Tours kayaks around the seven sea caves of La Jolla Cove offer the chance to glide over schools of stunning (but harmless) leopard sharks and spot the bright orange glimmer of California’s state marine fish. You can also try a tour that pairs kayaking with island exploration.
Summer and fall are the best times for kayaking in San Diego because the weather is warm enough to go without a wetsuit. But you can also do this activity during winter or spring if the conditions are calm. Just make sure you have a good level of experience because open water kayaking requires a full wetsuit, and even experienced paddlers may need to use a life vest.
The Pacific Beach Boardwalk is a popular strolling, skating, rollerblading and biking route for the area’s many surfers and joggers. It’s also a great spot to watch a spectacular sunset over the ocean another one of the top outdoor activities for active couples in San Diego. You can also get a great view of the water by taking a walk along one of San Diego’s coastal piers.