Image Source: Visit California
San Diego is an amazing place for food, culture, and nature. And what’s especially great about it is that it’s a place that caters to all types of budget and activity preferences. No matter what you like to do, or how much money you’ve got in your pockets, there’s something for you in this sunny city.
If you want explore all the luxury that San Diego has to offer, you’re in luck. There are plenty of luxury adventures you can embark on. Whether you’re cruising along in exotics cars or getting chauffeured across California’s original wine country, you’ll never forget these incredible experience. Here are nine ideas to get you started:
Image source: La Jolla
Go On a Sunset Balloon Ride
Private sunset balloon rides give couples and groups beautiful 360-degree views over Del Mar, and even as far as Mexico. While there are a handful of viable balloon ride companies in the area, California Dreamin’ is one of the more well-known excursion companies. Their hot balloon experience has been profiled in Sunset magazine, thanks to jaw-dropping sunset views over the beautiful Southern California wine country that sprawls in all directions. Reach out to the company if you’re interested in celebrating a special occasion. For example, the company arranges a balloon-ride gourmet birthday cake for birthdays.
Image source: Travel Channel
San Diego Winery Tour
San Diego is known for its lengthy list of amazing winery tours, and there’s certainly no shortage of options available. San Diego Beer, Spirit, & Winery Touroffers a world-famous winery tour where guests can hop aboard a train and enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery along San Diego, stopping to explore local wineries and taste rooms, and taking a light lunch break of Italian cuisine.
The company also offers chauffeured winery tours, where you’ll be picked up and dropped off directly at your home, stopping to visit three local San Diego wineries and taste about 18 different wines. The chauffeured tour also offers a behind-the scenes look at the winemaking process and a lavish fruit and cheese platter.
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Drive an Exotic Car Around San Diego
If you’ve ever dreamt about driving in an exotic luxury car, but don’t quite have the funds to get one of your own, then San Diego Prestigeis the place for you. This luxury car company allows visitors to try their hand at a variety of vehicles, including: a Lamborghini Aventador, a Ferrari 458 Spider, a Corvette z06, a Mercedes G Class, and much more. Each “tour” comes with an introduction to the cars, a short driving course, mileage and gas for 3 hours of road time (you can try several cars and get 30 minutes each for up to six different cars), and GoPro usage. Passengers can join along on the fun free of charge.
Image source: Flagship Cruises
Sail on a Private Yacht
Right from San Diego, you can charter a private yacht to set sail and be well on your way towards an amazing adventure. There are plenty of options for you to choose from: Mai Tai San Diego Yacht Rentals, San Diego Bay Cruises, San Diego Luxury Sailing, and Luxury Liners are all great options.
From super yachts with full-beam master suites and en-suite bathrooms to to the smaller luxury yachts suited for intimate evenings, there’s no shortage of options available. Combine your luxury private yacht outing with an equally exciting activity. For example, because of San Diego’s coastal waters, you’re likely to be able to go whale and dolphin watching not far from shore. You can also opt for an overnight experience with a sunset sail.
Image source: La Jolla Mom
Go On a Safari Excursion
The San Diego Zoo is one of the most renowned in the world. It has a long, storied history with a modest beginning: the zoo was started with just a small lion that was left behind by a failed zoo owner. Dr. Harry Wegeforth didn’t have much public support, but was given $9,000 from one philanthropist to build a fence for its small but growing family of animals. Today, it sits on 100 acres and is the largest—and arguably best—zoo in the world.
Not only can visitors take a stroll through the San Diego Zoo, gaping at rare animals like the Giant Panda, but they can opt for additional excursions that cost a little extra money. The San Diego Zoo Safari Parktakes you on a wild safari ride in the back of a safari caravan, where you’ll drive through miles of open land and gape at wild animals. Rhinos, antelopes, lions, giraffes, African birds, and much more surround you. If you have a bigger group, you can even go the extra mile and book a caravan for yourself and your group.
Image source: Addison
Have Dinner at Addison
There are only two restaurants in Southern California that have achieved Forbes Five Star status—and San Diego’s Addisonrestaurant is one of them. They’ve also earned AAA Five Diamond status for nine years in a row. This restaurant serves contemporary French cuisine in a sophisticated setting at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a Mediterranean-themed hotel nestled in San Diego's Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.
The Chef’s Tasting Menu is available for $250. The menu changes frequently depending on the season. The Winter Menu, for example, includes dishes like caramelized sablefish with toasted kale and scallion and duck a l’orange with pistachio and beets.
Image source: Corporate Helicopters
San Diego Helicopter Ride
If you really want to bask in all of San Diego’s glory, opt for a private helicopter ride from Corporate Helicopters. The company has been flying over San Diego for nearly three decades, and guests will see a once-in-a-lifetime birds-eye view of San Diego staples like the La Jolla caves, downtown San Diego, Mission Bay, the historic USS Midway, SeaWorld, San Diego Bay, and much more.
There are different types of tour packages to choose from. For instance, the Surf & Turf tour is an hour long private helicopter ride that takes travelers along the city’s best coastal attractions. There’s also a 3.5 hour wine tasting flight that stops for winery tour, flying over rugged mountains and vineyards.
Image source: Golf Advisor
Attend Golf at Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines is the official U.S. Open golf course that’s attracted some of the biggest talents in the golfing world. Playing golf here is certainly a luxury. A half day of golf schoolwill cost $450 for the first golfer and $280 thereafter, and includes nine holes on your choice of South or North course, 90 minutes of private instruction, 1 hour of on-course golf instruction, carts, and clubs. A full day includes lunch at the Lodge at Torrey Pines—an award-winning luxury resort overlooking the golf course and ocean.
Image source: Visit Oceanside
Go Skydiving Near the Coast
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, skydiving in San Diego just might be the luxury adventure you’re looking for. Gojump Oceansideis the only tandem skydive operator in Southern California that offers ocean views during the entire jump. With a full ocean view during your entire freefall, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories. If you’re still up for more adventures after your dive, there are plenty of nearby attractions and downtown San Diego is just a 30 minute drive away.
