Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Rancho Bernardo

"Like no place else in the country, Balboa Park offers a magnificent combination of art, architecture, history and agriculture in one expansive park. Spanning approximately 1,200 acres, Balboa Park was once known as City Park and was founded more than 125 years ago. Today, the park is home to 15 museums, theaters, marvelous gardens, restaurants, shopping and the world-famous San Diego Zoo."

"Balboa Park is more than just a green space in the city — it’s a cultural oasis — home to more than 17 museums, theaters, and the famous San Diego Zoo. There are several playgrounds and a miniature railroad to keep the kids entertained, and various restaurants and cafes to grab a bite to eat. The iconic botanical building is a lovely visit with thousands of plants and a lilypond."

"Named after Frances Ryan, a former teacher at Escondido High School, Ryan Park is a 67-acre park that’s been developed for sporting events. While the park is home to the Escondido Youth Soccer club—which would explain the five soccer fields—there’s also a playground area, baseball fields, and a concession stand."

"This recognized state park is the perfect outlet to relax by the shore, surf the waves, snorkel in clear waters, or camp atop Beach cliffs!. High tide decorates the shoreline with shells, and sunsets on refreshing sands rank as a truly unforgettable privilege. Carlsbad State Beach offers a family friendly setting, awash in the constantly golden glow of friendly California sun."

"Parking is available in a lot at the foot of Tamarack or along Carlsbad Boulevard. Several trails lead down to the beach. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available."

"The northernmost beach in Carlsbad is Carlsbad City Beach, which runs from Ocean Street (the end of Robert Frazee State Beach) to Elm Street. It provides beach access paths at several locations including Ocean Street, Carlsbad Village Drive, Grand Avenue, Beach Avenue, and Christianson Way. Although it is named Carlsbad City Beach, it is part of Carlsbad State Beach."

"Carlsbad City Beach has access paths at the bottoms of Ocean Street, Christianson Way, and Grand Avenue. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. The beach is popular for surfing, surf fishing, sun bathing, and swimming."

"Mandarin Wok is a family-owned and operated Chinese restaurant serving the community since 1983. They have attentive and accommodating staff attending on the orders of their diners. Furthermore, the restaurant is open daily from 11:30 in the morning and onwards."

"Since 1982, Clairemont’s Mandarin Wok Restaurant has amassed a following of loyal patrons. Some of their favorite dishes include the sizzling rice soup, cream cheese wontons and salt and pepper chicken wings."

"Not just fine dining, but refined dining, Vivace consistently silences the critics of hotel restaurants with fearless, forward-thinking fare (campanelle pasta with braised whole pig, pine nuts, golden raisins and Calabrian chiles, anyone?). Vivace means alive; as is its cooking. At the Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad."

"Organic ingredients, freshly made pasta every day, an award-winning wine list. All these qualities add up to make Vivace a stellar Italian restaurant. The sophisticated and elegant atmosphere helps land it on the list of most romantic restaurants in San Diego."

"Chef de Cuisine Jesse Paul has crafted a menu that highlights the unique cuisine of each region in Italy. Enjoy a glass of Italian wine selected to perfectly complement your entree while taking in the beautifully-appointed dining room."

"Barrio LoganWe’ve come a long way from when White Claw was the new big thing in hard beverages — now there’s more than 100 brands of hard seltzer alone, with hard lemonade, hard coffee, hard kombucha, and now, hard yerba mate entering the market as well. Barrio Logan’s brand new taproom, Kové Hard Yerba Mate, serves up the world’s first hard version of this popular South American tea-like brew in four different flavors; mojito, lemonade iced tea, mango colada, and passion berry. At a moderate 5% ABV, Kové’s version is organic, vegan, and gluten-free, making it practically a health food."