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San Diego on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, San Diego can be done on a budget, with free beaches and parks and cheap Mexican food. Allow about US$130 a day per person for a hostel, simple meals, one paid sight and public transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$65 | US$140 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$35 | US$70 | US$150 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$70 | US$150 |
| Local transport | US$10 | US$30 | US$60 |
| Per person, per day | US$130 | US$310 | US$710 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our San Diego day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Balboa Park's gardens and architecture
- La Jolla Cove and the sea lions at the Children's Pool
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve trails (parking fee if you drive)
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- Coronado Beach
Cheap eats
- Fish taco: about $4–7
- California burrito: about $10–14
- Carne asada fries: about $10–15
- Food at Liberty Public Market: about $12–18
- Breakfast burrito: about $8–12
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in downtown, Little Italy, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, with dorm beds roughly $40–70.
Getting around cheaply
Use MTS trolleys and buses with a day pass. From the airport, bus 992 runs downtown for about $2.50, much cheaper than a taxi.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Balboa Park gardens (free)
- Lunch: fish tacos, about $12
- Afternoon: bus to La Jolla Cove for sea lions (free)
- Evening: California burrito in Old Town, about $14
- Total: about $130 including a hostel bed and transport
More ways to save
- Buy an MTS day pass for multiple trips.
- Pick one major paid attraction rather than several.
- Visit in winter or spring for lower hotel prices.
- Picnic at the beach instead of eating at waterfront restaurants.
- Rent a bike for Mission Beach and Coronado.
- Look for happy hour deals in Little Italy and North Park.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About $130 per person: $65 for a bed, $35 for food, $20 for sights and $10 for transport.
What is free in San Diego?
Balboa Park's gardens, La Jolla Cove, Sunset Cliffs, Old Town and the beaches.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Take MTS bus 992 downtown for about $2.50.