Thrifty Travel Fun: San Diego, CA

As temperatures start to drop off in the rest of the country, sunny San Diego becomes a delightful destination for family travel. With lots of water and sand (70-mile's worth, to be precise), and a laid-back, California vibe, there's lots to explore in this ocean-side city.

Sunny picture via San Diego Blog

1. San Diego's Balboa Park is its most famous, and a beautiful, spacious place to spend an afternoon. Pack a picnic (and some bubbles) and enjoy the stunning architecture and landscaped gardens. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses: the Botanical Building (and most of the gardens) are free to enter, and well-worth a visit. 

2. Have you ever come across your kiddos playing cops and robbers? Ever taken a mini police officer trick-or-treating? San Diego has a museum for you! The County Sheriff's Museum has a kid-oriented, educational feel, and youngsters will love exploring the police cars and motorcycles on display in the courtyard (they can even sit in a car and try out the siren) the mock jail cells inside, and more. The museum also houses artifacts, photographs, and other sheriff's department memorabilia. Admission is free!

3. Don't miss the boardwalk. Sure, it's a bit of a no-brainer, but it's quintessentially San Diego, and also ideal for some family fun. Make your stroll into a scavenger hunt: break the family into teams and have everyone keep their eyes peeled for three surfboards, a family wearing matching shirts, a boy eating ice cream, five sea gulls...you get the idea.

Accommodation Tip: The Best Western Golden Triangle Inn  puts you close to all the touristy spots on your to-do list, but keeps you close to what you really came for, too: the beach!