I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy visiting San Diego, and why not? Its beautiful coastal location and many attractions make it a world-class destination. But it can also be pricey. Here are 12 tips to help you cut the cost. Did I forget any?
1. Go offseason: If you can manage to avoid the rain, this is a terrific time to go to San Diego, and so is the fall season, when the weather’s still nice but the crowds have gone home. Lots of hotels have deals, especially those that appeal to families. I just saw a 30 percent off deal for the attractive Paradise Point resort. Note that spring break won’t be a bargain, so plan around those dates. Bonus: If you’re going to the zoo, the animals are much more active when it’s cool.
2. Museum Month: If you can get away in February, you can see most of the region’s excellent museums for half price, including the USS Midway aircraft carrier, the famed Air & Space Museum and more. Just stop by a San Diego-area Macy’s store to get your half price pass, sponsored by the San Diego Museum Council. Learn more: sandiego museumcouncil.org
3. Watch California sea lions at La Jolla Cove: This small, picturesque cove is walking distance to shops and restaurants in La Jolla, and adjacent to the Children’s Pool, which once attracted little kids to swim but is now the domain of marine mammals. It’s fun to go watch them, but the beach itself is closed during pupping season, until May 15. Free, but you’ll have to hunt for street parking.
4. Ride the free tram: Did you know that San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park not only has free parking but also a free tram to get around? The tram starts at Inspiration Point, where there are benches and shade, and then travels throughout the park, stopping at popular locations with gorgeous Spanish revival architecture and gardens, including the information center at Plaza de Panama, where you can get free maps of the park. Just look for the green tram, and note that it’s wheelchair-friendly, too. It runs every 10-15 minutes, hours are seasonal. 619-235-1100 or balboapark.org.
5. Get a free visitors guide: You can order a paper booklet, download the San Diego Official Visitor Guide smartphone app or download the brochure on your computer with articles, deals, maps and more. Learn more at SanDiego.org, the city’s official tourism website.
6. Have a picnic at Mission Bay Park: The city says this is the largest aquatic city park of its kind in America, encompassing 27 miles of shoreline and 19 miles of sandy beaches. Grab a fire ring or just enjoy the water views at the bay, created by dredging a tidal marsh. Grassy areas bounded by paved walkways make it wheelchair-accessible. Check out the accessible playground at Tecolote Shores, 1500 E. Mission Bay Drive7. Save at SeaWorld: I’m not a fan, but if you are, I recommend the annual California pass for sale right now for $159. This includes a year’s admission, free parking, a “bring a friend for free” ticket that can be used in February or April only, 50 percent off admission to other Sea World attractions elsewhere, and more.
8. Free Sunday afternoon folk dancing in Balboa Park: Every Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., join in the dancing or just watch the fun in the Balboa Park Club Building. Admission and parking are free. You can come solo or with a partner. These events are hosted by several folk dancing clubs. You can also take lessons in different types of folk dance here for only a couple of bucks at various times during the week. Visit the International Dance Association of San Diego County’s website at idasdc.org.
9. Fish free from the pier at Ocean Beach, and enjoy the dog beach, too >> Bring your pooch and watch him frolic at Dog Beach, an off-leash park at the north end of Ocean Beach, which has volleyball courts and lifeguards. You can also fish without a license from the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, at the south end (but check all the rules).
10. Save at the zoo: I recently bought an annual pass to the San Diego Zoo, and here’s why: A single-day pass costs $52 adults, $42 for kids. But, wait, there’s more. If you previously had a zoo membership, or you have an address in the ZIP codes 91900-92899, you get a deal: For $225, you can buy a Keeper’s Club membership, with unlimited admission to the zoo and the safari park in Escondido all year for two visitors, plus free parking at the safari park, free rides on the tour bus and Skyfari overhead tram, two free guest passes, two half-price discounts on passes and an annual subscription to the Zoonooz magazine. Plus 10 percent off dining and gifts inside the park. Phew. Now, I’m tired. I don’t live in a San Diego ZIP code, but we were once members, so they let me reorder this year, and we have been enjoying it. If you don’t want to pay anything, keep in mind that kids 11 and under get in free the entire month of October. Learn more: sandiegozoo.org
11. Take the 59-mile drive: Watch for the signs with blue-and-yellow seagulls on them that designate this scenic drive. It starts at the B Street cruise ship terminal at the Embarcadero, continues to Harbor Island and Shelter Island, to Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument, Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, Mount Soledad, UC San Diego, La Jolla Cove, Old Town and Balboa Park and ends up at Seaport Village. You could give yourself several days to take all these trips.
12. Kids Ride Free: If you take the train to San Diego, you can get around on the fun trolley system, and remember: Kids always ride for half price on Amtrak, and they ride for free on all San Diego Metropolitan Transit System routes Saturdays and Sundays (age 12 or under, up to two kids per paying adult.) Kids 5 or under always ride free. Learn more: sdmts.com/fares-passes
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