Couple walking through greenery palm trees
21 Apr 2025

The Best Adventurous Outdoor Spring Activities in San Diego

By mkellogg

Spring is one of the best times of the year to plan an exciting outdoor adventure getaway to San Diego. The near-perfect weather makes it a great time for an adventure-focused SoCal vacation chock-full of the best San Diego activities to enjoy outside this spring.

From blood-pumping adventures like paragliding at Torrey Pines to whale watching at Point Loma, check out the best San Diego activities this spring via land, sea, and sky!

Best Exciting San Diego Activities to Experience Outdoors This Spring

Beach Time (2.0 Miles from Hotel)

Pacific Beach

The beach is the perfect place for some of the best San Diego activities this spring. Grab some delicious food to go from the onsite Oasis Pool Bar for a picnic at Sunset Cliffs with unmatched views, take a stroll along Ocean Beach and explore the restaurants and shops (3.5 miles from hotel), or try surfing at Pacific Beach (6.6 miles from hotel) with San Diego surfing lessons. Local San Diego beaches are a great place to spend some time doing as little or as much as you’d like during your spring getaway to San Diego.

Take a Scenic Bike Ride (4.8 Miles from Hotel)

Guests riding bikes in front of entry sign

Spring in SoCal is exciting, and getting out and exploring all the fun-in-the-sun San Diego activities during your April vacation getaway is a breeze. It’s also a great experience to enjoy one of the most popular activities in the area - biking in San Diego! The city is home to a variety of bike paths, including the Mission Bay Bike Path, conveniently located near your suite at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn. Pedal to more than ten public parks and two wildlife reserves that are popular for picnicking, swimming, throwing the Frisbee, and more. Here are some of the best bike paths in San Diego to explore.

Whale Watching in Point Loma (5.1 Miles from Hotel)

whale in ocean

If you want to experience the thrill of whale watching during your spring adventure in San Diego, the cliffs in Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma are a great place to see them just offshore. The old Point Loma lighthouse offers the best view for whale-watchers to see the graceful creatures migrating south. Be sure to keep a lookout west, to your left, over the ocean from the Cabrillo National Monument for the best views. Such an amazing way to spend a spring day in San Diego.

Go Tide Pooling at Cabrillo National Monument (5.5 Miles from Hotel)

Cabrillo Monument

Best explored at low tide, the local tide pools, shallow pools of ocean water that are filled with sea and plant life, offer an up-close and personal view of sea treasures. These “intertidal zones” are typically located close to the coast where the water and land meet. The tide pools San Diego locals enjoy most contain a variety of different sea creatures, including starfish, octopus, sea anemones, barnacles, sea urchins, crabs, sea stars, and more. Also known to make an appearance in local tide pools are seashells, small fish, and sea hare snails. Explore the area just past the lighthouse, known as the sandstone cliffs, as their rocky coastal shelf is home to many different fish, plants, crabs, barnacles, mussels, and even lobsters and is a great way to spend the day!

Kayaking Through La Jolla’s Sea Caves (11.6 Miles from Hotel)

La Jolla

(Photo: @lens_salt)

There is truly no better way to explore San Diego’s magnificent Pacific Ocean coast than by kayak. Spend the day kayaking through La Jolla’s Sea Caves for the ultimate spring adventure. See a variety of marine animals and wildlife, including sea lions, pelicans, leopard sharks, and more. Also, visit 5 different types of marine environments, including sandy beaches, rocky reefs, sea cliffs, a kelp forest, and deep-water canyons blooming with spring flowers. Enjoy one of the most popular San Diego activities at the La Jolla Sea Caves.

Hang Gliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport (14.7 Miles from Hotel)

Torrey Pines beach

Have the adventure of a lifetime while hang gliding at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. One of the most popular San Diego activities, Torrey Pines Gliderport offers tandem hang gliding flights for a phenomenal guest experience. This world-class flying site offers lessons, tandem flights, and certifications and is one of the most exciting and unique San Diego activities to experience this spring.

Hiking Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (18.0 Miles from Hotel)

friends hiking by the ocean

Home to the nation’s rarest pine tree, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island that offers an amazing place for a spring hike to see the unique natural features the area has to offer. Hikers will love the views that include high broken cliffs as well as ravines on headlands that overlook the ocean. Spring is especially gorgeous, as the wildflowers will be in bloom and the weather will be near-perfect for a hike.

CONCERT

After a day of exciting San Diego activities and exploring the fun places in the area, head back to your suite at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn to prepare for a relaxing evening at the resort. Make plans for dinner and a live show at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, where music lovers will appreciate our phenomenal outdoor concert venue and Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay concert season. See the best national music and comedy acts at this intimate outdoor venue that is perfectly situated on San Diego Bay. Be sure to book a SPECIAL CONCERT PACKAGE that includes dinner, hotel accommodations, and a show! Check out the Summer 2025 concert schedule here.

Are You Ready for an Outdoor Spring Adventure Getaway to Enjoy All the Best San Diego Activities?

The team at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn is ready for your arrival this spring! From waterfront dining and live concerts to seaside pools with tropical landscaping and creative frozen concoctions, your spring vacay in San Diego has everything you need to enjoy a true island getaway in SoCal.

Book your Shelter Island escape at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn today with one of our fantastic springtime offers. Whether you want to experience the very best San Diego activities or simply relax by the pool with a fruity cocktail, Humphrey’s on Shelter Island is here to make sure it’s your best spring vacay ever!

sunset san diego
01 Sep 2020

Spectacular Sunsets — the Best Places to Watch in San Diego

By mkellogg

Everyone loves a good sunset! San Diego is known for its picturesque paintings in the sky each night, and the area offers a multitude of places to view these breathtaking works of art. Whether you prefer to watch from a restaurant, a lookout point, or just sitting on the beach, San Diego’s golden hour is yours to be enjoyed.

Shelter Island Marina Walkway (0.5 miles)

Grab a bench facing the water on the marina walkway outside of Humphreys Half Moon Inn and enjoy the view while the sun dips beneath the horizon. Shelter Island provides the perfect setup for sunset watching.

Sunset Cliffs (2 miles)

Located south of Ocean Beach, you will soon find out how Sunset Cliffs Boulevard got its name. Get there early to find a perfect spot. Bring a blanket or pack a picnic to fully take part in the evening sunset celebration.

Ocean Beach Pier (3.2 miles)

Head to the Ocean Beach Pier, located on the south end of the Ocean Beach coastline. Cast a fishing line from the end of the pier or simply sit and enjoy the bursts of color in the sky.

Sunset Point Park (4.2 miles)

With a name like “Sunset Point,” you KNOW the evenings here are stunning. Sunset Point is located in Mission Bay, adjacent to our sister hotel, The Dana. The beach here is next to a grassy park and is dotted with firepits. It’s also just down the street from Mission Beach Boardwalk.

Embarcadero (5 miles)

San Diego’s Embarcadero sits adjacent to San Diego Bay and is a popular spot for residents and visitors alike. Nearby Waterfront Park is the perfect spot for a picnic. Several fascinating maritime museums can be found here, as well as top-notch seafood restaurants. Enjoy the area as you take in the view. 

Bird Rock (8.5 miles)

The famous Bird Rock — both the neighborhood and the formation from which it takes its name — sits just south of La Jolla. It’s an offbeat area featuring cozy restaurants, eclectic shops, and absolutely breathtaking sunsets.

Windansea Beach (10.3 miles)

A long-treasured La Jolla surfing spot for San Diego’s boarders, Windansea Beach is home to several unique rock formations, a spectacular beach, and — naturally — plenty of available vistas from which to watch the sun dip beneath the horizon. Bring a blanket and drink in the splendor. 

Mount Soledad (12 miles)

Standing tall above La Jolla is Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Gaze across miles of coastline, San Diego landmarks, and the Pacific Ocean, as far as the eye can see. Don’t forget the camera! Sunsets seem to last longer up here with a panoramic view of the entire city.