San Diego has a reputation for being expensive. It's a fair one. But the city also has more free, genuinely excellent family activities than almost anywhere in California — and a solid tier of budget-friendly paid options. Here's how to have a great day under $50, or a remarkable free day, in San Diego.
Completely Free Activities
Balboa Park: Free by Default
Balboa Park is the headline. The park itself is free. Walking the grounds, gardens, and outdoor paths costs nothing. 4.8 stars. Individual museums inside charge separately ($15–$25/person), but you can spend a full morning here without spending a dollar.
Inside Balboa Park for free:
- Botanical Building — $0 admission, free parking in Balboa Park lots. One of the most beautiful greenhouse structures in California. 30–45 minutes. Free.
- Lily Pond — $0. Free outdoor space. A 20-minute stop on a Balboa Park walk.
- Nature Exploration Area — $0. 4.1 stars. Combine with a picnic for a full free morning. Balboa Park parking is free.
- Balboa Park Playground — $0 playground access, free parking. Museums inside Balboa Park charge separately, but the playground is always free. 4.3 stars.
Playgrounds and Parks
Liberty Station Playground in Point Loma earns 4.9 stars at $0 admission. Free and ample parking at Liberty Station. Budget $40–$60 if you eat lunch at nearby Liberty Station restaurants, but you don't have to. This playground is genuinely exceptional and consistently underused by visitors who don't know it exists.
Maruta Gardner Playground in Mission Beach earns 4.8 stars at $0. Budget $10–$15 for parking if the Mission Beach lot is full (it fills fast in summer). Bring your own snacks — no concessions. 1–2 hours.
Tecolote North Playground in Mission Bay earns 4.8 stars at $0. Free parking in the adjacent lot. No concessions on-site. 1–2 hours.
Waterfront Park Playground (4.7 stars, $0) and Waterfront Park (4.7 stars, $0) near the Embarcadero have an interactive splash pad that's free. Paid parking in the county garage runs $10–$20. Bring food or pick up something from the Embarcadero. 1–3 hours.
Shelter Island Playground in Point Loma — $0, free street parking on Shelter Island Drive. 4.7 stars. 1–2 hours. Bring snacks.
Tecolote Shores South Playground in Mission Bay — $0 admission, free parking on-site. No concessions. 4.7 stars. 1–3 hours.
Kellogg Park in La Jolla — $0 for the park. The catch: La Jolla parking costs $15–$25 for a pay lot, or you arrive very early for free street spots. 4.7 stars. The beach access, tide pools, and La Jolla seals are all free — worth the parking cost for a half-day.
Mission Point Park in Mission Beach — $0, free parking in on-site lot. No concessions. 4.7 stars. 1–3 hours.
Mission Bay Park — $0 for park access. 4.6 stars. Budget $10–$15 for parking if the lots are full. Kayak and paddleboard rentals from Mission Bay Sportcenter at $15–$40/hour are optional but excellent. One of the best free outdoor family days in Southern California.
De Anza Cove Park (4.6 stars, $0, free parking) and Bonita Cove (4.6 stars, $0) are Mission Bay's calmer shores — great for toddlers and families who want less crowd than the main Mission Beach strip.
Highland Ranch Park in Carmel Mountain Ranch — $0, free neighborhood parking. 4.6 stars. 1–2 hours.
San Diego Children's Park in downtown/East Village — $0 for the park; nearby parking garages charge $10–$25. 4.6 stars. 30–60 minutes. Combines well with other downtown stops.
Northern Wildlife Preserve in Mission Bay — $0. Free public natural area. 4.3 stars. 1–2 hours of walking trails.
Inside the Zoo and SeaWorld (Included with Admission)
If you're already visiting the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld, these are free once you're inside:
- Parker Aviary — 5.0 stars. Free-flight bird experience inside the zoo. The best 30–45 minutes at the zoo.
- Urban Jungle, Elephant Odyssey, Polar Bear Plunge, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp — all included with San Diego Zoo admission.
- Turtle Reef, Shark Encounter, Penguin Encounter, Freshwater Aquarium — all included with SeaWorld admission.
Under $50 for a Family of 4
Best Budget Picks
Bluebird Play in Point Loma earns 5.0 stars — roughly $30–$50 for two kids with play session; adults often free. One of the best-reviewed indoor play options in the city for the price.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park earns 4.7 stars. Budget $25–$40 for 2 adults — kids under 15 are free with a paid adult. 1–2 hours. An underrated Balboa Park museum that genuinely engages kids who love trains (and many who don't).
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert — $35–$55 (adults ~$10, kids ~$8). 4.6 stars. 1.5–3 hours.
Children's Museum Park in downtown San Diego — $40–$70 (admission ~$15 per child; under 1 free; adults with paid child may be reduced or free). 4.6 stars.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in Balboa Park — $40–$60 (adults ~$12, kids 7–17 ~$8; under 7 free). 4.6 stars. 1–1.5 hours.
Tiny Tiger in Miramar — $40–$65 (child ~$14–$16; adults often free or reduced). 4.5 stars. 1.5–2.5 hours. Indoor soft play for younger kids.
Rise and Shine Play in Point Loma — $50–$70 (child admission ~$15 each; accompanying adult included). 5.0 stars. The best-reviewed indoor play space in the city. 1.5–2.5 hours.
California Science Center in LA — $30–$80 (general exhibits free; IMAX ~$8–$10/person). 4.7 stars. 3–5 hours. It's a 2-hour drive from San Diego, but the general admission being free makes this one of the best value museum days in California.
FUNbelievable — $50–$80 (child ~$13–$16; adult discounted or free). 4.3 stars. 2–3 hours.
THE PLAYGROUND — $50–$80 (admission ~$12–$18 per child). 4.5 stars. 1.5–2.5 hours.
Children's Museum of Discovery in Escondido — $50–$70 (admission ~$10–$12 per person; free parking in downtown Escondido). 4.6 stars. 2–3 hours.
Chuck E. Cheese in Point Loma — $50–$100 (pizza + game play card). 4.0 stars. 1.5–2.5 hours. Unlimited play passes are the better deal for visits over 90 minutes.
How to Build a Great Day Under $50
Option A — All Free: Balboa Park grounds + Botanical Building + Lily Pond + Balboa Park Playground + packed lunch = $0. A legitimately great full morning.
Option B — Free Park Day: Mission Bay Park + Tecolote Shores South Playground + packed picnic = $0–$15 (food only). Add a kayak rental ($15–$40/hour) if you want to spend anything.
Option C — Cheap Museum Day: San Diego Model Railroad Museum ($30 for 2 adults, kids free) + Balboa Park grounds (free) + packed lunch = ~$30 total.
Option D — Budget Play Day: Bluebird Play ($40 for 2 kids) + Liberty Station Playground (free) + casual Liberty Station lunch ($40) = ~$80 total (split between play and food). That's a full day for two kids.
Option E — La Jolla Free Morning: Kellogg Park tide pools (free) + La Jolla seals (free) + packed food = $0–$25 (parking only). One of the most memorable San Diego experiences for under $25.
Tips That Actually Save Money
- Balboa Park parking is free. Use Park Boulevard or the park's own lots — never pay the museum garages nearby.
- Kids under 15 are free at the Model Railroad Museum with a paid adult. A family of 2 adults + 2 kids pays $25–$30 total for an excellent museum.
- La Jolla: arrive before 8AM. Street parking is free and available early. By 9AM it's gone and the pay lots fill.
- Mission Bay Park is larger than most people realize. De Anza Cove, Bonita Cove, and Mission Point are all free and less crowded than the main Mission Beach strip.
- California Science Center is free. The 2-hour drive from San Diego is the cost. If you're already in LA or doing a road trip, this is an obvious add.
- Many indoor play centers charge primarily for children. Bluebird Play, Tiny Tiger, Rise and Shine Play — adults are included or discounted. Always check the pricing structure before assuming adults pay full price.
- Bring food. Not a single free park in San Diego has on-site concessions. Packed snacks and lunch cut $30–$50 off any family day.