Sponsored Listings:
By Becky Mahan, Editor
by: TheTruthAbout flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
While an ocean-view room in San Diego is hard to work on a solo budget, it can still be done with a group or family. But if you plan to spend the day sightseeing the city anyway, it’s a much more cost-effective idea to book a room away from the beach — and then visit the beach on your own. A vacation rental may be the best way to go for groups and families traveling together – not only does it make more sense economically, but you can also save on food costs by purchasing groceries and preparing meals in your vacation rental’s kitchen. Students, backpackers, couples, and single travelers might be best equipped in a backpacker inn or hostel.
The Pearl Hotel
by: Broke-Ass Stuart – Courtesy: Gogobot
Average Price: $100-120/night ($50-60 per person for two people traveling together)
Near Point Loma and the Cabrillo National Monument, this boutique retro hotel is resplendent in 1970s charm and hosts weekly movie nights at the pool in the summer.
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
by: stevec@ventanahotels.com – Courtesy: Gogobot
Average Price: $90-100/night ($45-50 per person for two people traveling together)
From the piano and black and white drawings in the lobby, to the Marilyn Monroe-inspired bar, to the 50s style pool and cabanas, this vintage boutique hotel is a great bargain for its character alone.
Cosmopolitan Hotel
by: Veronica – Courtesy: Gogobot
Average Price: $90-100/night ($45-50 per person for two people traveling together)
This historic Old Town saloon and inn is preserved in its 1800s style splendor (as is most of the rest of Old Town), complete with a liquor cabinet, era-dressed bartender, and the skeleton of one of its barflies still mid-drink downstairs. The Mexican restaurant inside the courtyard serves up delicious homemade tortillas and classy margaritas, and the stairs up to the guest rooms creak appreciatively. If you are comfortable with the idea of quite possibly sharing your room with an 1800s ghost, the Cosmopolitan (an ironic moniker) is a great choice for those seeking a taste of San Diego’s history.
Ocean Beach International Hostel
by: Jaime Gamblin – Courtesy: Gogobot
Average Price: $20-30/night for a shared room
For a totally funky, old-school beachtown vibe, the hostel in Ocean Beach might be worth a gander. Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and a 5-minute walk from the beach are the best-selling points here, but the colorful Ocean Beach community with its cash-only coffee shops, art galleries, and street stalls fits well with travelers on a budget as well.
San Diego prides itself on a thriving culinary scene, with award-winning chefs behind the doors of many a 5-star restaurant kitchen. Luckily, San Diego also boasts a strong student community, so there are plenty of budget options for good food without having to sacrifice quality. Try some of these eating options while you’re out and about the city:
Farmer’s Markets
San Diego is home to nearly two dozen weekly (and even daily) farmer’s markets. While the artisan foods of which market vendors are so proud won’t be cheap, you can piece together a fresh meal for cheaper than eating in a restaurant — and even pack it up for a picnic on the beach. (Win, win!) Likewise, regional stores like Sprout’s and Whole Foods have fresh food sections where you can pack your own salad, meats, or sandwiches to go or eat right there.
Little Italy Mercato
by: Becky Mahan – Courtesy: Gogobot
Taco Tuesday
Don’t forget that San Diego’s favorite food is tacos – particularly Baja fish tacos, which are a regional specialty. You can grab these for a couple bucks at Mexican eateries all over the city, but take advantage of them on Taco Tuesday (every Tuesday city-wide), when you can snag great deals and discounts on them (don’t forget the craft beer!)
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop
by: Jing a Ling flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Food Trucks
The mobile gourmet food-serving vessel is at the frontline of the street food phenomenon, making the bygone notion of “roach coaches” almost entirely obsolete. Today’s trucks serve everything from ice cream to crepes to Maine lobster and Boston chowdah – and of course, cheap, greasy, perfect Mexican food in San Diego. These are a great way have a filling, authentic, cheap meal — and you’ll find the trucks everywhere.
Super Q food truck
by: Rhia R. – Courtesy: Gogobot
Burgers
If you’re not a fast food lover, at least give these two beloved local burger joints a try:
In N’ Out
– Courtesy: Gogobot
No visit to San Diego – or California in general – is complete without nomming on animal fries and a 4×4 cheeseburger at In N’ Out. The Southwest-specific U.S. chain prides itself on fresh, never-frozen beef, local produce, and hand-cut potato fries.
Hodad’s
by: Castles, Capes & Clones flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Giant burgers, even more giant fries and onion rings, cheap beer, music posters all over the walls, and bumper stickered booths…Hodad’s is a San Diego legend.
Remember that the county of San Diego stretches far beyond the city proper. Check out more budget-friendly restaurants throughout San Diego.
Unless you want to sleep on a park bench (and why…?), you can’t avoid spending some of that $80 budget on a bed every night. But lucky for you, San Diego’s sickeningly good year-round weather, endless miles of coastline, adventure-loving locals, rich history and culture, and lively nightlife mean you can fill your days with fun – often for free.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts
by: Matthew Bietz flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Head to San Diego’s many beaches – all free to the public. The opportunities here are endless: swim, surf, body surf, build sandcastles, collect seashells, or just bask in the sun. It’s perfect for all travelers, except those who hate the sun. (Hint: don’t come to San Diego if that’s the case.) Visit La Jolla Cove to see the barking sea lions, Sunset Cliffs for one of the most spectacular front-row views of an ocean sunset anywhere, or Mission Bay Park for 4,600 acres of open, grassy waterfront space and kite-filled skies. Embark on one of San Diego’s zillion trails by foot or bike – a local favorite is at La Jolla’s Torrey Pines, where you can also watch hang-gliders leap off the coastal cliffs. Grab a skateboard or a pair of rollerblades and wheel down the 3-mile-long Mission Beach Boardwalk — or just leave that to the kids. Bring a picnic and stroll through Balboa Park, which feels Jurassic Park-esque in the middle of the city, and marvel at Spanish Colonial architecture and free botanic gardens. Explore the tide pools in Point Loma to see anemones, octopus, and crabs.
For Local Culture & History Lovers
by: Becky Mahan – Courtesy: Gogobot
Explore the heart of San Diego’s history at Old Town – while you’re there, tour the haunted Whaley House, blacksmith shops, the first courthouse/jail and the oldest schoolhouse in San Diego. Stroll along downtown’s Seaport Village for hours of window shopping, street performers and jazz music (don’t forget to grab some fresh saltwater taffy!) Immerse yourself in the Gaslamp Quarter for early 20th century Victorian architecture, boutiques, art galleries, and lots and lots of bars and restaurants. If you have a car, North County is the best place to go brewery-hopping (no pun intended) — several full pints won’t be budget-friendly (though one will only average you $5), but you can purchase tasters for $1-2 each at most tasting rooms. Take the ferry across the bay to the “island” of Coronado to rent a bike cruiser for the day, eat ice cream and stroll down the promenade, and ogle at the magnificent Victorian-style Hotel Del Coronado. (Make it a two-in-one journey: sit on the open-air top deck of the ferry to enjoy views of the bay, Seaport Village, and the U.S.S. Midway as you cross!) And save your energy for the nightlife in San Diegos “gayborhood,” Hillcrest.
For Arts & Design Lovers & Trendsters
by: danorth1 flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
On Sundays, catch a free organ concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, which houses the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. You can find a free concert or musician in nearly any public space or park in the evenings – especially in the summer, when cities like Del Mar, Coronado, Carlsbad, and La Jolla host nightly open-air concerts. Also in the summer, nearly every public park screens an outdoor movie night nearly every week. The entire month of February is free museum admission month in San Diego, and on the third Thursday of each month, both locations of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego are free from 5-7pm. Likewise, on the first Wednesday of the month, head to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center for free stargazing on their enormous telescopes that can see into deep space.
Transportation
by: gary j wood flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
If you stay in the city proper, it’s easy to see downtown and immediate cities by foot, trolley, or Uber. If you want to venture out to North County’s wineries, breweries, or the world-famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park, you’ll need to rent a car which will add to your daily budget. Prioritize what you want to see and book a room as centrally-located as you can — but if you need a rental car, don’t stress. Splitting the cost of a car rental with one or more travel buddies can be even cheaper than public transportation since most agencies rent out cars for as little as $20 a day.
Gogobot’s mission is to find people places to stay, eat, and play that are perfect for them. During your visit, check out what’s happening in San Diego that week on the mobile app!
Source: gogobot.com