Spring Fling, San Dieo Style

Even with our mild Mediterranean climate, San Diegans get a mental lift in the spring. Like our visitors from heartier climes, we want to fling ourselves out of the doldrums and into an adventure as the March equinox approaches. Fortunately, when it comes to adventurous opportunities, we who visit and live here are all as lucky as the Irish. Here are a plethora of choices by land, sea and air to prove it.

By Land

Dune buggy for a day in the desert sun on Academy Rentals’ 50 square miles of permitted BLM land.  You’ll explore sand dunes, the black slate hills and the red clay mountains. Bring your camera and a daypack to carry your water and cell phone. ATVs and motorcycles are also available. By reservation only. 619-294-2227. www.sandandsplash.com

You can venture both land and sea on Old Town Trolley’s Amphibious Seal Tour. First, you’re on a “bus” skirting along the harbor by the airport and then you’re in the water on the safe and sturdy touring vessel. High above the waterline, you’ll cruise close to sea lions basking on bait platforms and U.S. military facilities that include the Navy’s marine mammal training center, where you may catch a glimpse of a leaping dolphin student. You’ll learn about the bay’s ecology and species from an informed guide.  619-298-8687. www.historictours.com

By Sea

For a speedier thrill, hop aboard Adventure RIB Rides’ authentic Navy SEAL rigid inflatable boat.  Because these whale-friendly vessels are quite down on the water, the mammoth mammals may come right up close to check you out. Pacific white-sided and bottle-nosed dolphins love to ride the RIB wakes and make for fabulous photo-ops. For cuteness, you can hardly beat the California sea lion pups just beginning to appear on the rookery. Your coastal excursion may go north to Mission Bay or south to Mexico’s Los Coronados Islands. 618-808-2822. 
www.AdventureRibRides.com

Enjoy a longer trip to the Coronados with SD Harbor Excursion’s 5-hour Nature Cruise to visit the elephant seals. You’ll be able to get close enough to photograph them.  Whales are still on their migration, so you may see them on the trip.  An onboard guide helps you spot and identify up to 80 varieties of sea life, including sea lions and the dwellers of the lush kelp forests.  $50 per adult passenger. 619-234-4111. www.sdhe.com

H & M Landing, one of SD’s oldest sea-going companies, boasts shorter, 3-hour bay trips as well as the 5-hour journey to the Islands. 619-222-1144. www.hmlanding.com

You don’t have to venture far to enjoy a cruise.  Hornblower Cruises & Events bay cruises will have you lingering over drinks and dinner as you admire the evening skyline. 619-686-8715 www.hornblower.com

Sailing around the harbor or into the ocean aboard Seaforth Boat Rentals small yachts lets you quietly approach marine mammals and birds.  You can crew or lounge as you enjoy the experience.

Adventure Water Sports lets you pilot your own vessel. Rent a powerboat or a Jet ski and explore calm and smooth Mission Bay. (You must be 16 to ride, 18 to rent.) Boaters can water ski or wake board, too.  All the equipment you need is available on site, and you can even hire a boat captain, if you prefer to leave the driving to them. Cost is $100-130 per hour, per boat. 619-226-8611. www.adventurewatersports.com

By Air

Grab three friends and a bottle of bubbly for SoCal Helicopter’s aerial tour of San Diego. A 30-minute flight takes you above all the beaches, the new ballpark, Sea World, and Mission Bay.  Drool over the mansions along the coast.  Listen to music in the background and the funny pilot’s local stories. Hang out at their Montgomery Airport facility afterwards and swap stories of your own.  $94/person for 30 minute flight. 1-858-614-0197. www.socalhelicopters.com

Take to the skies and drift over Del Mar and Fairbanks Ranch in one of SunBalloons aircraft.  Ogle the $50-60 million dollar homes and spy on the Bill Gates place.  Enjoy champagne aloft and a nice party and picnic when you land. If you’re lucky enough to fly on St. Pat’s Day, you’ll be in a specially decorated balloon. $175/person.  1-760-802-5077. www.ballonride.aero

In biz since 1975, A Skysurfer Balloon Co., Inc. claims bragging rights as the very first company to ever fly a commercial balloon here and with a perfect safety record. The best ride is at sunset ride on the one-hour champagne flight with Pacific coastline view. Skim over some of most beautiful estates and equestrian areas in the country as your pilot points out the homes of celebrities. 1-858-481-6800. www.skysurferballoon.com