Back

September 01

a family walking on the beach

One of the best things about San Diego is the variety of adventures you’ll find here. The coastal California town is home to everything from entertaining comedy clubs to breathtaking hiking trails, there’s a little bit of everything. There are also some incredible free things to do in San Diego, many of which are near your luxurious room at InterContinental San Diego. On your next stay, try to work some of these activities into your itinerary to make your budget go the extra mile.

A Look at 7 Free and Inexpensive San Diego Activities

Just because something is free or inexpensive does not mean it’s less fun. There are endless things to do in San Diego that’ll create lifelong memories without breaking the bank. 

1. Spend a day soaking in the sunshine on the sandy shores of a San Diego beach. There are several options on Coronado Island, like North Beach and Central Beach.
2. End your day watching the sun sink into the horizon from popular viewing spots like La Jolla Cove or Mount Soledad.
3. Spend some time going for a walk along the Embarcadero. Watch ships pass by on the bay, or see how many public works of art you can find. 
4. If you’re visiting on the second Sunday or third Thursday of the month, be sure to stop by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The popular museum offers free admission on those days.
5. Time your visit to Balbo Park right, and you can hear a free concert. There is a free performance Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
6. Spend time in Mother Nature exploring some of the incredible hiking trails, like the Sunset Cliffs Trail or Point Loma Tidepools and Coastal Trail
7. Discover the region’s history by walking around the historic buildings that line Old Town. Visitors are able to wander places like the blacksmith shop and Estudillo House for free.

Treat Yourself to the Best Vacation Possible

Saving money by checking out free things to do in San Diego means you can splurge a little in other areas of your vacation. That includes your stay at InterContinental San Diego. Upgrade your stay to one of our suites, or add Club access.

Of course, just like there are ways to save money on your adventures, there are ways to save on your stay. When booking your escape at our San Diego hotel, check out our special offers and packages. For more information on these promotions, call 619-501-9400.

a long bridge over water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man holding a surfboard in the water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a plate of oysters with lemon wedges and a spoon

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a white fence with black text

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman driving a car

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman sitting on a rock looking at the sunset

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman riding a bicycle

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person holding a glass of beer

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman holding wine glasses

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman on bicycles on a beach

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a baseball stadium with palm trees

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person holding chopsticks with sushi

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman lying down on a massage table

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a path with flowers and a sign in the background

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a starry sky over a desert

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a street sign with a neon sign over it

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people with their hands up

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people riding a scooter

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people at a coffee shop

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman climbing a rock wall

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman looking through binoculars

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person holding a glass of alcohol

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person holding a spoon over food

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people holding champagne glasses

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and a woman holding shopping bags

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person standing in front of a large crowd of people

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a few women eating at a restaurant

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of icebergs in the water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people performing on a stage

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a couple kissing a giraffe

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person looking at art on a wall

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people riding horses

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people eating tacos

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman holding a bag

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person holding a fish

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a flock of birds flying over water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a person looking out a window at a large red and white balloon

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman on a boat

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a sailboat in the water with a city in the background

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man holding a camera in front of a crowd of people

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people playing golf

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a couple of men talking

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and woman on bicycles on a beach

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man painting a wall

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a man and a woman at a market

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a white building with a cross on top with Mission San Diego de Alcalá in the background

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people on a stage

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a woman and a child at a table with jars of food

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a group of people on a roller coaster

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a red train on the tracks

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

a city skyline with a body of water in the foreground

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

An island with clear blue water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

A couple wearing sunglasses looking at a map

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

A big naval war ship at a dock

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

istock 1156163364

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

the gaslamp quarter in san diego california

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

tide pool animals9

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

balboa park natural history museum

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

woman lacing up her ice skates

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

christmas boat parade

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

san diego balboa park botanical building

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

sea horse

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

couple at red carpet award show

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

broken hill at torrey pines

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

mother and son splashing in waves

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

colorful abstract painting

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

la jolla beach cove

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

san francisco trolley

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

ranunculus flowers

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

whale breeching the water

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

balboa park san diego

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

sunset in torrey pines

Save on Your Fun with Free Things to Do in San Diego

Scroll Down