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Top budget travel picks: Denver to San Diego

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Published on March 01, 2019
Top budget travel picks: Denver to San DiegoPhoto: iStock

Have you been craving a California getaway, without the congestion of LA? San Diego offers plenty of sandy beaches and sunny days, with an even more laid-back vibe and the best border town tacos you can find.

The city’s top-rated local craft brewing industry is a major draw, along with the famous San Diego Zoo, other amusement parks and many historic sites from the city’s Spanish and Mexican heritage. And San Diego’s deep-water harbor supports a wide range of coastal activities, including sightseeing cruises, whale-watching and Southern California’s largest sport fishing fleet.

Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Denver and San Diego. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Cheapest San Diego flights

Currently, the cheapest flights between Denver and San Diego are if you leave on April 23 and return from California on April 25. American Airlines currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $115.

There are also deals to be had in May. If you fly out of Denver on May 11 and return from San Diego on May 15, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $154 roundtrip.

Top San Diego hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of San Diego’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Hotel del Coronado. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $290.

The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows (2223 El Cajon Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another 4.6-star option is The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, which has rooms for $79/night.

The U.S. Grant (326 Broadway)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is The U.S. Grant. The 4.7-star hotel has rooms for $159/night.

Set in the heart of San Diego, this hotel is close to the Westfield Horton Plaza, Petco Park, as well as the San Diego Convention Center. Other attractions include the San Diego Zoo.

Top picks for dining and drinking

Don't miss San Diego's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are two of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Extraordinary Desserts (2929 Fifth Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First things first: where to satisfy your sweet tooth. For a popular option, check out Extraordinary Desserts, which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 160 reviews on Skyscanner.

"This is a very nice place to hang out with friends and share some beautifully decorated treats. I loved the fresh fruit tarts," wrote visitor Roque.    

The Prado at Balboa Park (1549 El Prado)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking for a local favorite restaurant pick, head to The Prado at Balboa Park, with 4.6 stars from 133 reviews.

"There is a breeze blowing even on the hottest days, and you might even get to watch a wedding take place in the garden below if you sit outside," wrote reviewer Sandra. 

Featured San Diego attractions

To round out your trip, San Diego offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.

The San Diego Zoo (2920 Zoo Drive)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is The San Diego Zoo, with 4.8 stars from 1,035 reviews.

The San Diego Zoo houses over 4,000 animals from more than 800 species. At over 100 acres, the zoo offers exhibits that run the gamut of the world’s ecosystems: rainforest, savanna, desert and more.

Balboa Park (1549 El Prado, San Diego)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Balboa Park is another popular destination, with 4.8 stars out of 815 reviews.

Along with countless green spaces and gardens, the urban park is home to multiple museums, shops, restaurants and, most famously, the San Diego Zoo.  

The Gaslamp Quarter (614 Fifth Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Lastly, consider checking out The Gaslamp Quarter. It checks in with 4.6 stars from 578 reviews on Skyscanner. 

The hippest area in San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is alive with activity almost every day (and night) of the week. From restaurants to bars to fashion to art to movies to playhouses and other fun activities, this really is the heart of fun in the city.  

This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.