Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures (OA) serves the USD community with opportunities to experience outdoor activities that aim to promote personal growth, leadership development, relationship building and environmental responsibility. We offer a variety of local, regional and international outings that includes Pre-Orientation Adventure, overnight trips, outdoor recreation classes and day trips around San Diego. We also operate a rental shop and resource center for individuals that choose to venture on their own excursions and need some equipment or guidance.

Covid-19 Policies

The health and safety of our patrons and staff remains our priority during our limited reopening. Please read our policies carefully prior to your visit. If you have specific questions, please email us at . For information on our areas and hours, reservation instructions, check-in and more, please visit our Equipment Rental page.

Note: A health screening station is located in front of the Student Life Pavilion. Please see the Torero Blueprint website for more information on the stations. 

  • For a contactless rental experience, please call the office to reserve and pay for equipment rentals.  p:619-260-4709.  Please leave a message if we do not answer and we will return your call to complete your reservation.  
  • It is an option to complete rental reservations in-person.  One person is allowed inside our office at a time.  Floor markers will identify where to wait outside of the office.  
  • Payment accepted at this time includes credit card and campus cash. 
  • A face covering must be worn at all times while picking up and/or returning equipment rentals - even outside in the parking lot and on the patio.
  • Social distancing must be practiced inside and outside on the patio at all times.
  • You must show the staff your health screening wristband for all rental transactions - including an outside drop off.
  • Possible loss of access and/or report to the Office of Ethical Development and Restorative Practices may be assigned to patrons who:
1) Do not wear their face covering according to guidelines,
2) Do not abide by rental reservation process
3) Consistently return equipment rentals late.
 
Outdoor Adventures administrators and student staff reserve the right to:
  • Deny access to patrons not cooperating with our COVID-19 policies. Student cases will be reported to the Office of Ethical Development and Restorative Practices, and employee cases will be reported to Human Resources.
  • Remove registrations based on changing guidelines regarding health guidelines, County orders, etc.
  • Make changes to our policies based on facility usage, health guidelines, County orders, etc.

 

Hours of Operation (subject to change) 

Week of September 21

Monday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Equipment pickup/drop is potentially available by appointment Tuesday - Thursday.

 

@usd_outdooradventures on Instagram

While only a 20 minute drive from campus, the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve can feel like a world away. This weekend is a great time to connect with nature and visit La Jolla Shores to swim with Leopard sharks. Check out our story highlight for tips on where to go. Wetsuits are still optional as the ocean temperature is still in the upper 60’s. While a wetsuit will be more comfortable, definitely not required yet. The sharks will not be around much longer. The turtles? Who knows.
There is still time to join our virtual hike along the John Muir Trail (Nüümü Poyo)! The hike starts on Indigenous Peoples’ Day tomorrow and you have until Wednesday to sign up and join us on the trail. Get some exercise and distract yourself with majestic mountain views as we transport you along the virtual JMT. Need a little competition in your life? Check out the leaderboard. Awesome people, outdoorsy giveaways, limited edition finisher sticker, gelato... aside from hiking the actual trail (which is closed btw), what more could you ask for? Grab some hiking buddies and join us! Link to register in bio. $5 undergrads, $10 everyone else.
We’re hosting OA’s version of a step challenge October 12-28 and we invite you to join us on a virtual hike. Check out our story highlights for FAQ and how-to. . You choose how many miles you will commit to walk and we will pair you up with other hikers to collectively travel the 211 miles of the trail. . Along the way we will share stories about a place we love and voices that we hope will educate and inspire you. . On top of that, we have prizes to give away! . Walking, time outside, looking at photos of nature and hearing inspiring messages about lessons learned in the mountains are all good for your mental health. I’m sure we could all use a dose of Vitamin N(ature) these days. . DM us if you want us to set up a team for your club or organization.
Join us for a virtual hike of the John Muir Trail (Nüümö Poyo)! Be part of a group that collectively hikes 211 miles October 12-26. While we are all about getting people outdoors and connecting with one another, there is a map and leaderboard that will show your team’s position on the trail for those with a competitive nature. Along the way we will share our best pro tips so you are ready for your next adventure. We’ll have special guests to share their insights as well. As if hiking is not enough of a reward, we will have perks and prizes each step of the way with finishing teams receiving a custom sticker and free gelato from our favorite shop in town. Registration will open tomorrow. $5 for undergrads and $10 for everyone else. See Link in Bio for more info.
Coffee. We can’t wait to enjoy a cup of coffee out in the wild or back in the office. #nationalcoffeeday
Outdoor Adventures is open for rentals. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and get outside! . We are located in the University Center, room 136. Access to our office is outside behind the UC overlooking Tecolote Canyon. Reservations are available over the phone 619.260.4709 or in-person. Check out out website for a complete list of rental items available and prices.
Happy California Native American Day! Started in 1939 as “Indian Day†it evolved into The California Native American Day in 1968. California has the largest number of Native people in the country and 165 tribes that are very diverse, speaking over 100 dialects. Their stories are important to learn if you want to understand the complexity of California’s history. www.kumeyaay.com is a great resource if you are curious. As Ethan Banegas (Luiseno-Kumeyaay) said yesterday, “There can be no Indian history until Indians write it.†Who tells your story? . As people that appreciate the natural beauty of this state we need to acknowledge that these wild places were not “untouched†by humans. They were tended and cared for by Native people for many generations with traditional land care knowledge and sophisticated techniques. . Learning of the dominant narrative can not be the end of story. They are often oversimplified feel-good stories that silence and eliminate the complexities present and erase any counter narratives.
Remember that time we started hiking at 2:00am so we could reach the summit of Mount Whitney by lunch? It was two years ago today that @usdpres, a friend and Mark stood atop the summit of The tallest peak in the lower 48. If you were to look up the definition of Type II fun, hiking this mountain would be it. It’s way more enjoyable looking back on the experience than it was placing one foot in front of the other for nearly 20 hours (with short breaks, of course). It’s easy to remember the summits in life, but it would be an incomplete story if we didn’t include the failed attempts, the training hikes and all the preparation, support from friends and commitment involved in reaching this goal, as well as the stewards that have protected this place for future generations, including the Newe (Shoshone People). #findyoursummit #optoutside #votetheoutdoors
Today @sloaner77 embarks on another trip around the sun. OA and everyone she comes in contact with is better because of her. If you have had the opportunity to adventure with Kelly, I’m sure she would love to hear from you so please drop her a note and say hello!
Check out our story highlights on biking along the San Diego River. There are so many fun micro-adventures around campus and this ride is pretty unique. We hope it opens you up to possibility and inspires you to experience and Love San Diego!