Oceanside Outdoor Activities

Sculpted into the coastal foothills of San Diego County, Lake San Marcos Country Club’s North Course spans 6,426 yards of lush fairways and well-manicured greens. Throughout the course, mature trees await wayward orbs on the edges of fairways, and serpentine bodies of water crisscross fairways, punishing duffers for errant shots. Before taking to the links, golfers can prepare with a stint at the club’s full-length driving range, where all-grass hitting stations emulate on-course conditions as well as an opportunity to seek vengeance on Mother Earth for a lifetime of traumatizing grass stains. Casual eats at Gordon’s on the Green help restore energy after rounds that include the treacherous trek up the 12th hole—a 606-yard par 5 that runs almost entirely uphill. Those looking for a quick golf experience akin to reading the abridged version of Jack Nicklaus’s cookbook can take to the South Course, a par 58 executive layout.

At age 11, Todd Wonkka caught the tennis bug from mother. His athleticism was in full swing by college, but a knee injury shifted him from the role of competitor to teacher. Todd has since gained a teaching certification from the U.S. Professional Tennis Association and accumulated 13 years of coaching and whistle-twirling experience. His group and private lessons cater to players of all ages and abilities, tailoring each session to meet students' needs. During a session, Todd might walk players through footwork, topspin and slice serves, or how to wallop short-angle shots at opponents or the button that silences a car alarm.

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.

Steel blades rhythmically slice the ice across two spacious rinks at Ice-Plex (formerly Iceoplex Escondido), an all-purpose facility pairing leisurely open skates with practiced instruction from director Courtney Moebs and a staff of pro figure skaters. Specialties span everything from choreography and freestyle to ice dancing and yeti dodging, though basic lessons for both kids and adults are also available. Public-skating sessions beckon amateurs and experts on a daily basis, during which skaters can emulate the moves of their favorite hockey players. Replete with a well-appointed gym, indoor pool, and jacuzzi, an attached fitness center offers classes in aerobics, aquatics, and an aquatic-aerobics class led by an off-duty Aquaman.

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.