a man and woman goofing off on bicycles
01 Jun 2024

Romantic & Affordable San Diego Date Ideas

By Days Inn Hotel Circle

San Diego, with its sun-kissed beaches, lush parks, and vibrant culture, is the ultimate playground for budget-savvy lovebirds looking to spice up their summer dates without burning a hole in their wallets. Whether you’re a San Diego local seeking new romantic adventures or simply planning a visit to this coastal gem, we’ve curated a list of delightful and affordable date ideas that promise to amp up the fun without breaking the bank. From seaside picnics to sunset hikes and everything in between, get ready to explore America’s Finest City in a way that’s as easy on your budget as it is on the eyes. So grab your sunscreen and sense of adventure – let’s dive into some budget-friendly summer date ideas in San Diego!

Chat Over Coffee (1.7 miles)

someone holding a chilled beverage while children play on the beach in the background

(Photo: @sandiegofunfamily)

San Diego’s coffee culture is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Having a warm conversation over a couple of cups of coffee is a timeless way to enjoy that special someone’s company without redlining your debit card. We’re big fans of Better Buzz Coffee around here — not just for their perfectly roasted, organically grown beans, but for their commitment to maintaining a fun environment for customers to indulge.

801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Explore Liberty Station’s Public Market (4.4 miles)

(Photo: @courtyardlibertystation)

Liberty Public Market is one of those places that could really only happen in “America’s Finest City.” Located on the site of the former San Diego Naval Training Center, Liberty Station is the place to go for unique shops, a public market featuring fresh foods as well as fantastic restaurants, and even a movie theater. Today, it’s a de facto “town square” of sorts for the Point Loma neighborohod, drawing tons of visitors and locals every year. Explore the various food samples throughout the public market, setup a picnic on the public park areas, or bring your pup for some outdoor fun at this pet-friendly area. Liberty Station is a don’t-miss while you’re in San Diego!

2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Enjoy the beauty of Balboa Park (4.8 miles)

two people standing on rocks in the middle of a creek surrounded by lush trees

(Photo: @balboapark)

Balboa Park is a crown jewel of San Diego. At 842 acres, it’s one of the largest urban park spaces in the country — making it an even bigger green space than New York’s Central Park. It’s also home to some of San Diego’s most acclaimed museums, as well as the stunning Japanese Friendship Garden. While you and your date are there, be sure to visit the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and take in a free concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. *Insider Tip – There is free admission to many of the museums on the Tuesdays of each month- be sure to visit their website and plan your visit accordingly!

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Have Some Tacos On the Beach (5.6 miles)

a close up view of two loaded tacos

(Photo: @mikestacoclub)

Tacos are the quintessential grab-and-go street eats, and San Diego has the bar-none best tacos in the entire US — so much so that you really can’t go wrong anywhere in the city. Mike’s Taco Club in Ocean Beach has a menu that’s packed full of hot, juicy, made-fresh favorites, and all at prices that will encourage you to sample a little of everything. So load up on some tacos, head across the street to the beach, and watch the waves crash on the shore as you crush some serious taste. Check out our “Best Tacos in San Diego” post if you’re still hungry for more.

5060 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach CA 92107

Have a Blast by the Beach at Belmont Park (5.8 miles)

a woman in a sun hat playing miniature golf

(Photo: @belmontparksd)

Taking on a few rounds of mini-golf is always a good way to enjoy an afternoon on a budget, and Belmont Park in beautiful Mission Beach has a course that will get you on some teeny greens for just $10. When you’ve sunk your last putt, you’re welcome to experience the boardwalk-style fun in the rest of the park. So, go ahead: play some games. Win some prizes. Have some cotton candy. And enjoy a sunny day out on the beach! Don’t forget to try the world-famous Giant Dipper Rollercoaster if you’re feeling extra adventurous!

3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Pick Up a Pizza and Watch the Sunset (6.1 miles)

the beach at sunset

(Photo: @silvergirlphotography_)

One of the greatest things about San Diego is our melting-pot culinary culture. In addition to having the best south-of-the-border flavors, our long-established Italian community has brought some spectacular continental cookery to “America’s Finest City.” In particular, Rosaria’s Pizza in Point Loma makes a pretty premium pie for a very reasonable price. So pick your toppings, grab one to go, and then head to nearby Sunset Cliffs just a block or two away. If there’s a better way to watch the sun go down than sitting on a blanket with a date and a fresh, hot pizza? We haven’t found it yet.

4719 Point Loma Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

Seal Of Approval (11.2 miles)

a large seal laying on the beach

If you’d like to check out some marine life in its natural habitat, a famous colony of seals and sea lions lives near the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Be sure to bring your camera to capture these playful animals. While you’re there visit The Cave Store, a popular La Jolla gift and souvenir shop- (and the only entry point to the secret ocean caves along the beach)! The store offers self-guided tours of the cave by reservation for just $10, so call ahead and set up a time to go spelunking.

850 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Hike at Torrey Pines (16.4 miles)

two people hiking on the beach

(Photo: @aleksandar__tomic)

Torrey Pines State Reserve is one of San Diego’s most beautiful natural places, and the hiking in the preserve only gets better when the weather cools down. You and your companion can expect to discover centuries-old sandstone formations sweeping elegantly across the terrain just adjacent to truly spectacular views of the water. You’ll also find one of the rarest trees in existence: the Torrey Pine — which grows only two places on the planet.

12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Fun in the Sun at the San Diego County Fair (18.6 Miles)

aerial view of an amusement park at dusk

Looking for a budget-friendly yet thrilling date idea? Look no further than the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar! With its vibrant atmosphere, delicious food stands, and a plethora of attractions, this fair promises an unforgettable day without breaking the bank. From heart-pounding rides to adorable farm animals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, the fairgrounds offer picturesque views of the ocean, making it the perfect backdrop for a romantic stroll. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create cherished memories together without spending a fortune!

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Pull Up to an Old-Fashioned Drive-In (18.9 Miles)

a drive in movie theater at night

(Photo: @theclubhouseib)

There is perhaps no more nostalgic slice of Americana than the classic drive-in — and San Diego is home to one of the best still in operation anywhere. The South Bay Drive-In will only run you a ten-spot for an adult ticket, and shows classics and contemporary films alike on their massive outdoor screen — just the way it used to be. So pull in, sit back, grab some popcorn from the snack bar, and revel in the Hollywood magic. You can even bring in your own food and drinks if you like!

2170 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154

Stay at Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle and Save!

Budget-conscious travelers know: you won’t find a better stay for a friendlier price than at Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle. We’re centrally located, have fantastic guest amenities, and offer competitive rates all summer long. Also, check out our Special Offers page for some fantastic San Diego travel deals!

Three people standing at pinball machines in a dimly lit arcade featuring retro-themed games like Star Wars and Ghostbusters.
01 Aug 2022

Indulging Your Inner Child at San Diego’s Best Barcades

By Days Inn Hotel Circle

Sometimes, being an adult is tough. Between bills, responsibilities, family obligations and other stressors, making time for fun can be a challenge. However, if you remember the carefree days when you and your friends would crowd around a tube TV with controllers in your hands to do digital battle for the fate of the universe, throw some darts or play pool, then we have some great news. “Barcades” have come to San Diego in a big way, and they’re just what they sound like. Specifically, a big kids’ playground where you can grab a burger, a beer and a handful of quarters, and play to your heart’s content. The kids are back in school, so it’s time for the grownups to have some fun! Here’s where to go to get your game on.

Punch Bowl Social (4.4 miles away)

(Photo: @punchbowlsocial)

Punch Bowl Social is a fast-growing fun zone with locations popping up nationwide, and their San Diego stop is now welcoming guests in search of a guaranteed good time. Imagine your well-off buddy’s basement rec room writ large, and you’re approaching the vibe. When you go, expect craft cocktails, bowling, shuffleboard, karaoke, and bocce ball. True to their name, Punch Bowl Social also offers large, shareable drinks for groups.

1485 E St, San Diego, CA 92101

Coin-Op Game Room (4.4 miles away)

(Photo: @coinopsd)

This North Park staple (which recently opened a second location in the Gaslamp Quarter) was the first barcade in “America’s Finest City”, and it remains a mandatory stop for anyone on the hunt for beer, burgers, and bytes. Classically old-school gaming is always on offer here, as are specialty drinks like the “Kentucky Stucky” and “Guava the Hutt”. Hungry? Dig into a “Goomba Burger” (with a grilled mushroom cap, natch), or a Shrimpy Boy po’ boy-style sub. Just be sure to wipe the remoulade sauce off of your fingers before you start mashing buttons.

3926 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

The Smoking Gun (4.6 miles away)

(Photo: @thesmokinggunsd)

One of San Diego’s newest barcades offers a must-stop destination to the fun-seeking nightlife crowds that flock to the Gaslamp Quarter in search of a good time. The Smoking Gun’s neon-and-blacklight aesthetic will take you back to the heyday of the classic gaming hall, while the craft cocktail program and top-flight menu of elevated tavern fare keeps things decidedly contemporary. You can even stop in to catch some big-screen sports.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

Dyno Bar (4.9 miles away)

(Photo: @dynobarsd)

Blending two of San Diego’s favorite types of taverns (the barcade and the speakeasy), Dyno Bar is a hybrid haven for anyone looking for an off-the-beaten path evening. Nestled in the back room space at the legendary Aero Club Ale House, Dyno Bar has impressive amounts of all the things that make a barcade great: pinball, games, whiskey, beer, pool, and the trademark chill vibe that accompanies these pursuits of happiness.

3367 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

Coin Haus (9.8 miles away)

(Photo: @coinhaus)

With dozens of retro games and pinball titles ready to test your skill, La Mesa’s Coin Haus won’t disappoint on the gaming nostalgia front. Their beer selection is also one of the best of any bar in the metro, with more than 40 drafts available. You’ll discover loads of locals’-favorite San Diego craft brews on tap, as well as a wide selection of household-name favorites — most on a self-pour system that lets you top off anytime.

8361 Allison Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942

Brewski’s Bar & Arcade (11.9 miles away)

(Photo: @brewskisbar)

Brewski’s is like the game room you’d build yourself if you only had the space and budget. An ever-rotating selection of your favorite vintage video games is always ready to help you work on your hand-eye coordination, as well as air hockey, pool pinball and a host of other fun distractions. Be sure to check out their full menu of nachos, wings, fries, dogs, burgers and other crave-worthy eats, then wash it all down with a cold draft brew.

8670 Miramar Rd San Diego, CA 92126

Stay and Play at Days Inn

(Photo: @daysinnhc)

The games in “America’s Finest City” are ready to play. Are you? Check out our Special Offers page, and reserve the San Diego gaming getaway your inner child has always dreamed of.

aerial photo of a shipwreck
01 Mar 2022

Our Favorite Secret San Diego Spots

By Days Inn Hotel Circle

“America’s Finest City” gets a generous amount of praise for its incredible attractions, as well it should. Must-visit places like the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and SeaWorld draw millions of visitors every year. And while you should absolutely check those out places during your visit, San Diego also has its fair share of hidden gems that locals treasure, but that don’t always show up on “best of” lists. Looking to hit some undercover amazing places just off the beaten path? Here are a few of the best secret San Diego spots.

The Hidden Swings

(Photo: @carrieb1420)

San Diego’s “Hidden Swings” are the stuff of legend around here. Picture this: you stumble across a solo swing with panoramic views of the Pacific. Nobody’s really sure who put them up. Sometimes they disappear for a while, only to reappear later — either in the same place or somewhere else entirely. It’s a mystery! One thing’s for sure: The search for these carefree delights is often an enjoyable scavenger hunt. And once you find one, you’re in for a renewed sense of childlike wonder.

Secret Speakeasies

(Photo: @nobleexperiment)

Speakeasies — a.k.a. hidden bars — began out of necessity during America’s prohibition era. But since there’s something that just feels a little taboo about them, their popularity has persisted to the present day. The entrances to these hush-hush spots are often less than obvious (such as obscured doors behind bookcases, or false lobbies leading to expansive interiors), and many even require passwords for entry. Want in? Take a look at “The Coolest Speakeasy Bars in San Diego” from our colleagues at sister property The Dana on Mission Bay for an insiders’ peek at some of San Diego’s must-visit speakeasies.

Spruce Street Suspension Bridge (1.9 miles away)

(Photo: @visitcalifornia)

This secret span is an adventure and a destination in one. Tucked away in the Banker’s Hill neighborhood, this pedestrian-only, incredibly Instagrammable footpath spans nearly 400 feet across Sessions Canyon and sits 70 feet above it. The bridge was built in 1912 in order to connect a newly built trolley stop to a residential area. It has remained in place as a favorite spot for locals to take a gently swaying stroll above the area’s treetops.

W Spruce St, San Diego, CA 92103

Harper’s Topiary Garden (2.3 miles away)

(Photo: @cfw44)

San Diego residents Alex and Edna Harper have spent years creating something truly special at their home in Mission Hills. Topiary is the practice of shaping shrubbery into whimsical shapes, and the Harpers have turned their front garden into one of the country’s finest exhibits of this botanical art. Their display includes countless bushes trimmed into the form of animals, geometric shapes, human figures, and more.

3549 Union St, San Diego, CA 92103

The “Sin Ship” Wreckage (9.6 miles away)

(Photo: A. Astacio)

Tucked away in nearby Coronado lies one of the only shipwrecks in the country that’s observable without scuba gear: the SS Monte Carlo. In the 1930s, the Monte Carlo was an infamous gambling and party vessel that operated offshore during the prohibition years, but was destroyed by a storm just off the coast of Coronado. For years it was buried, before El Niño storms uncovered it. Today it remains moored where it was destroyed, and is easily explorable without special equipment during low tide.

North Pacific Ocean, Coronado, CA 92118

Sunny Jim Cave (10.7 miles)

(Photo: @thecavestore)

Nestled beneath the cliffs of La Jolla Cove is a cave unlike any other you’ll ever explore. Originally hand-dug beneath the home of miner Gustav Schultz in 1902, the cave was first plumbed for minerals before being turned into a bootleggers’ smuggling passage during the Prohibition. Today, the cavern sits beneath The Cave Store, a popular La Jolla gift and souvenir shop. The store offers self-guided cave tours by reservation, so call ahead!

1325 Coast Blvd. La Jolla, CA 92037

Swami’s Beach (23.3 miles away)

(Photo: @larrykfulton)

Swami’s Beach in Encinitas is one of the more secluded beaches in the area. It’s home to postcard-perfect tide pools, as well as a wide variety of marine life (such as starfish, sea hares, crabs, octopus, and more). A prominent reef formation becomes visible during low tide, and the sunsets here are some of the most spectacular in all of California. This tucked-away treasure is worth seeking out.

1298 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Queen Califa’s Magical Circle (24.5 miles away)

(Photo: @cityofescondido)

Nestled in Nearby Escondido, this magical spot has been delighting kids of all ages for more than 20 years. Featuring colorful, larger-than-life artworks from noted French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle, this enchanting enclave proved to be her last major work — and her only American sculpture garden. Each piece was inspired by her late-career move to the area and reflects local legends, stories, and folklore. Don’t forget your camera!

3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025

Discover The Secrets of San Diego

Ready to discover these hidden treasures for yourself? Take a look at the Special Offers page at Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle, and get the best rates for your stay!

A scenic view of swimmers and beachgoers enjoying the clear blue waters and rocky shoreline at La Jolla Cove.
01 Jan 2020

The Best Activities for San Diego Spring Break

By Days Inn Hotel Circle

With its year-round sunshine and vibrant culture — including a world-class dining, shopping, and nightlife scene — San Diego is the perfect destination for spring break (or a winter break, or a summer break…). For those who wish to visit America’s Finest City during March, April, or May, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can spend your getaway.

Explore the Museums

Museum-hopping is a great way to spend any vacation, and San Diego has no shortage of venues where you can do so — many of them conveniently set within top-rated attraction Balboa Park. These include Fleet Science Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, The Nat, San Diego Air & Space, and San Diego Automotive Museum. You can learn about everything from the fascinating way the city manages its water supply to the California film industry’s history with racing vehicles.
https://www.balboapark.org/explore/museums

Make a Splash at SeaWorld

For those planning a trip to SeaWorld, there will soon be a new floorless “dive coaster” called the Emperor Dive Coaster, channeling the movement of an Emperor penguin as it dives into the sea. You can also learn about dolphins and sea lions, sample cuisine from a newly updated culinary program, check out events such as Viva La Música Latin-culture festival and the Electric Ocean show, and shop for souvenirs.
https://seaworld.com/san-diego/

Whale-Watching

Springtime is a great time for whale-watching in San Diego, as it falls during the migration of the gray whale — which is the largest migration of any animal on Earth. You can join whale-watching excursions with San Diego Whale Watch that allow you to scout for them while they travel from Baja California to Alaska.
https://sdwhalewatch.com/

Hit the Beach

Although San Diego’s sun shines all year round, spring and summer offer the warmest temperatures and are the best seasons for swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking, or just lounging on the Pacific sands. Check out our list of the best beaches in the city for an idea of where to start.

Visit Belmont Park

Belmont Park is a great place to experience some of San Diego’s best roller coasters and beachfront attractions, from the famed Giant Dipper to the Liberty Carousel to a “laser maze” and climbing wall. The theme park also features gift shops, restaurants — including a pub with roughly 100 beers on tap — and more.
https://www.belmontpark.com/

Find a Food Truck

If you find yourself simply wandering around the city without much of an itinerary, be sure to make a pit stop at one of the many food trucks, like The Rush Coffee and Cucina Caprese. Check StreetFoodFinder to keep track of the various vehicles’ daily routes and coordinate your visit accordingly.
https://streetfoodfinder.com

Secure Your Spring Break Stay

Ready to book your spring getaway in San Diego? Check out the spacious accommodations at Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle Near SeaWorld and start planning your stay.

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