Sports and Recreation

     San Diego's spectator sports are many and varied. Outdoor sports draw nearly as many visitors to the city as the sightseeing attractions. Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd. in Mission Valley, is the home to the major league football team the San Diego Chargers; ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., plays host to special sports events.

Baseball
     The San Diego Padres seem to have bounced back from the glory days of 1984 (when they were in the World Series) to again become a contender. With help from standouts like seven-time National League batting champion Tony Gwynn and third baseman Ken Caminiti, the Padres won the National League West Division Championship in both 1996 and 1998. They play April through September at PETCO Park, which opened downtown in 2004; phone (877) 374-2784.

Football
     The NFL's San Diego Chargers were an immediate hit when they relocated from Los Angeles in 1961. The Chargers have come back strong since the mid-1990s. They made it to Super Bowl XXIX in 1995, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, and were the 2004 AFC Western Division Champions. College football fans support the SDSU Aztecs. Both the Chargers and the Aztecs play at Qualcomm Stadium in the fall; phone (619) 280-2121.

Recreation
     Because of its mild climate, San Diego is a haven for year-round recreation. Following are descriptions of several activities available in the San Diego area. More information can be obtained from the various Community Park and Recreation Divisions: Community Parks II (which covers the Inland Division), (619) 685-1300; Community Parks I (which covers community parks and recreation centers), (619) 221-8900; and Developed Regional Parks (which covers coastal beaches and regional parks), (619) 235-1169.
     Few cities can match San Diego's near-ideal conditions for golf. Rain seldom interferes, and mild temperatures promote year-round playing. Courses in San Diego County number more than 90, ranging from seaside to desert locations. Mission Bay Golf Course is lighted for evening play. Advanced reservations are a good idea.
     Bicycling is a good way to tour this sunshine city. There are several marked bike routes and numerous rental shops. San Diego fosters bicycling with safe, marked bicycle lanes. Many share the county's roadways; a particular favorite is the Pacific Highway (S21) between La Jolla and Oceanside.
     Coronado's wide streets also are ideal for bicyclists. Bikes & Beyond offers rentals at Coronado's Ferry Landing Marketplace; phone (619) 435-7180. Bicycles can accompany passengers on the San Diego-Coronado Ferry for an extra 50 cents fare. Mission Bay Park is a bicyclist's haven. Mission Beach Surf & Skate on Mission Beach has rentals; phone (858) 488-5050.
     Miles of shoreline and two large, protected bays provide ideal settings for all types of water sports. Swimming opportunities include the ocean, Mission Bay and public pools. Ocean swimming is best June through November. The more popular beaches have lifeguards on duty daily.
     Boating is a favorite pastime; hundreds of pleasure boats dot the ocean and bays daily. The major boating centers are Shelter and Harbor islands, Glorietta Bay and Mission Bay marinas. Rental and launching facilities for paddle and fishing boats, sailboats and powerboats are available at these areas.
     Scuba divers favor La Jolla Cove and San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. For a recorded update about weather and diving conditions phone (619) 221-8824. To arrange a boat excursion try Ocean Enterprises; phone (858) 565-6054, respectively.
     Surfing is an all-year activity, but wet suits are advised in winter. Among the popular surfing beaches are Imperial Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach Park, Sunset Cliffs, Tourmaline Surfing Park and Windansea Park.