Fallbrook, CA Outdoor Activities

The patriarch of more than three generations of surfers, Rusty Whitlock began shaping smooth surfboards almost 50 years ago. Accompanied by sons and professional surfers Cory and Ricky, the men of Whitlock oversee a collection of oceanic enterprises that include surf lessons, custom surfboard construction, and custom merchandizing. Whitlock Surf Experience trains budding boardsmen through small classes with a 1:5 instructor-to-student ratio. All teachers boast at least 10 years of experience and are CPR certified to save any waterlogged sand crabs. RW Surfboards fashions wave-riders of all sizes, from 6'5'' tubers to 11-foot longboards, as well as individual rentals for soft surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, and bikes.

Oceanside Boat Rentals outfits customers with the equipment they need to explore the coastline of quaint Oceanside Harbor, also known as the "Hidden Jewel of the Pacific." Day-trippers can climb into kayaks and slice the water with oars or power pedal boats with the same muscles used to jettison exercise bikes off their mounts. Electric Duffy boats with dining tables carry groups across the water on floating picnic trips, all while protecting them from the elements with a Surrey top or full enclosure. And waverunners quickly propel riders over the waves in the lagoon or out on the ocean.

From the peaceful oasis of Camulos Farm—located on an 1,800-acre stretch of North County, San Diego—Sara Crafts dispenses equine knowledge amassed over a 40-year career to students ranging from novices to elite show riders. The facility boasts riding spaces surrounded by palm trees and flower bushes, set against views of rolling hills. During lessons, instructors review horsemanship principles, English and Western riding techniques, and safety measures, such as wearing a helmet and teaching horses not to play with matches. The farm also offers summer camps that provide kids with a comprehensive equine education and teach them about career options in the equestrian field.

As the head trainer of Pony Express Riding School, Teri Cagle draws upon more than 40 years of equine experience when teaching both novice and experienced riders. She begins her lessons by helping students establish a solid riding foundation so that they can control horses while maintaining proper form in the saddle. They're also taught the stable-management practices of grooming, feeding, and promoting horses to the role of best friend. Pony Express Riding School offers lessons every day of the week except Monday.

As riders grip their boards and plunge into wavy planes, they’re almost certain to coast past the open jaws of a shark—but they won’t get bitten. The shark’s toothy sneer is part of a mural painted on one of the custom ramps in the Aura Skateboarding, which is one of the newest indoor skateparks in the country. Designed and built by Jim Bell, the competition-style street course sprawls within a private indoor skate park that hosts skaters, BMX bikers, and wheeled-suitcase riders. Visitors can drop in with single-day passes or secure monthly or annual memberships that include discounts on daily skate sessions, camps, demos, concerts, and contests. Accompanying family members can pass the time in the lounge area with pool, board games, and toys or relax on comfy furniture as they surf the free WiFi.

Escondido Country Club's 6,140-yard championship golf course rests in the rolling landscape of the long coastal mountain valley. Players can warm up swinging arms with range balls before heading out to the first tee. Designed by Harry and David Rainville, the rolling course has challenged generations of golfers since opening in 1963. After butting heads with sand traps and zooming a cart around the path, divot-diggers garbed in appropriate attire can imbibe frothy sips of draft beer or fizzy soda in the clubhouse. Golfers can complete their recharge by knocking back Angus beef burgers and telling longwinded tales of the hole-in-one that got away.