7 Days of Ocean Adventure: San Diego's Ultimate Water Sports Itinerary

Start your ocean adventure at La Jolla Shores, where calm waters and gentle waves create the perfect training ground. This beach is my go-to recommendation for families because the sandy bottom extends far out, giving everyone confidence to wade in gradually. Spend your first morning renting kayaks from one of the local outfitters—I always book with Everyday California for their patient instructors and well-maintained equipment.

The real magic happens when you paddle out to the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. The kelp forests here function like underwater farms, creating entire ecosystems that support sea lions, garibaldi fish, and if you're lucky, leopard sharks during summer months. I never leave shore without my waterproof phone pouch—it's survived countless splashes and captures incredible underwater shots through the clear plastic.

Day two, try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). The twins weren't quite ready for their own boards at age three, but many outfitters offer tandem boards or kid-sized options for older children. The key is going early—by 8 AM, before the afternoon winds pick up. From your board, you'll spot the famous sea lion colony at the Children's Pool, and the perspective gives you a farmer's appreciation for how the ocean 'cultivates' life in layers, from surface plankton to bottom-dwelling creatures.

Pacific Beach brings more energy—think boardwalk vibes, surf shops, and that classic California beach town atmosphere. This is where you'll want to tackle surfing. I'll be honest: my first attempt at catching a wave was humbling. As someone who prides himself on physical coordination from years of farm work, getting repeatedly knocked over by whitewater was a lesson in ocean humility.

Pacific Surf School offers excellent family packages where instructors work with different skill levels simultaneously. My wife and I took a two-hour lesson while the twins built sandcastles with their grandparents nearby. By the end, we were both riding waves to shore—nothing fancy, just that incredible feeling of harnessing ocean energy. The instructors emphasize ocean safety and reading water conditions, skills that translate to all water sports.

For recovery between sessions, the Crystal Pier area offers fantastic fish tacos and people-watching. I recommend bringing a beach blanket that actually lives up to its name—the sand-resistant material is a game-changer when you're constantly wet and sandy. Day four, rent bikes and cruise the boardwalk early morning. The three-mile stretch from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach gives you a local's perspective and helps burn energy before afternoon surf sessions.

Shift gears midweek with activities that let younger kids participate more actively. Head to the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument during low tide—check tide charts religiously, as timing is everything. These pools are living laboratories where kids can observe sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, and occasionally small octopi.

Bring a waterproof field guide to identify species. I approach tide pools like I approach my fields back home: with curiosity about the ecosystem's interconnections. Which creatures are the 'pollinators' of this environment? What's the 'soil health' equivalent in these rocky habitats? These questions make the experience richer for everyone.

Afternoon, snorkel at La Jolla Cove. The water here is slightly choppier than La Jolla Shores, but the marine life is spectacular. Rent quality snorkel gear locally rather than bringing cheap sets from home—proper-fitting masks prevent frustration and leaks. The visibility can reach 30 feet on calm days, and you'll swim alongside Garibaldi (California's state fish), bat rays, and curious sea lions. A anti-fog spray is essential—nothing ruins snorkeling faster than constantly surfacing to clear your mask.

Mission Bay's calm, protected waters make it ideal for trying new skills. This 4,600-acre aquatic park feels like a giant playground designed specifically for water sports. Start with windsurfing lessons at Mission Bay Aquatic Center—they offer family-friendly instruction and the shallow bay means falls are more funny than frightening.

The science behind windsurfing fascinates me: you're essentially using wind energy to power human movement across water, not unlike how we harness natural forces in sustainable farming. The learning curve is steep initially, but by your second hour, you'll experience those magical moments when everything clicks and you're gliding across the bay.

Afternoon, try jet skiing or rent a small sailboat. Mission Bay's marked channels and 27 miles of shoreline give you plenty of space to explore without venturing into open ocean. For families with older kids, the wakeboarding and water skiing options are excellent. Pack a dry bag for valuables and snacks—the 20-liter size fits phones, wallets, and enough provisions for a full day without being bulky.

End your week with perspective—literally. Book a whale watching tour departing from San Diego Bay. Summer months bring blue whales, the largest animals ever to exist on Earth, along with fin whales and massive pods of common dolphins. These tours typically run 3-4 hours and venture 10-20 miles offshore.

I'm not typically prone to getting seasick, but the open ocean swells are different from nearshore activities. A motion sickness band worked wonders for my wife, who gets queasy on boats. The naturalists aboard these tours provide incredible context about marine ecosystems, migration patterns, and conservation efforts—exactly the kind of educational component that makes these trips meaningful beyond just entertainment.

Watching a 90-foot blue whale surface alongside your boat, hearing its exhale echo across the water, puts the entire week in perspective. We spend so much time trying to master the ocean through sports and activities, but moments like these remind you that we're just visitors in an ancient, powerful ecosystem. The twins talked about the whales for months afterward, constantly asking when we could return.

Spend your final evening at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, watching the sun drop into the Pacific. Reflect on the week's progression from tentative beginners to confident ocean enthusiasts. The beauty of San Diego's water sports scene is its accessibility—you don't need to be an expert to have authentic, memorable experiences.