Top San Diego Classes & Workshops

Escape the ordinary and delve into a world of creativity during this Wild Clay Pottery Workshop. We'll work together amidst the breathtaking beauty of nature on private property in Julian, California. This immersive experience invites travelers to unleash their artistic spirits (no experience necessary) against a backdrop of rolling, oak-strewn hills and apple orchards. Discover the timeless art of pottery-making guided by expert artisan, Becky Sangha, as you mold and shape clay sourced from the very earth beneath your feet. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned potter, our workshop promises an unforgettable journey of self-expression and connection with the land. Book your spot today and indulge in a truly enriching adventure in the mountains here in Julian, where artistry meets nature in perfect harmony.

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Unlock the secrets of radiant skin at a Gua Sha Self-Care Workshop in San Diego, led by skincare expert Lini. This intimate session invites you to learn essential techniques to release jaw tension, sculpt cheekbones, and integrate ancient beauty rituals into your daily life. Participants will discover the art of using Gua Sha tools, including the perfect oil application and pressure for glowing results. Enjoy hands-on guidance, complimentary refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase exclusive skincare products post-workshop for continued self-care at home.

Bring a towel and swimsuit down to Cass St in San Diego, and be ready to hang ten. Join this small group surf lesson with some of the best instructors in town to have a great time on the water. Surfing is one of San Diego’s most popular sports, so don’t have a chance to get out there and try it. After, the rest of the day is yours to explore as you like.

Do something different with your time in San Diego by taking part in this private hands-on cigar rolling workshop. Don’t worry about bringing anything with you, as all tools and materials are provided. During your class, learn top tips from expert cigar rollers as well as fascinating insights on the history of the craft that most travelers usually miss out on.

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit. After 3+ years of construction, Elephant Valley is now officially open! Come immerse yourself in this incredible conservation habitat and meet a multi-generational herd of eight African savanna elephants.

Let go and relax with this small-group yoga class on the sands of La Jolla Shores Beach—part of the beautiful San Diego Coastline. Begin with meditation, then take part in an energetic yoga flow while taking in the ocean waves. Finally, wind down with an optional lavender essential oil forehead and temple massage. This practice can be tailored to your experience and ability, and a mat and bottled water are provided for a seamless experience.

Why You’ll Love This Experience A journey of scent, self-expression, and self-care. At Lini Skinfood, we believe fragrance is personal — it’s memory, mood, and magic all in one. Discover the art of perfume-making while connecting with your senses and intuition. Unlike traditional perfume workshops that use synthetic ingredients, you’ll work with clean, natural botanicals and skin-loving oils, hand-picked for their beauty and wellness benefits. Your creation isn’t just a scent — it’s a body oil perfume that nourishes your skin while leaving a lasting aroma unique to you. What makes it special: Personalization: Every scent is one-of-a-kind — no two blends are the same. Guided by Lini: A skincare artisan and scent curator who blends beauty, wellness, and creativity into every moment. You’ll leave not only with your own custom body oil perfume, but also a sense of calm, inspiration, and confidence — the kind that lingers long after the scent fades. CALL 24-48 HOURS TO BOOK TIME

Delve into the rich flavors of Sicily with a hands-on seafood cooking class at Cucina Migrante. In this engaging 3-hour session, you’ll prepare two seasonal seafood dishes while learning about the cultural influences that define Sicilian coastal cuisine. Guided by a professional chef, discover how to select the freshest fish and gain insights into San Diego’s local seafood system. Enjoy a communal dining experience complete with an appetizer, dessert, and a welcome glass of wine, while sharing stories and laughter with fellow food enthusiasts. Feel free to bring your own beverages to complement the meal. What's included: All equipment for cooking Ingredients for the dishes Two seasonal seafood dishes Appetizer and dessert Welcome wine / beer Non-alcoholic beverages BYOB welcome Highlights Hands-on instruction from professional chef Learn to recognize fresh fish and hear about local fishermen Shared dining experience with a welcome wine and dessert

Explore some of the best eats in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego—and learn insider facts and stories about its sordid past—on this two-in-one, small-group walking tour. Join an expert guide who has the inside scoop on the district's hopping restaurant and bar scene. Sample delicious dishes at several eateries, sip drinks, and learn about the neighborhood's past as a notorious red-light district.

Tijuana, Mexico is a short trip across the border from San Diego. The Mexican border town had at one point achieved notoriety as a town of ill-repute, but this reputation is only a small part of the history of this colorful, interesting city. Dip your toe into the fun and hospitality of this town with locals who are eager to share the true story of Tijuana with you.

Explore Tijuana, Mexico, without getting lost on this day trip from San Diego, a great choice for first-time visitors. Visit cultural attractions, sample authentic Mexican street food at a sidewalk taco stand, and do some shopping and sightseeing. Opt to walk or take public transportation and experience the city like a local. Your guide can suggest stops and adapt the itinerary to fit the needs of the group.

Explore San Diego's historic downtown and waterfront in a fun, eco-friendly way on a morning Segway tour. Beat the crowds and avoid the hassle of driving as you roll through the charming Gaslamp Quarter and along the harbor on a self-balancing electric scooter. The tour includes a 30 minutes of training and practice so you can confidently scoot around one of America's most livable cities while a guide shares interesting anecdotes and history along the way.

This beginner-friendly sushi class at a local brewery offers a unique blend of hands-on learning and laid-back fun. You'll kick things off by prepping perfectly seasoned sushi rice, then dive into rolling a classic California roll with crab, avocado, cucumber, rice, and scallions. After mastering your roll, you’ll switch things up with a refreshing cucumber and ginger Oriental salad dressed in tangy ponzu — the perfect light and zesty side. Guided by a professional chef, you'll learn sushi-making techniques in a relaxed setting surrounded by the casual buzz of a brewery. Expect plenty of laughs, opportunities to get creative with your plating, and the chance to sip a local craft brew while you work. Whether you're flying solo, coming with friends, or planning a date night, this class delivers a memorable experience full of flavor, connection, and culinary inspiration.

Put down the boxed pasta and get your hands into the dough. At a laid-back local brewery in San Diego, you’ll learn the satisfying basics of handmade Italian pasta while enjoying a relaxed setting where you can bring beer or wine to sip along the way. Begin with flour, eggs and extra virgin olive oil, mixing and kneading until you have a smooth pasta dough. You’ll learn how to roll the dough thin and cut it into fettuccine, building practical techniques you can recreate at home. Then turn your attention to fresh marinara, combining canned tomatoes, garlic and dried Italian seasoning into a rich, savory sauce. Toss the freshly made noodles with the sauce and dig into your finished meal while the satisfaction of making pasta from scratch sinks in. With Chef Adriana’s 18 years in the culinary industry behind the instruction, the class stays approachable, hands-on and genuinely fun!

If you're new to surfing, get abundant attention from an instructor with a private surf lesson in San Diego. The customized session is geared toward each individual's age and experience to help get you paddling and standing up as soon as possible. Get comfortable with basics of wave safety, positioning, and surf etiquette right on the beach before heading out to try catching your first waves.

Forget basic pasta night. You’re about to make pumpkin gnocchi from scratch in a relaxed San Diego brewery. Working with potato, flour, egg and pumpkin, you’ll learn how to combine the ingredients into a workable dough. Then, practice kneading, rolling and shaping it into soft, bite-sized dumplings, with Chef Ben guiding you through each step so even first-time pasta makers can join the fun. Next comes the finishing touch: a rich brown butter sauce scented with fresh sage. While your gnocchi cooks until tender, you’ll prepare the sauce and toss everything together for a warm, savory dish with a hint of autumn sweetness. You’ll discover how simple ingredients and practical techniques can create something seriously satisfying. Whether you’re planning a casual date, catching up with friends or trying something new, this cozy cooking session gives you a delicious reason to roll up your sleeves.

Your dumpling era starts with a mixing bowl and a stack of wrappers. At a casual San Diego brewery, you’ll combine ground pork, shrimp paste and fresh chives to create a savory filling, then learn how to fold and shape Chinese dumplings without stressing over perfect pleats. You’ll get hands-on practice with each step, making the process approachable even if you’ve never folded a dumpling before. While your dumplings cook, you’ll whip up a sweet-savory dipping sauce using soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and rice vinegar. Then you’ll work with the remaining pork-and-shrimp filling to create shumai-style dumplings, learning a second shape and technique. Once everything is cooked, enjoy your freshly made meal. It’s hands-on, social and just messy enough to be fun — especially when that first dumpling actually holds together.

A social gathering awaits at this hands-on cooking class in San Diego, where participants collaborate with professional chefs to whip up authentic Italian-inspired dishes from scratch. Over three to three and a half hours, enjoy welcome appetizers, create two main dishes tailored to your group’s preferences, and savor a delightful signature dessert. With the added touch of a welcome drink in hand, the experience culminates in communal dining, allowing everyone to relish the culinary creations they helped craft together.

Experience the beauty of Mission Bay with a self-guided Paint and Sip Picnic designed for creativity, connection, and relaxation. The experience includes two ocean-themed paintings to choose from, along with easy, step-by-step guides, making it perfect for beginners and experienced creatives alike. There’s no instructor hovering, just a thoughtfully prepared setting where you can paint at your own pace, sip sparkling cider, snack, unwind, and enjoy the calm water and scenic views. Ideal for couples seeking a romantic date, friends planning a unique outing, or travelers celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a well deserved moment of escape, this experience blends art and atmosphere in a meaningful way. Guests leave with their own ocean-inspired artwork and a shared memory rooted in connection and calm. It’s more than a picnic, it’s a creative bayfront experience in the heart of San Diego.

Get over the border to Mexico with this small group tour to Tijuana. Your guide will meet you in San Diego and help you cross the border to keep it hassle free. Then together you’ll hit up some coffee stops that only your guide knows. Keep costs down and make new friends with this economical small group choice, and learn all about Mexico’s coffee, too.

This is your experience, and we are here to make it memorable, long lasting, and share the stoke with each person who steps into our surf shop. We make surfing your favorite thing to do! Why? Because we love being able to share the stoke wherever we are in the world, or people who visit us in San Diego here! Our team is dedicated to providing an experience that has you hungry for more, dreaming of the next swell, and booking you next San Diego stay the moment you exit the water. The adult surf retreat will have you at the center of your experience, customizing your surfing goals! So whether it's creating a new experience, getting back out there, having your colleagues jealous of your new SoCal tan, we leave you stoked on surfing, making it your favorite thing to do!

If you've always wanted to try surfing, San Diego is the perfect place to start with a private half-day adult lesson at the San Diego Surf School. Learn important surf basics like etiquette, wave selection, and safety, then get out into the Pacific Ocean to try catching your first waves. A surfboard, wetsuit, and rash guard are included, so all you need to bring is a stoked attitude.