Located in beautiful San Diego, California, La Jolla has a lot to offer budget travelers looking to save on a beach vacation. Best of all, the weather here is ideal year-round with temperatures almost always warm. Just pack a jacket if 60°F winters bother you.

Interested in exploring more beaches nearby? Check out our guide to the best beaches along the West Coast.

What to do at La Jolla Cove

One of the things I love most about La Jolla are the sea lions and seals! You have to take care to not get too close, but it’s amazing to watch the marine life bask in the sunshine and play with one another. Best of all for cheapos, it’s completely free to watch these creatures thrive in their natural habitat.

La Jolla Cove is also, as its name implies, a cove, which makes for great exploring. The cove is safe enough to traverse for beginners and kids but still feels adventurous. You can also snorkel here. Stop by the tide pools to watch smaller marine life like crabs and fish — you’ll have the best experience from December through March.

Exploring the cove is completely free. Photo: Paige Bennett

Affordable restaurants in La Jolla

San Diego is a hot spot for Mexican food, fresh fare and wine. Duke’s La Jolla is a popular local spot where you can get fresh fish and traditional burgers and salads plus beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails. If you’re in the area for Taco Tuesday, you’ll get deals on tacos and margaritas, too. Cove House offers seasonal menus, so you know you’re always enjoying something fresh. Stop by for brunch for crab egg’s benedict, or grab grilled fish tacos. Are you a beer-drinker? Stop by Karl Strauss Brewing Company for beers and grub focused on sustainability.

A sunset view over the Pacific Ocean as spotted from Inn by the Sea. Photo: Booking.com

Budget Hotels in La Jolla

Beach Haven Inn

Double rooms starting at $99

Just a block from the beach, the Beach Haven Inn is a safe and affordable bet. Rooms include full kitchens, so you can save money by whipping up something at your home base. Don’t feel like cooking? The nearby boardwalk features 3 miles of restaurants. Crystal Pier is also nearby, and the cove is a few miles away.

Residence Inn La Jolla

Double rooms starting at $110

Positioned further from the beach but still in a great location, Residence Inn La Jolla offers sunny suites complete with kitchens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included for free. The Birch Aquarium is close by, and La Jolla Cove is only 2.5 miles from the inn.

Inn by the Sea

Double rooms starting at $129

You can walk to the cove from the charming Inn by the Sea. Simple, blue-and-yellow rooms are air conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, TVs and balconies or patios. Be sure to book in advance to get the best rates.

Big windows means big view! Photo: Booking.com

La Jolla Cove Suites

Double rooms starting at $142

You can’t get closer to La Jolla Cove than the beachfront La Jolla Cove Suites. Such a premium location comes at a price, but booking ahead of time (and considering off-season travel, although the weather is perfect all the time!) can make this hotel an affordable option. Rooms are sleek and modern with amenities including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and ocean-facing balconies.

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Zuma is tucked into the coastline near Malibu. Many people head straight for Malibu, where you can expect crowds and astronomical parking fees — if you can even find a parking spot. But Zuma is quieter, more secluded. And parking is definitely more affordable. With fewer crowds, you’ll also enjoy cleaner beaches and more space to stretch out.

Zuma Beach parking fees are typically around $8 a day. I’ve spent nearly $20 in the off-season at Malibu, for comparison.

Interested in other West Coast adventures? Check out this post on the best beaches in the western U.S.

What to do in Zuma Beach

There are a few must-see things when you are in the area. First and foremost, Zuma Beach is in an area popular for whale watching. Head to nearby Point Dume for the best chance at spotting whales for free, although you can also book boat tours for a closer look. The whales migrate from the north to Mexico for the winter (and back again in the spring), so you are most likely to see them from December to May.

You also must — and I really mean MUST — get up early enough to catch what may just be the best sunrise of your life. Everyone raves about West Coast sunsets, but from my experience, the winter sunrises are some of the most incredible performances of the sky you’ll ever witness. Each day is different, one day might display the brightest golden hour, while other days burst in pinks and deep purples.

In non-pandemic times, I also recommend the Malibu Wine Safaris. This is more of a splurge, but you’ll get to do a wine tasting, tour the vineyards and see many animals. During the pandemic, you can still book smaller parties and tours.

When it is open, Malibu Wines is a fun (and delicious) tour to consider. Photo: Paige Bennett

Affordable restaurants in Zuma Beach

I have two must-stop places for dining near Zuma Beach. The first is Neptune’s Net, a popular spot for motorcyclists and Adam Sandler — yes, the actor. Neptune’s Net offers incredibly fresh seafood and a few options for plant-based diners. During COVID-19, Neptune’s Net is only open via drive-thru, but it is located directly across from the beach. The restaurant’s clam chowder also rivals anything you’d find on the East Coast. Prices are reasonable, to boot.

Don’t miss the clam chowder at this Malibu staple. Photo: Elizabeth Albert

Another popular spot in this area is Malibu Farm. There are two Malibu Farm locations, one is a full-service restaurant at the start of the Malibu Beach pier, and the other is a cafe at the end of the pier. Locals eat this up, and this is also said to be a popular spot for celebrity sightings. (If you do see a celeb on your trip, play it cool like the locals do!) At $16 for a bowl of yogurt, fruit and granola, this isn’t exactly a budget pick, but if you want to rub elbows with L.A.’s elite, this is the spot for you.

Budget hotels in Malibu

Malibu is notoriously expensive to visit, especially when it comes to hotels. Here is one option that won’t break the bank (meaning rooms around $200). Please keep in mind that this area is definitely hard to get around without a car, so the best budget hotels are a short drive from the beach.

Motel rooms feature simple style, mini-fridges and boxed water. Photo: Booking.com

The M Malibu

Just a few steps from the beach, this is one of the few cheap-ish options in the area. We love the free parking and you can stroll to the Malibu Pier in about 10 minutes. Rooms are simple but decorated with cheery splashes of color, and the small outdoor pool is a nice bonus. Some rooms even feature partial ocean views!

Search more than 30 hotels in Malibu.

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Exploring more of the western U.S.? Here’s our guide to the best West Coast beaches.

What to do at Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach is great if you’re looking for a no-frills destination. First and foremost, just enjoy the clean, uncrowded beach! You can also walk along the pier to take in the views, with ocean on one side and mountains on the opposite side. Fishing is free, or pole rentals and bait are available along with kayak and paddleboard rentals. You can also visit Veteran’s Park, a massive local park, where you can picnic, jog, or just soak in the sunshine. On Thursdays, stop by the farmers market at the park for delicious local produce.

A huge, warm churro? Yes, please! Photo: Paige Bennett

Affordable restaurants in Redondo Beach

As soon as you have arrived, head straight for Churros Pier Bakery at the pier. Here, you’ll find huge, foot-long churros for cheap, but make sure you have cash, as this is a cash-only establishment. Paired with caramel, strawberry, or chocolate sauce, these churros are a must.

Aside from the churros, there are several dining options along the pier. Oriental Breeze offers affordable sushi and other Japanese fare. Old Tony’s has fresh seafood dishes and cocktails. For delicious, fresh local Thai cuisine, visit The Shrimp Lover, or indulge in tacos by the beach at El Cinco de Mayo.

Take in salty ocean breezes at Grandview Inn. Photo: Booking.com

Budget hotels in Redondo Beach

Ready to book your stay? Here are some surprisingly affordable hotel options in the Redondo Beach area.

Seaside Motel

Double rooms starting at $99

Located just 10 minutes from LAX, the Seaside Motel is an unassuming option with easy access to the beach via car (a 5-minute drive on a good traffic day), bike or public transit. Rooms offer basic amenities like fridges, TVs and Wi-Fi, plus enough room to stretch out.

Grandview Inn

Double rooms starting at $119

With a modern design and beachfront access, the Grandview Inn is a solid bet if you plan to hit the beach from sunrise to sunset. Rooms are sleek and spacious with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and movie rentals and fridges. Rates tend to fluctuate, so book well ahead if possible; for a bit extra, you can score a room with ocean views, too.

Chill out by the pool at Redondo Beach Hotel. Photo: Booking.com

The Redondo Beach Hotel

Double rooms starting at $149

Just a short walk to the pier and a plethora of restaurants, the inviting Redondo Beach Hotel includes extras like a hot tub, heated pool and fitness center, although you could just walk out the front door and swim, soak or run along the beach. Either way, you’ll enjoy this hotel’s modern, comfortable rooms; check when booking to grab a room with marina or city views.

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Located in Southwestern Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is great for athletic types who love to move when they’re out in the sun. So run, don’t walk, to book a stay for the best rates!

Other affordable beach destinations to explore on the West Coast:

• Zuma Beach
• Rialto Beach
• La Jolla Cove
• Redondo Beach

Looking for a slower-paced stay along the coast? Here’s our budget travel guide to the best West Coast beaches.

What to do at Manhattan Beach, California

With some of the gnarliest waves along the coast, you’ll see a lot of surfers catching the waves. If you love to surf, test the waters yourself, or just admire those practicing this sport. The Manhattan Beach Pier is more simplistic than the piers you’ll find in Santa Monica or Redondo, but it still offers great fishing opportunities.

The Strand is a walking and bike path along the beach, which makes it much easier to run and take in the views compared to running in the sand. Manhattan Beach is believed to be where beach volleyball originated, so don’t hesitate to play a game or two. This is an incredibly active community, so you can also join yoga classes or other fitness classes right on the beach.

During non-COVID-19 times, you can also explore the free Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Walk, jog, run, or bike along The Strand. Photo: Peter Woodman

Affordable restaurants in Manhattan Beach, California

Move over, IHOP. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is the place to go for breakfast by the beach, and it is one of the more affordable options in this affluent area. Customize your own Cream’wich at the ever-popular Manhattan Beach Creamery, and finish your day with farm-to-table, artisanal dishes at Manhattan Beach Post, and sip cocktails with a view or enjoy a dinner for four for just $50 at zinc@shade.

The swanky Hotel Hermosa is near both Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches. Photo: Booking.com

Budget hotels in Manhattan Beach, California

There are multiple options for Cheapos to sleep easy in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding area. Here are a few of our top choices with rates under $150.

Seahorse Inn

Double rooms starting at $95

The sleepy Seahorse Inn is a quiet, modest spot that includes an on-site restaurant and a location just a mile from the Manhattan Beach pier. Simple rooms feature light wood furnishings and floral bedspreads; amenities are more contemporary and include flat-screen TVs, fridges, free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms.

The Belamar

Double rooms starting at $133

The Belamar boasts modern, minimalist rooms outfitted with stylish décor and handy amenities like free Wi-Fi, coffee machines and fridges. The hotel also includes a restaurant that dishes up organic fare. It’s not the closest to the beach, you’ll need to drive or catch a bus, but the lower rates and proximity to not just Manhattan but multiple beaches make it worthwhile.

The spacious and sunny outdoor patio at Hotel Hermosa. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Hermosa

Double rooms starting at $139

Near Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches, Hotel Hermosa offers stylish hotel rooms plus an on-site yoga facility, a heated pool and a fire pit. Check when booking to choose a room with city, courtyard or beach views, depending on your preference.

The post Budget travel guide to Manhattan Beach, California appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you love the beach as much as I do, you might wonder which beaches along the “best coast” are worth your while.

Truthfully, you’ll find a little bit of happiness no matter what beach you visit, but we’re sharing a few favorites.

Related: Search for cheap hotels in Los Angeles

A guide to the best beaches on the West Coast

As the pandemic drags on, escaping to nature is really one of the safest and most exhilarating ways to break up the monotony of each day. So before you hop in the car and travel to the West Coast, here are the best West Coast beaches to consider adding to your itinerary.

Note: Please be aware of all local and national guidelines for traveling before making the trip. Stay safe!

Zuma Beach

When people think of West Coast beaches, Malibu likely comes to mind with its iconic pier and celebrity homes. As such, the area can get crowded and pricey. Luckily, more secluded spots like Zuma Beach offer the same excellent views and soothing ocean breezes but with a cheaper price tag for things like parking and dining.

Check out our Zuma Beach article for what to see, do and eat plus a few spots on where to stay in the area.

Redondo Beach is south of Santa Monica and not far from LAX. Photo: Paige Bennett

Redondo Beach

While its pier is not quite as festive as nearby Santa Monica’s pier, Redondo Beach is a gem with a spotless shoreline, mountain views, a nearby park and fresh, foot-long churros for cheap. What’s not to love? Read our budget guide for tips on traveling to Redondo Beach.

Exploring the cove is completely free. Photo: Paige Bennett

La Jolla Cove

Located in San Diego, California, La Jolla Cove offers free street parking, perfect year-round temperatures, and free sights of seals and sea lions basking in the sun. Sound intriguing? Plan your trip with our La Jolla budget travel guide.

Walk, jog, run, or bike along The Strand. Photo: Peter Woodman

Manhattan Beach

Gnarly waves, a peaceful pier, and beach volleyball are the name of the game at Manhattan Beach in southern California. Do as the locals do with our budget travel guide to Manhattan Beach, an athlete’s paradise.

You’ll need to pay the Olympic National Park access fee to reach Rialto Beach. Photo: Olympic National Park

Rialto Beach

Let’s head up the coast to scenic Washington, where you’ll find the misty, picturesque Rialto Beach. Find out how to access this beach, what to see, where to eat, and of course, where to rest your head after long days of exploring with our Rialto Beach travel guide.

The post Budget tips for the best West Coast beaches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While San Francisco may be one of the most expensive cities to visit in the U.S., it certainly doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s eating street food or enjoying an afternoon at one of San Francisco’s many great public parks, there are plenty of things to do for cheap, and even free. While some of these activities are outdoors and only available during the summer months, many are year-round.

Here are 10 of the best free things to do in San Francisco throughout the year:

Sutro Baths

The Sutro Baths, the city’s version of ruins, are one of the most interesting landmarks in San Francisco. Formerly a large swimming complex along the rocky cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, the complex burned down in the mid-1960s, leaving the remains that stand today. This is an intriguing landmark, which offers one of the best views in San Francisco. It’s also the trailhead for the Lands End hiking trail.

Golden Gate Park

Few parks in the U.S. can rival San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. While it has the same shape of New York City’s Central Park, it’s nearly 25% larger. The park features museums, large and open green spaces, and paths for walking and bicycling. The park is convenient to the Haight and Inner Sunset districts, which have great dining and nightlife.

Tour of Anchor Brewing

Anchor is one of the most well-known breweries on the west coast, calling San Francisco home. It’s one of the few breweries that offers a free tour, culminating in a tasting session of Anchor beers. However, you’ll need to book your reservation weeks in advance (months in advance if you want to go on a Friday).

Free museum days

San Francisco features some great museums, including the California Academy of Sciences and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. While many of San Francisco’s museums aren’t free, they have free museum days, which are typically one day per month during the middle of the week. This is also when the museums are often the least crowded.

Cable Car Museum

In San Francisco, cable cars are truly part of the city’s culture. And when you see the hills of San Francisco, you’ll see why; you’ll be thankful for a cable car ride up those steep streets. The Cable Car Museum offers visitors a behind-the-cable look at this fascinating method of transportation.

Shakespeare in the Park

You’ll have to be visiting San Francisco during the summer months to take part in the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Free Shakespeare in the Park. Each summer brings a new weekend afternoon and evening show. Bring a blanket and picnic and make a day of it. The plays take part at a couple of different locations in and around the bay area, but I recommend the Presidio location.

San Francisco Mime Troupe

Don’t worry, we’re not talking about any old mime performing on a street corner. The San Francisco Mime Troupe has been putting on a shows for years. Scheduled performances take place around San Francisco during the summer months, including Dolores Park in the Mission, Glen Park, and Washington Square Park.

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Site

The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Site is located near Fisherman’s Wharf, offers a chance to get close to several types of boats, including tugboats, ferries, and schooners. Self-guided tours of the boats are available for a nominal fee. Visiting the Site also allows for some great photo ops, since it has views of downtown San Francisco, Ghirardelli Square, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Sea lions of Pier 39

Pier 39‘s sea lions are celebrities in San Francisco. You may have to wiggle and squirm your way past other tourists at Fisherman’s Wharf to see them, but this is a great chance to see some local marine life. You can almost always find the sea lions at the dock at Pier 39; simply follow their smell.

Fort Point

Located on the southern side of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point offers one of the best views of the bridge. While the Golden Gate Bridge is the main attraction, Fort Point also offers great views of the city. The historic site maintains normal business hours Thursday through Monday. Both guided and self-guided tours are available free of charge.

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If you’re spending most of your time in San Francisco itself, you’re not likely to be renting a car. The expense of parking mixed with the difficulty of finding a parking spot are reasons enough to bypass a car rental in favor of public transportation.

You’ll likely be ready for a ride after climbing just a couple of San Francisco’s steep hills. Fortunately, San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in America, with bus or train stops usually within easy reach from wherever you may find yourself.

The following guide will help you get around San Francisco more efficiently using public transportation. For more details and ticket prices, make sure to read our “Getting Around San Francisco” guide.

MUNI

Familiarize yourself with MUNI, because this is where you’ll be spending a majority of your time while getting around San Francisco. While you’ll probably spend much of your time on the MUNI bus, other forms of MUNI public transportation include cable cars, trolleys and street cars.

Buses, trolleys and streetcars have a fare of $2, which includes a transfer ticket that is good for an hour and a half. This can be paid in cash or coins, but make sure to have exact change, as the drivers do not carry change. Cable car rides are $6 for a single-ride ticket.

If you’re in San Francisco for a few days, consider buying a MUNI passport. These are 1-, 3- or 7-day passes that offer unlimited rides. If you know you’ll be using MUNI on a daily basis or even multiple times per a day (and especially if you plan to take the cable car a few times), then this will typically save you both money and time, and save you the hassle of carrying single dollar bills or coins.

Caltrain

If you plan on getting outside the city, you may be using Caltrain, the Bay Area’s commuter train that travels between San Francisco and San Jose. Significant stops include Candlestick Park, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Stanford Stadium, Santa Clara and San Jose.

Fares depend on the length of your trip, starting at $2.75.

BART

BART is San Francisco’s subway system, although you won’t find nearly as many lines as you would in New York City. There’s one primary line that goes through San Francisco, which can get you around much quicker than MUNI. It runs from the Embarcadero, through downtown and into the Mission District.

You’ll likely use BART when going to the airport, Oakland or Berkeley, all of which are a short BART ride away and much cheaper than taking a taxi. You may even find it to be quite a bit cleaner and tolerable than most subway systems around the world. (Another fun note: Those civilized San Franciscans even have the tendency to line up when the train approaches—not something you tend to see in other cities!)

Fares on BART depend on how far you travel. BART tickets work like debit cards: You enter them when you start your journey and then again when exiting, at which time the correct fare is debited. For detailed information on rates and cards, see this page on the BART Web site.

Public transportation schedules

Since San Francisco has such an interconnected transportation system, it’ll probably be overwhelming at first when considering which public transportation method to use, where they stop, and when to get off.

While I recommend using a map, you can also access this information from your phone, even if you don’t have a smart phone. Dialing 5-1-1 or going to 511.org on your phone or computer gives up-to-the-minute information on traffic and when and where to catch your next ride. It also has a very useful route planner.

The post San Francisco: Public transportation survival guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you stop by at noon on Sunday, you can join me, as I represent EuroCheapo in a panel discussion on the “10 Best Destinations for Traveling on a Budget.” The timely discourse will be moderated by Jen Leo, travel writer and blogger for the LA Times. I’ll be joined by travel writers Rolf Potts of Vagabonding, and Johnny Jet of JohnnyJet.com. The panel will be held at noon on Sunday, February 15, in Petree Hall C.

Some star-studded offerings

The travel show will also feature several presentations by well known travel personalities. Rick Steves will speak on both days about “Budget European Travel Skills,” father and daughter duo Arthur and Pauline Frommer will discuss “Traveling during These Troubled Times” on Saturday and Sunday, and the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown is scheduled to speak on Saturday morning.

In addition, numerous panel discussions will be populated with travel writers and editors discussing topics such as “10 Hot Tips for Getting Travel Deals Online” and “When a Good Deal Isn’t: How to Avoid Getting Scammed.”

Join me! And give me suggestions!

I’ll be taking notes — and running from one discussion to the next. If you’re planning on coming, join me!

Also, please send me your suggestions (or leave them below). What do you think are the best budget European destinations? Do you have a favorite? Do you know of a destination that’s often overlooked and underrated? Please share below!

The post Join us at the LA Times Travel Show this weekend appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.