Mikaela Nadolski • Sep 29, 2021

7 Sports-Related Things To Do When You Visit San Diego

San Diego is a top-travel destination in the country, and if you’ve been to this southern California favorite, you understand why. In fact, San Diego experiences 35.1 million visitors every year to the city. From the beaches to attractions, delicious food, museums and more (did we mention the year-round 75-degree weather?), it’s no wonder so many people flock to sunny San Diego. 


We have always felt honored to host the California State Games and Winter Games in San Diego. And if you're reading this, you or your athlete are at least interested in competing in the Games. We pulled together a list of 10 sports-related things to do when you visit San Diego next. Keeping the athletes in mind, many of these events are things you could do at the next Winter or Summer Games that you attend. 


1. Petco Park 

Home to the San Diego Padres, Petco Park opened in 2004 in Downtown San Diego. Set in a stunning location, Petco Park is in the heart of the city surrounded by points of interest like Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village. If you visit San Diego during the right time (like the Summer Games!), you can catch a Padres game between April and November. The California State Games typically offer discounted tickets for a Padres Game during the weekend of the Games. Be sure to check before you travel! 
 

2. The Fowler Family Awards Center 

Previously the Hall of Champions, the San Diego Sports Association maintains the Fowler Family Awards Center which celebrates the Breitbard Hall of Fame & Other Honorees. Anyone can visit the center during public tours of Petco Park and all all home Padres games. Visitors get to see the interactive center as it covers the organization’s honorees over its history, including Stars of the Month, Stars of the Year, Breitbard Hall of Fame inductees and more. 


3. San Diego Gulls 

The San Diego Gulls are a major sponsor of the California State Games, and particularly the California Winter Games Ice Hockey Championship. If you’re in San Diego for the Winter Games, then the Gulls are likely in season. The Gulls are a San Diego-based American Hockey League Team who plays out of the Pechanga Arena San Diego. If you’re an ice hockey fan — and even if you’re new the game, any sports lover would have a great time — catch a game, or keep with updates for the upcoming Ice Hockey Torch Lighting Ceremony that occurs before a local Gulls game. 


4. USS Midway Museum 

The USS Midway Museum that’s located in downtown San Diego is an incredible experience for anyone, but especially sports lovers and history buffs! You need to reserve your ticket online to view the huge array of exhibits and activities, which even includes a flight simulator. Nearly a decade ago, there was the brief phase of the Carrier Classic, which celebrated the Armed forces while simultaneously hosting college basketball entertainment. It didn’t last long due to the challenges of playing on water among other issues, games were played on the USS Midway, making this attraction a unique adventure for anyone interested in sports. 


5. San Diego Loyal Soccer Club 

Soccer fans, we can’t forget about you! San Diego Loyal Soccer Club is San Diego’s premier outdoor professional men’s soccer club. The club plays at the Torero Stadium at University of San Diego within the United Soccer League (USL). You can catch a game May through October, and regardless of the time of year, you know you can watch the game in San Diego’s mild year-round weather. 


6. Farmers Insurance Open 

In North County lies the “beachy” areas of La Jolla, Torrey Pines and others. While there’s plenty of activities and sightseeing to do in these areas, those looking for sports-related attractions don’t need to look far for the Farmers Insurance Open. This professional golf tournament and PGA stop is held in January with available tickets and upgraded venues for purchase. The Farmers Open makes sure that ticket purchasers get the most out of the experience with attractions all week of the tournament including a fan village and more. 


7. College Sports 

San Diego has several colleges, San Diego State, University of San Diego and UC San Diego to name a few. On any given night, you’re bound to find a game or meet scheduled for some sport on campus. But even if you just want to do some sightseeing as opposed to attending a game, you can honor some San Diego royalty by visiting San Diego State to see the Tony Gwynn Stadium. Gwynn, a Hall of Fame superstar for the Padre and previous Head Coach of SDSU Baseball, left a vibrant history at the field and university in general. You can also see the Halls of Fame present at each university. 

 

The California State Games is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a quality amateur athletic event to foster the Olympic dream. Your donation will help us continue to provide competitive events for California’s amateur athletes and provide them the Olympic experience. 

7 Must-See Beaches in San Diego

23 Apr, 2024
The California State Games is host to the 2024 State Games of America presented by National University . Based in sunny San Diego, this is a great chance for SGA athletes to compete alongside the nation’s best athletes while enjoying one of the nation’s best travel destinations. We like to think that everything is better by the beach; here are seven must-see beaches in America’s Finest City. 1. La Jolla Shores La Jolla Shores is a popular and long stretch of beach perfect for families and kids to relax, play, and build sandcastles. In the summer, you might see the famous La Jolla Leopard Sharks . 2. La Jolla Cove La Jolla Cove , rated the U.S.'s most beautiful beach in 2023 , offers breathtaking high cliffs and hidden coves. Visitors can explore tide pools and spot sea lions, capturing the essence of San Diego's coastal charm. 3. Sunset Cliffs Sunset Cliffs boasts rocky coastlines, tide pools, and stunning ocean views. Located just south of Ocean Beach, it offers a perfect sunrise view for surfers. 4. Pacific Beach Pacific Beach caters to adults with its vibrant scene of restaurants, bars, and a lively boardwalk. It offers a mix of tours and sightseeing, perfect for a fun beach day in San Diego. 5. Ocean Beach The venue for the 2024 SGA Surfing Championship , Ocean Beach is one of San Diego’s best spots to watch the surf. OB isn’t for beach loungers, but those who want to take a beach walks, enjoy the surf scene, and smell the salty air alongside the pier. 6. Del Mar Beach Del Mar Beach is a popular beach for its scenery and lounging, and it’s also a great location for athletes who will spend a lot of time in northern San Diego. Just south of Encinitas, Del Mar Beach is incredibly clean and offers a soft sandy beach, grassy areas, and facilities. 7. Windansea Beach Windansea Beach in La Jolla offers beautiful surf and stunning scenery with fewer crowds. It's great for sunbathing and exploring unique rock formations. Just remember the waves are strong here! Know before you go! When exploring new or unfamiliar beaches, stay informed by checking weather reports and learning more about your beach destination . Have you registered for the 2024 State Games of America presented by National University? Find out whether you’re eligible and register now!

Eligibility: State Games of America presented by National University

By MIkaela Nadolski • 06 Mar, 2024
Excitement is building for the 2024 State Games of America presented by National University, and a common question we've received is: Can anyone compete? In short, no. The long answer is that you must qualify. Fortunately, there are various ways to qualify, depending on whether you are a California resident or non-California resident for this biennial event. California Resident Since the 2024 State Games of America (SGA) are hosted in San Diego by the California State Games, ALL California residents can register for the SGA just like they would for a normal California State Games. Due to the NCSG Neighboring State Policy, athletes in Nevada (which does not have its own state member organization) also qualify for the 2024 State Games of America. Non-California Resident If you’re an athlete coming from one of the other 30+ National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs, qualification is more extensive. Here’s how you may have qualified depending on the year you competed in an NCSG Member State program: 2022: All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer. Any medalist from the 2022 SGA held in Ames, Iowa qualifies. 2023: All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer. 2024 (before July 1): All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer. Any medalists from the 2022 State Games of America are eligible to compete in 2024. Sport Qualification Lastly, review the offered sports as the final step to check for qualification. Even if you meet the qualification criteria as a California or non-California Resident, your sport must be offered in the 2024 State Games of America to participate. Each host state determines the sport lineup, so even if your sport was offered in 2019 or 2022 in your home state, it may not be offered in the 2024 State Games of America. This may be influenced by regional or geographic location, facilities, sport directors, and more. If you qualify to compete after reviewing the qualification, visit the registration information as soon as possible.
California State Games Pickleball Championship

Let's Play Pickleball: The Fastest Growing Sport in the Country

By MIkaela Nadolski • 03 May, 2023
Pickleball is all the rage these days. Gyms all over California and the nation have converted tennis courts into pickleball courts as the number of players only continues to grow. And although pickleball is one of the newer sports at the California State Games, it has been easy to find players. So let's dive into why pickleball's popularity has soared in San Diego.
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