Smart travelers can reduce the cost of a San Diego vacation, and you don't have to sacrifice quality to do it. Here's how:
Consider All the Costs
When you're planning your vacation, don't be short-sighted. The hotel rate that looks the lowest may come with a hefty daily parking fee, Internet charges and other fees, while the place with a slightly higher daily rate may provide free breakfast, free Internet and free parking. Where you stay may also influence how much you spend on food, with more inexpensive restaurants located around Hotel Circle than in other areas. Add it all up to be sure your choice is really the cheapest all around.
Sleeping
The average price of a San Diego hotel room climbs every year, and occupancy is high. You can roll back the prices with these ideas:
- Visit off-season: Hotel rooms are cheaper in January, February, March, October and November.
- Stay Away: Oceanside, National City or Imperial Beach will have lower hotel rates. These places are still within a short drive of most San Diego attractions.
- Use Our San Diego Hotel Guide: It will help you find the best hotels and learn how to get them for the best possible rates.
Sightseeing
- Cheap Tix: See our tips for getting tickets to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
- Park Pass: If you plan to visit the Balboa Park museums, you can get a pass that includes admission to 11 museums during a one week period. The Passport to Balboa Park is available at the park Visitor Information Center or any of the participating museums.
- Free Stuff: Try our list of six things to do in San Diego for free.
- DIY Discount Coupons: Go to the San Diego Visitors Bureau website before you go and check for discount coupons that you can print at home.
- Last Resort: Pick up the guides available in hotel lobbies. Their coupons can save you at least a few dollars at each stop.
Car Rental
Fox Rent-a-Car has some exceptionally good prices in San Diego. However, you may pay more to park that car at a downtown hotel for a day than it costs to rent it.
Read our guide to getting around San Diego to see how much of it you can cover without having a car, then rent for just a few days to see the sights you can't get to any other way. You may save money on rental, gas and parking and avoid traffic hassles, too.
Eating
- Find a hotel whose room price includes breakfast.
- San Diego has lots of good medium- to low-priced restaurants. Try Chilango's Mexico City Grill, Rubio's Fish Tacos or Sammy's Woodfired Pizza to offset the cost of more expensive meals. You'll find less expensive restaurants in the Hillcrest area, around 6th and University.
- If you want to try an expensive restaurant, go for lunch. You get the same excellent food at a lower price.
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