Urban Diversion

I am a bubble soccer provider (Holidays Bubble Soccer) and it was a pleasant experience working with Urban Diversion. They have great members and staff is very on top on their event. Wish to work with them again in the future.

Super fun staff that attracts a super fun clientele base. Everything was handled efficiently and fun. What more could you want?

The Ski Cabin gang is awesome. Been there a few times for the weekend, it was each time different people hanging out there but always equal fun. (great cooking the last time by the way, yum)
We also got to hang out with other club members during a flying trapeze epic afternoon that was so much fun. Meeting people is not always easy when you move your whole life to a new place thousands of miles away from the previous home, but these guys make it easy and painless, and so much fun!
I wanted to give them only 4 stars coz they seem absolutely useless in making the snow fall harder and in a more 20-​inches-​of-​powdery way, but my wife seems to think it’s not their fault… Fair enough, i’ll stick to 5.

I moved to San Francisco last year and stumbled upon Urban Diversion when looking for a ski lease. I joined the ski house in the winder of 13 – 14 and had a lot of fun and made a lot of fun professional people. There is an interview process up front to ensure that only sociable people join. It’s totally worth it to ensure that the vibe of the house and of the members are fun and light-​hearted. Other than there not being enough snow, it was exactly what I was hoping for.
Once the winter was over, I started going to some events. This included sailing on the bay, camping trips to Yosemite, a houseboat trip to Lake Shasta (ridiculously awesome), as well as nights around town and excursions in the area like skydiving, wakeboarding, and going to the gun range.
This isn’t a «singles» club, but a lot of people such as myself do a lot of these events solo. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. Many of whom, have become my friends outside of UD. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has a sense of adventure and likes meeting new people.

I really like UD because I met some of the best people I know now. I moved to SF about 3 years ago and it took me a while to finally sign up and I really regret not to have done it before. The team is really fun and outgoing and the activities are great too! I would never have done that many things in the bay without signing up. I realky look forward to check more things off my bucket list!

I love UD! You meet some of the most fun loving people here, and you get to go do things you’ve always wanted, but never knew how or where to start. They have great events, both indoor and outdoor stuff. I have been a member for almost a year now, and I can truly say that it was one of the best decisions I made. The hosts are friendly, caring and understanding! I joined with the intention of making girlfriends because I had no friends in the area. Through UD, I have met some absolutely amazing ladies We are now good friends, and do stuff outside of the club as well.
There can be a bit of drama (coz its a BIG group of equally passionate people) but if you stay out of other people’s business, you can have an amazing time. One advice to the newbies– don’t be uptight and prude. Our jokes can range from kindergarten level to completely scandalous. If you are easily offended by stuff, this group is not for you. Keep the drama out of your actions, and you will be in for an amazing time.
This is the best social club in the area!

I didn’t join, so this is a review of their interview process. The interview is about 30 minutes of sales pitch. She tried to get into my head about where I see myself and my life and etc. It was over the top cheesy. It was also a high-​pressure sale. The sales rep told me that the annual fee is usually $ 700, but if I join right now, it would be $ 200, plus the $ 45 monthly fee. I asked if I could think about it for a day and call her back tomorrow, and she said no because the fee would go back up to $ 700 tomorrow BECAUSE they have such a long waiting list of people trying to get into the club (yeah, right), and that I’d have to wait in line to be re-​interviewed again in 1 or 2 months. So, I said no thanks. Then, 2 days later, another sales associate calls me to try to get me to join the club again. So much for the long waiting list to join the club!
I might give them 2 stars for making me laugh by calling me back again.

To me it is the best way to meet people, to make real friends.
I went to some events already that allowed me to do things that I would have never done by myself. I’m pretty new in San Francisco, and without them my new experience here would not be the same! thank you guys

Allison coordinated a Pirate themed outing and had them come to Slate for some dancing on a Saturday night. We had a great time hosting their group and loved the pirate costumes (this was two weeks before Halloween, so costumes were still novel at that point). They were all super nice and looked like they were having a fun time.

Signed up for a $ 15 Top Gun themed pub crawl this weekend, complete with dog tags and T-​shirts (which was a lie — we never got them), with bars that are involved TBA (to be announced).
5 hours before the event, bars weren’t listed. Emailed the company for a bar list, since the event was, you know, that day, and never got a reply to the email. 2 hours before the event, the bars were STILL not listed. Suspicious. We were running late so we weren’t sure where to go to find the group without a list. We showed up to the urban diversion headquarters despite being almost an hour behind, and fortunately someone was there to point us towards the park (they weren’t even pub crawling yet).
After 30 minutes in the park, we walked towards the first pub as a group. For over half an hour! We walked MILES and they still wouldn’t tell us which bars we were going to. We passed dozens of normal bars on our way to the «pub crawl» bars.
Finally after nearly 45 minutes of walking, we arrived at the first bar, which was already semi-​full, with only ONE BARTENDER. In addition to patrons, there were 40+ pub crawlers. Needless to say, after walking through multiple miles and neighborhoods, nobody was even able to get a drink.
Rather than risk walking ANOTHER half an hour walk in sobriety, we chalked it up to a $ 30 loss (two tickets) and left, along with other crawlers, across the street, to an empty bar with TWO bartenders.
We also never got the promised t-​shirts, and the bar list was never even announced… Probably because if people knew it involved miles of walking, nobody would’ve signed up and urban diversion couldn’t have robbed these people of their money for this junk event.
Thanks for nothing. Total crap event with no organization. Avoid this «social club» at all costs.

If I could put negative stars I would love too!!! They told me when I signed up and paid my dues they understood that I was ill with a progressive nerve disease. I was only able to attend one event before ending up in the therapy program for 2 months. I asked that my membership be suspended until I got out. I was driving 600 miles a week. and was exhausted. I had a family member too that worked for a winery and I had 8 bottles of alcohol (still do) that we were donating to the clubhouse. Not exactly someone planning to be done or who was leaving! I also lost my voice and was told not to speak except when I had to at the hospital. And was told no stress. Yet Urban Diversions would not suspend my membership. They hadn’t right to know anymore than it was serious medical therapy. And they will not return my email. Don’t join this organization!!! They may have great outings but if something happens the only thing that will happen is your wallet will e much lighter. Because they don’t care as much as they pretend too!

Looking for some adventure, wanna meet fun, awesome people then look no further! My experiences so far with Urban Diversion has been nothing short of spectacular. I recently went on one of their Yosemite excursions and while at first I was nervous to be surrounded by tons of people I do not know, however, that feeling quickly dissolved as soon as everyone warmly welcomed me and invited to me to join them. They are a fun bunch of people and in part I feel that the selection process is incredible effective at weeding out the weirdos, if you know what I mean.
Some take away points for people still undecided, their membership rates are some of the best in the area, very affordable and worth it for what you get. All the staff (and members) are incredibly nice, knowledgeable and well-​traveled… there’s a clubhouse (yes!!!), exciting trips and extremely well-​organized and as I mentioned before the screening process is an efficacious remedy at keeping the desired group dynamic one would expect in an adventure club, no crazies, yay! :-)
I am looking forward to more adventures with UD!

Since I am relatively new to the Bay Area, I joined Urban Diversion to meet new people, become more active and experience more of the culture and environment that the Greater Bay Area has to offer. I have hiked, camped, wine tasted, photographed the seals at Ano Nuevo, sang along with dueling pianos and so much more!
At each event, I connect with friends and meet new people from all over the world. It has been such an amazing experience — I am so glad I joined.

I’ve been around Urban Diversion for about a year now and I can definitely say that there is never a dull day!!!
I have a high-​intensity job and work a lot so it’s difficult to spend time planning and researching activities… I would much rather spend time HAVING fun than spend my time PLANNING to have fun! This is where Urban Diversion comes in…
What I really like about UD is that its so easy to have fun… they do all the work and planning and all I have to do is show up and have fun. If I wanted to go on a camping trip, I would just click and sign up… they loan the gear, reserve the camping spot, set up carpools and even plan the food! It’s so easy!
I love that there are lots of types of events… they even have events that are specifically «dog friendly» and go out of their way to ask the members what they would like to do and what their favorite events are. The staff is super receptive to feedback and is really awesome with new members and always remember names and details.
Everyone needs a little variety to the daily routine in their lives. Urban Diversion can change the way you think about adding fun and adventure to your routine… highly recommended!

Urban Diversion… who knew such a cool thing existed here in the South Bay!
Last year I moved to the South Bay from the East Bay (my lifelong home) and learned about Urban Diversion from a friend who is a member. She would talk about how every weekend she would be off on an adventure… skiing in Tahoe, camping in Yosemite or group wine tasting. It was always something new and cool!
I decided to check them out for myself and I am glad that I did… not only do they have events here in the South Bay, but they have events all over the Bay Area! The activities they plan are always unique and different and they have lots of active and outdoorsy things going on all the time– who can turn down a Yosemite camping trip with 40 friends or an ATV weekend in Pismo Beach! Also… every year they do several international trips (which my friend has been on 3 UD trips and absolutely loves them!!!) to places like Croatia, Belize, Thailand and Brazil.
The membership is set up like a private club, so it feels more like friends than strangers– even at your first event everyone is extremely friendly and its really comfortable.
I really am glad I had a smart friend point me in the right direction of Urban Diversion and hopefully this will be the year I finally get to take one of those international UD trips with the group!

I am a first year member of Urban Diversion and it’s been a really fun year. I work a lot so it’s difficult to meet new people as well as find time to research and organize activities, save grabbing the dog and taking her for a hike. What I like so much about UD is they do all the organization; you just need to show up for the events with your adventurous spirit, ready to enjoy the day/​evening.
UD offers a variety of events to tantalize every type of interest, including hikes, dinners, skydiving, a variety of trips and lots of activities in between. They also always seem open to suggestions for events that members would like to see on the calendar. Just a few months in as a member I had mentioned I’d like to go zip lining. In no time it was on the calendar and was a great time.
In my experience the staff is awesome. They’re super friendly and go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of — from long time members they know to brand new members who may feel a little lost their first event or two. That said, having read some of the other reviews, they can’t have fun for you. You should be open to meeting new and diverse people, and able to start/​participate in conversations with others yourself and not rely on someone else to get you engaged.
In just the 9 or 10 months I’ve been a member I’ve met lots of new friends — some I’ve spent time with even outside of UD. I also have a friend now considering joining based on hearing about my experiences since joining. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your life a little, Urban Diversion is a good place to start!

This «club» preys on people who aren’t well connected– who are maybe new to the area, and don’t know where else to look but craigslist.
Before you even think about joining urban diversion– just, DON’T. Notice that a hefty portion of the 5-​star reviews here on Unilocal were composed by individuals who’ve only written a single review– and who are located nowhere near the SF Bay. Hmmmm
There are many great alternatives to urban diversion– principally I would recommend
or
. Meetup lets you find local people and groups who share the same specific interests. Reddit also hosts a number of threads where you can find similarly minded people, view event listings (example: try searching for San Jose Weekly Happenings), and exercise latent neckbeard tendencies to your heart’s content. Both sites are FREE.
Now the gory details:
I moved to San Jose about a year and a half ago for work, knowing no one. and not knowing what to do. As hinted earlier, I checked the craigslist meetings and events sections for ways to fill a boring weekend… and came across an ad for urban diversion. It SOUNDED great. It seemed like a good way to meet active, local, responsible, people.
I filled out a creepy application to join. and received a call a few days later from a pushy sales rep, whose tone of empty rah rah and weak flattery (e.g. — «you sound like a perfect fit») should have been my cue to hit eject. Long story short, I caved to the pressure tactics of «join now or never» and stupidly agreed to an initiation fee of $ 500– and a recurring monthly charge of $ 59 for a minimum of 6 months. DID YOU GET THAT?! $ 500 and $ 59 a month just to hang out with people???
Actually I should mention– those fees only allow access to the club’s calendar. If you decide to participate in an event, you will almost always be required to pay an additional per-​event fee.
THE INDIVIDUAL EVENT FEES ARE OFTEN GREATER THAN THE COST YOU WOULD PAY TO SIMPLY GO ALONE. I would imagine that club coordinators should surely be able to work out group rates, and I would think that the already outrageous fees required to even belong would cover any «planning /​organizing» expense.
Again, I’m in the South Bay. Until you pay to join, you’re unable to view event locations on the club calendar. I realized too late after I joined that a majority of the events are hosted in/​near San Francisco. For all the money I paid ($ 1,100), I attended just one event. No others were convenient. The event I attended was free– but UD attempted to charge hapless members a participation fee. I simply showed up, after recognizing the location. The attendees all wore a tired, «this is lame but I’m bored expression.» No one socialized much, and everyone disappeared quickly after the event ended. The event coordinator there also sported the same empty «I know I’m selling a s****y product, but I’ve got to keep smiling» affect as the person who screened my application.
These days, I just facepalm myself for pulling such a desperation move and joining this group.
I didn’t even come close to forking out the same dough when an ex-​girlfriend once talked me into joining a fraternity. At least the frat boys were gracious enough to promptly kick me out of their club when I showed up to the first camp-​out in a station wagon instead of a pickup.
The fratties also neglected to latch themselves onto my bank account — the way UD did. After requiring direct draft payment setup, UD does everything it can to make cancellation difficult… by requiring members to send a signed CERTIFIED letter to their clubhouse address. Company reps are not forthcoming with these details, and will not provide instructions unless specifically requested.
I’ve run out of energy to describe this folly. I wish could spread this across multiple reviews to offset all the shady 5-​star reviews. If you’ve read this far though, you get the idea.

Greetings folks,
At this point I’m almost one year in, and I couldn’t be happier with the Urban Diversion team. I’ve gone camping four times with them this year alone, as well as wine tasting twice. While on these outings, I have found the Urban Diversion hosts to have always been super friendly, as well as helpful.
In April, I traveled internationally with Urban Diversion to Belize, and Guatemala. Everyday was packed full of events, and plenty of pool or beach time. Our host Kat was AMAZING! She showed us the best time imaginable!
In regards to some of the other group members (I’ve read some of the other reviews discussing odd members) and I have yet to meet a odd or bad person. These folks are like minded professionals, who just want to go out and have great time. I can proudly say that some of these members have become close friends in the short time I have been a member.
To make a long story short, I have gone from not having much to do on weekends, to having a full social life on weekends. I would say «TRY IT»…
I.P.

This club is terrible! Do not waste your money. My partner and I spent a pretty big chunk of money to join with the assumption we had 3 months to «try it out». The first party we went to we were hit on by a creepy guy that wanted to come home with us. The second time we tried meeting up for a concert the owner never called us back. We did finally enjoy horse back riding but realized after that they charged us MORE than what the stable charged if we went alone (since we went back a few months later). Why am I paying a monthly membership, and initiation fee AND also paying higher rates for activities. Shouldn’t the «staff» work out a discount rate?
I’ve also tried emailing the club through the website with no response. I’ve basically paid a lot of money for the owner and his closest friends to travel all over the world (Thailand, Hawaii, Tahoe).
Don’t do it! you’ll regret it!

My experience attempting to do business with their organization was an unpleasant one. The staff who interviewed me for membership was pushy to collect initial payment of membership was pretty unclear on specific details that I requested. When she was told we would think about it and get back to her, se charged us anyway. Not only did she charge without authorization but she charged way more than what she ever quoted on the phone.
They were contacted immediately and told that we did not sign the agreement and with this poor practice of premature charging, lost any possibility of our membership. They did not credit the monies back, so I had to dispute it with the bank and they went after them. But not before continuing to charge recurring monthly fees for two months thereafter. When the initial review was written about this, the owner (Lance E.) began to call and harass us and threaten us with legal action if we didn’t take the review down (similar to Sophia F.‘s review).
You made a mistake, own it, give me my money back, train your staff better, stop the recurring monthly charges and DON’T EVER CALL MY HOME AND THREATEN ME ABOUT A Unilocal REVIEW. Its my thoughts and my perception of the experience. Its not for you to say or attempt to squelch or control. I will never do business with you nor will I ever recommend anyone join your group.