Mentioned by Tripster Travel Guide
15 Absolutely Free Things to Do in San Diego
"In the heart of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is 1,400 gorgeous acres of green space. (By comparison, New York City’s Central Park is 842 acres.) In 1915, Balboa Park was the setting for the Panama-California Exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal and securing San Diego’s place as a port, which is why several of the city’s oldest and most ornate buildings can be found here. Many of those historic buildings now house robust museums such as the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art and family-friendly San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)."
"A post shared by Daniel Deming (@grubyoface619) on May 10, 2016 at 9:44pm PDT. Wander through the attractions in Balboa Park before you make your way to The Prado. This full-service restaurant is perfect for a relaxing dinner where you can spend quality time together."
"Balboa Park is incredibly overdone, unless you are going to venture out some little bit. You will love spending your time walking around it's less popular locations. There are attractive gardens and lawns surrounding the park."
"This award-winning children’s museum encourages children to think, play, and create with over 50,000 square feet of child-centered art installations, studios, and interactive spaces. From free play to guided workshops, this modern museum has a wide range of activities and events for creative kids. Young visitors are free to interact with working artists, design something in the Innovators LAB under the guidance local professionals, or explore the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces with their families."
"The Children’s Museum provides a dynamic, playful public space and community center for children and families—a place to experience exciting art exhibitions, hands-on studio projects, performances, birthday parties, in-depth classes, camps and educational programs. Across the street from the new building is a beautiful park, extending the museum visit outdoors with space for running, climbing, family picnics and a view of the trains and trolley going by."
"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"
"So head to Old Town, a festive spot filled with amazing Mexican restaurants, to toast your beach day with margaritas and burritos. Day five – A Bonus Day"
"Day 2: Old Town, The Midway & Coronado [Skip to Page] Day 3: La Jolla, the beaches, Cabrillo Point & Point Loma [Skip to Page]"
"This unique geological formation looks like a sliver – hence the Potato Chip name – but is sturdy enough to support the weight of a person or two. The rock is the reward for a challenging hike up Mount Woodson and is a great spot for some Instagram-worthy snaps. If you’re tempted to make the climb, bring lots of water and start early: temperatures can get very high in the area."
"We have mixed feelings about this hike, but we can’t deny that it’s an interesting photo opp. It’s an optical illusion that you have to see for yourself. More: The Truth about the Potato Chip Rock Hike"
"Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet, San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen."
"The 10,000 square-foot venue offers multiple levels, dozens of interactive things, five bars, including the longest bar on the west coast extending up to 80 feet, San Diego’s largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. You can drink from old school barber “shot” chairs or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You’ll love it, even if country music isn’t your style."
"Featuring a fantastic restaurant with a magnificent setting, Park 101 is definitely a must visit restaurant in San Diego. Since its opening, it has become a melting pot of people from different places who fancy quality, fresh, and organic food, and an Instagram-worthy setup. Because of its outdoor setting and shady plants and trees, the dining experience in this amazing restaurant has reached another kind of level."
"This two-floor open-air bar/restaurant is new to the North Country scene, and it has quickly become one of the top spots in the area to grab a beer and enjoy the mild Carlsbad air. The rooftop area offers comfortable lounges complete with a communal fire pit, so grab a drink, get some of their incredible pulled pork, and let the good times roll. View this post on Instagram"
"Yum! Every kid’s meal at the recently opened Park 101 comes with a token for cotton candy at the end of the meal. Talk about every kid’s dream come true!. As for adults, you can choose from a wide selection of beer and wine to pair with your delicious BBQ."
"Finally, over in Hillcrest, check out Chocolat Hillcrest, which has earned four stars out of 1,217 reviews on Yelp. You can find the breakfast and brunch spot, which also offers gelato and other desserts, at 3896 Fifth Ave. (between Robinson and University avenues). This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor."
"They serve up lots of treats on their breakfast and lunch menus including one of the best french toasts in the city. By all means eat from the menu but saving lots of space in your stomach for their gelato is essential. It is piled high with deep, rich and creamy flavours that will blow your mind as soon as you taste them."
"The April grand opening is postponed but pints of gelato are available for takeout Monday through Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Delivery is also available through GrubHub."
"Evoking an Asian street market feel, Bang Bang features three separate concepts in one space - one part asian fusion restaurant, one part sushi bar and one part "theatre" which hosts live music, DJs, movies, and is home to the largest disco ball (5.5 feet wide) west of the Mississippi. Guests are transported through Bang Bang via a tunneled staircase entrance reminiscent of a Tokyo subway, complete with Tokyo subway sounds streaming through hidden speakers. Backed by nightlife impresario, Johnny Shockey and LED, Bang Bang offers unparalleled entertainment with some of the hottest up and coming DJs, inviting guests to come for dinner and stay the rest of the night."
"The venue is situated in Gaslamp District and is an Asian inspired place offering an Asian-fusion cuisine which pairs perfectly with the cocktails that they serve. They have three different spaces and have enough space for birthday parties, corporate events and other gatherings. The interiors are stunning, eye-catching and also feature tributes to Bruce Lee, Hello Kitty and Godzilla!"
"Along with a lot of other classic dishes you would find at your local sushi place... But you get to serve y..."