Having fun in San Diego doesn’t have to cost tons of money. You can find
many things to see and do here that are free.
Visit one of San Diego's many beaches, all free to the public. Play in the sand, collect seashells, check out the wild life and be sure to watch the sunset on the ocean.
La Jolla Shore's is one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world.
You can also try scuba diving or snorkeling and see spectacular creatures of the sea.
La Jolla Cove offers some of the clearest waters on the California coast, along with
miles of protected underwater preserves to explore.
Have a picnic in the grassy field in the Tecolote Shores of Mission Bay Park, a 4,600-acre aquatic park.
Bike or jog along Mission Bay Park’s trails. (You'll find more than 20 miles of scenic running paths that wind through sunlight and shade near the shoreline.)Nearby you'll find the Mission Beach Boardwalk.
There you can rollerblade, skateboard or bicycle along the Mission Beach Boardwalk. It's a scenic 3-mile boardwalk that runs alongside Mission and Pacific Beaches.
Have a bonfire at one of the beaches in San Diego County, including Coronado Beach, La Jolla Shores and Mission Beach.
Explore the tide pools in La Jolla and Point Loma at low tide and get up close and personal with flowery anemones, shore crabs, octopus, dead man's fingers and many other interesting sea life.
Explore the tide pools in La Jolla and Point Loma at low tide and get up close and personal with flowery anemones, shore crabs, octopus, dead man's fingers and many other interesting sea life.
Take a scenic walk along The Big Bay, San Diego's "largest attraction." With 27 miles of waterfront featuring bay side parks, marinas, hundreds of shops and restaurants, and miles of promenades and bikeways.
Visit Old Town and witness the living legacy of San Diego history. You can walk around through Old Town’s historic buildings, including the blacksmith shop, Seeley Stables, Stewart House, Estudillo House and don't forget the famous Whaley House. (The most haunted house in the U.S., according to the travel channel, although there is a small fee to enter)
Enjoy free organ concerts at 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The Organ Pavilion features one of world’s largest outdoor pipe organs, a San Diego landmark since 1914, where organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes. Every Tuesday certain museums are free of charge. (The Dead Sea Scrolls are currently on exhibit at
the Natural History Museum and entrance to this special viewing is not free, but its well worth the trip.)
Stroll through Balboa Park and marvel at its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Balboa Park boasts 15 museums, free daily park tours, public organ concerts (Sundays), and spectacular gardens.
Or stargaze outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of every month. The San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes, and offer guests a great view of all the stars in the night sky.
Or stargaze outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of every month. The San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes, and offer guests a great view of all the stars in the night sky.
You will also find many other museums around town that offer free days. In its La Jolla facility, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free on the third Tuesday of each month; the downtown facility is free daily.
You can almost step back in time with a stop in Julian.(a century-old gold mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains.) Be sure to stop at the Chamber of Commerce to
You can almost step back in time with a stop in Julian.(a century-old gold mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains.) Be sure to stop at the Chamber of Commerce to
pick up a free map. You can then, take a self-guided walking tour of the area’s historic sites. Just make sure to have a slice of homemade apple pie (a San Diego favorite!) You can also visit one of Julian's vineyards.
VisitMission Trails Regional Park to explore the historical and recreational aspects of San Diego. Stop at the Visitor’s Center and you can trekthrough the park’s 40+
VisitMission Trails Regional Park to explore the historical and recreational aspects of San Diego. Stop at the Visitor’s Center and you can trekthrough the park’s 40+
miles of natural and developed hiking and biking trails.
Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and experience the natural beauty of the desert. The 600,000-acre park is one of the largest state parks in the United States and each spring, following winter rains, explodes into a rainbow of colorful wildflower blossoms.
The last favorite of mine is driving to the top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla.
Here you will find wonderful views of San Diego, the La Jolla coastline and Mission Bay. The best desert/mountain viewing spot is at the top of Mt. Helix.
Have fun!
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Comments: 14
In old town you do realise the grave yard isn't where the grave yard is... you are WALKING on it! The Whaley house is neat to see. You can walk through area's of the Hotel Del Coronado. Seaport Village is a beautiful walk through also. If you head up to Jullian check out Dudleys http://www.dudleysbakery.com/! The Wrong Branch is a great place to eat too.
~Natalie Neal - Best in the Whole Wide World
I am glad to be home myself!
I will check out the places you mentioned next time I visit Julian. I like to go when it snows. (even a little)
Natalie- I too, LOVE Balboa Park. I intend on posting a photo essay on my trip there soon.
I will have to check out your article. If your allowed, feel free to post a link in the comments here.
Are you close Jennifer? Close enough I suppose. I do not live near the beach anymore, but venture there as often as I can. :-)
We spent every holiday and even threw B-day parties at Mission Bay. I lived there 19 yrs B4 moving. I still go to visit.
I also loved going to PB (Pacific Beach) for skating and riding bikes.
I love Diego so much. The free concerts were a blast at the malls too. I won so many Cd's at those concerts.
We use to go just sit on the rocks and watch the boats sail by.
O.k Now, I gotta go back for another visit.
I will try to add more to your list:
How about building sand castles at Torrey Pines State Beach?
FREE DAY AT THE ZOO IS COMING UP..Admission to the San Diego Zoo every day in October for kids under 12 and on the first Monday of October for everyone.
Try fishing from any of the city's municipal piers too, its free and fun.
Take a walk on the Embarcadero. (a mile-long path along the bay)Just looking at the ships is fun. My fav is the Star of India!
LEGOLAND is not free, but kids are free with coupons fairly often!
To add to your OLD TOWN information, check out the Old Town Mexican Cafe, where kids will enjoy watching tortillas being made.
San Diego offers a bunch of free walking tours. I found this out when family came to visit. CALL FOR INFO:International Visitor Information Center (619) 236-1212
Seaport Village has FREE music concerts every weekend, as does Coronado in the summer. :-)
Free-For-All Family Day is the 1st Sunday (of every month) at
the Museum of Contemporary Art!
and http://www.sdchildrensfilm.org/, free films for kids
ARCO Olympic Training Center: See where the Olympic athletes train and get sneak peek at some upcoming gold-medal winners.
During the winter migration, whale-watching can be fun & free. Head to a nice spot in Point Loma for best luck.
San Diego has dozens of beaches, get a boogie boards or surfboard, or even a bike and take off.
Go roller-skating or rollerblading. The best skating spot for the younger crowd is along Mission Bay or try OB.
Visit Cabrillo National Monument and you'll see a scenic lighthouse, tidepools and panoramic city views.
The Missions of San Diego is another great free spot. This is a good place to delve into San Diego's Spanish history.
A visit to one of the Indian casinos is always fast fun. The casinos are as big a their Vegas counterparts. Sign up for a casino card & get many freebies.
Check out the piers at Imperial Beach, Pacific Beach or even Oceanside.
IB and Oceanside have long piers to stroll on, it cost nothing.
GREAT LIST. HOPE U LIKE MY ADDITIONS.
Thanks thanks and a big THANK YOU...
LOVE YOU