How to get around San Diego for under 5 Dollars

San Diego can be quite intimidating in size and with gas prices on the rise, driving your way around the city can get expensive.

But if you’re just in town for a day or two and would like to see the city without breaking your wallet, the San Diego Trolley is your best, and cheapest, option.

Get a Regional Day Pass, catch the Red Line…

You can pick up a Regional Day Pass for $5 at any one of the trolley stops which is good for all trolley trips and bus routes in San Diego for the day. If you’re starting in downtown San Diego, go to the main trolley station to catch the Red Line for your first stop: Seaport Village.

… and enjoy everything San Diego has to offer:

• Seaport Village

Seaport Village is a quaint shopping area right on the waterfront facing Coronado Island. With many boutique shops and noteworthy seafood restaurants, it’s worth a stop. If you’re traveling with children, don’t forget to ride the old fashioned Merry-Go-Round. If you’re traveling alone or with your partner, take the elevator to the top of the Hyatt hotel for a spectacular view of the San Diego Harbor.

• Little Italy

A little further down on the Red Line is San Diego’s Little Italy. This neighborhood is home to some authentic Italian restaurants and is popular among artists for its galleries and modern studios. There are some nicely tucked away antique shops here as well as one of the best camera stores in San Diego for the photographer in you.

• Old Town San Diego

The Red Line continues to Old Town San Diego, where San Diego was born. With Mexican influence and a Western feel, this Historical Park has something for everyone. Kids can play a round of golf at the short course across the street where drivers aren’t allowed and the whole course can be played with 1 or 2 irons. For teens, there’s the Whaley House which is said to be haunted and can be visited most days to see for yourself. And for adults, don’t forget to stop by Casa de Pico, an outdoor Mexican restaurant with reasonably priced food and San Diego’s Best Margaritas.

• Fashion Valley

If you’re looking for some great shopping, the Red Line will also take you to Fashion Valley and the Mission Valley Center, both central malls with shops for every budget and style. The malls also have movie theaters and restaurants if shopping just isn’t your thing.

• Qualcomm Stadium

The last stop on the Red Line is Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers. If you’re lucky, you might catch a great game here and getting there on trolley is one of the best ways to get to the stadium and avoid the hassle of parking altogether. It’s also a good alternative to having a designated driver because this way, everyone can drink without the worry of driving home.

• Petco Park

If it’s not football season, the Red Line also stops at Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres have all their home games. This newly built stadium is a nice addition to downtown and along with bleacher seats, has a grassy area on the side where you can watch the game and have a picnic of your own. This is also nice for small children who need space to play some baseball of their own. You can bring your own food to the stadium, pick up something at the game, or wait until after and hit the Gaslamp Quarter next door.

• Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego’s oldest part of town with a lively nightlife, great shopping, theater venues, clubs, and bars. And after a day taking the trolley around, it’s a great place to end your day at one of the fantastic restaurants there—it won’t be difficult to find one that caters to your palate and your wallet.

Then again, you can congratulate yourself for only spending $5 to get around town by splurging on a great dinner—which will be easier to find here than having to look for parking downtown.

Photo of San Diego Trolley originally posted by zappowbang

Topic:  How to Tuesday | 1 Comment
Tags:  budget, transportation

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About the author

C. O. Gumela is a graduate in English Literature from the University of California Santa Barbara and holds a Le Cordon Bleu diploma in Culinary Arts. She loves taking naps, makes a crème brûlée to die for and always reads before going to bed.