Roadblock: Who wants to get down?

December 13, 2012 10:33 AM

Every year for our gift exchange, there's a theme. This year the theme is kind of action - adventure related, think about some of the activities on the Amazing Race. I'd like to give something more "do something" than "get something" this year, given the following parameters:

• Less than $100
• Probably within 1 - 2 hours drive of the East bay / Oakland / Walnut Creek, California
• Gift will be for an individual, but with a family, so family friendly preferred
• Will mail me a gift certificate / gift card online or via phone.

I'm looking for things like zip lines, running-related, climbing activities, bungee jumping, etc. I don't live in the area so the phone / email / online part is important since I can't go down in person.
posted by curse to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

Santa Cruz Surf School.
posted by apparently at 10:53 AM on December 13, 2012

Indoor skydiving in Union City.
posted by lamp at 10:55 AM on December 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

kayaking Elkhorn Slough
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:08 AM on December 13, 2012

Seconding lamp's indoor skydiving recommendation. Got that as a birthday gift a couple of years ago - it's awfully fun.
posted by hanov3r at 11:10 AM on December 13, 2012

California Cavern is a little over 2 hours from Walnut Creek, and they have several different cave tours that would be good for a family.
posted by ktkt at 11:56 AM on December 13, 2012

Living Social has deals on things like ziplines at Tahoe and flight lessons. Both are a bit over your cost constraint, but there might be something else in their list that would work.
posted by gingerbeer at 4:18 PM on December 13, 2012

Best answer: Indoor trampolining. I've never been, but a friend went and loved it (as an adult). Kid friendly, cheap enough for a whole family for your price range. They do gift cards.

Perhaps not outdoors adventuring, but definitely action.
posted by subject_verb_remainder at 5:21 PM on December 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Bay Area Skydiving out past the Altamont Pass. My one and only skydive was there and was great.
posted by Kafkaesque at 5:25 PM on December 13, 2012

Like subject_verb_remainder, came to recommend House of Air in the Presidio. There's a similar one in Concord, too.
posted by colin_l at 4:31 AM on December 14, 2012

Response by poster: Went with the House of Air recommendation, since they offered the ability to buy a gift card online, even though it is only by email. I'll figure out some way to pretty it up.

Tried to go with Sky High Sports but their pre-paid passes aren't as flexible and contacting them was an exercise in frustration.
posted by curse at 12:36 PM on December 18, 2012