Sunny San Diego is on so many people’s must see list, but California prices can be frightening when you start to plan out a budget. You will be amazed at the beauty you find in this coastal city and will be even more surprised at how little you will have to spend when you plan a trip to this location. San Diego is one of those cities that you can fall in love with after being there for a few minutes, so don’t skip out on your trip because your budget is too tight. There are many great tips and tricks for San Diego that will allow you to have a blast in the city without having to spend much at all.

1. The Beach
One of the biggest appeals for the city of San Diego is the many beautiful beaches you can choose from. If you’re ready to soak up some sun and break some waves then the beach is where you should plan on spending the majority of your vacation time. The best thing about the beach is it is absolutely free so you can visit every beach in the city without having to lose money from your budget. San Diego has a lot of beaches to choose from and each one has a different appeal. For instance, Coronado features beautiful gold flecks in the water and the sand that will make you feel like you’re in paradise. While you’re visiting this area you can take a break from the sun and check out the famous Hotel Del. You’re allowed to walk in and check out the ground floor and museum without having to pay a cent. They also have a lot of food areas that will satisfy your taste buds. La Jolla is a bit further from the city but this beach is known for dolphin sitings and during certain parts of the year you can check out the Sea Lions. Imperial beach allows you to camp in certain areas, which could help save you even more money!

2. Stay Off Season
San Diego is known for staying pretty consistent in temperature, so if you want to avoid crowds and hiked up prices you might want to plan a vacation during the off season. Off season planning not only gives you a more private experience at the beach, it will meaner fewer lines and more time to reflect on the city and all it has to offer. You will even get better deals on things such as hotel pricing, food and airline tickets. This is perfect for anyone who has a hard time getting vacation time in the summer. So, if you want to hit the beach in January you won’t have to worry too much about getting snowed in. In fact, the worst the will happen is it will take you longer to get to the ice cold water, but don’t worry it is freezing cold all year long.

3. Balboa Park
One of the prized areas in San Diego is Balboa Park. This little area will allow you to check out some gorgeous Spanish architecture that will make you feel like you’ve traveled abroad. This area is filled with small museum, so don’t live any stone unturned or you might miss something cool. A lot of the museums are totally free too, like the Classic Art Museum and the Botanical Garden area. Some do change, but you’ll pay no more than $10 per person and they offer a large range of discount to help you out. If you plan on catching all of the museums then you should look into getting a pass that will cost an adult no more than $30 and gives you access to every museum in the area. Usually, there is always someone playing music or dancing in this area so be prepared for some entertainment while you try some street vendor foods. Every Sunday the park also opens up the International Cottages so make sure to check them out. A different country puts on a performance and serves food each week, so check out the schedule to see what you’ll experience!

4. Walk Downtown
Downtown San Diego is filled with amazing smells and plenty of things to see. If you want to take a stroll downtown you will have to check out all of the amazing districts, such as Old Town and the Gas Light District. Every district is unique with culture and offers so many delicious places to eat that you won’t know wear to start. Whilst downtown you should check out Horton’s Plaza, a massive mall that is fun to explore and will provide you with plenty local vendors to choose from. Depending on the time you visit the city you might also find entertainment from Comic Con, Zombie Walks and Colors Wars, so be ready to keep your schedule a little open for these things. One you’ve exhausted yourself you might want to grab a smoothie to boost up your energy and walk a bit further to see the Bob Hope Monument, Kissing the War Goodbye, Star of India ship and the USS Midway museum!

5. Public Transit
Driving in the city can be pretty frustrating, so don’t even bother with it. Leave the car at the hotel and grab one of the local buses. Everyone in the family can get a daily pass for a mere $5 a person. Of course, senior citizens to qualify for a discount and children of a certain age can ride for free. Although it might seem steep to pay for everyone a bus pass, you will see that in the end you have saved time and money on gasing up and parking cost. The public transit system in San Diego is fantastic. Buses run frequently and can get you to just about any destination in the city with little to no walking on your part. The tram is one of the best ways to get around though. This system can take you all over downtown, for people who aren’t as fond of walking. It can even drop you off at the border of Mexico in case you are interested in checking out the Fashion Valley Mall which is a huge tourist attraction.

6. Little Villages
If the city life gets a bit too much for you then you might want to stop and check out some of the little villages in the area. La Jolla is a cute little area that will give you that small beach town vibe despite its city routes. This village has a lot of little shops and restaurants that your family will love to spend a day checking out. The best thing is window shopping doesn’t cost a thing! Sea Port Village is another amazing little area that will satisfy your need to check out a viking inspired town. This area has a lot of Scandinavian shops to check out, so make sure you don’t miss out. You might also want to check out the Light house in the area. Coronado is more of an island than a village, but you’ll find it has a cute feel with loads of awesome shops and food places that can keep you busy for a day alone.

7. Small Hotel
When it comes to shopping for a hotel room always consider smaller. When you choose a smaller hotel in the city you aren’t going to spend as much. It is actually suggested that you will spend 2% less than a tourist staying in one of the major hotels. A small hotel will also give you a more homey feel so your family might feel a bit more comfortable in their surroundings. There are small hotels all over the city so choose your location wisely. If you plan on staying in the city or very close to the beach you might end up spending a bit more. Make sure you check reviews before you choose a hotel though. Feedback is always the best way to determine if a place is safe in the city.

8. Taco Shops
San Diego is known for having some of the best Mexican food in the nation, so don’t pass up your opportunity to try it out. You don’t have to eat an expensive restaurant to experience the food though. In fact, try to stay away from those all together because when it comes to Mexican food in the city you’re going to want to go to a small shop. Don’t worry, they are all over the place so the hardest thing will be choosing which one you want to try. If in doubt ask a local and they’ll be happy to boast up their favorite Taco Shop. Generally, eating at these little places can save you quite a bit of money. You will typically pay the price of a value meal for one burrito, but we’re talking about a gigantic burrito here. Usually you can eat on the burrito for two meals, so go for lunch and save the rest for dinner!

9. Multi-Attraction Pass
Although there are a lot of not so expensive attractions in San Diego there is still a good deal of expensive attractions that many tourist don’t want to pass up. If this is the case for your family then you might want to look into the multi-attraction pass. This pass will allow you to enter up to 40 places in a week, so you can see it all without having to pay for it all. You can completely customize your pass so don’t worry about paying for more than you will use. The multi-pass caters to people who want to check out Sea World, Knott’s Berry Farm, the zoo, Legoland, the wave house, Balboa Park and a whole lot of other attractions you might not even realize exist! You have to buy the pass online, but you’ll find that buying a weeks worth of events will only cost you the price of paying for two of the attractions. You might even be able to find a coupon or sale that will provide you with the pass for a little bit cheaper. You’ll also get out of waiting in a few lines thanks to this pass, so don’t hesitate if you want to see everything the city has to offer.

10. Buy Tickets in Advance
Shopping for your vacation in advance can save you a whole lot of money! If you’re planning on only catching a few attractions during your stay then you might want to keep an eye on the park for any sales they might be having which you might be interested in. Even buying the multi-attraction pass in advance can help you save a little money, so don’t wait for the last minute to get your schedule worked out. One of the best things about San Diego is there is always some sort of concert, play, orchestra or other attraction going on. If you check out the city site then you should be able to swoop in and pick up a ticket for less than you’d have to pay at the door or close to the attraction date. Don’t just look for major concert halls though, as so many of the best concerts will happen in a downtown club and if you don’t hurry up and secure your tickets you’ll certainly miss out.

San Diego is a beautiful city that is filled with numerous hidden treasure. So, if you’re planning on vacationing in this city don’t stress out about the price. These tips will have you sighing in relief as you enjoy sitting a cold drink on the beach. Now, you can see and do it all without having to constantly worry about what your bank account is going to look like when you get home. Pretty soon the relaxed beach life will take over your need to go go go.

Author: John Terris