As Ron Burgundy would say “You Stay Classy San Diego”
Top 5 Outdoorsy Destinations around San Diego
Not a fan of the San Diego Zoo or San Diego’s many breweries, check out these outdoorsy locales around San Diego County!
Potato Chip Rock | Cost: $ (No Parking Fee on Weekdays)
Potato Chip Rock is a famous local destination and Instagram rite of passage for many local SoCal residents. Literally named after a strange rock formation that from a distance looks a lot like a potato chip. Located in Lake Poway Park north of San Diego in Poway, it’s about a 7.5-miles round trip. It’s a pretty challenging hike, so bring lots of water and leave early! Find more information [here].
Cabrillo National Monument | Cost: $ (Parking Fee)
Located on the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s discovery of San Diego Bay. There’s a visitor center that shows films frequently and is a nice place to grab a souvenir. I highly recommend visiting during low-tide, so you can check out the tide pools.
Torrey Pines State Reserve | Cost: $ (Parking Fee)
Eponymously named after the beautiful and rare pines in the area, Torrey Pines State Reserve is well known for its hiking trails that have varying degrees of difficulty. The state reserve offers one of the best places to watch the sunset in Southern California. If you feel like you want to splurge a little, stay at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.
La Jolla Cove Beach | Cost: $ (Free Street Parking)
Frequently rated as one of the top beaches in the San Diego area, the La Jolla beach is great for checking out the tide pools and enjoying the marine life that inhabits it. Know that this isn’t the best beach for sunbathing because it can sometimes have scant areas for sunbathing on the sand. They also have beautiful sunsets so make sure you bring camera. If you’re looking for space, check out nearby Mission Beach or Black’s Beach.
"The Children's Pool" is also nearby which is a protected breakwater for marine life. Fun Fact about the Children's Pool. It was originally built as a safe swimming area for children but was reclaimed by sea lions and their young.
Anza Borrego State Park | Cost: $ (Parking Fee)
By far the furthest destination from San Diego, but still technically in parts of San Diego County, Anza Borrego State Park is an underrated SoCal destination. Anza Borrego offers some great desert hikes and one of the best places to check out California’s annual wildflower bloom that starts in late March and lasts around May depending on the year’s annual rainfall.
Galleta Meadows is home of 130 full-size metal sculpture that has been featured all over Instagram. Its a pretty cool place to snag a photo.
Bonus
Looking for something a little different and off the beaten path?
Check out the Ocean View and Pala Chief mines with the team at digforgems.com. Offering a couple of different experiences, you can go dig and mine for gems like tourmaline, topaz and quartz. It’s definitely a different type of tourist experience and a really different way to experience San Diego!