Do Diego on A Dime

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We have put together a list of Super-Cheap ways to enjoy San Diego. If you are taking a vacation to "America's Finest City" to enjoy the beaches, attractions, or the sun, here you will find extras to do to maximize your vacation budget. If you are a San Diego resident, you'll find new ways to enjoy this beautiful city.

Sight Seeing | Places To Hike | RV Rentals

 

Sight Seeing:

ImageVisit Balboa Park
Visitor Center: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA, 92101
There are many sights to see here. Spend the day, walk around take in the sights from unique architecture, and landscaping. Visit the museums on Free Tuesdays and take advantage of free admission into several museums.

Check out the Stars at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center! Held every Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Fleet Science Center’s Space Theater. The cost is $8.50 and the Astronomy Association provides free telescope viewing outdoors following each planetarium show.

Enjoy Twilight in the Park on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15pm-7:15pm. Programs are free and range from military bands and Dixieland jazz to big band swing and Latin salsa. 

If you are a dog lover take your pet to Nate's Point Dog Park for some furry fun and frolic! There is no charge to use this off-leash park. Nate's Point is located on the west mesa of Balboa Park.

Catch a movie at Screen On The Green. Free movies will be shown every Thursday until the end of August. This is a perfect event for the whole family, young or old!

Exercise alongside beautiful San Diego scenery at Morley Field Sports Complex. This complex offers a vast array of sporting opportunities from tennis, swimming and archery to disc golf, bocci ball and velodrome cycling. And using these facilities will only cost you $5!

Go to the Beach
San Diego's many coastal beaches have a lot to offer. From surfing, sailing, biking, running, swimming and diving, you'll never run out of things to do.

Children's Pool
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Shores
Mission Beach
Ocean Beach
Pacific Beach
Windansea Beach

 

Stroll Through The Gaslamp Quarter
Take a guided walking tour for $10.00, $8.00 for seniors, students, and military, and learn its history. Take a stroll on your own and window shop the unique boutiques.

Take a Drive Through Julian
Tour the streets and admire all this small town has to offer. Check out the small shops; Witness the Julian Doves & Desperados historic comedy skits performing in the street every Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. located in-between Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market & Deli. Don't forget to have some of their famous apple pie! Done with the town? Need a drink? Wine tour through Julian, many of the wineries have free tastings!

Explore the Ocean Beach Tide Pools
At the Western end of Newport Avenue just south of the Ocean Beach pier. Spend some time here and explore. See what creatures you can find within the pools. A great activity for kids! You can find other tide pool information from the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Visit Historic Old Town
Old Town San Diego has much to offer. Walk around the town and view its many historical sites, lovely shops, and art galleries. Have lunch at one of this towns many authentic Mexican restaurants. Old Town, the Birthplace of California, is just a short walk from the San Diego Trolley Transit Center and a short drive from most San Diego destinations.

Walk through Seaport Village
Located along the San Diego Downtown bay this village has it all. A gorgeous view of the Coronado Bay Bridge, cobblestone pathways, fountains, lake, Bay view dining, fun and unique shops, and free entertainment. You won't get bored spending a day here. Check out their calendar of events to see what is happening at Seaport Village today!

Go Snorkeling At La Jolla Cove
You will need snorkel gear, if you are just visiting I recommend renting the gear from nearby La Jolla Kayak which will cost you about $14 per person for the entire day. If you are a resident, I recommend buying a set of fins, a mask and snorkel at your local Wal-mart. Last I checked they had decent sets in the $20 range. This way you can come back as many times as you want throughout the year. Most importantly, bring some frozen peas with you! Open the bag under the water and watch yourself be swarmed by fish! (Do not litter!)

Rent a Kayak and Explore San Diego Bay
I recommend Allen's Kayaks, located in Mission Bay, from my own personal experience they have the best rates and are most friendly. They also do tours. For $10 an hour single or $15 an hour for a tandem, you can't beat this up close way to explore the San Diego Bay.

Rent a Bike and ride along the Bay in Coronado
There are several areas around San Diego where you can rent bikes along the water, but this is my personal favorite spot. I recommend the Surrey peddler which seats 2-4 and will cost you about $18 - $30 depending on the size of your group and how long you ride. You cannot beat the views of downtown from this spot! If you travel south along the designated path you can even ride right under the famous Coronado Bridge.

Go to The U.S. Olympic Training Center
They offer Free guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 1:30PM. To make a reservation, call (619) 482-6215. On the tour they see, first-hand, athletes in training from an elevated visitor promenade known as the Conrad N. Hilton Olympic Path.

Enjoy Free Organ Concerts
Every Sunday at 2:00pm go to the Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park to witness one of world’s largest outdoor pipe organs. A San Diego landmark since 1914, organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes.

Cross the border to Tijuana, Mexico
Visit colorful and exciting Tijuana, Mexico and submerge yourself into a new culture. The entrance is free, the people are friendly, and the shops offer unique gifts and apparel as well as great window-shopping. Enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine at one of the many authentic resturants or take in some historic sites.

Visit the Birch Aquarium
Go to the Birch Aquarium and have fun while you learn! View a stunning variety of colorful, Pacific marine life featured in more than 60 habitats. Interact with hands-on exhibits that showcase cutting-edge research discoveries that have profound impacts on what we know about Earth's systems and how these discoveries are relevant to our everyday lives. Adult tickets are only $11, children $7.50 and seniors $9.00 and students $8.00.

Take a Drive to Coronado
Drive across the toll-free Coronado Bay Bridge and take a self-guided tour of the beautiful Hotel del Coronado's grounds and photo gallery. A walk on beautiful Coronado beach costs nothing, nor does a lookie-loo tour of the neighborhood's restored Victorian and Craftsman homes.

Participate in Library Activites
Check out your local library's calander and participate in free activites for both children and adults. Activites include storytelling, craft time, teen days, book clubs and much more! Visit the websites for the San Diego Public Library and San Diego County Library to find the library closest to you. 

 


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