LOCAL WALLY'SEXTREME ACTIVITES
LOCAL WALLY'S
Why Not? You're on Vacation!
There's something about the vacation spirit. People who won't drive in the fast lane
at home all of a sudden are thinking about diving in a sunken ship or jumping off cliffs
with wings on! Luckily for adventure seekers, San Diego is an outdoors sort of town with
lots of great things to do in the sun, from the sedate (golf) to the extreme (tandem
hanggliding). And luckily for Local Wally visitors, all the good ones are listed right
here.
Remember when you were a kid and the most exciting thing you could imagine was a
secret cave? Now imagine if these were ocean caves and that you can actually take
a kayak right up to them! If the Indiana Jones part of you
can't resist the temptation, a sea kayak tour into La Jolla Cove and the Caves might
be your sort of adventure. Of course, if you are confident on a kayak you might just want to rent one from a local store and go for it. However, if you want to do it right the first time, go on a tour and let a pro show you around (and watch out for you!). This is an "Only in San Diego" sort of adventure, so don't be a chicken and sign up!
Better jump on this one before it's extinct. Hotair Ballooning has been around in
North County San Diego for a long time, but housing tracts have taken up the land
they need to successfully land, and there's nothing worse than being stuck in a hotair
balloon for the rest of your life. Get a view of San Diego that few have seen and
an experience that sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.
Temecula is north and inland of San Diego and is our "wine country" area. If you are boozing it up and want to go even higher, you can hot air up there as well. You can get discount tickets here: California Dreamin' Hot Air Balloons
Since when is golfing extreme? How about when you are playing night golf
at Mission Bay Golf Center? (2702 N. Mission Bay Dr, 619 490-3370) Grab some friends,
a 6 pack of Bud, and a dozen cheap balls you won't mind losing. With only 2 par fours
(the longest is 291 yards), dump the big dog and grab a PW, putter, and your
favorite irons. Some holes are so short you might as well just throw the ball to the green.
When the sun goes down and the lights come on, it's a virtual golf party. Definately an
experience, and definately not for the serious golfer.
San Diego also has more than it's fair share of great courses and websites covering
them. Check out the complete golf listings
. For Local Wally's listing of "must play" courses, read on.
Jump off a cliff with wings on? That's the idea at the Torrey Pines Glider Port.
You can take the wimp way out and just
watch, or go out on a tandem flight with an experienced pilot. After a short ground
lesson, it's showtime as you hang on and fly like an eagle off the cliffs of Torrey Pines!
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, 619 452-9858
As the song says, everybody's learnin' how. If you grew up praying for surf in your
landlocked town as you listened to The Beach Boys Endless Summer album, your prayers
have finally been answered. Surf lessons for beginners at:
Winetasting in Temecula is a great way to get your daily intake of fruit (don't want to
get scurvey, do you?) With a dozen pretty good wineries and a few really bad ones, it's
pretty easy to get too much of a good thing. Why not take a limo tour of the wineries instead?
It's safer,plus you can pass out (or, umm, you know) on the way home.
If you scuba, you have to dive Wreck Alley. Located off Mission Beach and 100'
down are several sunken ships just teeming with marine life. You'll need to take a charter boat out there.
If you like to sail but forgot to bring your boat, you're in luck. San Diego has
numerous places where you can rent one. Rent a boat in Mission Bay for calm waters,
or go for it and sail in San Diego Bay out to Point Loma and under the Coronado
Bridge. For less experienced sailors, check out renting a paddleboat on Mission Bay.
You know my opinion on Tijuana - "don't go there"! But I love going further south to
Rosarito, Ensenada and especially Puerto Nuevo for baja style lobster! If you
haven't had a plate of Mexican lobster with a tortillas and a REAL margarita, then you
need to head south of the border. Check with your rental car company for insurance (don't
go without it), bring US dollars, and go the toll road along the coast versus the public
highway. If you want more info, go check out my new section called Local Wally Goes To Mexico.
Before you go, understand that driving in Mexico is a challenge. During Wally's last visit, for example, I was
cut off by a carload of NUNS! I almost flipped them off, but then thought the best of it.
I mean, why go to Hell when all I wanted was lobster? You might want to check out a one day
charter if you want the experience without the stress.
10. Build a bonfire on the beach!
One of the great Southern California experiences is to build a big bonfire on the beach (in a designated firepit, that is) at night and to roast hotdogs and marshmellows, just like when you were a kid camping. The best way to do this is to plan a bonfire night to be on the same day you plan on going to the beach anyway, because the firepits usually are claimed by mid day. To claim your firepit, just toss a few bundles of firewood you bought at the supermarket into the ring and lean a beach chair on the it - people will get the idea. As the sun goes down, light the fire and break out the old guitar and you've got a bonified beach party going on! Remember, no bottles (and no booze) on the beaches. This is good clean fun. Though - and don't tell anyone I told you this - if you must drink on the beach, buy some of those disposable coffee cups with lids and pour your beverage (remember, no glass) into them and you most likely will not be hassled since nearly everyone in SoCal has a coffee in their hands at all times. Do NOT buy the red plastic cups as they just scream "FRAT PARTY".
Why San Diego ||
First Things First ||
Best Hotels ||
Lots of Attractions ||
Best Beaches
Hot Hotel Deals
1. Kayak La Jolla Caves
2. Balloon over Del Mar or Temecula
3. Whack the Little White Ball
Surprisingly inexpensive and incredibly hard to get on without
a course bookie, Torrey Pines is the course where the Buick Invitational takes place. With
awesome views of the ocean and long, tough holes, you just have to play this course.
(858 452-3226)
4. Jump off a Cliff in a Hangglider
5. Let's Go Surfin' Now
6. Taste Wines, Get Drunk, Don't Drive
7. Dive in a Sunken Ship
8. Sail On Sailor (and Harbor Cruises)
For a less interactive sailing experience, try going on a Harbor Cruise for a sunset
dinner cruise. Best choices are:
9. Eat Lobsters in Mexico
Click Here For Local Wally's Guide To Hotels
Great Food ||
Seven Day Agenda ||
Wally's Message Board ||
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Site By Digital Popcorn and copyrighted 2006. The original local's guide to San Diego!