Groups bound for seductive San Diego will not only encounter a diversity of sun-soaked terrains, but an equally varied selection of ways to discover them.
“San Diego’s landscape is so diverse—with wide beaches and coastal cliffs on the west and rolling hills and mesas toward the east—that there are countless ways to explore,” says Margie Sitton, senior vice president of sales and services for the San Diego Tourism Authority. “Groups can do everything from kayaking with friendly leopard sharks in La Jolla to feeding giraffes and petting rhinos on a caravan tour through the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The experiences you can have in San Diego can’t be had anywhere else, making it a truly special destination for groups.”
With some invaluable input from Sitton and San Diego Tourism, here are just a few unforgettable excursions for planners to consider in the region.
Terrific Tours
One of the most robust tour operators in the area, So Diego Tours focuses on food and fun during its various colorful adventures. On the “Brothels, Bites and Booze” excursion, for example, attendees get the scoop on some of the Gaslamp Quarter’s scandalous secrets from days of yore, while also treating their taste buds to stops at some of the city’s most acclaimed dining spots.
Yet another intriguing outing from So Diego is their “Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones” tour, where attendees can savor the Mexican favor and flair of Old Town. Live mariachi music, plenty of fabulous food and drink, and spooky storytelling are all on the menu.
For groups heading to elegant La Jolla and its pristine shores, Bike and Kayak Tours hosts a number of excursions on land and water. For something truly memorable, consider its “Swim with the Sharks: Leopard Shark Encounter,” a safe but thrilling snorkeling adventure with these generally harmless and comparatively small sharks.
Making Waves
San Diego’s seaside setting makes it a natural for seagoing jaunts, and the choices are almost as endless as the ocean views.
For pure exhilaration, your group can clamber aboard the famous Stars & Stripes, as well as two other America’s Cup-class yachts, on outings that can range from splashy sightseeing to interactive teambuilding excitement.
“Sailing on Stars & Stripes from the 1992 America’s Cup gives guests the opportunity to actively participate as a team member in the crewing process to achieve maximum performance,” says Lynn Hannah, a captain and company co-owner. “Grind the winches to trim the sails, take a turn at the helm, or just hang on as we zip around San Diego Bay at twice the speed of the average sailboat.”
The boats are moored by the Kona Kai Resort & Spa on San Diego’s Shelter Island, and the outings include complimentary snacks and beverages—and even free pictures and videos for future sharing and downloading.
Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies should consider San Diego Speed Boat Adventures, putting attendees behind the wheel of a 13-foot mini-speedboat as they zip past scenery ranging from submarines to sea lions. The outfitter can handle groups of up to about 20 in size with advance notice, and is based at Harbor Island near the airport.
Yet another completely different option is fishing forays led by H&M Landing, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2015 and reputedly the oldest sport fishing outfitter on the West Coast. The company boasts a massive fleet of various fishing ships, can host from four to 100, and offers experiences ranging from half-day kelp-bed explorations to three-week ocean fishing escapes that include on-board accommodations.
Zoom to the Zoo
While everyone knows about the sprawling and spectacular San Diego Zoo, planners might not be aware of the awesome array of group outings and adventures at its San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The most thrilling of them all is the Cheetah Safari, exploring the Safari Park’s Cheetah outpost on a 90-minute adventure attendees will be talking about for months. Visitors enjoy light refreshments and high speeds—witnessing the fastest animals on Earth get a serious workout in pursuit of mechanical lures.
For something a bit more extensive, the Caravan Safari Deluxe is almost four hours in duration and explores field exhibits from both Africa and Asia, getting close-up views of creatures ranging from rhinos to antelopes. Shutterbugs will appreciate the vehicle of choice, an open-air safari truck providing the freedom for infinite great shots. Yet another option is a customizable, 2.5-hour VIP tour that goes behind the scenes and also provides an animal presentation.
Other unforgettable group offerings at the vibrant venue include a Jungle Ropes Safari, traversing about three-dozen treetop challenges during the course of 90 minutes; a Flightline Safari where attendees get a birds-eye vista from high above while ziplining; and even a Roar & Snore Safari where guests camp overnight and enjoy a campfire and other fun.
