Cheap Things to Do in San Diego, CA

Art you're supposed to climb on

200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon, Wed-Sun 9am-4pm; closed Tuesdays · Ages 0–10

Home to the Giant Dipper, a 1925 wooden roller coaster that's a National Historic Landmark

3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily from 11am, closing 8-10pm depending on season

Playground + calm bay water steps away

1740 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk

Gentlest waves in San Diego + tide pools at low tide

8200 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily, dawn to dusk; tide pools best at low tide

Largest operating model railroad museum in North America — kids under 12 free

1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Wed-Sun 11am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue

See all the way to Mexico — tourists miss it

5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk

Stroller-friendly trail to ocean overlooks

12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 7:15am to sunset

Free Sunday organ concerts year-round

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily

27 miles of calm, no-wave shoreline

2688 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk

Ground-level fountain jets + harbor views

1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 6am-10pm; fountains Tue-Sun 9am-9pm, Mon 11am-9pm · Ages 0+

Year-round lifeguards + ferry ride from downtown

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 · Daily, dawn to dusk; lifeguards 9am-dusk · Ages 0+

Fire rings for bonfires + small-town beach

400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024 · Daily dawn to dusk; lifeguards seasonal · Ages 0+

Tortilla-making demos + free everything

4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm · Ages 0+

Six free playgrounds + 14 free gardens

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; playgrounds dawn to dusk · Ages 0+

Hand-carved carousel on the bay, $4

849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-9pm (10pm in summer) · Ages 0+

17 museums, 14 free gardens, open 24/7

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; museums typically 10am-5pm

16 blocks of rooftop bars and speakeasies

Fifth Ave & Market St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Open 24/7; most venues 11am-2am

Panoramic views from the tip of Point Loma

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Daily 9am-5pm (tide pools close 4:30pm)

Sea lions + best snorkeling in SoCal

1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Open 24/7

Free adobe village + Cafe Coyote

4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm (Oct-Apr: 10am-4pm Mon-Thu)

1925 wooden roller coaster on the beach

3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)

Free bayfront stroll with Coronado views

849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-9pm (10pm in summer)

Best sunset in San Diego — locals' pick

1253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107 · Daily, dawn to dusk

Rarest pine on Earth + ocean overlooks

12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 7:15am to sunset

5,017-pipe organ, free Sundays year-round

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily

200+ tents every Saturday, arrive early

W Date St & India St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Saturdays 8am-2pm

145 steps into a sea cave — only one in CA by land

1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 9am-5pm (weather permitting)

Under 17 always free

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon-Tue 10am-5pm, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Wed

Ferry ride + Victorian resort beach

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 · Beach open 24/7; hotel grounds accessible during business hours

90+ acts, completely free, late September

Adams Ave between 35th St & Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92116 · Sat-Sun 10am-dusk

Free splash pad with Coronado Bridge views

1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 6am-10pm; fountains Tue-Sun 9am-9pm, Mon 11am-9pm

Louis Kahn masterpiece, free courtyard

10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Courtyard: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; tours by reservation