5 Places to Visit on a Budget in San Diego County

It’s time to take advantage of all the benefits of summer and go on the trips you have long wanted. San Diego goes without saying when it comes to travel, but there are other cities in San Diego County that you should visit.

This is a list of five cities with all their beauty and wealth. You can see some of the most famous attractions at great prices, and some are free. Turn on summer vacation mode and pack your bags.

Del Mar

Del Mar is a small, quiet village you can visit without needing a car. 

Seagrove Park is a green grassy area where you can picnic, read a book, enjoy the sea view, and play with children. You can play football, even sleep. Children will enjoy watching the trains pass.

City Beach with white sand is one of the best beaches because it has a protected part for swimming. For surfing lovers, there are two parts to the beach, beginners and professionals. 

Just a little further is Dog Beach, where you can take your dog to enjoy freedom. Here you can see dogs all day long where they want their time.

For horse and racetrack lovers, you’ve heard of “Where The Surf Meets The Turf for horse and racetrack lovers.” It is a well-known slogan for horse races in Del Mar. This year, the season starts on July 22 and ends on September 11. There are annual special events such as BBQ and chili cookoffs.

And last but not least, Dinosaur Gallery. This store displays and sells unique items such as fossils, minerals, corals, crystals, opals, sculptures, paintings, meteorites, animal skulls, dinosaur toys, and other exciting things for children.

Carlsbad

Museum of Making Music is the first in a series. Here you will hear music from the early 1900s to the present day. Instruments of various types are on display, and you can listen to how they sound each. Also, you have the opportunity to try playing some of the instruments that are there.

For naturalists and pedestrians in Carlsbad, there is the Batiquitos Lagoon. The lagoon is home to many wildlife species, including plants, fish, and birds. You can see endangered birds such as the snow float, the California tern, and the clapper rails. 

You have the opportunity to join the 2.3-mile guided tour, or if you like independent nature walks, they will provide you with informative pamphlets. If you have a dog, you can take it, but it must be on a leash. The summer camp of nature and art Club Pelican is held here.

Leo Carrillo Ranch is a historic park with uneven terrain without any trails. It used to be a ranch built by actor Leo Carrillo to rest there. They recommend wearing appropriate footwear during the visit due to the uneven ground.

You can see handmade brick buildings, haciendas, reflective swimming pools, cabins, canteens, carriage sheds, barns, barns and foundries, and equipment sheds.

Poway

The most Instagramic place in this city. Potato chip rock. Parts of this trail going up are very steep, but since the path is paved and you’re going uphill, it’s easy to keep steady footing. What’s nice about this trail is that the views are gorgeous on the way up. You’ll have sweeping views of both the city and the valley all around you. It gets better as you reach higher ground.

Iron Mountain is the perfect place for hiking. It’s the second-highest peak in Poway, and the Iron Mountain trail is the longest wilderness trail in the city. The islands of San Clemente and Catalina can be seen from the top. The hike is about 3.2 miles long. The area is dry, dusty, and hot. Bring plenty of water for hiking. It’s worth walking.

The Blue Sky Ecological Reserve is a 700-acre canyon. It is dedicated to flora and fauna. You will enjoy the oak,  coastal sage scrub, and the hills covered with chaparral. The canyon is most beautiful in the spring when everything is in full bloom. It’s free for all visitors during the day.

San Diego

Balboa Park is a large area where you can visit museums and many performing arts. You will see a lot of attractions, a lot of places where children can also enjoy. You will have shops where you can buy souvenirs and other exciting things. There is a Zoo with over 12,000 animals and more than 650 species. You can also visit some restaurants and try the various flavors that characterize this place.

The Discovery Museum for Children. A museum that encourages children’s development stimulates their imagination and leads them to think and experiment through science, art, and culture. They have different educational programs. A great time you can spend with your children.

Torrey Pines offers a beautiful view of the ocean. Hiking through unique geological formations, you can visit the most famous golf club. And, of course, you will see the rarest pine tree in the United States – Torrey Pine.

San Marcos

The San Marcos River is refreshing, where you can swim and canoe. It passes through a park of 130 hectares. It contains some endangered species such as Texas Blind Salamander, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos Gambusia, and Texas Wild Rice. Archaeologists have discovered that this is one of the oldest human settlements in North America.

Wonder World Cave is different from other caves. You will get acquainted with fossilized prehistoric life. You will see huge boulders floating in the air and much more that this cave offers. It is instructive and fun for children and adults. The walk is about 1 mile long.

Wimberley Glassworks is known for its unique pieces of hand-blown glass and lighting. Various materials are used in the construction, even pure silver, and 23-carat gold, to achieve color brilliance. Centuries-old techniques have been used to do these works.

Between Beauty and Diversity

All these cities are different in their way. Some will enchant you to the point that you want to move. 

You will not go wrong whichever city you choose because they are all worth visiting. The essential things on this trip are the memories you will create, the feelings you will relive, and the places you will never forget.

Enjoy your trip!