We are lucky to live in the land of endless sunshine! San Diego has some of the best weather in California and some beautiful things to do and see in our community.

If you are looking for some fun, inexpensive things to do in our town, check out our list below.

Budget Friendly Activities

La Jolla Cave Store

Beach Cave

This coastal gem is an institution in SD. The store sits above the caves in La Jolla and you can actually take a flight of stairs (a steep one!) to explore them. There is a small fee in order to see the caves, $5 for adults, $3 for kids. The shop itself sells gorgeous local jewelry, postcards, shells, and other fun trinkets that are unique to La Jolla. If you have a large party of 20+, call the store ahead of time to make arrangements.

Oceanside Sunset Market

Farmer's Market

This is one of the largest outdoor markets in San Diego and it has some amazing food vendors! You can enjoy freshly made street tacos, kettle corn, and get some of the best local produce in town. The market is every Thursday from 5-9pm.

Eagle Mining Co.

Old Mine

Ever wonder what it was like working in the mines during the California gold rush? Visit Julian and the Eagle Mining Company’s guided tours for a look at this historical location. Tours are $10, cash only.

Meditation Gardens

Rocks in the lake

This facility is free and open to the public! You can take advantage of the gorgeous foliage and the quiet facility for relaxing and meditating. The gardens, located in Encinitas, are open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. They are closed on Mondays.

Cabrillo National Monument Tide Pools

tide pool

Tide pools are synonymous with San Diego beaches and this is one of the best places to experience it. You can access this exhibit by entering the Cabrillo National Monument Park Area. You pay a small $5 fee for entering the park and that’s it! The tide pool area closes down at 4:30pm and visitors are allowed to explore 2 hours before the low tide hits, and two hours after it comes back.

Old Poway Park

steam engine

A quaint little stop in North County where you can ride an old fashioned steam engine, grab some tasty hamburgers from The Hamburger Factoryand enjoy a great farmer’s market. The train is open from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and 11am to 2pm on Sundays. The schedule is subject to change so check the calendar on their website for more info: Hours and Fares. The cost is $3.50 for adults for the train and $1.00 for kids. The Farmer’s Market operates on Saturdays from 8:00am to 1:00pm.