UCSD Outback Adventures

I had a terrible experience at Outback on a recent camping trip. I rented a bunch of equipment there without problems, and the employee was very nice and knowledgeable. Later I see that the cooler they rented me is in terrible shape, doesn’t seal, leaks water, and is cracked. I made the best of a bad situation and had a good camping trip. Then, I returned it without problems, just letting them know that the cooler was busted.
A few hours later, the manager calls me and starts saying how horrible I am for busting his equipment. He outright lies and says that the cooler was in perfect shape when I got it, and charges me $ 30.
The rest of their stuff is a bit worn down but functional and the price is decent. This is just one person’s experience, but make sure to check the equipment carefully and maybe take some pictures before you go if you decide to use them.

Fun times for a cheap price! Great for UCSD students to do on campus. Get ready to sweat and use some team work. I prefer warm days for Outback Adventures!

Great organization, but their logistics and planning could be a little bit more organized. Pretty good outdoor training, but could definitely be more intense and have more practical application. The UC administrators for the org are super stoked about new opportunities. Great if you’re looking for fellow San Diegans interested in the outdoor world!

I joined this club back when I was at UCSD. I really enjoyed it because they took us on trips, planned everything and were responsible as far as hwo to have a good time and safe time. The prices are good too, geared toward students.
We went on a snow shoe thing? Also to Joshua tree. Good times. =)

Outback is great for any and all of your outdoor needs. Their full range of services includes:
1) A rental shop for outdoor gear
2) A retail shop for outdoor gear
3) A retail surf shop for clothing and surfing needs
4) An outings program for trips
5) An indoor rock climbing facility
6) A challenge course for team building and trainings
They can also be talked into custom excursions of really any sort, from team building at the office to trips all over the world. Some of my favourite trips are the surfing and kayaking trips in Mexico, as well as similar ones in the San Diego area. Anyone is welcome on their trips, as it’s not solely for UCSD students. Their Wilderness Orientation program is particularly great for incoming students to UCSD, though.
The friendly staff are great in any of their multiple facets. No experience is necessary for the challenge course, climbing gym, or any of their outdoor excursions. The staff can help anyone learn to love a new outdoor activity, and will challenge you whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or have barely ever left your living room.
If you just need gear, their prices are awesome and the gear is well-​maintained and top-​of-​the-​line. They’ve also got a broad and knowledgeable staff to help you with sizing and figuring out what you need.
This organization is highly recommended in all that it does. Check them out on the web or in person, though their «tree house» on UCSD’s campus can be somewhat difficult to locate on the first go (use Google Maps, but it’s located in the canyon between 6^th College Apartments and 6^th College Res Halls, very near Pepper Canyon Hall).

This place is run completely by student volunteers, who are helpful/​sociable and really into climbing. It is pretty small because it is converted from just a few racquetball courts. Costs are good. I don’t think it would be really worth it for top rope but the bouldering is great. There is a good mix of beginning and advanced routes. It was surprisingly almost empty when I went.

Outback Adventures is an on-​campus outdoorsy store/​trip people. Kind of like a toned-​down Outward Bound. All of the staff are really tight, chill people and, if you’re a UCSD student it’s not all that expensive.
If you’re not, you can still go on the trips but they’re pretty pricey.
If you’re not ready to go on a camping, hiking, rock climbing or kayaking trip, Outback also rents gear and has various facilities on campus where you can indoor climb and stuff.
Pretty much the coolest place around.