San Diego Area

San Diego

One of my favorite areas in the country. When I visited, which was years ago, there were two things I realized they love and that’s fish tacos and beer. Or maybe that’s something I love and was projecting. Actually, I'm pretty sure they love those things too. I remember I was at a place in Pacific Beach and we were drinking happy hour pitchers of IPA’s. When that happy hour was coming to a close we asked to get some more pitchers before it ended and the bartender asked “Why?”. After displaying a confused dog face, it turns out those pitchers actually get cheaper during the next happy hour so of course we stayed. Now being in San Diego, you are definitely in a warmer and dry climate, it borders Mexico. The outdoor sport of choice usually involves the ocean, the water, the bike, or the shoes. If you want some winter action, that can happen too with a little bit of drive. It is one of the rare places where you can go skiing and surfing on the same day which is something to be said. You have a bunch of mountain ranges and deserts to go explore just east. Also as per usual, you have the incredible California coasts too that are part of San Diego.

Descanso / Cuyamaca

If you want to get into the mountains, Cuyamaca State Park is only about a 45min drive depending on where you are coming from in San Diego. You have Lake Cuyamaca and miles of forest and trails all throughout the area. You won’t find any winter sport activities out there but nonetheless there is more to boot for the average outdoor enthusiast. If you keep going east past Cuyamaca State Park, you’ll run into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for all you desert lovers. That is also a huge park with plenty to explore.

Big Bear Lake

Now if you want to get some snow sports in your life, your closest and best bet is Big Bear Lake. It’s a little bit of a hike with it being around 3 hours to get there from San Diego but if you're really trying to do the double header with Skiing/Boarding and surfing in the same day it can be done! Big Bear Lake is fairly high in altitude with 6800 feet being the base and the peaks surrounding the area being around 8000 feet. Plenty of height to get a good snow going whenever the arid climate of southern California allows it. That destination has a ton to offer during the summer and the winter for the person who is into the outdoors and those sports.

Mammoth Mountain

For any big mountain skiing, Mammoth mountain is the closest to you and that is putting it nicely. It’s about a 7 hour drive so not really a day trip unless you are a maniac which I’ve known friends who have done such trips. Yes, I do consider those friends maniacs. Along that route to Mammoth Mountain you will pass a number of spectacular parks such as Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest, and Yosemite National park. Not a bad lineup on your way to Mammoth. You also have Death Valley National Park on the right the whole way up too.