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Sports and Recreation
San Diego's spectator sports are many and varied. Outdoor sports draw nearly as many visitors to the city as the sightseeing attractions. Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd. in Mission Valley, is the home to the major league football team the San Diego Chargers; ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., plays host to special sports events.
The San Diego Padres seem to have bounced back from the glory days of 1984 (when they were in the World Series) to again become a contender. With help from standouts like seven-time National League batting champion Tony Gwynn and third baseman Ken Caminiti, the Padres won the National League West Division Championship in both 1996 and 1998. They play April through September at PETCO Park, which opened downtown in 2004; phone (877) 374-2784.
The NFL's San Diego Chargers were an immediate hit when they relocated from Los Angeles in 1961. The Chargers have come back strong since the mid-1990s. They made it to Super Bowl XXIX in 1995, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, and were the 2004 AFC Western Division Champions. College football fans support the SDSU Aztecs. Both the Chargers and the Aztecs play at Qualcomm Stadium in the fall; phone (619) 280-2121.
The San Diego Gulls play minor-league hockey at the ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena; phone (619) 224-4171. Horse racing takes place at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, 20 miles north of town, founded by Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien in 1937. This palatial facility at the Del Mar fairgrounds attracts the nation's top jockeys and steeds. The racing season is Wednesday through Monday, from July through September; post time is 2 p.m., except Friday when post time is 4 p.m. Satellite wagering is available in the off-season. Phone (858) 755-1141 for information or (877) 538-7238 for tickets.
Because of its mild climate, San Diego is a haven for year-round recreation. Following are descriptions of several activities available in the San Diego area. Bicycling is a good way to tour this sunshine city. There are several marked bike routes and numerous rental shops. San Diego fosters bicycling with safe, marked bicycle lanes. Many share the county's roadways; a particular favorite is the Pacific Highway (S21) between La Jolla and Oceanside.
Coronado's wide streets also are ideal for bicyclists. Bikes & Beyond offers rentals at Coronado's Ferry Landing Marketplace; phone (619) 435-7180. Bicycles can accompany passengers on the San Diego-Coronado Ferry for an extra 50 cents fare. Mission Bay Park is a bicyclist's haven. Mission Beach Surf & Skate on Mission Beach has rentals; phone (858) 488-5050.
Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy many varieties of the sport: deep-sea, surf, pier, bay, shell and freshwater. Bottom-feeding fish are attracted by offshore kelp beds, and nearby Mexican waters contain barracuda, bass, bonito and yellowtail. Pier fishing does not require a license; try your luck from the public piers at Shelter Island, Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach. Fishing charters depart from Point Loma and Quivira Basin at Mission Bay Park.
Few cities can match San Diego's near-ideal conditions for golf. Rain seldom interferes, and mild temperatures promote year-round playing. Courses in San Diego County number more than 90, ranging from seaside to desert locations. Mission Bay Golf Course is lighted for evening play. Advanced reservations are a good idea.
Hikers take advantage of the varied terrain north and east of the city. The hiking trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve, just north of La Jolla, have ocean views . Mission Trails Regional Park, 8 miles northeast of downtown at 1 Father Junípero Serra Tr., covers nearly 5,800 acres of rugged hills and valleys. The visitor center, (619) 668-3281, contains exhibits that relate to the park's flora, fauna and history. Free hiking trail maps also are available. The visitor center is open daily 9-5.
Horseback riding clubs offer horse rentals and riding facilities, and there are several horse rental agencies throughout the area. Bright Valley Farm, 12310 Campo Rd. in Spring Valley, has hundreds of acres of riding trails; phone (619) 670-1861. Sweetwater Regional Park, south of San Diego and east of the town of Bonita, has about 70 acres for equestrian campers; day-use corrals are available as well. Miles of trails follow the Sweetwater River and Reservoir.
Mission Bay Park is perhaps the destination for joggers. Other popular spots are the trails winding through Balboa Park, and along the Embarcadero downtown. Organized runs take place throughout San Diego County almost every weekend; for information phone the San Diego Track Club, (619) 275-6542.
Although many tennis courts throughout the San Diego area are at private clubs or hotel complexes, there are some convenient public facilities. The La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect Ave. in La Jolla, offers nine free courts (five are lighted). The Balboa Tennis Club at the Morley Field Tennis Complex in Balboa Park makes its 25 courts available to nonmembers for a nominal fee; phone (619) 295-9278. There also are public courts at Mission Bay Park and at Coronado's city parks.
Miles of shoreline and two large, protected bays provide ideal settings for all types of water sports. Swimming opportunities include the ocean, Mission Bay and public pools. Ocean swimming is best June through November. The more popular beaches have lifeguards on duty daily.
Boating is a favorite pastime; hundreds of pleasure boats dot the ocean and bays daily. The major boating centers are Shelter and Harbor islands, Glorietta Bay and Mission Bay marinas. Rental and launching facilities for paddle and fishing boats, sailboats and powerboats are available at these areas.
Scuba divers favor La Jolla Cove and San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. For a recorded update about weather and diving conditions phone (619) 221-8824. To arrange a boat excursion try Ocean Enterprises; phone (858) 565-6054, respectively.
Surfing is an all-year activity, but wet suits are advised in winter. Among the popular surfing beaches are Imperial Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach Park, Sunset Cliffs, Tourmaline Surfing Park and Windansea Park.
Water skiing conditions are excellent on the calm waters of the bays. San Diego Bay has restricted areas due to naval and commercial traffic, but water skiing is permitted within Glorietta Bay. Skiing is permitted in certain sections of Mission Bay from dawn to dusk.
In addition to playing on and in the water, San Diegans also soar above it. Near Torrey Pines State Reserve is the Torrey Pines Gliderport, (858) 452-9858, at the end of the road leading to the Salk Institute. (Note: The gliderport is not accessible from the entrance to the reserve.) Here paragliders and a few hang gliders patiently wait for just the right gust of wind to send them sailing over the Pacific. On favorable weather days the cliff tops are lined with gliders sporting their colorful paraphernalia, and the view of the aerial acrobatics is superb.
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