The Top 6 Outdoor Things to Do on Your Next San Diego Adventure

San Diego, CA offers visitors tons of attractions for people who love being outside. Here are the top 6 things to do outdoors on your next San Diego adventure.

san diego adventure

San Diego is a city located on the coast of California right on the Pacific Ocean. It has long been known for its parks, beaches, and hiking trails. Because San Diego has so much to offer, 1.4 million people call it home. 

Thanks to its warm and mild climate year-round, San Diego is the perfect place to look for your next outdoor adventure. 

San Diego, CA offers visitors tons of attractions for people who love being outside. Here are the top six things to do outdoors on your next San Diego adventure.

1. Beaches

With over 70 miles of coastline, visiting a beach while vacationing in San Diego is a no-brainer. 

With famous piers, beautiful sunsets, and sandy beaches, you’ll want to be sure to remember your camera. 

Some of the most popular beaches include La Jolla Shores, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, and the list could go on and on

Wondering what to do at the beach? We’ve got lots of suggestions! Including, but definitely not limited too:

• Surfing
• Paddle Boarding
• Searching tide pools
• Walking or biking the boardwalk
• Catching the amazing views from the piers 

2. Hiking Trails 

The beach is great, but if you’re ready to leave the shore for the hills, there are so many great hiking trails to check out. 

Devil’s Punchbowl is a great hike with pools to jump in at the end. I mean, what better reward could you want after hiking. It’s the perfect swimming hole with waterfalls and cliffs to climb and jump off of. Just make sure to cool off as much as you can since the hike back out is mostly uphill.

Other hiking spots include Torrey Pine State Park — where you’ll see the infamous Torry pine trees — Potatoe Chip Rock, and Joshua Tree National Park.

3. Up in the Air

Want some really great views of San Diego? We’ve got a few suggestions for you if you dare.

Try paragliding over Black Beach. Located near La Jolla, there’s nothing quite like Black Beach. One of the best ways to enjoy Black Beach is to jump from Torry Pines Gliderport. 

Paragliding isn’t a big enough rush? Try skydiving. Think about jumping 12,000 feet out of a plane over the Pacific Ocean. If that doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, nothing will. 

4. In the Sea

There are many ways to get out and enjoy the water. Options include harbor cruises, speedboats, or even wave runners.

But one of our favorite adventure at sea is sailing. Sailing offers great views of the San Diego skyline, Seaport Village, and Cabrillo National Monument. 

If you want something a little more up close and personal, off the coast of La Jolla Shores, there is a variety of kayaking tours you can take. These tours take you through some sea caves where you can see leopard sharks and fish.

5. Wildlife

When you think of California, your first thought may not be of wildlife. But, San Diego has much to offer when it comes to seeing our animal friends.

Try snorkeling with leopard sharks. In July and August, the largest group of leopard shards come to La Jolla to incubate in the warm waters. You can actually swim with them in knee-deep water.

Sea lions and seals can often be seen resting along piers and coastlines. This is a high light for both kids and adults alike. It can be tempting to get up close to snap a selfie with a seal, but be warned, these are wild animals and its best to keep a safe distance.

6. Parks

San Diego has many great parks. If you need a day away from the ocean, consider heading inland to check out the desert. 

Some parks offer off-roading in hummers and razors through Anza Borrego State Park. Here you will see California’s famous slot canyons and wind caves. Just be sure to pack enough water.

Another great park to explore is Balboa Park. This park is the largest urban cultural park in the nation. Enjoy museums, performing arts, and beautiful gardens. Balboa Park is also home to the infamous San Diego Zoo. 

Your San Diego Adventure Awaits

As you can tell, San Diego has something for everyone. But if you want a real San Diego adventure, be sure to check us out. We can offer you an experience, unlike anything you’ve ever done. 

So next time you’re in our neck of the woods, be sure to let us show you around. We promise it will be the adventure of a lifetime.  

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Team Building In San Diego on the Famous & Authentic America’s Cup Racing Yacht is a “Must-Do”

The fun of competition, riding an antique racing yacht, and the natural waters of San Diego are enough to inspire any group. Read on to learn more about team building in San Diego!

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea-whether it is to sail or to watch-we are going back from whence we came.” 

John F. Kennedy spoke these words as part of a speech he gave in 1962 at a dinner in honor of The America’s Cup yacht crews.

Many of us are never given the opportunity to return to sea by sail, something that is an exhilarating and age-old tradition. There is a lot of history in the story of yacht racing, its evolution, and how people practice it today.

Is it possible to experience the excitement of sailing a yacht, even if you’ve never tried it before?

The answer to that question is yes.

In fact, Team Building in San Diego gives you and your friends, colleagues, and other associates the opportunity to take the helm of a historic yacht. You have the chance to actually race a vessel that once competed in America’s Cup.

Keep reading to hear about how you can shake things up at your next private party or corporate event by taking to the high seas.

Commandeer a Historic and Award-Winning Yacht

The IL Moro ITA-16 and the Stars & Stripes USA-11 are the two yachts that you and your crew will have the opportunity to sail if you decide to raise the stakes for your next team building activity.

The Stars & Stripes USA-11 is one of several yachts once operated by Team Dennis Conner and used to compete in a number of different America’s Cups. The Stars & Stripes US-55 was a 12-meter ship that helped Dennis Conner win back the cup in 1987.

The Stars & Stripes USA-11 is a much bigger yacht, measuring 78 feet in length, and having a mast that’s 115 feet tall. She’s a powerful vessel, with a 40,000-pound keel, and carbon fiber sails that keep her running smoothly.

Experienced sailors will train and supervise six members of your team who will act as the crew for each yacht. Everyone will have a chance to be at the helm of the ship, as well to try out all the other positions.

Your team will have the opportunity to practice timed trial runs, and then compete in three races against each other. There’s nothing like some friendly competition at sea to get people excited to collaborate!

Having the chance to make tactical decisions together as a team while on the open sea is an excellent way to build trust and better communication.

A professional photographer will capture the whole adventure. Your team will love getting to relax, watch the videos, and see the photos after a hard day of sailing. All the photos and videos will be available in Google albums so they are easy to share with family and friends after the voyage. Soft drinks and water are also provided.

The History of America’s Cup

For those that aren’t familiar with the history of competitive sailing, we should give you a little background to understand why these historic vessels are so special.

The title that people vie for in America’s Cup is the oldest international trophy still awarded today. 

The Royal Yacht Squadron started the race in 1851, and it took place in the United Kingdom. The first ever winner was The America, a schooner that completed the race around the Isle of Wight in only 18 minutes.

After the race, the yacht’s owner donated The America to the New York Yacht Club, which is how America’s Cup got its name. The New York Yacht Club currently holds the title for the most America’s Cup wins, though the most recent winner was the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

The next America’s Cup will take place in 2021, where New Zealand, the defenders, will fight to hold onto their trophy. The race always consists of the defenders going against the challenger, a team from another yacht club that has worked their way to the top. 

We won’t know the challenger for the next America’s Cup until early 2021. In January and February, yacht clubs will compete in a series of qualifying regattas to see who the fastest team is.   

Competing for the Auld Mug

Nicknamed the “Auld Mug,” the America’s Cup trophy stands three and a half feet tall and weighs over 30 pounds.

Believe it or not, the prized silver trophy always travels first class with two security guards protecting it at all times. Anyone who touches it must wear white gloves because bare hands can’t touch the silver. The trophy travels in its own specially made Louis Vuitton trunk.

There is a lot at stake for these races, not only in the physical trophy itself but in what it represents. People spend years training in hopes of being able to take part in this historic competition.

There are sailors and yacht enthusiasts who have dedicated their entire lives to fighting for the opportunity to prove their seaworthy worthiness and have the chance to display the Auld Mug with pride. 

So being able to actually sail a ship that has competed in the cup is a pretty unique experience.

Why is Team Building Important?

You hear a lot about team building these days in corporate America, but what is the story behind it? Is it only an excuse to have fun?

In some ways, yes-but it also goes a lot deeper than that.

To work as an effective and efficient team, people need to trust each other. They need to feel comfortable around one another. They need to be able to communicate effectively. These are skills that take time to develop. You can’t will them into being.

Team building exercises give people the opportunity to get to know one another better. You can establish a rapport outside of the office that will follow you back into your day to day work. 

In an effort to save money, a lot of companies choose to do in-house team building training. Collaborative activities, games, trust falls, and all manner of other DIY experiences are implemented in hopes of fostering better trust and communication.

Those that have participated in these activities often find them unhelpful and awkward. They can actually have the opposite effect that management wants them to. 

How to Do Team Building the Right Way

To create team building experiences that achieve what you want them to, your employees should actually be having fun.

They need to step outside of their everyday lives, maybe even outside of their comfort zone. They need the opportunity to work together in a way that changes people’s perception of one another.

Collaborating in this way encourages creative thinking and can lead to more innovative work.

Effective communication takes practice. Experts recommend providing employees with problem-solving opportunities. They need exposure to situations where they need to work together to come up with a solution. 

It’s important to provide your team with activities that they want to participate in and are exciting to be a part of. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to sail a historic yacht off the beautiful shores of San Diego?

San Diego is a sailor’s paradise. The winds create the perfect, breezy conditions, and all the inlets up and down the coast provide nooks and crannies to explore. You might even have the opportunity to check out some sea life between races. 

Team Building in San Diego-Do Something Distinctive

Our crew of expert sailors are waiting to meet you and your employees, friends, or family. 

Our team consists of a diverse group of experienced professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. With one co-owner who’s a former Marine Corps officer and another who’s a retired anesthesiologist, we have a wide range of skills to draw from.

Our crew will be there to assist you every step of the way, to help your team be the best that they can be.

Earlier in his 1962 speech, John F. Kennedy said “It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears.” 

There’s no better way to appreciate what it means to put your blood, sweat, and tears into your work than by sailing in a historic sailing vessel. 

If you’re ready to get your team grinding some winches to help raise and lower the sails, contact us today to learn about our rates and availability for Team Building in San Diego. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Sailing is about being on the water, the freedom, fresh air, and being with friends or family.  Sailing is also about finding the type of sailboat that will best suit you.

Boats that are larger than 26 feet usually have standing headroom down below and are typically equipped with sleeping accomodations, a head (bathroom) and galley are Cruising Sailboats. Cruising Sailboats should have sufficient internal volume for comfortable living aboard.

Racing Sailboats: When you put the words sailing and racing together so many images come to mind as it can mean something different to every person on the water. Why do we sail? Is it the love of the sport or the competitive side of the sport? Do you enjoy the physical or mental side of competing? Any yacht can ultimately be raced, but there are many that are designed, rigged and built specifically for competitive racing.

Racing Sailboats are similar to cruising boats but have more equipment and are built lighter, with spartan to no accommodations. Such boats are usually 20 – 70+ feet in length.

America’s Cup yachts are Racing Sailboats that run into the millions of dollars to build and many thousands to operate and maintain annually. Skippered by the best, crewed by professionals, these yachts are the top dogs of the sailing world. Very few locations throughout the world offer opportunities to actually sail on a retired America’s Cup Sailboat.  Of those, very few venues actually allow guests to grind winches and drive the America’s Cup Racing Sailboat. One such yacht is Stars & Stripes USA 11.

Located in beautiful San Diego California, Stars & Stripes USA 11 is available for Private Charter, Corporate Charter, Team Building Charter, or one can join others onboard a Public Charter. Stars & Stripes USA 11 is 78’ long, 17’ wide, 13’ deep and eleven stories high! Towering 115’ off the water, Stars & Stripes USA 11 is the grand lady of San Diego Bay that makes a statement something like: “I’m bold and beautiful, and I’m likely to beat the competition while providing a comfortable ride for my guests”.

Like all sailboats, Stars & Stripes USA 11 can carry you through the water and across space and time using nothing but the power of the wind. Unlike most other sailboats, though, Stars & Stripes USA 11 has a length on waterline of 65’ making comfortable motion underway —thereby making your ride supremely quiet and smooth. In twelve years of guests sailing aboard the Racing Sailboat Stars & Stripes USA 11, no one has ever gotten seasick.

Once underway, you will have an opportunity to grind the winches (to bring in the sails), drive the boat and feel its power, or relax and enjoy the ride. Stars & Stripes USA 11 will zip around San Diego Bay at twice the speed of other sailboats.  If the wind is up, the ride can be quit thrilling.

If you choose to charter Stars & Stripes USA 11 for Team Building, your group can be broken down in small groups that would rotate through different stations and actively work together in racing mode. Or your Team Building adventure could be one that is down time for your team members to relax and spend time together. Detailed Team Building info here.

Corporate Charters on Stars & Stripes USA 11 is a great way to entertain clients or incorporate the racing sailboat experience for a board of directors retreat. Click for more info…

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide, cruising style sailboat or Racing Sailboat. I choose Racing Sailboat because if I don’t feel like grinding winches, I can always relax and enjoy the freedom, fresh air and being with friends or family while zipping along enjoying the power and performance of the yacht.

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Beyond just Public Sailing Tours, Stars & Stripes USA 11 has now introduced a one of a kind Team Building Activity. With the addition of the ILL Morro ITA-16, an Italian Racing Yacht that was recently purchased. With two world class racing yachts available for company’ or private groups charters; team building seemed like a wonderful idea. Under the supervision of our crew, your team members/group will take the helm, make tactical decisions, and grind the winches & trim the sails. You will be able to have a series of 3 races up and down San Diego Bay to see which team/group can make the claim of America’s Cup winners.

Team Building Organizers have given us feedback that our Sailing Activity has been able to really impact Corporate Groups with a one of a kind outdoor, positive and fun experience.

From what we have learned that our Team Building Sailing Charter Activity has been known to; improve creative skills, leadership abilities and keep the team motivated. Team building can sometimes seem like an excuse to get out of the office, but it can also help employees feel more engaged within the organization. Thus, team building can be an effective way to increase employee retention and job satisfaction.

Team building can also improve communication between employees and improve employees ability to work together. A Successful Team-Building Activity can improve morale, strengthen work relationships, and motivate everyone to reach important goals.

Stars & Stripes USA Corporate Sailing Charters are the perfect solution for your next team building, networking or social event. Our Corporate Sailing Charters are the perfect option for a fun, unique experience on one of the most iconic Bays in the world; San Diego Bay and Stars & Stripes USA 11 is only a 10 minute drive from downtown San Diego.

Make sure to contact us here for further information; we look forward to speaking with you and helping to plan and design the perfect corporate sailing charter for your next group activity.

MORE INFO ON SAN DIEGO’S TOP SAILING CHARTER