Go San Diego

San Diego's Attraction Card

  • Go San Diego
  • San Diego Attractions
    • San Diego Tours
    • San Diego Zoo
    • San Diego Zoo Safari Park
    • Legoland California
    • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
    • Old Town Trolley Tours
    • SeaWorld San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Hotels
    • Tower23, Pacific Beach
    • The US Grant
    • Sofia Hotel, San Diego
    • The Keating Hotel, San Diego
    • Beach Haven Inn, San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Restaurants
    • George’s at the Cove
    • Puesto at the Headquarters
    • Grant Grill
    • More…
  • Neighborhoods
    • The Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
    • La Jolla
    • Pacific Beach San Diego
    • Mission Beach San Diego
    • Coronado Island
    • East Village San Diego
    • Marina District San Diego
    • Little Italy San Diego
    • More…
  • Beaches
    • Pacific Beach
    • Mission Beach
    • La Jolla Shores Beach
    • Coronado Central Beach
  • Tourist Passes
    • Go San Diego Pass
    • San Diego Explorer Pass
    • San Diego Pass Comparisons
  • Parks
  • Blog

Don’t Let the Budget Stop the Fun: 10 Things to Do in San Diego under $10

In this economy when prices are continuously on the rise while our paychecks stay the same it can be hard to find fun activities to do while still staying in budget. This is especially true when living in San Diego which is the 7th most expensive city to live in according to Travel + Leisure, but it’s not impossible. All it takes to stay well within your means while also getting out and exploring is a little imagination, planning, and our list of the 10 best things to do when on a budget in San Diego.

Explore the Great Outdoors

San Diego is best known for its sunny blue skies, magnificent coastline, and almost constant 72-degree, breezy weather, so it’s no surprise that many of the best and cheapest activities are found outdoors. A beach day with a prepared picnic is the obvious choice for many locals, but it’s not the only choice. You can easily zest up a typical beach day, or engage in an activity by the beach that doesn’t require a swimsuit.

1. Rent a Board
Where: Anywhere
Price: $5-$10

With 17 miles of coastline it’s not hard to find a beach to hang ten near your home or hotel and several surf shops in the city offer surfboard and body-board rentals for an entire day for under $10.

2. Fish on Crystal Pier
Where: Pacific Beach
Price: $7

Located in the heart of Pacific Beach at the end of Garnet Avenue is the iconic Crystal Pier, a place that doesn’t require you to have a fishing license. Simply rent a pole from the Crystal Pier Bait and Tackle shop and cast your line. The rental provides you with everything you need including the pole, tackle, bait, knife, towel, pair of pliers, and a bucket.

3. Go for a Bike Ride
Where: Various Locations
Price: $7-$10

Thanks to DECOBIKE, a self-serving rental station you can rent a bicycle almost anywhere in the city especially near the most popular beaches such as Ocean, Mission, and Pacific Beaches for just $7 an hour. Grab a beach cruiser and take a journey along the many beachside boardwalks, or inland bicycle trails.

4. Ride the Coaster
Where: Mission Beach
Price: $3-$6

Be a kid again and head out to the famous Belmont Park in Mission Beach where you can ride the majority of the rides for $5 or less and take a ride on the historical wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, for just $6. You’ll have just enough change left over to indulge in a cool treat like the delicious Dole whips.

5. Go Tidepooling and Whale Watching
Where: Point Loma
Price: $5-$10

Head to the Cabrillo National Monument to enjoy a day of whale watching and tidepooling. For just $5 per bike, $7 per motorcycle, and $10 per car, you can gain entry and explore the area. There is even a hidden cave worth exploring if you can manage to find it.

The Other Side of San Diego – Inside

Outdoor adventures are great, but sometimes it’s too hot or too cold for your particular taste, or you just need a break from the beach. (Your words, not ours.) San Diego is here for you whether you want to catch a concert or do a little beer tasting; you’d be surprised what this great city can give you for just $10. Here are five of our favorite indoor activities that barely put a dent in the wallet.

6. Check out a Concert
Where: Little Italy
Price: $6-$10

It might be surprising to know you can easily catch a concert for under $10, but it is entirely true. Now they might not be the big names like Beyonce, but there are plenty of talented musicians constantly rockin’ the casbah quite literally at Rock the Casbah in Little Italy. Concert admissions are $6 during the week, and a few of the weekend shows are just $10 to enter.

7. Jump, Jump, Jump Around
Where: Various Locations
Price: $10

Find your inner child and head out to a trampoline park for some high energy fun. Rockin’ Jump, Bounce California, and Sky Zone welcome free spirits to enjoy 30 minutes of jump time for just $10.

8. Take a Tour and Enjoy a Beer Tasting
Where: Escondido or Spring Valley
Price: $3-$10

Yes, you can actually enjoy a distillery tour and indulge in a beer tasting for under $10 in two locations in San Diego. For just three dollars, Tour Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido gives guided tours of their facilities, provides four-ounce beer samples, and even gives you a complimentary glass to take home with you. Plus, it’s just an amazing place to be with a great ambiance in a natural garden setting. Tourist Tour at Kill Devil Spirit Co. in Spring Valley provides a tour of their distillery, six quarter-ounce tasters, and a mason sampler glass for $10.

9. Head to the Adult Arcade
Where: North Park
Price $10

This one cuts it kind of close, but still hits the mark; the Coin Op in North Park offers a craft cocktail menu where you can get drinks from between $7.50 and $9.50. With the change you can travel back in time and play a few rounds on their vintage arcade games.

10. Skate It Up
Where: Linda Vista
Price: $8-$10

Enjoy a little old school fun and be a teenager again at Skate World in Linda Vista; grab your funky four-wheel skates and spend a few hours cruising around the rink while listening to some amazing tunes. You can even call ahead to find out when they’re having the beginner roller derby classes, and try your hand at a new sport.

These are our top ten favorite activities to do in San Diego for less than $10, but there are plenty more. We’ve included a little hit list below to give you a broader taste, and would love to hear your suggestions too.

The Hit List

  1. Padre’s Games, Petco Park, Downtown, $5 to $8 during spring training, lawn seats.
  2. Disc Golf, Morley Field, North Park, $3 to $4.
  3. Brunswick Bowling, Chula Vista, Tuesdays for $2 games, and $2 shoe rentals.
  4. Drive In Movie, Imperial Beach, South Bay Drive In, $9.
  5. Swap Meet, Sports Arena, Saturdays & Sundays, $2 entry.
  6. Beach Yoga, Pacific Beach, NamaSteve, Saturday mornings, end of Law Street, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., donation based.
  7. Ride the ferry to Coronado, Downtown, $4.75, Flagship Ferry.
  • 85shares
  • Facebook85
  • Twitter0
  • Pinterest0

Filed Under: Cheap and Free, Things to Do

Related Blog Posts

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Tours by Land or by Sea
  • San Diego Zoo Global Provides Relief to Australia
  • 9 Ways to Start the New Year with a Bang in San Diego
  • Wildlife Camps for Kids during the Holidays
  • How to Visit San Diego’s Aquatica for FREE

Recent Go San Diego Posts

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Tours by Land or by Sea

Things to Do

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego

San Diego Hotels

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Surprise Your Valentine with a Stay at One of These Romantic San Diego Hotels
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Love and Romance in San Diego

San Diego Parks

  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 15 Kid-friendly Things to Do in San Diego This Summer
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers

Beaches

  • North to South: The 5 Best Places to Surf in San Diego County
  • San Diego Dog Beaches: Take Your Pup to the Surf and Sand

Cheap and Free

  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • Don’t Let the Budget Stop the Fun: 10 Things to Do in San Diego under $10
  • How to Visit San Diego’s Aquatica for FREE
  • Get Free Entry 10 San Diego Museums on an Old Town Trolley Tour

Events

  • The Top 6 Events You Won’t Want to Miss This Summer in San Diego
  • San Diego Beer Week, Festivals, and Events: November 2017
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Everything You Need to Know about San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival
  • 6 Fun-Loving Events Spice up Fall in San Diego

Restaurants

  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Restaurants That Continue to Stand the Test of Time
  • 21 Favorites for Al Fresco Dining in San Diego
  • Solo in San Diego: Where to Eat, Sleep, and Hang

Tourist Attractions

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • The Holidays at San Diego’s Five Biggest Attractions

Museums

  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • Science for Everyone at Fleet Science Center

Trips

  • The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego
  • 3 San Diego Ski & Snowboard Day Trips Where ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers
  • Explore 7 San Diego Seaside Communities by Coaster
  • 7 Day Trips from San Diego

Historic Places

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • 5 Top Historic Sites in San Diego
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark

Holidays

  • 10 Thanksgiving Dinners to be Grateful for in San Diego
  • Wildlife Camps for Kids during the Holidays
  • A Complete Guide to the Holidays in San Diego
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • The Complete Guide to New Year’s Eve in San Diego

Copyright © 2023 · GoSanDiego.com · Contact Us · Privacy and Cookie Policy