Free Things to Do in San Diego

It’s always fun to get away from the paperwork and emails from time to time and find something fun to do. It’s even better when that fun activity is free! While you’re in San Diego with us this week for our CME conference, be sure to give these fun, free activities a try during your spare time!

Sunny San Diego beaches
Image credit: city-data.com

Go to the beach! San Diego is home to over 70 miles of beautiful beaches, and all of those beaches are free and open to the public. Work on your tan, give body surfing a try or build a sandcastle with the family.

Check out Balboa Park. The park is full of breathtaking Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, museums, park tours, gardens and organ concerts! Free admission to museums will vary by the week.

Go to Old Town! Free guided tours will show you around the neighborhood’s beautiful adobe architecture. While you’re there, you might find events going on in the park like dancing, markets, music and more.

Take your kids to the New Children’s Museum in the San Diego Marina where they can create art and expand their horizons. Admission is free every second Sunday, so your timing will be perfect!

Gorgeous Glorietta Bay Park
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Grab a blanket and head over to Glorietta Bay Park for a picnic or just a relaxing afternoon flying a kite. The park tends to be less full than other parks on Coronado Island, making it a favorite spot to relax.

Catch some free entertainment at Seaport Village nearly every day! From musicians to dancers and all sorts of entertainers in between, you’ll find something diverse and fun to enjoy.

Stone Brewing Company offers tours of their brewery for all those beer lovers out there. Tickets aren’t free, however, but at $3 per adult, they are certainly affordable and a portion of each ticket goes to local charities.

Mission Trails offers plenty of hiking trails for the whole family where you can take in the gorgeous surroundings and wildlife.

Seals relaxing at Children's Pool
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Spot the harbor seals at Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Hundreds of seals and sea lions warm themselves on the rocks every day, making for a fun experience for you and the family.

Check out the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be an Olympian. You’ll get to take a guided tour of the grounds or a self-guided audio tour to see all the facility has to offer.

There are certainly more ways to enjoy San Diego on a budget. Do you have a favorite activity we didn’t list? Sound off in the comments below and tell us about your favorite free things to do in San Diego!