👉 Jump to: Things to Do | Beach | | | Museums | Music | Parks
Thanks to its gorgeous beaches and the many fun things to do in San Diego, this is a city with something to offer everyone!
As a San Diego local, I know it can be expensive to explore America’s Finest City. To help you out, I put together this list of the best free things to do in San Diego.
Let’s dive into 41 attractions, events, and activities you can take advantage of when your wallet needs a little break!
41 Free Things to Do in San Diego
Presidio Park
Walk through the past at California’s first European settlement.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Presidio Park allows you to stroll in the footsteps of California’s earliest European settlers. Junipero Serra and Gaspar de Portola themselves constructed the Presidio and the Mission San Diego de Alcala in 1769 which sparked the gradual European settlement of the surrounding area. Later, when the area was under the rule of Mexico, the fort served as the capital of Baja.
Now you can stroll the grounds and historical sites that perch on top of a hill overlooking the Old Town San Diego.
Catch a Sunday Organ Concert
Take in a free concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 702-8138 | Website | Hours: Sundays at 2 pm
The Spreckels Organ consists of 5,000 pipes ranging from the diameter of a pencil up to 32 feet, making it the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. The organ and its pavilion were donated in 1914 with the stipulation that all of its concerts would be free to the public, a promise that is upheld to this day!
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Celebrate San Diego’s history in its first town.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 220-5422 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Old Town provides a unique opportunity to experience the history of the city and the intersection of Kumeyaay, Mexican, and Spanish cultures that characterize San Diego. The park has restored original buildings from the mid-1800s including the five original adobe buildings that form the historic park.
The Historic Plaza hosts activities and talks and visitors can visit a working blacksmith shop, enjoy music, interact with burros, and experience life in early San Diego.
👉 Pro Tip: Join State Park interpreters for free Hidden History Talks several times a month. These talks celebrate the underrepresented histories of California’s diverse communities including African-American, indigenous, women, and LGBTQIA+ history. Check the schedule here.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Walk atop the seaside cliffs that boast the most beautiful coastline in San Diego.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm daily
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the natural jewels of San Diego and you can enjoy it for free! The protected area consists of some of San Diego’s best hiking trails of varying difficulty that showcase the gorgeous seaside cliffs. My favorite trail is Broken Hill Trail Loop which offers breathtaking cliff top views of the ocean and leads to Torrey Pines State Beach.
🚗 Parking Tip: Parking in the parking lot inside Torrey Pines State Park can be expensive, but walking in is free so it’s worth finding free street parking before the entrance!
Explore La Jolla Underwater Park
Explore La Jolla’s marine wonders including kelp forests, sea lions, fish, and rocky reefs.
The La Jolla Underwater Park lies beneath the coastal waters off of downtown La Jolla and, thanks to its 50 years of protection, it boasts a flourishing marine ecosystem. Marine life you could encounter includes kelp forests, rocky reefs, California’s state fish the garibaldi, small sharks, and sea turtles.
Whether you explore the park by scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or standup paddle boarding, it’s one of San Diego’s highlight activities, and you can enjoy it for free!
Balboa Park
Get a taste of Spain at this historical park famous for its gardens and beautiful Spanish architecture.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 239-0512 | Website
Balboa Park is the artistic and historical heart of San Diego. The 1,200-acre park, which was first developed back in 1915, contains some of the most iconic sites and attractions in San Diego including the San Diego Zoo, The California Tower, and 16 museums.
The park itself is a destination in and of itself and contains buildings of beautiful Spanish-style architecture and serene garden scapes, making it one of my favorite places for a stroll.
Beach Activities in San Diego
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Visit La Jolla Cove
Say hello to San Diego’s resident sea lions who love to bask and frolic at the cove.
La Jolla Cove contains all the best of California’s coast! The small, protected area has allowed a flourishing habitat that sustains playful sea lions, vast kelp forests, bright fish, sea turtles, and small sharks.
It’s such a fun and unique opportunity to watch the sea lions basking on the beach and frolicking in the waves that crash on the tiny beach!
Watch the Sunset from Sunset Cliffs
Take in an epic San Diego sunset from the best seat in the city.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Nothing quite beats watching the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. And, while San Diego has plenty of spots to watch the sun go down, Sunset Cliffs, located in Point Loma, has rightfully earned its reputation as the best sunset spot.
The picturesque seaside cliffs are a perfect spot to set up a picnic and watch the sky turn orange!
Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
Take in the ocean views from the picturesque Scripps Pier.
The distinctive Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier juts out into the ocean from the northern part of La Jolla Shores Beach. While the pier itself is only open to researchers, it’s an awesome spot to watch surfers and take in a sunset.
Twice a year, usually sometime in May and August, the sun aligns perfectly between the pilings of the pier, an event that draws spectators and tons of photographers.
Check out the La Jolla Tide Pools
Explore the tiny, unique marine worlds contained in each pool.
The La Jolla tide pools are the best place in San Diego to go hunting for tiny sea creatures in miniature ecosystems. The rock pools are exposed at low tide and among the seaweed, you can find sea cucumbers, mollusks, sea hares, chiton, and nudibranchs. It’s one of several fun and free things to do in La Jolla.
👉 Pro Tip: Download the app “iNaturalist” to check out what other tide poolers have found in the pools and share your discoveries!
Play Volleyball at Mission Beach
Grab a few friends and a volleyball and play a pickup volleyball game at one of the Mission Bay courts.
Grab a group of friends or drop into a game of beach volleyball! There are established nets set up on South Mission Beach that welcome anyone and everyone that wants to bump a ball around!
Bonfire at Mission Bay
Toast marshmallows and cuddle up in front of a bonfire on the bay.
📍 Google Maps | Website
One of my favorite summertime activities is to get together a group of friends and the makings for s’mores and have a bonfire in Mission Bay Park! There are established fire pits all around the bay available on a first-come, first-served basis that you can use until midnight.
👉 Pro Tip: Be sure to follow the bonfire and fire pit regulations for San Diego.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach
Enjoy one of San Diego’s gorgeous beaches, with a book or with a group of friends.
San Diego is renowned for its many stunning beaches that beckon sunbathers, surfers, and swimmers.
Each of the San Diego beaches has something unique and wonderful to offer but my favorites are Torrey Pines State Beach for natural beauty, Moonlight State Beach and Coronado municipal beach for families, and Black’s beach for avoiding crowds.
Beach Yoga at Sunset Cliffs
Welcome the day with a yoga practice atop the stunning Sunset Cliffs.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Saturdays at 9 am
Get your zen on by practicing yoga in one of the most stunning settings in San Diego! Yoga instructor Amy Baack welcomes yogis of all levels to Sunset Cliffs on Saturday mornings to get their flow on in a donation-based yoga class.
This is a great way not only to get your body moving but also to meet some awesome San Diegans!
Hiking and Biking Activities in San Diego
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Annie’s Canyon
Hike through San Diego’s very own slot canyon.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Annie’s Canyon is a fun, accessible hike that borders the wetlands of the San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area. The trail is rated as easy and relatively flat and short.
What makes Annie’s Canyon a standout hiking trail in San Diego is the awesome slot canyon it’s named for! This section gets narrow and requires a climb up a ladder so is rated as more difficult than the rest of the trail.
La Jolla Coast Walk
Stroll the coast walk and take in all of La Jolla’s most beautiful beach views.
There are so many beautiful beaches in La Jolla. The La Jolla Coast Walk is a short, flat trail that lies unexpectedly in the middle of downtown La Jolla! It meanders atop the La Jolla cliffs, offering stunning views of La Jolla Shores, Goldfish Point, and the vast Pacific Ocean.
The trail ends in the heart of Downtown La Jolla, and a short walk down the sidewalk will take you to the iconic La Jolla Cove and Children’s Pool.
San Diego’s 7 Bridges Hike
Tour some of San Diego’s historic bridges and the city’s best canyons, parks, and museums!
📍 Google Maps | Website
This five-and-a-half-mile urban loop takes you to seven bridges scattered through historic San Diego. Start in Balboa Park with Park Boulevard Bridge and Cabrillo Bridge then make your way to downtown San Diego to see First Avenue Bridge, Quince Street Bridge, and Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. Next, visit Hillcrest’s Vermont Street Bridge and Georgia Street Bridge.
This hike is more about bridges, though! Visiting each of these bridges will also lead you through some of San Diego’s best museums and historical sites!
Batiquitos Lagoon
Take an easy hike on the trail that circumvents this scenic wetland.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Batiquitos Lagoon coastal wetland lies between Carlsbad and Encinitas and is home to tons of birds and other wildlife! Walking the easy 1.6-mile trail that circumvents the lagoon is an awesome place to hike early in the morning or in the evening to see all of the wetland birds.
Mission Trails Regional Park
Hike or bike through the extensive trail system.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Located in east San Diego county, Mission Trails Regional Park boasts over 8,000 acres that contain 65 miles of hiking trails, making it one of the largest urban parks in the country!
With such an extensive trail system, there are trails of all levels of difficulty that you can explore time and time again! It’s also a great place to take in San Diego’s coastal desert terrain and native flora and fauna.
Street Fairs and Markets
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Ocean Beach Farmers’ Market
Peruse stalls of delicious food and eclectic art at this weekly beachside market.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 279-0032 | Website | Hours: Wednesdays 4 pm – 8 pm
The Ocean Beach (OB) farmers market fully embraces the hippie vibes of the eclectic neighborhood. In addition to the stands selling food, produce, and arts and crafts, the party often continues down at the boardwalk where performers dance, sing, fire toss, and make art. It’s a super fun place to grab dinner and catch some free entertainment on Wednesdays!
👉 Read Next: Best Neighborhoods to Stay in San Diego
Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market
Check out the fresh, local food and produce on offer at the weekly Little Italy Farmers Market!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 233-3901 | Website | Hours: Saturdays 8 am – 2 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am – 1 pm
On Saturday mornings, the streets of Little Italy transform into a display of fresh produce, delicious food, and artisanal wares. It is widely considered the best farmers’ market in San Diego and blends the culture of San Diego and Italy.
Even without buying anything, the Mercato is a joyful place to stroll on a Saturday morning!
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
Check out the locally caught, fresh seafood on offer at the Dockside Market!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 957-7121 | Website | Hours: Saturdays 8 am – 2 pm
One of San Diego’s best-kept secrets is the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market which attracts some of San Diego’s best chefs hoping to procure the freshest, locally sourced seafood.
Besides selling fresh fish and seafood, there are also food stalls that exhibit the quality of the seafood on offer. There’s no need to buy anything to enjoy the atmosphere of this boisterous market!
Free San Diego Museums and Cultural Attractions
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👉 For more, see my full guide to the 17 best museums in San Diego.
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego
Appreciate the inspiring contemporary artwork on display at this free museum!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (858) 454-3541 | Website | Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art’s location in La Jolla (there’s also one that charges admission in downtown San Diego) offers free admission, making its extensive and impressive collection of art accessible to all.
While the artwork contained within the walls of the museum may be the reason you visit, you just may decide to stay for the gorgeous ocean views!
San Diego Central Library
Peruse historical texts and attend free community events hosted at a state-of-the-art library.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 236-5800 | Website | Hours: Monday – Tuesday 11:30 am – 8 pm, Wednesday – Saturday 9:30 am – 6 pm, & Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm
The state-of-the-art Central Library is more like a museum than a library. The nine floors in the building contain, amongst other things (like books), an art gallery, a baseball research center, a children’s library, and an IDEA lab.
The library also hosts regular community events, so be sure to check the schedule!
Chicano Park Murals
Take an unofficial tour of local street art that celebrates San Diego’s Latino culture.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Located in Barrio Logan beneath the underpass of the I-5 freeway and Coronado bridge, the Chicano Park Murals are the largest collection of outdoor murals in the U.S. and one of the coolest places to enjoy free public art, culture, and history in San Diego!
The 7.4-acre public space was created when the construction of the overpass displaced many Barrio Logan residents, many of whom were Hispanic. After a peaceful demonstration, the public space was designated, and then the murals celebrating Chicano culture were painted.
Queen Calafia’s Magic Circle
Immerse yourself in this whimsical sculptural garden.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 839-4691 | Website | Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays 9 am – noon, 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month 9 am – 2 pm
Queen Calafia’s Magic Circle is as mystical and whimsical as it sounds! The sculpture garden, located in Kit Carson Park in Encinitas, is the last international work created by the French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle.
The Magic Circle consists of 9 large colorful sculptures contained within a mosaic snake wall and has a quirky and fantastical experience.
Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens
Take a moment to reflect and reconnect in the tranquil meditation gardens.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 753-1811 | Website | Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Nestled within the walls of the Self Realization Fellowship’s Encinitas temple, the world-renowned meditation gardens are meant to provide a peaceful immersion into the serenity of nature. The gardens contain private nooks, benches, koi ponds, and views of the Pacific that invite visitors to connect with themselves, pray, and meditate.
Timken Museum of Art
Step into the past as you take in classic artwork in the Timken Museum!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 239-5548 | Website | Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
The mission of the Timken Museum is to celebrate the important role that art plays in culture and history. The museum prides itself on offering free admission, thereby making its collection of classic European and American artworks accessible to all.
Botanical Building
Immerse yourself in botanical beauty!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 239-0512 | Website | Hours: Currently closed for renovations
The Botanic building, located in Balboa Park was constructed in 1915 along with the adjacent lily pond and is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The building contains an impressive collection of rare flora that invites visitors to get lost in nature.
However, the outside of the building is just as impressive as the interior and is one of the most recognizable locations, and favorite things to do in San Diego!
Attend a Free Symphony Rehearsal at the Rady Shell
Get a free taste of a symphony concert at an open rehearsal!
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Check website for schedule
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is one of San Diego’s newest venues! Its gorgeous architecture and its location perched on the bank of the San Diego Bay make it an incredible spot to watch a concert. The Shell offers a unique opportunity to those wanting to check out the venue and take in a San Diego Symphony rehearsal.
Free Music in San Diego
👉 Jump to: Things to Do | Beach | | | Museums | Music | Parks
Coronado Promenade Concerts
No tickets are needed to enjoy a live band at Spreckels Park!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 522-7342 | Website | Schedule: May – September, check website for details
If you love live music and a lively atmosphere, but don’t love the price of concert tickets, then you’ll be a big fan of the Coronado Promenade Concerts summer series. For the past 50 years, the concerts have drawn energetic crowds to Coronado Island every week. It’s an event no San Diegan or visitor should miss!
TGIF Concerts In the Park
Bring your seats and snacks to a lively summertime concert in the Park!
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Fridays 6 pm – 8 pm, check the website for the schedule
When I was growing up, Carlsbad’s TGIF Concerts in the Park were the highlight of my summers! We would grab a picnic blanket and burritos and, along with tons of San Diegans, head to the park to enjoy the free summer concerts that featured lively local musicians and cover bands.
San Diego Parks
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Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
Explore the historic, Spanish-style ranch of American Actor Leo Carrillo.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (442) 339-5042 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
The historic Spanish-style ranch was originally the home to Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo, but when the land was turned over to the City of Carlsbad to develop as a park, the ranch was virtually forgotten. It wasn’t until years later that the historic buildings were rediscovered and their educational potential was realized.
Now the Leo Carrillo Historic Park invites visitors to enjoy the original, hand-constructed buildings and 27 acres of the surrounding landscape.
Stroll the Embarcadero
Watch boats sail past through the bay from the San Diego waterfront.
The Embarcadero is a bustling Marina that draws not only cruise ships but also tons of people enjoying the waterfront scenery, shops, and restaurants. The area is home to the San Diego Waterfront Park, a great spot to sit and watch passing boats, the commercial and culinary hub of Seaport Village, and the USS Midway Museum.
The whole marina is the ideal spot to sit and enjoy an evening taking in the city’s lit-up skyline.
Picnic at Kate Sessions
Picnic with a view at San Diego’s favorite grassy park that overlooks Mission Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 525-8213 | Website
Kate Sessions Park is a grassy area that sits atop a hill overlooking Pacific Bean and Mission Bay. If you’re searching for a spot for a meal with a view, but your wallet needs a break from eating out, this is San Diego’s prime picnic spot!
Torrey Pines Gliderport
Watch paragliders and hang gliders soar over the seaside cliffs from the glider port lawn.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
The Gliderport sits atop the Torrey Pines cliffs and if you take to the air you’ll get breathtaking views of the ocean from atop the cliffs. Paragliders and hang gliders use the runway to take flight and it’s pretty quality free entertainment watching all the high-fliers swooping around above the cliffs, especially near sunset.
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Pay respects to U.S. veterans and take in panoramic views.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily
The Veterans Memorial at Mt. Soledad, which sits atop a La Jolla hilltop, honors all veterans both living and deceased, starting from the Revolutionary War up until the present. It’s an emotionally moving scene to see all of the names and portraits carved into a wall and it’s also a wonderful spot to watch the sunset!
The Tijuana River Estuary
Take in the picturesque wetland park, which hosts a ton of bird species!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (619) 575-3613 | Website
The Tijuana Estuary is home to over 370 species of birds, making it one of the best spots for bird watching in the county! Get there early in the morning or at dusk to see the greatest number of birds and bring a hat or sunscreen as there’s little shade on the trail through the wetlands.
Old Poway Park
Explore the many quaint historical attractions scattered through Old Poway Park!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (858) 668-4576 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
The Old Poway Park is a picturesque outdoor area that has grassy fields, shaded trees, meandering pathways, and historic buildings. To give you an idea of how lovely it is, I had my family photos and high school graduation photos taken here!
On weekends, take a ride on the historic Poway Midland Railroad, and tour the Heritage Museum and the historic Nelson House.
Stargaze in the International Dark Sky Community of Anza Borrego
Learn your constellations in some of the darkest skies in the country.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Anza Borrego and Borrego Springs are one of only 8 Dark Sky Communities in the world. The vast desert means there is a unique lack of light pollution from towns that allows the stars to emerge from the pitch black sky. So grab a blanket and search for your favorite constellations!
🛎️ Need a Hotel? Anza Borrego is an awesome weekend trip destination, so if you need a hotel, Booking.com offers some great options!
Borrego Springs Desert Sculptures
Tour the fantastical metal sculptures that emerge from the desert sands.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 767-4205 | Website
Scattered throughout the desert landscape of Borrego Springs are 130 giant metal sculptures of mythical beats and prehistoric creatures that once roamed the region. The art pieces are the artistic genius of Ricardo Breceda, and it’s pretty stunning to see a giant sea serpent emerging from the sands of a stark desert.
👉 Pro Tip: Anza Borrego and Borrego Springs are one of many incredible places to camp near San Diego!
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San Diego is an incredible city whose stunning natural landscapes, a wide variety of activities, and unique sites mean there is always more to discover.
Thankfully, there are tons of free things to do in San Diego, which means you’ll never have to choose between saving money and having fun!
Next up, check out my guide to the perfect one day in San Diego.
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