What else is there to do in SD that is cheap besides going to the beach?

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by usernametaken

Well I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and total precipitation is higher than in Seattle, WA. I found this quite surprising. Moreover, precipitation in snow belt cities included snow I would guess, which is a worse than rain. Most people I talked to in Seattle said that the rain in the winter months is drizzle and not downpours.

So I was basing it on comparison with Cleveland, Ohio and with what people told me in Seattle. Not on my five day visit alone.

I was pretty much agreeing with you but just adding in that SD county has a lot of cool back country areas.

[luvSD]

For hiking/walking that is within easy distance, try Torrey Pines nature Reserve. It's a beautiful area and it is free except for parking - though you can get free street parking too if you go early or are lucky.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

For camping try Anza Borrego. If you go to the primitive camp sites, it is free. If you do this, do so now becuase it gets too hot after May. It is a desert though, it can get very beautiful if you go in spring.
Anza Borrego Camping

For lake, I recommend Lake Miramar and Lake Cuyamaca. For biking, there are lots of biking trails and also biking organizations which you can join. Go to the above web site and click onto the relevant links.

[Oerdin]

Almost 50% of the county is protected from development so that means lots and lots of open spaces to go hiking, backpacking, biking, or horse back riding. It's all either free or dirt cheap depending on where exactly you go. Also since the county is so geographically varied there are tons of different climate zones here.

[usernametaken]

Gentoo, my response was to Encinitan's post.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by usernametaken

Gentoo, my response was to Encinitan's post.

oops my bad. Sorry

[DubHaze]

Morley Field has Disc Golf for like 2 bucks

[sandiegogolfer]

Originally Posted by BrettG

I just moved out here recently (2 months ago to be exact) from the Midwest and I need other suggestions for inexpensive outdoor fun besides the beach. Although I like taking strolls along the boardwalk in Pacific and Mission Beaches, the whole surfing/beach scene altogether is not my cup of tea. I' am more of a mountain person than a coastal lover. I like hiking, camping, biking, fishing, Lake Watersports, ect.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is to go kayak fishing in San Diego Bay or Mission Bay or La Jolla Shores in the ocean.

After the initial cost of the kayak and your gear, launching is free except in the lakes here where they will charge you up to 10 bucks a day I believe.

The bay is free and the fishing is more productive than in the lakes.

It is really peaceful especially in the mornings where there is usually little to no traffic launching out of Bay Park in Chula Vista.

Kayak and fishing are a great marriage.

I enjoy fishing a lot more when I use the kayak.

I enjoy kayaking a lot more when I am fishing.

Kayak fishing is much better than on a boat as you get more exercise and there is very little maintenance as there is on a boat.

Also the kayak is more stealthy and you can launch in a few inches of water.

Quieter and no gas fumes from a motor.

Just a great sport to get involved in.

Here are a few sites to check into.

San Diego Kayak Fishing, saltwater bass at its best!
San Diego Fishing Reports, Forums, and News - Home
Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water's Edge

Enjoy!

[mmmmm1309]

Do you ride motorcycles?

How much does it cost to rent the motorcycles?
$69/day or $299 for package of training and week long rental ($29/day). $29/day for over 1 week rentals.

If not you can learn at [url=http://www.begin2ride.com]San Diego Motorcycle Training and Rentals[/url]

Its fun but motorcycling is certainly not as cheap as hanging out at the beach.

[kixette]

I'm loving all the info, and yes, I've used the search a bunch, but any more "what to do in San Diego" stuff would be appreciated. I'm coming for a week in May, and one of the things I'm doing is going to see the "surf dogs" at Imperial Beach Dog Park. but i've got a bunch of other days, and would love more input from locals. Looking forward to exploring San Diego, Imperial Beach, and Baja... got a packet of stuff from Chamber already, so very excited!

[JakeDog]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

It does but not like people think it does and less so than almost all cities on the east coast.

But this is about SD's outdoor opportunities and while I agree with the Seattle comparison, based on my above post I think SD county also has a lot to offer in this regard. Different types of habitats but still quite nice.

I agree with sass for the most part too. However Mt. Laguna and Palomar can still be ok during the summer. In fact, those are the only places I would do any sort of these outdoor activities in summer around here for the reasons sass mentioned.

It doesn't rain as much in terms of inches, but Seatlle has far more cloudy and gloomy days than the East Coast. It isn't even close.