Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Silver Strand State Beach

"Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre cultural destination a few minutes by car from Downtown San Diego that suits a variety of travel styles. Each of the 16 museums are fantastic in their own right and some are enumerated separately on this list, such as the kid-friendly favorites including Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural History Museum. Culture enthusiasts may want to step into the San Diego Museum of Art or Museum of Photographic Arts."

"This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings."

"A Mission Beach linchpin, Belmont Park was opened by the sugar magnate John D. Spreckels back in 1925. This amusement park has 12 rides, three oceanfront eateries, an 18-hole Tiki-themed mini golf course and a host of smaller attractions. But the king of Belmont Park has to be the time-honoured Giant Dipper."

"This oceanfront amusement park offers thrilling rides and a boardwalk where you can soak in the sun at the beach or go surfing or swimming in the ocean. The most famous ride is the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Keep fit while indulging in activities like rock climbing, rock wall, zip line, and sky rope."

"This is one of the most fabulous family-friendly tourist attractions in San Diego. Plus, it has a lot of history. It provides an opportunity for amusements, games, and food at a historical, classic American boardwalk."

"Honoring the slain civil rights leader, the tree-lined Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade features sculptures like the stainless steel “Breaking of the Chains” by renowned artist Melvin Edwards. There is also a fountain and a hedge maze."

"Get your stomach rollercoaster-ready or if you’re still feeling the heat of your Ocean Beach tacos, just take a nice long stroll along the Boardwalk. Looking for a SIM Card in the USA?. If you’re visiting from overseas and want to pick up a SIM Card for calls and data while you’re away, I highly recommend TelAway. The number of SIM companies to choose from is baffling but Telaway arranged my SIM card very quickly, the set up was non-existent (put it into your unlocked phone and you’re up and running) and included so much data (UNLIMITED!) I could even stream Netflix on long train journeys."

"The cement pathway lining the sand from the southern end of Mission Beach north to Pacific Beach is always bustling with activity. Cyclists…"

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."

"Owned by the same team as Bencotto, Monello has a similar aesthetic, but feels a few degrees more casual. The extensive menu features several pizzas, seafood, delicious fried things, and a lot more. If you’re craving a bowl of pasta, you’ll be well served at either location, but Monello gets bonus points for its pizza oven, being one of only a few Italian restaurants with a dedicated brunch menu, and for offering a free small plate with a drink purchase during aperitivo (4 to 7pm, daily)."

"Monello, located next to another favorite, Bencotto, is a modern Italian restaurant. One of the best spots in the Little Italy neighborhood, it specializes in reasonably priced pizzas, pastas, and entrées and serves unbeatable cocktails. Customers enjoy this quiet and quaint space, and rave about Monello’s tasty brunch and complimentary snacks during happy hour."

"Although San Diego is generally known for its casual dress code and easy attitude, Monello is a place worth dressing up for. The Milanese restaurant is most famous for its cheese wheel, which they heat, melt, and toss pasta on. Divine, yes—but if you think that's indulgent, drop in on Wednesdays, when they sub out pasta for risotto."

"Buon Appetito is a small and intimate restaurant famous for its homemade pasta, including gnocchi, ravioli and lasagna. Their lobster-tail ravioli simmered in vermouth and served in saffron sauce is a customer’s favorite together with their homemade tiramisu. The restaurant has a bar with over 50 wine varieties, so feel free to order a glass during lunch or dinner."

"Buon Appetito is an Italian Restaurant in San Diego, CA. They serve classic Italian dishes created from family recipes and offer an extensive wine list, catering services, and private dining options for guests."

"This hole-in-the-wall City Heights restaurant proves that looks can be deceiving. The food, which includes an assortment of egg noodle soups, rice noodle soups and practically any other Chinese dish you could imagine, is highly recommended by regulars. There are so many menu options that you could try something different every time and never run out of options or combinations!"

"A post shared by JSMedina (@kulokoy) on Mar 17, 2019 at 8:26pm PDT. At this all-you-can-eat buffet, your food choices are more than you can try in one outing (so come back soon!) Chow down on a large selection of seafood, including crab legs, shrimp and scallops and serve yourself a side of sushi to go with it. End your meal with a delightful dessert such as crème brûlée, cheesecake or perhaps some Italian gelato."