(my actual lunch) I was a bit nervous about being able to find a $5 Lincoln Lunch in the posh Gaslamp district of San Diego until I asked a doorman for a tip. Just up 6th Avenue there is a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place, he said.
Bingo! Hole-in-the-wall + Mexican = good chance for a Lincoln Lunch. I hiked up the hill to Antonio’s Mexican Food, which is on the corner of 6th Ave and A Street.
The large eatery was busy and had a huge, bright yellow menu above the cashier. I gave up my place in line to take it all in. Burritos were $2.60 and up, super tacos were $2.15 to $3.55, kids plates were $3.75, tostadas were $2.25 to $4, and eight different tortas were $4 each. Was anything NOT a Lincoln Lunch?
I ordered a Mexican style carnitas taco for $1.25 and a pair of chicken enchiladas for $4.15. My total came to $5.82.
I paid and sat at a counter seat where I could watch passerbys. A server called my number about five minutes later. I grabbed my food, snagged a slice of lime and radish from the salsa bar and sat down to grub.
The taco was very hot and had a lot of meat. The only drawback was the so-so guacamole. My chicken enchiladas were topped with sauce, shredded lettuce, and grated cheese. They had a lot of nicely-salted chicken and would have been enough for a full meal.
The atmosphere at Antonio’s is very casual. Not a great place for a business meeting (unless you want to prove how cheap you are) but a good spot for meeting a friend or grabbing a quick bite. Food is served on disposable plates and plastic utensils. Bus your own tray. 1350 6th Ave. 619-239-8786.
I had heard San Diego was a military town but it didn’t hit me until I saw copies of the Navy Dispatch next to the Union-Tribune and LA Times. A military newspaper! If you have any military ties, ask for discounts everywhere. Most museums post the military perks they offer, but remember to ask before you buy anything.
Free tram ride – one of my favorite things to do was hop on a free tram ride through Balboa Park, which makes two loops around various museums and park sights. My driver and tour guide Kathy had so much fun telling stories about the park, which is bigger than Central Park (1,200 acres v. 860 acres) that her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. Each tram loop is about 15 minutes and you can go ’round as many times as you wish! The hub is in the center of the Prado at the Plaza de Panama, but they make various stops throughout the park. Note, a second tram driver was not nearly as entertaining as Kathy.
Spreckels organ pavilion – every Sunday at 2p.m. there is a free organ concert, rain or shine. The pavilion is in the center of Balboa Park.
Botanical Building – The garden inside Balboa Park is always free to visitors. I saw many orchids inside the arched wooden structure and a beautiful pair of birds of paradise, above.
Timken Museum of Art – This Balboa Park gallery of masterful European, Russian, and American works is always free. 619-239-5548.
Walk along Harbor Drive – The 1.5-mile stroll along San Diego’s waterfront from Ash Street to the Convention Center is studded with public art, cool boats, and many vendors. There is plenty to see, like this over-sized swordfish, even if you do not pay to go into any of the ships that have been turned into museums.
Rent bikes – Wheel Fun on Harbor Drive rents bikes for $10-$15 an hour or $22-$45 for a full day. Military and airline employees can get a 20% discount if they ask. Other tourists may be able to negotiate a slight discount in the slow winter season or mid-week. Rent bikes downtown you will get a better rate at the San Diego Bike Shop, which charges $10 for the first hour and $5 for each additional hour up to $25 a day. A two-day rental is $45.
USS Midway Museum – Admission to the museum is steep with adults paying $17 and seniors 62 and up paying $13. Students are $11, retired military members are $10, kids age 6-17 are $9, kids 5 and under are free. Active members of the military are free. Admission includes a self-guided tour in English, Spanish or Japanese. 910 N. Harbor Dr. 619-544-9600.
Maritime Museum – Tour 5 historic ships, including a submarine, at the northern end of Harbor Drive. Adults are $14, seniors 62 and older are $11, active military w/ID are $11, children 6-17 are $8, children five and under are free and members are free. 1492 North Harbor Dr. 619-234-9153.
Watch airplanes land – The San Diego airport is so close to the city that you can see airplanes coming in for landing from many vantage points. The best one I found is at the corner of Albatross St. and Ivy St., a neighborhood that is apparently inured to jets roaring overhead at regular intervals. The southwest corner has a full view of the runway, which is lit up at night. A good activity with kids.
Coronado Island – Enjoy the sights and walk on one of the island’s three beaches. Bring a picnic lunch to keep your costs down.
Free museums - Many of the museums are free one Tuesday each month, including the Rueben Fleet Science Center, the Museum of Man, and the Museum of Art. Read the complete schedule of free days. Note, some of the museums are only free to residents of San Diego County and active military members, including the Model Railroad Museum, Natural History Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, Air & Space Museum, Automotive Museum and Hall of Champions Sports Museum. Call ahead to confirm.
San Diego is a much bigger city than Santa Barbara, which I wrote about visiting cheaply last week. I covered a lot of ground on foot but think the best way to see the city is by renting a bicycle or a segway, if you don’t like hills.
I divided my finds into two categories – cheap places to eat and cheap things to do. On my next visit I’ll cover nightlife and shopping.
Brickyard Coffee & Tea – Rest your feet and sip a cup of coffee in their shaded outdoor patio right off the trolley line on your way down to Seaport Village, a cute collection of shops on the water side of Harbor Drive. At $1.75 for a small the coffee isn’t cheap, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Lunch wraps start at $5.50, sandwiches are $8 and up. 675 West G St. 619-696-7220.
Sultan Shawarma – This tiny eatery in the Gaslamp district had some of the lowest lunch prices I saw. A falafel sandwich was $6, other sandwiches were $6.49. You could probably get by ordering just the baba ghanouj ($5) or get a bowl of soup ($2.50), side of hummus ($2) and pita bread ($.50). 543 4th Ave. 619-231-1824.
City Pizzaria - A long line spoke well of this joint, where slices of cheese or pepperoni were $2.50 each. All other slices were $3. Limited indoor and outdoor seating. 1125 6th Ave. 619-531-0955.
Jugos de la Fuente - This “cafe and rebel juice bar” had plenty of seating and great prices. Five different sandwiches were $5 each, a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 soup combo was $4, wraps were $4, and a large salad was $4.50. Get a 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 smoothie for $5. 1048 7th Ave. 619-696-1466.
Taco Express – This out of the way restaurant smelled delicious and had a fenced in patio. Burritos start at $3.50, tacos are $2.05 and up. Two enchiladas (beef, chicken or cheese) are $3.75. Combination plates that include rice and beans are $5.25 and up, house specialties start at $6.45. 1330 State St. 619-235-0311.
Hub Market and Deli - Their breakfast burrito with three eggs and bacon or sausage is $3. Add hash browns for $1. Most lunch sandwiches are $6. You will have to find your own seating, however, as this deli provides none. 748 6th Ave. 619-544-1917.
In the Market - This small market and deli has lunch specials for $5.50 and up. Regular salads and sandwiches are $6 and up. Breakfast starts at $5. 1036 7th Ave. 619-232-5175.
My trip to Santa Barbara was so successful that I decided to take the train down to San Diego and explore the city’s bargains. So far I’ve already discovered a great deal – free WiFi in the downtown Santa Fe train station!
There are many, many low-cost activities, shops, and restaurants in San Diego and I hope to find as many as possible in about 24 hours. Tell me what deals I should check out while I’m in town by leaving a comment. Thanks!
Julia
aka Bargain Babe
