15 Free or Cheap Things to Do in San Diego
As a SoCal local for over 15 years, I visit San Diego at least once every year. I love everything about the city, from dining in Little Italy and sipping coffee in Liberty Public Market to lounging on beaches and exploring the many attractions in Balboa Park.
Occasionally I do like to splurge while I travel, but I also like to save money, too, often finding free and cheap things to do in San Diego during my visits.
In this article, I’ll be sharing the 15 Best activities to enjoy in the city while you’re sticking to a budget.
So let’s get into it!
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1. Connect with Nature at Balboa Park Gardens
Balboa Park is the beating heart of San Diego with museums, walking trails, and gardens – many of which are free to visit. On warm sunny days, take a leisurely walk in shady Palm Canyon – a natural wonderland containing over 50 species of palm trees. Marvel at the colorful flowers at Alcazar Gardens or observe succulents and cacti while strolling through the Desert Garden.
2. Delve into History at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Visiting the historic park is one of the most fun, cheap things to do in San Diego. In the morning, you can wander streets lined with reconstructed buildings dating from the 1800s, see collections of horse-drawn wagons, and even watch a blacksmith at work.
In the afternoon, browse world bazaars, listen to mariachi music, and explore the museum of Junipero Serra – the site of the first European settlement in California (you can simply make a small donation to enter).
3. Enjoy Scenic Hiking at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
If you are a keen hiker, nature lover, or photographer, you may enjoy spending a few hours on the trails of this beautiful natural reserve. Torrey Pines spans 2,000 acres and is abundant with wildlife and pine forests. There’s a wide selection of routes to hike, depending on your fitness level and how long you wish to take.
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Some of my favorites include the picturesque Guy Fleming Loop Trail passing landscapes of cacti, ferns and flowers, and the Beach Trail – 1.5 miles along the bluff and sands to the ocean and back. It’s a fabulous day out and just a short drive from San Diego. Did I mention that it’s free?
4. Rent a Bicycle or eBike and Map
If you have a small budget for your city stay, you can rent a bike with a map for around $17 for two hours. It’s one of the best cheap things to do in San Diego and a great idea if you want to level-up your attractions during a day trip.
Whether you’re cycling along Balboa Park Trails, pedaling to The Embarcadero for fabulous San Diego views, or passing the fragrant delis of Little Italy, it’s a fun activity to enjoy solo or with friends!
5. An Outdoor Escape Tour in the Gaslamp Quarter
The historic Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is a place where Victorian buildings sit right next to modern structures, museums, boutiques, and fine restaurants. If you want to keep spending to a minimum, and learn about the area at the same time, book a Gaslamp District Outdoor Escape Game. For under $8, you can solve clues on your smartphone, and for each puzzle you solve, you’ll uncover information about a new landmark. The self-guided mystery tour takes two hours and is a unique (and cheap) way to discover the Gaslamp Quarter.
→ You may also like this eerie tour of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
6. Explore the Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is home to several maritime sites, including the USS Midway and San Diego Maritime Museum and awe-inspiring sculptures, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely waterfront walk.
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Take the opportunity to snap a selfie in front of the iconic Unconditional Surrender/Embracing Peace statue, watch boats as they glide across the water, observe the fountains at 12-acre Waterfront Park or simply soak up incredible views of the city skyline.
7. Photograph the Scenery at Sunset Cliffs
One of my favorite cheap things to do in San Diego is to head to Sunset Cliffs late in the afternoon. The dramatic location between Point Loma and Ocean Beach is one of the best places to see the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Bring your camera and get ready to experience the changing colors of the sky and rocky shoreline. Visit the cliffs between December and April and you might even catch glimpses of whales migrating along the coast! 😍
8. Chill Out at Mission Beach Boardwalk
This lively palm-fringed boardwalk stretches for over two miles with hotels, surf shops, mini golf, bars, and even an amusement park with a vintage roller coaster!
You can watch the skateboarders or sip coffee in a trendy beachfront bar. With clear, blue ocean and soft white sands, too, it’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours in San Diego, and totally free if you just walk around!
9. Discover the Old Masters at Timken Museum of Art
Incredibly, this museum of fine art in Balboa Park is free to visit. It hosts collections of paintings by famous European, American, and Russian artists.
You can pick up a free guide, which gives you information on the artist and the history behind each painting, making for a more immersive experience.
Don’t leave without seeing celebrated pieces from Thomas Moran, Rubens, Veronese, and Rembrandt.
→ You could pair the Timken Museum with a visit to San Diego Natural History Museum, rated 4.7 out of 5 stars.
10. Snorkel with Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove
Just a 15-minute drive from San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a small rocky bay surrounded by sea caves. It’s popular with water sports enthusiasts, but if you’re looking to save money, take a free dip or go snorkeling (bring your own snorkel gear).
You may be lucky enough to see seals, sea lions, leopard sharks, and the bright orange Garibaldi fish. So cool to look at!
There’s a beautiful small sandy beach in the cove too for enjoying a spot of sun worshipping.
→ While here, why not also take a La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour? When I was there, I saw so many kayakers in the water and wished I could be one of them!
11. See the Murals at Chicano Park
If, like me, you adore art in any form, add Chicano Park to your itinerary. The San Diego Park is a veritable feast of street art – said to be one of the largest outdoor mural collections in America.
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The 80+ murals were painted as a vibrant expression of Chicano culture and to revitalize the local area. The remarkable artwork showcases everything from historical events to Mesoamerican influences, plants, and wildlife to the faces of Frida Kahlo and Che Guevara. Don’t forget your camera!
12. Visit Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park
This fabulous free museum in Balboa Park celebrates folk art, design, and musical influences from around the world. It offers visitors a unique insight into global arts and crafts with temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.
Delve into a world of woven artifacts, fabric designs, ceramics, beading, and paper as you stroll around this globally inspired space.
13. See a Free Classical Concert
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra often rehearses for concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Since this is a public park, some of these rehearsals are open and free to attend between June and September.
Take a seat or relax on the manicured lawn as you immerse yourself in melodies played by a talented collective of world-class musicians. Such a lovely outing!
14. Cruise along the 59-Mile Scenic Drive
San Diego is a tapestry of forests, rugged mountains, and sprawling beaches sweeping into the Pacific Ocean. One of the best (and cheapest) ways to view this spectacular scenery is on a road trip – the most popular being the 59-Mile Scenic Drive.
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The loop route, which begins and ends at Balboa Park, passes Pont Loma, heading northwards towards Mission Beach and La Jolla before returning. On the drive you’ll see rocky cliffside beachscapes, towering peaks and from some viewpoints, even as far as Mexico! The tour takes around three hours from start to finish and aside from the gas you’ll use, it’s a cheap way for family and friends to spend half a day.
15. Sundays at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
If you happen to be in San Diego on a Sunday, keep 2pm free and head for Balboa Park. In the afternoon, free concerts are held at Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
The weekend festivity has been taking place for a while, since 1914 actually, and the performance features one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world!
Relax and listen to memorable tunes as the sun shines above. There isn’t anything better than that, in my opinion!
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