Suggestions for Socials

We encourage each Life Group to plan one social event per quarter where everyone can connect in a new way. These socials can include children too if appropriate. We are always looking for fun things to do with our Life Groups. Here are some ideas we have gotten from our Life Groups.

*Please adapt in-person social options to comply with County social distancing guidelines for COVID-19.

MainStreet Oceanside’s Sunset Market
Stroll the streets near the pier in Oceanside on a Thursday evening at MainStreet Oceanside’s Sunset Market. This is a weekly street fair that offers food, live entertainment, arts & crafts, as well as a Certified Farmers Market. Don’t forget to watch the sunset!!

North County Events
North County always has a wide range of events from plays, street fairs, festivals and more.  For a list of what is happening in San Diego, visit the Chamber of Commerce.

San Diego Food Tour
Try out some new restaurants and explore different areas of San Diego! You can create your own tour or use a company like this: Bite San Diego.

Julian Get Away
This premier mountain getaway, just an hour east of San Diego, in the beautiful Cuyamaca mountains. Take a step back in time to the days of Julian’s beginning rooted in the 1870s gold rush.  Get away from the hectic rush of city life . . . discover the charms of Julian…tour the gold mines.  Great to visit year around but especially during Apple Days!
Visit the Julian Chamber of Commerce

Whale Watching
According to the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, gray whales are most frequently seen off San Diego from late December through March.  Take your group on a whale watching excursion.  See a list of whale watching services.

Visit the Getty Museum
Take a trip to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The Getty Center presents the Getty’s collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and tour through the shops in Palm Springs.
www.pstramway.com
Phone:  888-515-TRAM
Cost:  $21.95 per adult

Kayaking
Go to La Jolla Shores, rent kayaks, paddle over to La Jolla Cove and back.

Day Trip to La Jolla
Visit and hike around Torrey Pines State Park; easy hike down to the beach; have picnic there. Secondary options, visit Birch Aquarium and/or visit the hang gliders, view them, have picnic overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy the Coaster and San Diego
Take your group on the Coaster ride to San Diego. Lunch at Sea Port Village. Bike ride to Harbor Island.

Visit Institute for Creation Research
Take your Life Group on a field trip to the Institute for Creation Research in Santee.  The Institute for Creation Research equips believers with evidences of the Bible’s accuracy and authority through scientific research, educational programs, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly biblical framework.

Day Trip to Coronado
Travel to Coronado, rent bikes near Hotel Del Coronado, follow the bike paths, mostly all flat, have lunch near the waterfront.

Enjoy are wonderful beaches with a beach BBQ.  Have everyone bring a side dish, dessert, or beverages as well as their meat of choice to BBQ.  Get there early to reserve your area.  Beaches that have BBQ’s:

Harbor Beach, where great sunning, swimming, and surfing are available adjacent to the Oceanside Harbor. Facilities at Harbor Beach include three lifeguard towers, volleyball courts (bring your own net), restrooms, showers, barbeque grills, picnic tables, a snack bar, gazebos, telephones, free parking, and pay parking lots.

Breakwater Way, just south of Oceanside Harbor, is a quiet beach that offers good surfing. Amenities include lifeguards, volleyball courts (you must provide your own net), barbeque grills, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers. Parking is available at the east end of Breakwater Way and along Pacific Street.

Oceanside Pier Beach (south side) amenities include two lifeguard towers, covered picnic tables, benches, barbeques grills, fire rings, pay phones, and vending machines.

Buccaneer Beach, on South Pacific Street about half a mile north of Cassidy, is another narrow beach that’s best for sunbathing. Facilities include a park with a jungle gym, a basketball court, barbecue grills, restrooms, picnic tables, a snack bar, showers, pay phones, and free parking.

Lunch and Bowling
Grab lunch somewhere and then enjoy an afternoon of bowling.

Laser Tag & Dinner
Ultrazone in San Diego

Dinner & Play
There are several pre-packaged murder-mystery plays available at game stores.

Miniature Golf
Miniature Golf can be a fun activity for adults and children.
Boomers  (Family Fun Center)
(760) 945-9474

Game Night
Game nights are always popular especially when combined with fun food such as appetizers or a potluck.  Fun games to play are Taboo, Bunco, Cranium, Quelf and more! Check your local game store.

Progressive Dinner
Choose 4 member’s houses to visit.  Each “house” will provide a different part of the dinner.  Everyone carpools to each location for that portion of the dinner.  You can play a game at each house as well.

Breakfast Bar
Meet for breakfast on the weekend and cook a big breakfast together.  During good weather, this can be fun to serve in the backyard or around the pool.

Sushi Night
If one person has a special cooking skill…share it with the group.  Combines fun, learning and eating all in to one event!