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15+ of the top free things to do in San Diego
No cash?
No problem
. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in San Diego, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
September 17, 2025 06:44 AM
·
Monica Garske
Festivals
Gator by the Bay returns to Spanish Landing Park
The beloved Louisiana-themed music fest is Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14.
May 10, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Entertainment
6 huge live music venues in San Diego
Discover arenas where big names play to crowds exceeding 10,000 people.
May 9, 2023
·
Michael Beausoleil
Sports
New pickleball courts debut at Westfield UTC in San Diego
The courts are open from sunrise to sundown, free to the public for a limited time.
May 8, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Culture
Cinco de Mayo 2023 fiestas in San Diego, California
Celebrate the holiday with food, music, and dancing.
May 2, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Arts
Mission Fed ArtWalk 2023 heads to Little Italy this weekend
The festival celebrates visual and performing arts on Saturday, April 29 + Sunday, April 30.
April 26, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Events
Details of Del Mar’s 2023 summer horse racing season
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s annual event runs Friday, July 21-Sunday, Sept. 10.
April 18, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Entertainment
5 podcasts inspired by life in San Diego
From craft beer to Padres baseball, these local podcasts show mad love to SD.
March 31, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Culture
The zodiac signs interpreted as San Diego neighborhoods
Your home, your favorite coffee shop, your daily commute aren’t just written in the skyline — they may be written in the stars.
February 16, 2023
·
Monica Garske
Parks and Recreation
Neighborhood Guide for Pacific Beach, San Diego
A perfect blend of laid-back beach living and San Diego’s nightlife.
September 13, 2022
·
Michael Beausoleil
Live
Introducing: SDtoday Neighborhood Guides
August 18, 2022
·
Michael Beausoleil
The Buy
The Buy
Netflix’s newest competitor doesn’t have subscription fees
June 26, 2025
·
Staff
The Buy
15 Prime Day deals on home essentials you’ll actually use
June 25, 2025
·
Staff
The Buy
10 Prime Day deals on must-have summer essentials
June 25, 2025
·
Staff
Latest News
Culture
“A Coastal Christmas Romance": A San Diego Hallmark-style movie, as told by ChatGPT
December 16, 2024
·
Monica Garske
City
See it: Balboa Park’s restored Botanical Building reopens
December 13, 2024
·
Monica Garske
Culture
How to Watch the 2024 San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
December 5, 2024
·
Monica Garske
Culture
Where to see holiday lights in San Diego County in 2024
December 4, 2024
·
Monica Garske
More from SDtoday
Weather
First King Tides of 2024 will hit San Diego’s coastline this week
High Surf and Coastal Flood advisories are in effect for local beaches where waves could reach up to 11 ft on Thursday, Jan. 11-Friday, Jan. 12.
January 9, 2024
·
Monica Garske
City
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in San Diego
Where to remember the civil rights leader and event to observe MLK Day
January 9, 2024
·
Michael Beausoleil
Culture
Asked: Your 2024 local predictions
Peer into the future and use your knowledge of our city to predict what will happen in 2024.
January 9, 2024
·
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Sports
Where to play pickleball in San Diego
The sport has become especially popular in San Diego, and there are spots to learn and play across the county.
January 8, 2024
City
Best locations to watch a winter San Diego sunset
Something about those winter skies just hit different.
January 8, 2024
·
Michael Beausoleil
Arts
Cool art exhibitions to explore in San Diego in 2024
The local art scene is drawing us in, that’s for sure.
January 5, 2024
·
Monica Garske
Travel and Outdoors
Winter gardening tips for San Diego, CA
How to prepare your garden and what to plant in the winter months.
January 5, 2024
·
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Development
City crews prepare to install underwater pipeline at Lake Miramar
This one-mile segment is part of the Pure Water Program that aims to turn recycled water into clean drinking water.
January 4, 2024
·
Michael Beausoleil
Business
Longtime businesses that closed in 2023
These beloved businesses served San Diego for 10+ years but no longer exist in 2024.
January 4, 2024
·
Michael Beausoleil
Events
Save the Dates: Big events coming to San Diego in 2024
From soccer and baseball to the San Diego County Fair, Pride and superheroes, 2024 is shaping up to be a mighty eventful year in America’s Finest City.
January 3, 2024
·
Monica Garske
