Alex is the author of the travel books A Long Weekend in Ulaanbaatar and Running the Milk, he is currently living in rural North Yorkshire while he writes his next books
With year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches and a long, varied history, San Diego makes an ideal city break destination. Quiet and understated in contrast to Los Angeles, San Diego often offers great value compared to its neighbors on the California coast. From food to accommodation, there are some unmissable bargains to be had for those visiting San Diego on a budget.
That said, anyone who has been to California will already know, the state isn’t known as the most budget-friendly destination. You’ll be glad to hear that there are plenty of ways to save on your trip to San Diego without missing out. In fact, there’s loads of fantastic free and cheap things to do in San Diego.
Possibly the most famous attraction in town, a visit to the Old Town is also one of the top cheap things to do in San Diego. In fact, you could spend a day in the Old Town without spending a single penny.
San Diego’s Old Town is strewn with historic buildings (Credit: Alex Johnson)
Entrance to the Old Town State Historic Park is free and you can wander around all day, every day. Built on land once populated by the indigenous Kumeyaay peoples, the Old Town is a collection of restored buildings from San Diego through the ages.
Highlights include the San Diego Union Museum which features the original printing press used to produce the city’sfirst newspaper. Seeley Stable hosts collections from the days of the Wild West when cowboys ruled the roost and Mason Street Schoolhouse was the first public school in San Diego.
Whaley House, built in 1857 and now a museum is an Old Town must-see. Whilst not free, it’s not expensive and one of the best cheap things to do in San Diego. Tickets for daytime visits can be purchased on the door. For the best experience, book an after dark tour; the ghosts may or may not be real!
The Whaley family emigrated to the U.S. from Northern Ireland (Credit: Alex Johnson)
2. Hit the beach
Most out-of-state visitors to California visit for the sun, sea and sand. San Diego is no exception. With every one of the city’s public beaches free to access, a visit to the beach is a highlight of the best cheap things to do in San Diego.
Pacific Beach, north of Downtown and the Old Town, is our top pick. Attracting a young, student crowd, a day out at Pacific Beach won’t cost you an arm and a leg. There’s some great cheap restaurants, hip coffee shops and come nightfall, beach bars and late-night clubs.
Pacific Beach is the best beach when looking for cheap things to do in San Diego (Source: Trip Advisor)
If surfing is your thing, head to Tourmaline Surf Park at the north end of the beach; everyone is welcome, whatever your experience.
If you’re after a more upscale experience, Mission Beach is the one for you. The longest beach in San Diego, running south from Pacific Beach to Temecula Heights, there’s so much to do on Mission Beach. Rent a surf board and hit the waves, take a surf class, hire a bike and cruise along the boardwalk or find a spot at a beach bar with a colorful cocktail. Whatever you want from a day at the beach, Mission beach has it.
If you’re traveling with kids, Belmont Park will keep them occupied for hours. An old-school amusement park right by Mission Beach, the admission prices are very reasonable. Take a ride on the Giant Dipper for stunning views of the Pacific (followed by lots of screaming).
The Giant Dipper is not only about the views. Made entirely of wood, it’s listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (Source: There San Diego)
3. Explore Balboa Park
At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is San Diego’s biggest green space. Designated in 1835, it’s one of the oldest public parks in the U.S., although not quite as old as Boston Common, the U.S.’s first park.
One of the top cheap things to do in San Diego, entrance to Balboa Park is free although many of the museums have small entrance fees. Talking of museums, there are no fewer than 16 museums dotted around the park. Add in the 17 gardens and a host of sports complexes and you could easily spend a day here and not see it all.
Exploring all of Balboa Park’s gardens in one visit is nigh on impossible, so we’ve picked a few highlights that you won’t want to miss. The Alcazar Garden is a Moorish-inspired garden with beautiful turquoise-blue tiles, ornate fountains and a shady pergola and is perfect for a relaxing wander.
Marston House Garden is set in the grounds of George Marston’s former home. Marston, a prominent San Diego businessman, founded the San Diego Historical Society and lived in the house from 1907 to 1929 when he donated it to the city. Perfectly preserved, the gardens offer a glimpse into the life of San Diego’s movers and shakers a century ago.
Cherry Blossoms in the Japanese Friendship Garden (Source: Balboa Park)
Saving the best until last, Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden is a true work of art. Built as an expression of friendship to Yokohama, one of San Diego’s sister cities, the garden grew up around a Japanese Tea Pavilion built in 1914.
Balboa Park’s top museums
Just like the gardens, visiting every museum in Balboa Park would take days. We’ve whittled out the best for when you’re looking for cheap things to do in San Diego.
San Diego Air & Space Museum features dozens of historical aircraft, plus a whole load of spacecraft. Highlights include the Apollo 9 Command Module, the Bleriot XI- the first aircraft to cross the English Channel – and a replica of the Mercury Spacecraft. The low admission fees at this museum make this one the of top cheap things to do in San Diego.
Another top Balboa Park museum which hits the mark as one of the best cheap things to do in San Diego is Timken Museum of Art. Admission to Timken is always free. With a permanent collection of sixty pieces of American and European artwork, the museum hosts regular exhibitions showcasing the works of the artists in residence.
Our final pick is the Museum of Us. In our opinion, the tickets offer great value, making this quirky museum another of the best cheap things to do in San Diego. Opened in 1915 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, this unique anthropological museum focuses on Native American culture.
4. Unwind at La Jolla Cove
For those moments when city life gets a bit too much, La Jolla Cove provides the perfect antidote. A scenic inlet ten miles north of the Old Town, the cove is at the northern end of La Jolla Village.
La Jolla Cove (Credit: Zach Josephson)
One of the most serene locations around San Diego, a visit to La Jolla Cove is a must for every nature lover. Take a wander to the southern end of the cove, Point La Jolla to get a glimpse of the locals – a colony of California Sea Lions.
Once you’ve finished soaking up the scenery, head into La Jolla Village for some of the best tacos you’ll ever have. The Taco Stand is a San Diego icon. The tacos are freshly prepared and the low prices make this one of the most delicious cheap things to do in San Diego.
5. Hit the water in San Diego Bay
You can’t visit San Diego without exploring the natural feature which made the city what it is today. San Diego Bay’s deep, sheltered waters made it an important naval base. Today, it’s still home to many of the U.S. Navy’s flagships, including several aircraft carriers. The best way to see them is from the bay itself.
Luckily, a cruise around San Diego Bay is surprisingly affordable. This ninety-minute harbor cruise is easily one of the top cheap things to do in San Diego. Complete with full commentary and a snack bar onboard, you’ll get up close with Navy ships and submarines.
If you’re a water sports fan, another great way to see San Diego Bay is under your own steam. Take a one-hour sea kayaking tripon the calm waters of San Diego Bay. You’ll get full instruction, so this trip is ideal for novices and experienced kayakers alike.
A sea kayaking trip is a novel way to see San Diego Bay (Source: Viator)
How to save on accommodation in San Diego
We’ve covered the best areas to stay in San Diego in detail here. But when you’re looking for the most wallet-friendly options, a few gems deserve a special mention.
Old Town Inn
Less than ten minutes’ walk from the Old Town, but half the price of hotels within it, the Old Town Inn is a San Diego institution. Family owned since it opened, the Old Town Inn is homely, welcoming and exactly what it says on the tin. With a free breakfast, the Old Town Inn is our favorite budget hotel in San Diego.
Old Town Inn’s outdoor pool is the perfect spot to relax after a day enjoying all the cheap things to do in San Diego (Source: Hotels.com)
Sea Harbor Hotel
Situated in one of San Diego’s most exclusive addresses, Sea Harbor Hotel feels almost out of place. Among exclusive yacht clubs at the foot of the causeway leading over to Shelter Island, the views of the bay are stunning. Add in modern rooms and a serene outdoor pool and Sea Harbor Hotel becomes one of the best budget-friendly hotels in the city.
The Rambler Motel
With sweeping views of San Diego Bay and great public transport links, it makes little difference that The Rambler Motel is a little further out. Right opposite San Diego Bay National Wildlife Reserve, The Rambler is the cheapest hotel on our list. A restaurant, bar with retro arcade games and an outdoor pool make this another top pick.
Urban Boutique Hotel
In the heart of Little Italy, Urban Boutique is the most centrally located budget hotel in San Diego. A tad pricier than the others on our list, but still excellent value, Urban Boutique boasts modern rooms and an onsite gym. With some of San Diego’s best restaurants on the doorstep, and Downtown just a short walk away, this quirky boutique is well worth a look.
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