10 Best Free Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego has over 30 beaches along its 17-mile-long coastline, offering plenty of space for free activities such as sunbathing and swimming. Popular family-friendly beaches in the city include Ocean Beach and La Jolla, while Black’s Beach is where advanced surfers and fans of nude sunbathing often gather when the weather is good. Enjoying an evening bonfire with friends and families is also a common activity in San Diego as most of its beaches have fire pits. Note that these pits are first-come, first-served.

Balboa Park is an expansive landscape with dozens of museums, themed gardens, and historical landmarks. Hiking is a popular activity as there are 6 trail routes through the park’s most beautiful gardens and vantage points overlooking the West Mesa canyons. Families with young children can ride a miniature train through 4 acres of the park. Art lovers can spend hours at the Spanish Village Art Center, which features daily demonstrations by local photographers, sculptors, metalsmiths, jewellery designers, and clay artists.

Old Town San Diego has a vibrant Spanish community and historical buildings dating back to the 1800s. A must-visit is the Old Town State Historical Park, where you can learn about San Diego’s colonial lifestyle at Junípero Serra Museum and possibly spot a ghost at Whaley House. The Bazaar del Mundo marketplace is teeming with Mexican restaurants and bars, as well as shops selling clothes, souvenirs, and accessories. There are also live mariachi performances throughout the day, especially at Fiesta de Reyes.

Presidio Park was the first European settlement in California, dating back in 1769. Today, this 40-acre landscape features miles of walking trails and spacious picnic spots with views of Old Town San Diego. If you want to learn about the history of Presidio Park, the Junipero Serra Museum has a collection of archaeological finds such art, clothing, and tools created by Mexican and Spanish settlers, as well as Kumeyaay natives.

The San Diego Central Library, located in Park Boulevards, features over 5.3 million books and audio-visual materials. The upper floors of the library are dedicated to raw materials and artefacts detailing the history of books over 4,000 years. Highlights include a 13th-century Bible handwritten in Latin, 19th-century Japanese prints, and miniature books that can only be read by using magnifying glasses. San Diego Central Library also hosts free activities all year round, including classical orchestra, Zumba workouts, and book talks by renowned authors.

La Jolla Cove, part of San Diego’s ecological reserve, features plenty of wildlife and natural landscapes that make for memorable snapshots. Families get to enjoy swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, and building sandcastles at the Children’s Pool, which is also a popular spot for seals during pupping season. The coastal boardwalk along La Jolla Cove is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. When it’s low tide, the southern end of La Jolla Cove is where you get to check out colourful crabs, anemones and limpets living in tide pools.

The Timken Museum of Art, located in Balboa Park, displays European and American artworks dating back to between the 14th and 19th centuries. Art lovers can find masterpieces by Rembrandt, Nicolaes Maes, and Emanuel de Witte, and can enjoy talks on art-related topics. This museum is one of the few places in San Diego that offers free admission and guided tours all year round. If you want to learn about the museum’s collection, tours are available in numerous languages, including English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Polish, Italian, Filipino, and Russian.

The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge spans 114 metres across Kate Sessions Canyon on Bankers Hill. Built in 1912, it’s part of a 30-minute hike to Harper's Topiary Garden in San Diego. Crossing the suspension bridge is free of charge, and you get to enjoy panoramic views of the canyon from a height of 21 metres. If you’re wary of heights, do note that the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge can get rather wobbly on windy days.

Seaport Village is a dining and entertainment hub with a waterfront promenade in San Diego’s Harbor Drive. The 14-acre complex has over 50 shops selling clothing, souvenirs, accessories, and local artwork, and there are plenty of casual and fine-dining restaurants. The waterfront is teeming with street painters and musicians, while families can enjoy some fun at a 19th-century carousel for about $3 per ride. Seaport Village hosts free activities all year round, one of which is the Salsa under the Stars concert. On selected Friday evenings, locals gather at the central courtyard and dance to live music by the Manny Cepeda Orchestra.

Every summer, San Diego’s parks attract film buffs with free screenings of classic and contemporary movies. These events take place from May until October, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings. Popular spots include the USS Midway Museum, Ocean Beach, and Old Town San Diego. Be sure to bring along comfortable mats or chairs, as well as snacks of your choice if you’re not planning to purchase anything from concession stands and food trucks at the parks.