8 Free Things to Do in San Diego

As one of the most popular cities across the U.S. to visit, San Diego is a travel destination that is on many travelers' bucket lists. Offering tons of attractions, beaches and beautiful weather, it's easy to see why millions of tourists visit "America's Finest City" each year. However, despite its popularity, a trip to San Diego can also be pricy, with the average traveler spending about $200 a day to visit the city.

If you're planning a visit budget-friendly visit to San Diego, you're in luck. There are many free things to do in San Diego that can help keep your vacation spending to a minimum. Check out these 8 free San Diego attractions worth visiting on your next trip, ideal for tourists of all ages. Planning a getaway to this beautiful city while adhering to a strict budget has never been easier.

1. La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores

1100 Coast Blvd. (at Girard Ave), La Jolla, CA 92037

La Jolla Cove is one of the best free things to do in San Diego, a small coastal beach that offers plenty to do and explore. Start by visiting La Jolla Shores, a mile-long beach that is great for swimming and surfing. This popular beach is free and family-friendly, perfect for a day trip activity that won't cost anything. La Jolla Cove refers to the small deep water bay area, which is accessible to explore as well.

At the La Jolla Cove, there's plenty to do from boogie boarding to biking along the paved trails. In addition, the "children's pool" area is great for looking for sea life, such as seals and sea lions. This area is no longer open for swimming but is great for getting up close to marine life that is often found in this region.

The La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores are easy to get to. Visitors can park in the parking lot or take the San Diego trolley to the area as well. In the La Jolla area is also the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, which honors over 3,500 veterans. At the top of this memorial, visitors can enjoy amazing views of the region, including ocean views.

2. Mission Trails Regional Park

1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119

Known as the largest state-owned park in California, Mission Trails Regional Park is a huge, 8,000-acre park that is great for a variety of activities. A visit to this park is great for those looking for free things to do in San Diego that are hands-on and outdoors-based. The visitors center located at Mission Trails Regional Park features lots of information to explore and learn about the wildlife you may see as you roam through the park.

The park has over 65 miles of trails to explore, great for walking, biking, or running. Many people also come to this park for boating on Lake Murray. Even better, this park is only about eight miles north of the downtown San Diego region. If you enjoy bird-watching, check out the free bird walks, which take place the first Saturday of the month.

3. Julian, An Official California Historical Landmark

Julian, California is a mountain area and gold-mining town with historical significance. Located in San Diego County, a visit to this historical region is a great idea for visitors looking for free things to do in San Diego. Visitors can pick up a free map of the Cuyamaca Mountains at the local Chamber of Commerce.

The maps and pamphlets available offer a fun, self-guided walking tour throughout the town, which passes several historical landmarks. On your self-guided walking tour, you'll pass the Pioneer Cemetery, Hotel Robinson, Julian Town Hall and several other interesting landmarks. If you love history and learning, this free activity near San Diego is an ideal stop.

If you're lucky enough to visit Julian in the fall, don't miss a chance to check out their annual fall apple harvest (mid-September through November). Or, visit during April during Julian's Gold Rush Days, which explore the region's gold mining history.

4. Waterfront Park

1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

Located in the downtown area of San Diego, Waterfront Park is another of San Diego's free attractions. This public park area is great for enjoying the beautiful weather in San Diego and won't cost you a thing. If you're visiting with kids, be sure to explore the children's play zones and splash fountain areas. You can also pack a picnic to enjoy with your family at the several picnic areas located throughout the park.

Waterfront Park also hosts various events throughout the year, so be sure to check the event calendar to find more opportunities for low-cost activities taking place during your visit. There are several parking lots surrounding Waterfront Park which may have low-cost daily parking fees.

5. Balboa Park

1549 El Prado. San Diego, CA 92101

Balboa Park is one of San Diego's most well-known and popular park areas, located in the downtown area. The park area has so much to do, including 18 free public gardens to explore and many museums. Many come to Balboa Park for its cultural offerings and free daily park tours.

There's plenty to do at no or low cost in Balboa Park, such as the Minegi Museum or Timken Museum of Art. During your visit, you'll see the Cabrillo Bridge, a famous entrance to the park. Balboa Park is also home to the famous Ed Cid Statue, a 23-foot bronze statue of this medieval hero famous in the eleventh century.

as well as the famous Ed Cid Statue. If you plan on checking out several of Balboa Park's attractions, be sure to look into the Park Explorer Pass, which can help you save money on entrance into several of the most popular museums.

6. Ocean Beach

1950 Abott St San Diego, CA 92107

If you're visiting San Diego during the summer, your trip won't be complete without a picturesque beach day. Ocean Beach is a great option for swimming, surfing and relaxing. Dogs are allowed on the special dog-only Dog Beach area, located between the north end of Ocean Beach and the Mission Bay Harbor Channel.

At Ocean Beach, there are plenty of free and low-cost activities to do. Try hosting a beach bonfire or packing a picnic while enjoying the great weather. Ocean Beach also offers three free parking lots as well as free street parking throughout the region. After a day at the beach, check out the nearby Newport Avenue area which has many restaurants and shops to explore too.

The Ocean Beach Farmer's Market is also fun to explore, open year-round on Wednesdays. This open-air farmers market is free to roam, offering locally grown produce. In addition, you'll sometimes find fun live music events taking place at the farmer's market too.

7. Seaport Village

849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Seaport Village is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment area within San Diego that is free to walk around and explore. Throughout the year, Seaport Village hosts many outdoor concerts and free entertainment as well. Spend the day browsing over 70 boutiques and shops here or enjoying the waterfront area too. The Seaport Village area also has a boardwalk area to explore, as well as plenty of free photo opportunities to capture your vacation memories.

At Seaport Village, there are many affordable eateries for casual dining such as the Crack Taco Shop. From Seaport Village, visitors can also hop on the Old Town Trolley, a San Diego trolley tour that includes live narration and passes by all of the major "must-sees" in the city.

8. San Diego's Scenic Drive

Looking to do something different and uniquely explore San Diego? Check out the popular 59-mile scenic drive which can be done in one afternoon. This scenic drive will take you about three hours to complete and is a loop that runs through the city's most popular neighborhoods. On the drive, you and your travel group can explore mountains, beaches and stunning views of San Diego from all angles.

This scenic drive also stops at many other free attractions in San Diego, offering you the flexibility to add other activities to your trip. Some stops along San Diego's famous scenic drive include Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove and Old Town State Historic Park.

Exploring the Best San Diego Free Attractions

As you plan your San Diego trip itinerary, don't miss out on some of the best free attractions throughout the city. Whether you're on a tight budget or simply want to explore everything the city has to offer, these 8 free attractions are worth checking out. From free beaches to outdoor gardens, there's always something unique to explore in San Diego.

What are you waiting for? Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your free or low-cost activities for your trip to San Diego today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.