Jet ski
15 May 2025

San Diego’s Top Water Adventures: Jet Skiing, Parasailing, and More

By The Dana

Our near-perfect waterfront location on Mission Bay, combined with our convenient onsite marina and water sport rentals from Adventure Water Sports, makes the Dana the best hotel in San Diego for exciting water adventures in SoCal. In addition, guests of our Mission Bay seaside resort can enjoy a variety of coastal-inspired activities this summer that start with our resort-style amenities, including two pools and a hot tub, live entertainment, poolside bar, waterside dining, fitness center, and more.

From San Diego Bay boat tours and paddleboarding to parasailing and boat hire opportunities, get out on the water with the perfect adventure this summer at the Dana on Mission Bay! And don’t forget to bring along your favorite furry friend for your summer escape, as The Dana is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in San Diego! Here are some of the most exciting water adventures to experience in San Diego for your summer vacation in California.

Get Out on the Water This Summer in San Diego

Enjoy Water Sports Rentals Onsite at The Dana

a family on jet skis

Located onsite at The Dana on Mission Bay, Adventure Water Sports offers the best water sports rentals for summer fun in San Diego. Get out on the water and enjoy a day playing on a jetski rental San Diego style, paddling a kayak to explore the coast, relaxing on a pontoon boat, paddleboarding San Diego waterways, riding ski boats, and more! There is no better way to enjoy the local waters for the ultimate summer adventure than the thrilling boat rental San Diego Adventure Water Sports offers.

Parasailing San Diego

A boat in the water pulling a person parasailing.

Enjoy an exciting day on the water and in the sky with San Diego Parasail Adventures. This unique experience combines the thrills of an offshore power boat ride, parachuting, ballooning, and gliding all in one amazing action-packed ride, parasailing San Diego waters and the coastline. For over 33 years, San Diego Parasail Adventures has used state-of-the-art technology for the best and safest parasailing San Diego offers, so you can relax and enjoy the ride!

Take a Relaxing Sunset Dinner Cruise

Mission Bay Sunset

Enjoy an evening on the Bay with a San Diego Dinner Cruise with CityCruises. Your evening on the water includes delicious cocktails and amazing chef-prepared menus while cruising the California coast and soaking in the unforgettable views. Dance the night away with tunes from the DJ and see the sights like the San Diego skyline, Coronado Bay Bridge, Star of India, and more from the climate-controlled interior or rooftop decks. Spend a perfect evening on the water in San Diego.

San Diego Boat Tours Whale Watching Excursion

A tour boat in the background with people watching a whale dive below the water surface.

Whale watching is a popular water activity in San Diego, enjoyed by locals and visitors of the area. From June to September is blue whale season, so it is the best time of the year to catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures. The waters surrounding San Diego are a popular feeding spot for the blue whales, which are often seen offshore in pods of over 2,500 of these amazing animals. Next Level Sailing and Whale Watching, conveniently located near The Dana on Mission Bay, always goes above and beyond to make your San Diego whale-watching experience unique and memorable. Enjoy a 4-hour whale-watching tour in San Diego aboard the 141-foot sailing yacht ‘America’ with experienced guides who have been sailing local waters for over 15 years. In addition to the blue whales seen during your San Diego Bay boat tours summer whale-watching cruise, you will also see a variety of humpback, fin, and minke whales, as well as dolphins and sea lions playing!

Learn to Snorkel, Sail, and Surf in San Diego

Water’s Edge with boat from Mission Bay

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is a great place to go if you want to get out on the water in San Diego. Not only is it a great place to rent things like sailboats, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and surfboards, but you can also take lessons to learn a new water sport from experienced professionals. From paddleboarding San Diego waters to learning how to surf, you will find everything you need for a day on the water in San Diego at the Mission Beach Aquatic Center near The Dana on Mission Bay.

San Diego Boat Tour

pontoon boats

Take a narrated San Diego boat tour around the harbor or bay with Flagship Cruises and Events. Experience a day on the water in San Diego with a narrated tour of over 55 San Diego sights and views. Enjoy snacks and drinks, free wi-fi, and ship-wide, 360-degree viewing opportunities from the climate-controlled interior seats or top deck outdoor seating. Sailing every day of the year, Flagship Cruises offers experienced local guides with superior knowledge of San Diego and a variety of options to cater to all group sizes for a day on the water.

Beach Day Fun

Mission Beach

Grab some of the onsite beach rentals The Dana offers and head down to Mission Beach for a day of sunbathing, beach combing, and swimming. You should also consider taking a bike ride along the Mission Bay waterfront path and trails near The Dana with our onsite bike rentals. After a fun day at the beach in San Diego, take a dip in the pools at your waterfront hotel, relax by the cozy firepits, and grab a cocktail from the pool bar for a fun evening under the stars along the waterfront.

Plan the Perfect San Diego Water Adventure at The Dana on Mission Bay

Make plans now for a summer escape to The Dana on Mission Bay for the perfect water adventure in San Diego. Enjoy onsite resort-style amenities, including waterfront dining, two outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, a modern fitness center, and an onsite marina. Experience water sports and bicycle rentals without even leaving the property! Take advantage of one of our Special Deals or Packages to save on your next San Diego escape. It’s a great time to plan your San Diego vacation at The Dana on Mission Bay.

01 Mar 2025

Spring in Bloom: Where to Find Flowers in San Diego

By The Dana

San Diego is a great place to visit, but it is especially beautiful in the spring, when the city is painted in festive colors from all the pretty flowers in bloom in the local San Diego flower fields, parks, and gardens.

If you live in a cold-weathered city where it’s still chilly, and you’re feeling the wintertime blues, plan an escape to San Diego to enjoy our warmer temps and sunny spring days. Nothing makes you feel better than spending some time outdoors exploring and taking in all the beautiful spring flowers in the area, so a visit to San Diego makes perfect sense.

With the ideal location on Mission Bay, The Dana puts you close to all the best places for outdoor adventures and beautiful views in San Diego. From the unique Japanese Friendship Garden to the colorful, blooming San Diego flower fields, SoCal in the spring is simply stunning. And don’t forget your favorite furry friend, because The Dana on Mission Bay welcomes well-mannered pooches, too! So, if you’re ready to get out and explore this spring, here are a few of the best places to visit in San Diego.

Best Places to Enjoy Spring Flowers in San Diego

Balboa Park Botanical Garden (7.0 Miles from Hotel)

Outdoor shot of Balboa Park Botanical Garden

You will experience blooms galore at this popular San Diego botanical garden at Balboa Park just minutes from The Dana on Mission Bay. Guests will enjoy recent renovations to the San Diego Botanical Garden that include the restoration of the historic Botanical Building. It has been enhanced with modern features like interior plant misters, state-of-the-art lighting, and exciting water features for a unique and immersive experience. Enjoy over 2,100 varieties of plants around the park at the Marston House Garden, the Inez-Grant Memorial Rose Garden, and the ever-popular Japanese Friendship Garden.

Cherry Blossom Festival (7.0 Miles from Hotel)

The popular Cherry Blossom Festival is held each spring at the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park. Get out and enjoy the amazing San Diego weather with a variety of attractions including live performances, a special children's area, delicious cultural foods, and, of course, the beautiful blossoming trees in the cherry blossom grove. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring in San Diego!

Torrey Pines Reserve (15.7 Miles from Hotel)

Cliffside at Torrey Pines Reserve

The 1,500-acre Torrey Pines Reserve is a fun place to see the San Diego flower fields in bloom. It all starts with a view of the unique Torrey pine that can only be seen in two places in the entire world. Also, take the time to explore the miles of beautiful hiking trails in this unspoiled reserve with waving fields of blooming flowers that offers a spectacular background of ocean views.

San Diego Botanical Garden (24.7 Miles from Hotel)

Botanical garden walkway

With almost 40 acres of ocean and flower views, San Diego Botanical Garden is a must-see for those looking for springtime flower gardens. Take a leisurely walk down one of the paths with over four miles of trails with ocean views as you soak in over 5,000 different plants in 29 themed gardens. Especially designed for all ages, you can spend the day learning about plants while you explore the beautiful property that includes a children’s garden, geographical gardens, demonstration gardens, bamboo gardens, and more!

San Diego Flower Fields in Carlsbad (29.5 Miles From Hotel)

Rows of vibrant flowers in bloom

One of the most popular spring destinations in San Diego is Carlsbad Flower Fields and it has been for over 60 years. The famous San Diego flower fields are a great place for the whole family with lots of activities and fun things to do. The sprawling property has 55-acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that bloom from March through May each year, giving us six to eight weeks of spectacular colorful, which tells everyone spring has arrived in SoCal. In addition to the blooming flower fields, guests can enjoy a floral flower maze, a tractor wagon ride, Carlsbad Mining Company, and more!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park (33 Miles from Hotel)

(Photo: @newdoorphotography)

Believe it or not, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a great place to see beautiful blooming spring flowers during your visit. In addition to the exciting animal adventures offered at this popular park, it is also home to a tropical rainforest with world-class botanical gardens to experience and explore. Guests will find an abundance of beautiful spring colors along with thousands of fluttering butterflies perching on the lantanas, orchids, bromeliads, and other favorite flowers at the Hidden Jungle at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Great place for a date or family time in San Diego.

Book Your Spring Escape to San Diego Today!

The Dana on Mission Bay is the perfect place to spend some time in San Diego this spring. We invite you to leave the cold weather behind you and choose to enjoy the warm Southern California sunshine instead. Relax and have the time of your life while you enjoy our ideal bayfront location, fun resort-style amenities, luxurious water view rooms, pet-friendly environment, and convenient onsite marina, it’s no wonder The Dana on Mission Bay is one of the best hotels in San Diego.

Be sure to take advantage of one of our Exclusive Offers that include fun packages like Romance on the Bay, Vacay Your Way, Dana For Dogs, and more for your spring getaway to San Diego. What are you waiting for? Plan your escape today!