SoCal Sports Complex – Area Bucket List
When you think of California, cities like Los Angeles and San Diego probably come to mind. Located in between those two cities is Oceanside. Its location and sunny California weather make it a great destination.
Oceanside is home to the SoCal Sports Complex, which brings many visitors to the city. When you visit the sports complex, there are a lot of attractions nearby. So, what are some must-do activities while you’re in Oceanside? We’ve compiled a bucket list that you can check off during your visit to the SoCal Sports Complex.
GoJump Oceanside
Are you someone who is always seeking a rush of adrenaline? Get a bird’s-eye view of Oceanside and feel what it’s like to freefall by going skydiving. Skydiving is a popular bucket list item for many people, so why not check it off when you visit the SoCal Sports Complex?
If this is something you’re interested in, check out GoJump Oceanside, Southern California’s only coastal tandem skydive option. During this experience, you will fall from 13,000 feet in the air. There’s only one way to face your fears and that’s to jump! Their facility is only a 10-minute drive from the SoCal Sports Complex, so you won’t have to go far for a truly breathtaking experience. Prices range depending on the package and day you choose.
iFLY
Maybe skydiving is a bit too extreme for you. A different option is iFLY. While it is not the same rush, it is an alternative for those not wanting to commit to jumping out of a plane. When you skydive, you fall several thousand feet, but at iFLY you gently fly on a cushion of controlled air.
Upon arrival, visitors receive an orientation about the basics of flying before getting gear. After suiting up, you’ll head into the tunnel with an instructor and start flying with the instructor by your side for some time. Eventually, your instructor will leave and you’ll be able to build your skills on your own. Like skydiving, the prices for this activity vary depending on the package you pick. To experience flight, take a seven-minute drive from the SoCal Sports Complex to iFLY’s Oceanside location.
Oceanside Adventures
Between the months of December through April, you have the opportunity to check whale watching off your bucket list. During these months, gray whales pass through the coastal waters near San Diego. However, you can go on a whale watching boat at any time of the year to see dolphins, blue whales, and sea lions.
There are plenty of boat tours and charter services available, but a popular charter in Oceanside is Oceanside Adventures. Trips with this company last about two hours and take place on a 50-foot catamaran with both covered and non-covered seating. An expert captain narrates your trip. The headquarters for Oceanside Adventures is roughly six and a half miles from the SoCal Sports Complex.
UP Sports Oceanside Surf Shop
There’s surfing and then there’s sumo surfing. This is when you slip into a giant inflatable tube, called a sumo surf table, and ride waves on your belly. Pros also recommend wearing fins on your feet to help you reach bigger waves. When you cover your entire body in this tube, you’ll definitely have people stopping to stare, so hopefully you don’t mind some attention! You can rent one of the sumo tubes at UP Sports Oceanside Surf Shop, which is a 13-minute drive from the SoCal Sports Complex.
Harbor Beach
Speaking of surfing, make sure you get out to a California beach when you visit the SoCal Sports Complex. In Oceanside, there are roughly three and a half miles of public beaches, so it’s easy to find a beach for a day out in the sun.
One of Oceanside’s largest beaches is Harbor Beach. It has plenty of space to lounge out in the sun. For some competitive fun, bring a volleyball and net and set it up at one of the volleyball courts. This is also an ideal beach for surfing, sailing, and kayaking. You can eat lunch there using one of their barbecue grills. If you stay there late, there are 24 fire rings for guests to use. It is an 18-minute drive from the SoCal Sports Complex, but you may want to use a ridesharing service to avoid the hassle of parking.
Oceanside Pier
Oceanside Pier is a must-see when you’re in the city, but you want to see it at sunset because you will be able to witness the green flash. This is a phenomenon where an elusive flash of green light emits on the horizon as the sun sets. Have a camera or your cell phone ready to capture a video or picture of the moment.
Of course, you can also go to Oceanside Pier at any time to watch the surfers ride the waves or go fishing. To visit the longest wooden pier on the West Coast, drive 17 minutes from the SoCal Sports Complex.
California Surf Museum
California has no doubt become synonymous with surfing, and in 1986, the California Surf Museum was founded. Thousands still visit this museum annually.
The museum has a permanent collection that displays how surfboards have evolved over the years. For the past 30 years, the museum has compiled many rare artifacts related to surfing, such as Bethany Hamilton’s shark-bitten surfboard. The SoCal Sports Complex is only about seven miles from the California Surf Museum, so it’s easy to stop by to learn about prominent surfers and the history of the sport.
Grunion Run
During the spring and summer months, beaches in Oceanside are home to a truly interesting natural, fishy phenomenon known as the Grunion Run. In March through August for three to four days at a time, thousands of grunion ride waves onto the shores, beaching themselves. Typically this occurs following a new moon or right after the tide’s highest point. The beaching is part of their spawning behavior.
The Grunion Run is when people head out onto the beach at night where the fish are beached are either observe or catch them. When it is open season, you are allowed to catch the fish. Children under 16 can go out and catch them, but if you are over 16 years of age, you need a California Sport Fishing License. Also, those who do plan on catching these fish have to use their hands. No traps, nets, or fishing poles are allowed. Even if you don’t have a license, it is a fascinating event to witness. To partake in the Grunion Run, check Visit Oceanside’s website for a schedule of expected beachings.
Mural Tour
Murals and public art can be found throughout Oceanside. There are three areas near the coastline that have clusters of murals to view. This makes it simple to complete your own self-guided mural tour. The three areas mentioned below are all within seven to eight miles of the SoCal Sports Complex.
Begin on South Coast Highway and Vista Way. If you start there, you can see the ocean mural on the side of Pacific Coast Cycles. Continuing down South Coast Highway, you can view five more murals.
The next set of murals are along Wisconsin Avenue. Locations of these murals are at the following businesses: The Cup, Cadence Dance Project, Living Tea, Pops Hot Rod Garage, BB, Flying Pig, and 101 Cafe.
Lastly, around Mission Avenue and Pier View Way, visitors can see six more works of art. Have your camera ready to capture some colorful pieces, such as the mural at Brooks Theatre or the Artist Alley piece.