Toby Wells YMCA in Kearny Mesa

The Toby Wells branch of the YMCA is part of the San Diego YMCA, which includes the Mission Valley location and the Hazard Center Annex, as well as the Downtown YMCA. Yes, that's right, these are all under one membership!

The Toby Wells YMCA is located in Kearny Mesa, and for many people it is quite out of the way. But if you work in the area it can be a very convenient location for getting in a workout or class. (I would have said "if you live or work in the area," but who lives in Kearny Mesa?)

It is clear that this location caters to the working world of Kearny Mesa. For example, they offer 45 lunch time workout classes Monday through Friday! They have 45 minutes pilates classes Monday through Thursday, and they have 45 minute yoga Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They also have some one-hour yoga classes, though if you only have an hour for lunch the 45 minute classes are already a tight squeeze.

They are also located next to "San Diego Spectrum," a generally generic strip mall, but worth noting because they have some (sort of) healthy lunch options like "Robeks" cafe and juice bar.

Toby Wells YMCA also has a pool, a hot tub, regular exercise equipment (you know cardio machines and weight machines, if you're into those things), and of course fully equipped locker rooms. They also offer childcare for up to two hours while working out, and full daycare facilities. Worth checking out if it suites your location!

Toby Wells YMCA
5105 Overland Ave.
Tel: (858) 496-9622

Hours of Operation
Mon. - Fri. 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m

Kid's Place Sitting Service:
Mon. - Fri.
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Yoga , Pilates, and More at the YMCA

Now you might not expect the YMCA to be listed as a destination on a traveler’s website, but it’s just the place to look if you want to squeeze in a yoga or Pilates class while out and about in San Diego. There are many studios around San Diego, and many of them offer great classes. But the YMCA offers classes all day long, very extensive when compared to the limited evening classes of most studios. And the YMCA charges only $10 to visitors, compared to the $12-15 that most studios charge.

The place to look for yoga or Pilates classes through the YMCA is at their Mission Valley Hazard Center location, 7610 Hazard Center Drive. This location is in the heart of Mission Valley, a central San Diego location. They offer a huge variety of classes including: eclectic blend yoga, fitness yoga, gentle yoga, hatha yoga, iyengar yoga, kundalini yoga, mat-based Pilates, NIA, power yoga, stretch, tai chi, and other specialized classes for back health, athletes, cancer-survivors, arthritis, Parkinson’s, and more.

The teachers are as diverse as the classes, with some of them taking you through rigorous workouts, while others are more relaxing. When you pay to take a class you are welcome to use the facilities as well. Every location has all the basic workout equipment, including cardio machines like treadmills, bikes, and cross trainers, as well as weightlifting circuits, as well as locker rooms with showers. In this sense the Hazard Center location is the most limited, as the other locations also have pools, saunas, basketball courts, childcare, snack bars, and other amenities.

The classes run pretty much from 6 or 7 AM until 8 PM Monday through Friday, and about 8 AM to noon or 1 PM on the weekends. The YMCA also has locations in Mission Valley on Friars Road, in La Jolla, in Kearny Mesa, and Downtown, though the yoga and Pilates classes at these locations are more limited. Check with each location for details on what they offer.

The San Diego County YMCA website is: www.ymca.org

Mission Valley YMCA at Hazard Center
7610 Hazard Center Drive
619-298-3576 X2202

Mission Valley YMCA
5505 Friars Road
619-298-3576

Toby Wells YMCA in Kearny Mesa
5105 Overland Avenue
858-496-9622