Having fun during the summer in San Diego doesn't require a lot of money. In fact, many things are absolutely free to enjoy – and with 70 miles of beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather and a variety of summer street fairs, concerts and cultural events on offer, San Diego is the perfect location for a fun and inexpensive summer getaway.
Here are 10 great ways not to spend a dime in San Diego...
1. Life Is A Beach
San Diego Tourism Authority. Brett Shoaf, Artistic Visuals
Put on your bathing suit, grab your towel and head to one of San Diego's 33 beaches, all of which are open to the public. Try out some body surfing and boogie-boarding, or build sandcastles and collect shells. The fun is all absolutely free!
2. Art In The Park
Ian D Keating/ www.creativecommons.org
Take a picnic and listen to Coronado's Summer Concert Series in Spreckels Park each Sunday evening throughout the summer. On the first and third Sundays of the month, go along early and browse the work of San Diego artists during the Coronado Art Association's bi-monthly Art-In-The-Park event.
3. Global Celebration
Herb Neufeld/www.creativecommons.org
Soak up the international flavour at the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park during the free International Cottages' Lawn Programs. This summer-long event celebrates a different country each Sunday until November with ethnic foods, music and dancing.
4. Sunsets And Sea Lions
San Diego Tourism Authority/Lisa Field/SanDiego.org
Catch a magnificent Pacific sunset and watch the sea lions play along the shoreline at La Jolla Cove.
5. Window Shopping
San Diego Tourism Authority/Seaport Village
Visit Seaport Village, where window shopping doesn’t have to cost you a dime. During the weekends there is also free entertainment on offer. Take a walk along the bay front or sit in the grass and gaze at passing yachts and ships along picturesque San Diego Bay.
6. Stroll Back In Time
San Diego Tourism Authority/Brett Shoaf, Artistic VisualsTake a leisurely stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. Once the stomping ground of the legendary Wyatt Earp, the Gaslamp Quarter is now home to lots of unique stores, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, many of which are set in impressive turn-of-the-century buildings.
7. Hook A Line
Bill Rand/www.creativecommons.org
Take free fly-fishing lessons from the San Diego Fly Fishers’ Club on Sunday mornings between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Lake Murray, La Mesa. If you don't have your own gear, arrive early for a free equipment loan.
8. Nature’s Harvest
Rabbot/www.creativecommons.orgSample some of the more than 200 varieties of fresh produce grown in San Diego at one of the region's many Farmer's Markets, which are held daily at locations throughout the county.
9. Musical Evenings
San Diego Tourism Authority/SanDiego.org
Enjoy free organ concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Concerts are being held each Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Annual International Summer Organ Festival until August 26. And for the Twilight in the Park Summer Concerts, concerts are held at 6:15p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings until August 29.
10. Hit The Trail
San Diego Tourism Authority/Joanne DiBona, SanDiego.org
Bike, walk or jog along Mission Bay Park's many trails. Bikers, walkers and joggers share more than 32 kilometres of scenic paths that wind through sunlight and shade near the shoreline with workout courses at planned stations along the route.