Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Fernbrook

"In the heart of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is 1,400 gorgeous acres of green space. (By comparison, New York City’s Central Park is 842 acres.) In 1915, Balboa Park was the setting for the Panama-California Exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal and securing San Diego’s place as a port, which is why several of the city’s oldest and most ornate buildings can be found here. Many of those historic buildings now house robust museums such as the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art and family-friendly San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)."

"One of San Diego’s gems, Balboa Park, is teeming with free things to do in San Diego. There are over 65 miles of walking trails at Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in America. In addition, there are gorgeous gardens, botanical gardens and spectacular Spanish Colonial Revival architecture to see."

"Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban green space featuring natural vegetation zones, planted gardens and walking paths. It is one of the oldest public recreational areas in the country. The park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the site of free weekly concerts."

"Ocean Beach is a thriving seaside beach community with plenty of charm. Watching the sunset over the water at Ocean Beach is a spectacular sight to see. It is also the perfect time to take those spectacular, perfectly-lit “golden hour” shots along the beach’s palm tree-lined road."

"This whopping 5,800-acre natural preserve is inside San Diego’s city limits to the northeast, and is the sixth-largest municipal park in the United States. Snaking off into this rugged wilderness of scrubby hills and canyons are 60 miles of marked hiking, cycling and horse riding trails. One route will take you to the summit of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in San Diego at 486 metres and with a panorama of San Diego County that merits the climb."

"A hike in Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the best things to do in California. The whole preserve spans more than 7,000 acres, and depending on where you enter, you can see everything from bare, rocky cliffs to green fields bursting with life. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the wide range of activities offered at the park."

"This is also another big place that packs plenty of alternatives for your landscape photography. The paths here are quite romantic with amazing views of the hills. And the sky usually reflects attractively of the peaceful lake."

"With tables and chairs, benches and stoops, with a fountain constantly gurgling a serene background noise and the bay just within eyesight, this urban piazza in the heart of Little Italy is just amazing. Enjoy a coffee, a rendezvous or a book while you bask in a sunlit day with a cool bay breeze. This memorial to neighborhood soldiers who died during the Korean War is a beautiful monument to these heroes."

"Moonlight State Beach in the seaside town of Encinitas is one of the most visited beaches in North County because of its spacious sandy area and fun amenities like fire pits, sand volleyball courts, and a snack bar. There's also a large section of the beach that is reserved exclusively for swimmers, so you can hang out in the water and not worry about colliding with a surfboard (if you want to surf, nearby Swami's Beach is known as the surfing mecca in Encinitas). There is a paid parking lot near the beach as well as free street parking around the entrance."

"This beach earns its name because residents in the early 1900s used to picnic under the stars here. Today, Moonlight State Beach is a popular beach choice with North County San Diego locals and visitors. A picnic area, restrooms, volleyball courts, tennis courts, equipment rentals, a snack bar and more are just a few of the conveniences offered here."

"Moonlight Beach is a treasure trove of one-stop-shop beachiness with fairly easy parking, picnic areas, fire pits, a play area, volleyball courts, a snack shop, and showers for after swimming. This is one seriously family-friendly beach. Get there early enough and you’ll almost certainly see dolphins frolicking in the surf."

"The Cabrillo Bridge is a historic pedestrian and automobile bridge providing access between Balboa Park and Uptown San Diego. It's a great place to capture moody images at dawn. In general, Balboa Park is a great place to capture cool images."

"Linda makes more than just donuts… she’ll bake anything your heart desires and will make it fun too!. Case in point: these seasonal kids cookie decorating kits she has available for Valentine’s Day. If you need a cookie fix in between seasons, she’s always got some cookies ready for you."

"With immersive art studios, interactive art installations, and workshops and camps, The New Children’s Museum strives to stimulate creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through engaging experiences and contemporary art. The museum itself is housed in a dynamic space and is one of the first fully green museums in San Diego. It commissions artworks from local artists with which children can interact and engage and, as a result, always has something new to offer visitors."

"A new model of children’s museum whose mission is to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art."

"The First San Diego Courthouse, rebuilt in 1992, was originally the town hall. Constructed by the Mormon Battalion, the first brick building in San Diego became the courthouse when the city was incorporated in 1850. It also served as a school, church and polling place."

"As one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers of the 20th century, the USS Midway boasts an extensive and incredible history. Built-in only 17 months and named after the climactic Battle of the Midway in 1942, the USS Midway served the nation honorably during its 50 years in commission. It continues to serve the public as a museum by reminding it of world history and of the U.S. military’s impressive power."

"After 47 years of worldwide service, the retired USS Midway began a new tour of duty on the south side of the Navy pier in 2004. Launched…"

"Piatti is nestled in the unique La Jolla Shores neighborhood with an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant features an exhibition kitchen, full service bar and two tree-covered patios – perfect for a private event or al fresco dining."

"Last but not least, in La Jolla, check out Piatti, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 1,586 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Italian spot at 2182 Avenida de la Playa. (between El Paseo Grande and Calle De La Plata)."

"Blocks from the beach in La Jolla Shores, this comfortably modern dining room and shaded patio hits all the right notes—affordable, polished...Read More"

"If you’re feeling tired of veggie burgers and Asian food options, take a seat at the Kenyan cuisine-inspired Flavors of East Africa. Though the menu does feature heavily meat-based dishes -- including ox!. -- there are a number of exotic salads and vegetable dishes available for vegetarians."