Thrifty & Thrilling San Diego in 3 Days

Experience the beauty of San Diego without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

A trip to San Diego on a limited budget can still be enjoyable. Activities like visiting the USS Midway Museum and hiking Torrey Pines State Reserve are affordable. Staying in a hostel or booking through Airbnb can also help save money on lodging.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Beach Day!

  • Check into the Ocean Beach Hotel. Rooms are basic, budget-friendly, and footsteps from the sand.
  • Grab a cup of coffee from Jungle Java and watch the surfers at Ocean Beach Pier.
  • Rent bikes and pedal around Mission Beach. Don't miss the iconic wooden rollercoaster at Belmont Park.
  • Catch the sunset at Torrey Pines State Beach. Hike one of the park's trails for some spectacular views.
  • Chow down on a California burrito from Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop. It's a local favorite.
Day 2

Art & Culture

  • Start the day with breakfast at Cafe 21 in the Gaslamp Quarter. Their lavender pancakes are divine.
  • Visit the San Diego Museum of Art. They have a diverse collection of art, from European to Asian.
  • Walk through Balboa Park and take in the architecture. Don't miss the Botanical Building and Lily Pond.
  • Take a harbor cruise to see San Diego's skyline from the water. Check out Groupon for discounted tickets.
  • Treat yourself to dinner at The Crack Shack. Their fried chicken sandwiches are next level.
Day 3

Wildlife Adventures

  • Head to La Jolla Cove early in the morning to watch the seals bask in the sun.
  • Visit the San Diego Zoo. It's one of the best zoos in the world, with over 3,500 animals.
  • Drive down to Cabrillo National Monument. The tidepools are full of sea urchins, starfish, and even octopuses.
  • Have a late lunch at Hodad's. They're famous for their burgers and onion rings.
  • End the day with a sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. It's a gorgeous spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to San Diego by plane is to fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN) which is located just 3 miles from downtown San Diego. There are direct flights available from many major cities in the United States and abroad.

Car

Driving to San Diego is a great option if you are coming from nearby cities or states. The best route to take would depend on your starting location, but popular options include taking the I-5 if you are coming from Los Angeles or Orange County or the I-8 if you are coming from Arizona.

Train

Unfortunately, there are no trains that go directly to San Diego. However, you can take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner to the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego from other major cities in Southern California.

Boat

It is not possible to get to San Diego by boat as there are no passenger ferry services that operate to San Diego. However, there are many marinas in San Diego that offer boat storage and rental services if you are interested in exploring the city's beautiful coastline by sea.

Bus

The best way to get to San Diego by bus is to take Greyhound or Megabus which both have multiple daily routes to San Diego from various cities throughout the United States.

Destination

San Diego

If palm trees and sunshine are your thing, then San Diego is the answer to your prayers. Get ready to regret not packing enough sunscreen and flip flops because this city has enough blue skies to make a Smurf jealous.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

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