San Diego  Recreation Goods Business

With leisure and recreation spending up, recreational goods manufacturing is an emerging growth cluster in San Diego. Products produced locally include sportswear. hunting knives, trading cards, surfboards, kayaks, underwater equipment, skateboards, snowboards, wake boards, footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, exercise equipment, playground equipment, boats, Jet Skis and bikes. Industry experts estimate that 75 percent of premium golf clubs sold country-wide are made here. In fact, San Diego has become the golf equipment capital of the world  With seven major golf club manufacturers as well as about a dozen accessories and parts companies based in San Diego, this industry generated nearly $1 billion in sales during 1998. San Diego's moderate weather allows for year-round testing and is a draw to golf equipment manufacturers Add to that the tens of millions of dollars spent by local golf enthusiasts and tourists on green fees, apparel, equipment, hotel accommodations, car rentals, restaurants and entertainment. Along with the numerous pro and amateur tours held locally which produce income and publicity for the city, San Diego's golf industry stands out as one of the region's leading income generators.