With that in mind, we put our heads together to come up with this list of our Top Five Free Excursions.

1. Balboa Park - There’s tons to do at Balboa Park that doesn’t cost money. (Parking and shuttles are free, too!) Our favorite thing to do, beyond the zoo, is to walk around the promenade, let the kids run in the massive fountain, and enjoy a picnic at the massive Pepper Grove playground. If its a Sunday, our kids adore exploring the cottages representing the various nations. On top of that there are tons of hiking trails to explore.
2. Beach day – There are tons of beaches along our coast, most of them are 100% free. Our favorite free beaches are Coronado, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla Shores. In Winter, we still go to the beach pretty regularly! Our favorite for long walks on cool days is Pacific Beach. There are plenty of shops and things to explore that won’t cost you a dime!
3. Torrey Pines Gliderport – While it will set you back some cash to actually going hang-gliding, watching them take off and fly around is nearly as cool and completely free. The cliffs also provide an amazing place to take pictures. Fair warning: This isn’t designed for tourists. So don’t expect to see a lot of services or even seating. But did we mention the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean? (And a healthy amount of trying to see down to Blacks Beach below. (Nude beach)
4. Mission Trails – Hike, mountain bike, and explore to your hearts content. Located just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, Mission Trails regional park is 5800 acres of mostly undeveloped wilderness. And its all free and open to the public.
5. Old Town - We love both the state historic park and the little neighborhood to the south. Wander around the park to learn San Diego’s rich history and experience the joy of tons of little shops, restaurants, and galleries that make Old Town unique. And, of course, you can have a great time without spending any money at all.

Postscript: While it isn’t free, one of our favorite ways to save money while exploring San Diego is to take the trolley. An all-day pass is just $5. And on weekends, two children under 12 years old are free with a paying adult. Our kids still get a kick out of riding the trolley downtown!

Extraordinary Desserts is a dessert lover’s paradise. While there are other items on the menu, dessert takes center stage. The desserts are homemade and the menu changes daily. The best word to describe the desserts is intense. Presentation is part of the package. Desserts are garnished with the likes of fresh fruit, colorful flower petals and sculpted chocolate. They are a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

On my last visit I ordered a scoop of homemade Very Vanilla Bean Ice Cream served with a generous heap of fresh raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. (I’m a self-described chocoholic but I was counting on my younger child not being able to finish his sinfully rich chocolate mousse…lucky for me, I was right.) Needless to say I walked out, better make that waddled out, with a happy belly.

Extraordinary Desserts is a unique stop for your next visit to downtown San Diego. Here are a few things you should be aware of before you visit:

• Extraordinary Desserts has two locations in downtown San Diego – Little Italy and Balboa Park (original location)
• Parking is limited to metered street parking
• Both locations are popular; prepare to wait in line to be seated
• A dessert and coffee may set you back about $10; in here it’s about the total experience