Smart travelers can always find San Diego travel deals without sacrificing quality. Here’s how to enjoy San Diego on a budget:

Save on San Diego Hotels

When planning your vacation, hotels are among the largest expenses. Therefore, avoid focusing solely on daily rates; instead, consider the overall value.

Be aware of what your payments cover. The hotel listing that appears at the top when sorted by price may include substantial charges, such as daily parking fees and internet costs. Conversely, a slightly more expensive hotel might offer complimentary breakfast, internet, and parking.

On the other hand, opting for a lavish hotel with a significant discount might come with additional fees that you won’t use, which can offset the initial savings.

Your location also impacts your food expenses, as more affordable restaurants often surround areas like Hotel Circle and downtown than in other neighborhoods.

Hotel prices in San Diego rise each year, and high occupancy rates are common. Nevertheless, you can still find ways to save:

• Visit off-season: January, February, March, October, and November typically have lower hotel rates. Additionally, more package deals become available when demand is lower.
• Consider small hotels: Properties with fewer than 70 rooms benefit from a 2% lower hotel tax.
• You may also save money on lodging by using Airbnb, especially in neighborhoods like Kensington, Normal Heights, or North Park.

Sightseeing Deals

• Free Activities: Take advantage of this list of fun, free things to do in San Diego.
• Affordable Tickets: Find money-saving tips for tickets online for attractions like Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
• Balboa Park Pass: If planning to visit various museums in Balboa Park, consider purchasing a pass that grants access during a one-week period. The Balboa Explorer Pass is available online.
• Multi-Attraction Passes: Evaluate whether a pass will save you money based on your planned activities. Utilize guides that discuss discounts available in San Diego.
• Discounts on Entertainment: For deep discounts on bay cruises, guided tours, and various performances, explore platforms that offer savings in San Diego.
• DIY Discount Coupons: Check the San Diego Visitors Bureau website for discounted events and promo codes.
• Last-Minute Savings: Grab guides available in hotel lobbies, as their coupons can help you save on each stop.

Save on Car Rental

Evaluate the guide to navigating San Diego without needing a car, renting for just a few days to visit inaccessible sites. This approach can help you save on rental, gas, and parking costs while avoiding traffic stress.

Save on Meals

• Choose a hotel that offers breakfast included in the room price.
• San Diego has numerous medium to low-priced dining options. Use these to manage the cost of splurging on a more expensive meal. Look for less expensive eateries in the Hillcrest area, particularly around 6th and University.
• If you’re keen on trying an upscale restaurant, consider lunch, where you’ll typically get the same quality food at a lowered price.

Little-Known About Saving on Airfare

Travelers heading to San Diego often hear the advice to shop around for airfare, which holds true but can be more complex than it seems.

What you may not know is that Southwest Airlines and JetBlue do not participate in fare-comparison sites. Therefore, check their prices directly on their websites, often resulting in the best deals for flights to California. Southwest Airlines stands out by allowing your first checked bag to fly free and not charging change fees (though base fares may increase).

While many rely on Google Flights for the lowest fares, be aware that they exclude Southwest Airlines. Consequently, while they may highlight the lowest available price, their options can include longer trips due to inconvenient layovers.