Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Encinitas

"Adjacent to the Zoo is Balboa Park, one of San Diego's most beloved treasures. Known as the "Smithsonian of the West," Balboa Park is the largest cultural park in America and features 17 museums and performing arts venues as well as beautiful gardens, the lily pond and botanic building, concerts and a host of special events. Take a stroll down the main El Prado promenade, enjoy the gorgeous 1915 Spanish Colonial-revival style architecture, and grab a bite to eat and one of the many purveyors in the park."

"Like no place else in the country, Balboa Park offers a magnificent combination of art, architecture, history and agriculture in one expansive park. Spanning approximately 1,200 acres, Balboa Park was once known as City Park and was founded more than 125 years ago. Today, the park is home to 15 museums, theaters, marvelous gardens, restaurants, shopping and the world-famous San Diego Zoo."

"Balboa Park is the largest urban park in the United States and it was built for the Worlds Fair. The buildings here still stand and it is home to one of the best zoos in the world too – The San Diego Zoo. This is another location that is a favorite among photographers shooting engagement photos."

"As the only anthropology museum in the region, the San Diego Museum of Man offers a diverse program, including cannibalism, beer history and humans’ relationships with animals. Its mission is to inspire connections by helping to understand the human experience better, and it accomplishes this goal through its hundreds of thousands of documented ethnographic objects, archaeological items and photographic images. Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the museum was designed by the famous architect Bertram Goodhue – it has Plateresque, Baroque, Churrigueresque and Rococo details and a unique Spanish Colonial exterior that hints at a Gothic influence, with inspiration from Spanish churches in Mexico."

"The San Diego Museum of Man is a cultural and physical anthropology museum. It was established to collect, preserve, interpret and communicate evidence of human development and creativity to advance understanding and respect for all cultures. The mission is to basically teach people about people."

"The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Man and the Museum of Art are three of the other most popular museums. (And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below)."

"1555 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 858-847-2284 32 Stores Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM  Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM  Major Retailers: Specialty shops, Il Fornaio, Pacifica Del Mar, gourmet market"

"Where: 8833 Harmony Grove RoadHike, mountain bike or ride horses on 11 miles of trails through surprisingly lush, mountainous chaparral surrounding the 8-billion gallon Olivenhain Reservoir. The moderate, dog-friendly paths wind among wildflowers to six overlooks giving vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and Laguna and San Bernardino mountains. The tree-lined Escondido Creek near the trailhead beckons as a shady respite to enjoy year-round flowing water (swimming prohibited)."

"The 784-acre Elfin Forest Reserve features miles of trails that are popular with hikers and mountain bikers. The elfin forest is a term used by naturalists to describe the vegetation which formerly covered much of this area of Southern California. The Reserve is open from 8:00 a.m until 30-minutes before sundown."

"Somehow, they find the creepy crawlies fun, mysterious and intriguing. If you have a kid that loves bugs, Bill the Bug Guy is for you. Bill Burkhardt is a docent at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and has been fascinated by bugs since he was a child."

"Built in the 1930s, La Jolla’s Children’s Pool was created as a family beach space, but since then it's been descended on by herds of seals and sea lions. Despite the pinnipeds' particularly pungent odor, tourists come in droves to see them larking around, swimming, fighting and mating. Visitors can get extremely close via a concrete platform surrounding the cove, and the seals don't seem to mind – but there's strictly no touching, feeding or selfies to be taken with the seals."

"This hike will take you through unique rock structures, and at the end, you can enjoy the sunset from the beach (a sometimes nude one). Don’t forget to check out the Mushroom House too while you’re there. More: Photo Guide to Hiking the Ho Chi Minh Trail"

"Islands Restaurants (Mission Valley, Clairemont Mesa, Mira Mesa, and Carmel Mountain) is offering cocktails, wine and beer to-go. Options include frozen margaritas and Big Island Ice teas. They are available for pickup only, and a food item purchase is required."

"Both Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens locations have massive outdoor spaces filled with towering shade trees, winding stone paths, still ponds filled with koi, babbling brooks, waterfalls, and plenty of gargoyles to go with your Scorpion Bowl IPA. How to order: Reservations for Escondido or Liberty Station can be made via OpenTable."

"A short trip away from the San Diego Airport, Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is an excellent spot for food and brews. Grab one of Stone's famous IPAs or stouts to go along ..."

"Butchers cut is a contemporary grill and premiere steakhouse that offers an unmatched selection of beef, fish, and pasta. As the premier steakhouse of San Diego located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, we offer an ambiance with a rustic and vintage vibe that takes you back to a simple and...Mehr"

"Even if you’re broke, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and if you have a Bank of America card, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photogenic Arts are free on certain days. If you love art, check out the Spanish village. These are historic buildings turned art galleries and stores which have a lot of their work for sale. Even just walking through this area is a fun experience."

"Even if you’re broke, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and if you have a Bank of America card, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photogenic Arts are free on certain days. If you love art, check out the Spanish village. These are historic buildings turned art galleries and stores which have a lot of their work for sale. Even just walking through this area is a fun experience."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts showcases over 9 thousand images. These visual masterpieces range from the 19th century up until the current day. The museum offers a diverse view into different cultural events, historical moments and addresses social issues throughout its galleries."

"Art is subjective and interpretive, and sometimes hard to decipher. Less so photographic arts, perhaps. And who doesn't like looking at amazing images of real things?"