Water World

A winter visit to San Diego offers the opportunity to experience natures most magnificent creatures up close- gray whales. These gentle giants are roughly the width of a basketball court. From December through April, over 20,000 gray whales make the 10,000-mile round trip journey from Alaska to Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. Hornblower Cruises, Flagship Cruises, and Oceanside Adventures, all offer spectacular whale watching tours on comfortable boats. The experienced boat captains know exactly where to find gray whales and trained naturalists narrate your wonderful whale watching experience. HORNBLOWE CRUISES AND EVENTS (619)686-8715 FLAGSHIP CRUISES AND EVENTS (619) 234-4111 OCEANSIDE ADVENTURES (888)507-1130 XPLORE OFFSHORE (858)361-9494

Tae the wheel and become the captain of your very own speed boat with San Diego Speedboat Adventures, this one-of-a-kind never to be forgotten adventure tour. Experience the adventure of a lifetime on a guided and narrated tour of San Diego Harbor with a twist. Navigate and captain your own speedboat for the entirety of the tour while following the trained and knowledgeable guide to experience the best of both worlds - the THRILL of driving your own speedboat, and the safety of having a skilled guide introduce you to the beauty of San Diego Harbor, the witty yet historical narration is done through two-way communication systems mounted in each boat. SAN DIEGO SPEEDBOAT ADVENTURES (619) 294-5852

The moment you don your face mask and peer into the ocean water, you`ll be awe-struck by how many interesting creatures and fish live in this underwater world. From the bright orange Garibaldi that swim nearby to the moray eels that peak out from under crevasses to get a good look at you, you`ll be surrounded by all kinds of sea life. San Diego has some of the best spots for snorkeling. The best spots to explore the beauty of the sea in San Diego include La Jolla Cove, Devils Slide, La Jolla Shores, and Shell Beach. In northern San Diego, try Fletchers Cove and Swami Beach.

Oceanside is a beautiful city along the northern coast of San Diego County, both a surfer`s haven and a family-oriented community. The centerpiece of this charming city Is the Oceanside Harbor. The Harbor is a wonderful place to stroll, rent a boat, wave runner, or kayak. Take an AWE-inspiring Whale Watching cruise with Oceanside Adventures. The trips are 2 hours and are great for anyone and everyone who loves the ocean or the wildlife you may encounter. At Harbor Village, you`ll find a collection of specialty shops and one-of-a-kind restaurants and bars. The wood-framed buildings, step shingle roofs, and lighthouse bring to mind an east coast fishing village. A visit to Oceanside Harbor and Harbor Village is a wonderful way to spend the day with your family. OCEANSIDE ADVENTURES (888) 507-1130

In San Diego, the opportunity for fun on the water year-round in unlimited! San Diego boasts some of the best places in the world to kayak, with temperate waters and stunning shorelines to enjoy. Enjoy the view of the city skyline on one side and the Coronado Bridge on the other as you glide across the Big Bay. Navigate one of the 7 sea caves in La Jolla and experience the beautiful marine life of the La Jolla Underwater Park. This guided tour in La Jolla is a favorite of both locals and San Diego visitors. In North County, the Carlsbad Lagoon offers calm, uncrowded waters to enjoy a slice of paradise. BIKE & KAYAK TOURS (858) 454-1010 CALIFORNIA WATERSPORTS (760) 434-3089 HIKE BIKE KAYAK (858) 551-9510 LA JOLLA KAYAK (858) 459-1114

Come on and get your Boogie on! Boogie on a board that is. Booging boarding is fun and easy -anyone can do it! Less complicated than surfing yet more exciting than swimming, the smiles won`t fade off your face as you ride wave after wave to shore. Long, gentle beach beaks are best for Boogie boarding, so head down to La Jolla Shores for some sweet waves. For smaller rides, head to Tourmaline Surfing Park a little farther south in the Pacific Beach neighborhood. Whichever beach you choose, make sure to head to the surfing zone. Renting a boogie board is easy these days. Most shacks that rent surfboards or other water gear will have boards to rent at affordable prices.

The Carlsbad Lagoon is actually three connecting lagoons that together cover more than 1,000 acres. The entire area is designed for relaxation - you can hang out on the shore, swim, hike, or enjoy a picnic in the shade. If you like your relaxation with a side of excitement, Carlsbad Lagoon delivers that too. Rent a Wave runner, Kayak, Pontoon Boat, Canoe, Stan Up Paddle Boards and more from California Water Sports. Enjoy the private beach area with BBQs and picnic tables. California Water Sports is the perfect place for everyone to have a blast! CALIFORNIA WATERSPORTS (760) 464-3089

People who paddleboard say it`s the perfect combination of physical exertion and relaxation. While it takes some skill to keep the paddle board upright, once you have it down it becomes like second nature. Once you`ve mastered it, you can relax and enjoy all you see around you, whether you`re paddle boarding at the Carlsbad Lagoon, Mission Bay, Harbor Island, Coronado or navigating the swells in La Jolla. So, get on a paddleboard and get going! CALIFORNIA WATER SPORTS-CARLSBAD LAGOON (760) 434-3089 BIKE AND KAYAK TOURS-LA JOLLA AND CORONADO (858)454-1010 HIKE BIKE AND KAYAK TOURS-LA JOLLA (858) 551-9510

San Diego Bay referred to by locals as "the Big Bay", has 34 miles of scenic waterfront dotted with restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, parks and marinas that reside in seven distinct areas. It stretches from the tip of Point Loma all the way to Imperial Beach, set against the backdrop of the San Diego`s scenic beauty and fascinating history aboard the professionally narrated sightseeing and dining cruises. Fun for the whole family! Bus Routes 923, 992 HORNBLOWER CRUISES & EVENTS (855) 552-9051 FLAGSHIP CRUISES & EVENTS (619) 234-4111

Take to the Seas with San Diego Maritime Museum on their Tall Ship Adventure Sail. Enjoy a three-hour adventure history sail aboard the schooner Californian. The Californian is a replica of a gold rush era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of the State of California. Passengers will be invited to haul a line, man the helm and end their day with a cannon salute. Listen as the Californians crew relates the history of sailing and exploration in San Diego, tales of whaling and sea otter trade, local sea battles, the art of ships gunnery, life at sea and more. The San Salvador is a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo`s ship that arrived at the port we now call San Diego on September 28, 1542. The 4-hour sailing Adventures are for people who love history and sailing. Very few people have sailed aboard Galleons of the sixteenth century and theses day sails will offer the public a chance to be aboard the magnificent galleon, San Salvador. Bus Routes 923,992 Rapid 280,290

Experience the beauty of San Diego by land and sea with San Diego Seal Tours. This boat with wheels will take you through the picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the San Diego Harbor. Your land and sea adventure are led by experienced tour guides. The captain and crew are locals who love this beautiful city, so they know about the best things to see and do! View some of San Diego`s most famous points of interest including the Maritime Museum, Star of India, The U.S.S Midway, Lindbergh Field, Seaport Village, Shelter Island, and many other San Diego attractions! Learn about San Diego`s rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Sea Lion. Get ready to see the best San Diego on this sea and land adventure! SAN DIEGO SEAL TOURS (619) 786-3774

What`s better on a warm San Diego day than splashing, dashing, and playing in the water? San Diego boasts one of the largest urban water parks in the US. The 12-acre bayfront park is along the Big Bay. There are 850 feet of interactive fountains that shoot jets of water 40 feet in the air, a children`s playground featuring slides, a steel tube sphere, and a man-made climbing hill. The water park has lookout spots for fireworks, as well as a garden with 20 different plants flowering at different times of the year. Splash away the day at the bayfront water park! Trolley Sycuan Green Line Bus Route 923, 992 Rapid Express 280 & 290

Taking the Coronado Ferry with Flagship Cruises & Events across the Big Bay is more than a mode of transportation - it`s a really cool experience! You`ll glide across calm bay waters, as you smell the salty air and enjoy incredible San Diego skyline views. The ferry drops you off at the Coronado Ferry Landing, a waterfront shopping center filled with art galleries, interesting shops to explore, fine dining, casual eateries, and places to rent bikes, kayaks and SUPs. BIKE AND KAYAK TOURS CORONADO (858)454-1010 BIKES AND BEYOND (619) 435-7180