10 Unique & Free Things to Do in San Diego, San Diego, California

Unique and free in San Diego? If you’re asking, “What should I do in San Diego?”, a long-time resident might be the best qualified to answer. Who else will know the best tourist sites, the best attractions, the hidden gems, unique things to do, and everything that’s free? Here’s where I step in with a fun list of 10 unique and free things you can do in and near San Diego!

Perched high atop Mt. Soledad in the La Jolla community of San Diego is the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. You can’t miss the 29-ft tall cross on top of a 14-ft platform because you can see it from many miles away. Surrounding the cross are walls covered with the images and stories of over 3200 veterans. It’s the only memorial that honors both the living and the deceased, with photo images. A few well-known veterans whose names can be found here include Jimmy Stewart, Harry S Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and A. Glenn Miller. Besides being a notable memorial, there are also stunning 360-degree views of San Diego from Mt. Soledad.

Years ago, in 1932, a sea wall was built in La Jolla to create a protected swimming area for children. That’s how this became known as the Children’s Pool. As it turned out, it was also an idyllic place for seal lions and harbor seals. Now it is a popular site that attracts many visitors hoping to get a close glimpse of the seals. It is also a beautiful place to watch the waves crash against the sea wall or to watch the sun set. There are restrooms and showers available to the public here. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).