WALLETFREE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Hosting relatives this Thanksgiving weekend? No need to run your budget to the ground while they’re in town. Maximize the FREE or ALMOST FREE things to do in San Diego and your relatives will ‘give thanks’ to having such a cent-savvy member in the clan.

Fables, Friends & Fruitcake – A Holiday Frolic in Old Town San Diego
Join the characters of 19th-century San Diego for an immersive tour and comedy performance as you stroll about Old Town San Diego and meet some of the characters who actually lived there. Experience the holidays of 150 years ago in San Diego’s historical center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 13-17. Tickets sold on first-come, first-served basis at the Robinson-Rose Visitor Information Center in the Old Town Plaza. Reservations can also be made via the Internet at Brown Paper Tickets.

Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village
Show the in-laws how Santa lives it up in Diego! Santa trades in his red suit for board shorts on Saturday, November 28, and sails into Seaport Village aboard the Californian, a real pirate ship from the Maritime Museum. Join the lively welcome parade as he cruises into San Diego Bay and stay for the variety of holiday festivities through the rest of the afternoon.  The day includes rockin’ holiday music and live entertainment, pictures with Santa on a surfboard, ornament making, bayside dining and the stunning views of the bay under the sun. Don’t be surprised if your relatives beg to extend their stay.

Mission Hills Meander
Explore one of San Diego’s stateliest neighborhoods during the FREE Mission Hills Meander on Friday, November 27.  Join Walkabout International  for great views, picturesque homes and gardens during a moderately paged one-hour walk. Meet at 4:30pm at Espresso Mio at 1920 Fort Stockton Drive. Contact: Pat P.  (619) 291-6162

Thursdays on the Coast – on Friday!
The Special Black Friday Edition of this FREE monthly visual and performing art walk features local and regional artists and their works, live art demonstrations, music and theatre performances, and tasty treats in the charming Carlsbad Village. Starts at 5:30pm on Friday, November 27.

Julian Christmas Tree Lighting
Capture the spirit of oldtime Christmas with a roadtrip to the historic mining town of Julian for their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, November 28. Take in the scents of apple pies and cider while listening to costumed strolling carolers. Plus, wave to Santa as he arrives on a fire engine before the tree is lit. Program starts at 4pm.  

 Balboa Park
In Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the country, lead the relatives to the ALWAYS FREE Timken Museum of Art, Botanical Building and Spanish Art Village.  Afterwards, explore the park’s FREE gardens and revel in the Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture along the Prado where you’ll always find street performers and plenty of photo opps.

Cabrillo National Monument
A drive up to the Cabrillo National Monument is awarded with panoramic views of the city, ocean and mountains. Perched high atop the cliffs of Point Loma, the monument commemorates Cabrillo’s historic landing. Guests can head over to the exhibit hall and visitors center to learn more about the Portuguese explorer and watch a film that delves into his past. Entrance is $5 per car.

Vizit San Diego Tours
Save yourself the stress of playing chauffeur and tour guide all at the same time. Bring your guests aboard the double-decker Vizit San Diego Tours for hop-on, hop-off guided tours of San Diego. Stops include Balboa Park, Little Italy, Embarcadero, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town San Diego,  and even La Jolla and Mission Beach. Tickets for these tours are the sweetest deals in San Diego – only $15 for adults and good for two days.

Downtown Rooftop Hop
Take advantage of free metered parking in downtown (all-day Sunday) and wow your guests with the locals’ favorite spots for cityscape views – downtown’s rooftop bars!

• Impress them from the offset with a visit to the San Diego original atop the West Coast’s tallest waterfront building, the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Top of the Hyatt on the 40th level boasts sweeping views of Coronado, San Diego Bay, Point Loma and downtown.
• Afterwards, head to Altitude,  located 22 stories up at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter and offers breathtaking views right into PETCO Park and the Coronado Bay Bridge.
• Float is a revolutionary rooftop bar and lounge atop the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego that serves as a stylish hangout with a poolside bar and fire pit seating.
• On the 4th floor of the Se San Diego Hotel, SIREN offers a sophisticated setting for drinks and lounging.  Guests enjoy open-air luxury alongside an infinity-edged pool.
• The luxury Ivy Hotel, adjacent to San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, boasts Ivy Rooftop, a sultry rooftop lounge with a swimming pool, swinging chairs and beds for reclining. 
• On the fourth floor of Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar in downtown San Diego, you’ll find LOUNGEsix, a rooftop oasis with a sparkling pool and roaring firepits.