San Diego, CA
Perfect weather. Free beaches. A zoo that's worth every penny.
San Diego is the most consistently pleasant city in America and it's less expensive than LA or SF. Balboa Park has 17 museums and free gardens, every beach is free, and the Gaslamp Quarter has enough nightlife to fill a week. The zoo is $76 but it's genuinely one of the best in the world — budget for it.
Local tip
October is 'Kids Free' month — dozens of museums, the zoo, and attractions offer free admission for kids. If you're planning a family trip, October is the move.
Known for
Neighborhoods
City League
Play daily games about San Diego, CA →Recently added
Balboa Park
17 museums, 14 free gardens, open 24/7
San Diego Zoo
12,000 animals, bus tour included
USS Midway Museum
Walk a real aircraft carrier, flight deck to engine room
Gaslamp Quarter
16 blocks of rooftop bars and speakeasies
Cabrillo National Monument
Panoramic views from the tip of Point Loma
La Jolla Cove
Sea lions + best snorkeling in SoCal