Fun, Free and Fabulous Activities in San Diego
Southern California Destination offers Recession Busting Vacation
May 14, 2009
This idyllic destination, where temperatures are consistently a perfectly pleasant 75 degrees, offers a host of free activities to tempt the budget traveler.
Free Outdoor Adventures in San Diego
Take advantage of the great weather with a host of outdoor activities including:
Free, guided nature walks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Torrey Pines State Reserve in La Jolla. Hikers will enjoy the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, as well as the deep valleys and majestic pine trees in this scenic 1,000-acre wilderness playground.
Over 70 miles of beachesare open to the public and have free nearby parking. It’s easy to pass the time swimming, building sandcastles, reading a book or working on a tan.
Try fly-fishing with complimentary lessons from the San Diego Fly Fishers club on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Murray, located in La Mesa. Arrive early for a free equipment loan.
Bike or jog Mission Bay Park’s trails.Over 20 miles of scenic running paths wind through sunlight and shade near the shoreline and feature workout courses at planned stations along the route.
Complimentary Cultural Offerings in San Diego
Sun isn’t the only thing San Diego has going for it. It’s a mecca for art, culture and history. Put away the wallet and explore the following:
In Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the country, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and several of the park’s other museums offer free admission on Tuesdays. Free park tours include ranger-led general tours every Tuesday and Saturday, architectural history tours on the first Wednesday of the month and botanical tours every Saturday. Except for the Japanese Friendship Garden, all of the gardens are free, as are the Botanical Building and the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. On Sundays, enjoy free afternoon organ concerts at the Spreckles Organ Pavilion that features one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs.
Relive early California history at the Old Town State Historic Park, the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast.
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the extensive outdoor sculpture featuring the work of famous contemporary artists included in the Stuart Collection, located on the campus of the University of California San Diego in La Jolla.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free to visitors under 25 every day at both its La Jolla and downtown San Diego facilities. The museum in La Jolla is free to everyone on the third Tuesday of the month and the downtown branch is free to all everyday.
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