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25 Ways to Live the Good Life Without Breaking the Bank

1. Rock ’n’ Roll Evening
   

   Every Tuesday, Starlite, the preferred beanery of local musicians, offers a three-course menu for $20, 5-8 p.m. (Monday-Saturday, Happy Hour is 5-7 p.m.) After that, stroll over the I-5 footbridge to Kettner for a cheap show at the Casbah (local nightlife entrepreneur Tim Mays owns both). 619-358-9766, starlitesandiego.com; 619-232-4355, casbahmusic.com. Cost: $20 per person plus drinks at the Casbah on no-cover nights.

2. Coronado by Bike
   

   Take your bicycle to the Coronado Ferry Landing near the foot of Broadway in downtown San Diego and pay $6.50 for a round-trip ticket. Enjoy an exceptional view of the island as you pedal your way to the Hotel del Coronado’s Babcock & Story Bar. Sunday through Thursday, draft beers, house wine cocktails and appetizers are half off from 4 to 7 p.m. 619-435-8895, sdhe.com; coronadoferrylandingshops.com; 800-468-3533, hoteldel.com. Cost: $6.50 per person plus light food and drink.

3. South Park Fun and Games
   

   Balboa Park’s cheapest golf course ­doesn’t require clubs. Disc golf is only $2.50 weekdays ($3 weekends), and disc rentals are $1.50. Continue the fun and games at one of San Diego’s best beer bars, enjoying games of pool or shuffleboard over a pint of microbrew at Hamilton’s on 30th Street. 619-692-3607, morleyfield.com; 619-238-5460, hamiltonstavern.com. Cost: $4 to $4.50 per person plus food and drink.

4. Padres Transit Tuesdays
   

   Buy a trolley or bus pass for Tuesday home games, and get $6 off any Padres game ticket costing $14 or more. (The best fans are often in the cheap seats anyway.) Take advantage of Petco’s 5 for $5 special (hot dog, peanuts, popcorn, cookie and a soda) to load up with carbs should you decide to venture closer to the field late in the game when the ushers are distracted. 619-233-3004, sdmts.com; 877-374-2784, padres.com. Cost: Depending on the transit fare you require, as cheap as $18 per person.

5. Arts and Music Explosion at TNT
   

   San Diego’s inexpensive art-viewing opportunities continue with the downtown Museum of Contemporary Art’s thrice-yearly Thursday Night Thing (next chance: November 10). The show, with bands and entertainment, is only $10 (free for MCASD members), and the Stone beer and featured cocktails are always cheap. Why not start the evening off at one of downtown’s true diners—the YMCA’s Grand Central Café? 858-454-3541, mcasd.org; Grand Central Café: 619-234-2233. Cost: $10 plus dinner and drinks.

6. Steps to a Classic Picnic
   
   1. Pack a picnic basket with olive oil, salt, pepper, cups, napkins and utensils.
   2. Purchase baguette, cheese, tomato, salad, wine and dessert at Whole Foods.
   3. Enjoy a perfect picnic on the lawn in front of the Botanical Building (keeping the wine on the sly).
   4. Belly stuffed, enjoy the nearby Timken Museum of Art—always free, and home to San Diego’s only Rembrandt, among other masters.

   619-239-5548, timkenmuseum.org; 619-294-2800 (Hillcrest), wholefoodsmarket.com. Cost: Less than $25 with the right wine.

7. Poach a Concert
   

   Join the ranks of freeloaders bobbing in the harbor at one of Embarcadero Marina Park South’s top-notch concerts. Rent a tandem kayak at Seaforth Boat Rentals at the Marriott Marina downtown for $45 and paddle your way to a prime spot. Bring some drinks and snacks from home (just don’t capsize). Down in front! 619-239-2628, seaforthboatrentals.com; 619-224-3577, humphreysconcerts.com. Cost: $22.50 per person.

8. Cheap Links
   

   Golf isn’t usually a poor man’s pastime, but Mission Trails Golf Course is a notable exception. The challenging course offers twilight rates of $20-$25 per person (without a cart). The course was designed by William F. Bell, architect of the more famous Torrey Pines. Spend those extra few dollars on the 99-cent breakfast or the 50-cent hot dogs at Ikea in nearby Mission Valley. 619-460-5400, missiontrails.americangolf.com. Cost: $25 per person weekdays, $20 twilight weekdays.

9. Old-School Workout
   

   Get out of the gym, away from the barking bootcamp instructors, and take advantage of Balboa Park’s Perrier parcourse for a retro workout. The 2.5-mile course can be completed at any length and speed you want and is packed with 18 exercise stations, from log-hops to step-ups. CrossFit enthusiasts should feel right at home. Cap off the healthy outing with a meal at Hillcrest’s T-Deli, where the owners boast of serving the best fruit salad in town. (San Diego Bay’s Embarcadero Marina Park South also offers a small parcourse.) Morley Fitness Map; T-Deli: 619-682-4069. Cost: T-Deli’s fruit salad starts at $6.50 (small) and goes to $8.50 (large).

10. Symphony on a (Violin) String
    

    Think a night at the symphony is out of your range? Think again. Tickets for many events, such as the Opus Gala, Jacobs Masterworks and Winter Pops, start as low as $20 per person. Nearby, tapas at La Gran Tapa start at $4. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.com; 619-234-8272, lagrantapa.com. Cost: Under $25 per person, with tapas and tax.

11. Julian
    

    Enjoy the mountains—maybe even climb one. We recommend Stonewall Peak or Volcan Mountain (you’ll have to hop the fence to the summit at Volcan if you’re not part of the docent-led hike). Or check out Cedar Falls in the springtime. Then treat yourself to Julian Pie Company’s renowned apple pie. You’ve earned it. 760-765-2449, julianpie.com; 760-765-4098, volcanmt.org; ­localhikes.com. Cost: Pies are $14.95. Hiking is free, although the parking lot near Stonewall Peak charges $6 per vehicle.

12. Picnic Among the Vines
    

    In addition to crafting excellent wines, Escondido’s Orfila Vineyards & Winery makes a romantic picnic easy. Purchase a bottle of wine, along with gourmet cheeses and snacks at the Tasting Room and Gift Shoppe, and while away the afternoon on Orfila’s lawns with vistas of the surrounding vineyards. 760-738-6500, ext. 27, orfila.com. Cost: Wine and food.

13. Pay-What-You-Can for the Arts
    

    Catch a pay-what-you-can show at Sushi Performance & Visual Art in the company’s new space in the East Village. Likewise, once each production, La Jolla Playhouse opens its doors based on what you can afford. Cheap eats and fine dining abound in Sushi’s neighborhood, while the Playhouse complex houses Wolfgang Puck’s Jai, which has a sadly underrated Happy Hour. 619-235-8466, sushiart.org; 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org; 858-638-7778, wolfgangpuck.com. Cost: Jai’s Happy Hour drinks start at $3, while bites start at $2.

14. Coffeehouse Rock
    

    For a break from traditional concert venues, check out some of San Diego’s best coffehouse cafés, where the likes of Jason Mraz and Jewel got their start. Shows are usually free—and underrated. Lestat’s in Normal Heights, Java Joe’s in Ocean Beach and Claire de Lune in North Park are just a few of the places especially supportive of local musicians. 619-282-0437, lestats.com; 619-523-0356 (Java Joe’s); 619-688-9845, clairedelune.com. Cost: Coffee and/or dessert.

15. Flicks and Geeks
    

    Movie theaters are a classic date location. But for real special effects or animalistic romance, the nerd-appeal of Imax movies at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center can’t be beat. Your conversations over coffee at nearby Extraordinary Desserts in Bankers Hill are bound to be way more cerebral than typical post-movie chitchat. 619-238-1233, rhfleet.org; 619-294-7001, extraordinarydesserts.com. Cost: Up to $18.50 (plus coffee). Fridays, 6-8, the Fleet shows a mix of movies for $8.50 and encore films during double features for $5 each.

16. Retro Car Show
    

    Every summer Thursday evening from 5 to 8, La Mesa Boulevard turns into a car museum, with everything from classic hot rods to Model-Ts on display. Afterward, discuss your favorites over the grill as you cook your own steak at the nearby Riviera Supper Club, recently opened by the longtime Turf Supper Club owners. Also check out Friday’s Escondido’s wildly popular Crusin’ Grand, every summer. 619-303-5811, lmvma.com; 619-713-6777, rivierasupperclub.com; 760-745-8877, downtownescondido.com. Cost: Sirloin steaks start at $9.50.

17. Dirt and Motors
    

    Quarter-mile dirt-track racing at Barona Speedway is a change of pace that will rev your engine. Bring your own cooler or barbecue if you wish. After the races, drive 6 miles to Barona Casino with the remainder of your cash and see how far you can ride your luck. 619-669-1303, baronaspeedway.com; 619-443-2300, barona.com. Cost: Adult track tickets $10; food and gambling extra.

18. Urban Hike
    

    Load up on fruit and whatever fresh, healthy items catch your attention at the Hillcrest Farmers’ Market to set the stage for this brief urban hike through Hillcrest, Balboa Park back roads and a Bankers Hill canyon. From the farmers’ market, walk south on Normal and Herbert streets, then west on Upas Street, through a lovely neighborhood and past the Boy Scout headquarters. Enter the dirt road, cross the low footbridge over SR-163, make your way up the paved switchbacks on the other side, and enjoy the west side of the park. Go south on Fourth Avenue to Quince Street and traverse the wooden footbridge across Maple Canyon. Enter the nearby trailhead to Maple Canyon Open Space. Pass under the footbridge and the beautiful First Avenue bridge, enjoy the birds and cactuses, and emerge on Maple Street in Mission Hills. sdfarmersmarkets.com. Cost: Farmers’ market finds.

19. Rolling Pins
    

    Bowling has long held a place on any definitive list of cheap activities. Kearny Mesa and Mira Mesa bowling alleys expectedly boast some amazing deals. These often include concessions: $2 beers? $1.50 hot dogs? And bowling as low as $20 for three hours? It’s true. 858-279-1501 (Kerney Mesa), 858-578-0500 (Mira Mesa), kearnymesabowl.com. Cost: Depending on the nightly specials, your appetite and the size of your party, less than $20 per person.

20. Cinema Alfresco
    

    South Bay Drive-in offers double features for $7. Add a cooler, folding chairs and a blanket to make it dinner and a show. Santee’s drive-in charges adults just $8 per double feature. Enjoy this throwback piece of Americana that multiplexes have all but taken away. 619-423-2727, southbaydrivein.com; 619-448-7447, santeedriveintheatre.com. Cost: $8 per person plus food and drink.

21. Tour de Coast Highway 101
    

    Grab a partner and whet your appetite for the most beautiful bike ride in the county. Long stretches of coastline are interrupted only by tempting pit stops such as Cardiff’s Las Olas and its Happy Hour Margaritas and tacos. Ride as far as your legs will take you—a pedal along this old highway is quintessential San Diego. 760-942-1860, lasolasmex.com. Cost: $3.50 for Happy Hour Margaritas (pitchers are $19.50).

22. Moonlight Pizza and Bonfire
    

    Build a bonfire at Encinitas’ Moonlight Beach—one of the last places you can do this in the county. If classic campfire fare such as hot dogs and marshmallows doesn’t tempt you, give Leucadia Pizzeria (three blocks away) a call, and they’ll deliver gourmet Italian fare to your beach spot. a-zsandiegobeaches.com/moonlight.htm; 760-942-2222, leucadiapizza.com. Cost: Medium pizzas start at $12.59. Firewood can be as much as $5.

23. Evening on the Bay

    Catch SeaWorld’s fireworks and Mission Bay’s beauty from a different angle. The Bahia Belle sternwheeler sets out several times on Friday and Saturday evenings (more frequently in the summer), including some cocktail cruises with deejays. Your ticket to ride? Only $10. The boat navigates between the Catamaran and Bahia hotels. 858-488-0551, bahiahotel.com. Cost: $10 per person plus drinks.

24. Lucky Sevens
    

    ARTS Tix and Just My Ticket (justmyticket.com) often feature some of the best, cheapest tickets in town for theater and music. But while you’re looking for bargains, don’t forget to take a look at one of downtown’s classiest hotels. The Westgate Room Plaza Bar and Lobby Room’s 777 deal, with $7 cocktails and appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. seven days a week, is a steal. The three-layer frozen mojito is worth the trip alone  Cost: Cheap theater tickets plus food and drinks.

25. Opera for a Song
    

    Lyric Opera San Diego at the Birch North Park Theatre offers Date Nights (two tickets for the price of one) and Family Nights (one child’s ticket free with an adult ticket purchase). Satisfy your hunger with half-price Happy Hour at Hawthorn’s restaurant, across the lobby, from 5 to 7 p.m. 619-239-8836, lyricoperasandiego.org; 619-295-1688, hawthornssd.com. Cost: As low as $17 per person plus drinks.

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