lake compounce: I know of the big touristy spots like SeaWorld and Balboa Park, but what are some cheap places to see and even some nature spots to check out?|||Have a bonfire on the beach....there are fire pits provided for this. It's fun to roast marshmallows....make s'mores. Go to http://www.sandiego-romantics.com/san-di鈥?/a> for more info on beaches with firepits. It's also fun to bike along the coast and kayak through the La Jolla caves. The ferry ride over to Coronado Island from downtown San Diego is only $3 each way and is a scenic 15 min. ride. Torrey Pines State Reserve just north of La Jolla is a great place for hiking and enjoying the coastline.|||Torrey Pines has some amazing hiking trails, and the coves at La Jolla are just beautiful year-round. There is a site www.friendswithclass.com that has activities going on all the tiem (some free) -- see what they offer for October...|||Every visitor should go to the Mount Solodad Memorial. It is the best view of the city. I also recomend the cove in La Jolla for the seals, and concerts if there are any. At the end of Point Loma, there is Cabrillo Natl. park wich has tide pools and great ocean views. If they are coming the weekend of the 13th, the air show at Miramar is great.|||Hike at Torrey Pines State Park. You'll just pay a few bucks to park. Lots of nice trails among the Torrey Pines trees and then a trail down to the ocean. Hint: Check the tide calendar before you go so you go down to the beach when the tide's going out and return when the tide's starting to come in...that way you'll be able to hike on the beautiful beach and still make it back up. Another good trip is out to Palomar Mt. during the week when the big telescope observatory is open to the public. You dont actually get to look in the telescope but if you're lucky you'll see it rotating around with the roof; there are lots of interesting exhibits inside, and it's pretty interesting. The trails on the mountain are beautiful...it doesn't even feel like you are in San Diego. Watch out though, I got poison oak there once. I agree with the other poster's ideas. If you have time to get to Anza Borrego it's great out there, especially if you have 4 wheel drive or high clearance vehicle to get off of the highway. The Cuyamacas and Lagunas aren't too far away. Also, in October there should be some nice weather to drive to Julian for apple pie and a few leaves turning color.|||There's a place on E Street in Chula Vista called the Nature Interpretive Center. It started out as an educational facility for kids, but it has expanded into an animal rehab unit, and all sorts of wonderful stuff goes on there. You could also consider Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla. Also consider going up to the mountains for a hike along any of the trails up there. Anza-Borrego Desert is lovely, and Cuyamaca is full of all sorts of falls, springs and pools you can hike next to. All of these places have nominal fees which are plunked right back into the park/organization, and best of all they're a GREAT way to learn about local habitat and wildlife.|||A little known gem is at the end of LaHonda road off El Norte in Escondido off of the I-15. There is a wildlife preserve called Daley Ranch which has wonderful trails all over the place, but the main 1/2 mile walk to the ranch house and barns is well worth it. Right next to it is Dixon Lake where you can rent little boats and hike on the primitive side of the damn and reservior. Both are free, except for the boat rental. There is also Wild Animal Park in Escondido. You can take a drive up the grade from Escondido and go to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center.|||yes i think balboa park is a good one and also should be san diego zoo sea world and museums|||Everyone has great suggestions. How about Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails park. The hike is 3 3/4 miles uphill, but the views are great; this is the highest point within the city limits. There are other trails in the park, but none as easy to get to, or as rewarding at sunset. If you can catch a low tide, there are lots of tide pool areas along the coast. Bird Rock in La Jolla is a great one, but I spent lots of time at the pools between Scripps and Blacks beaches in La Jolla while attending UCSD. The Torrey Pines trails are nice, and there are other locations to view the beaches below. You can go to the glider port near the Salk Institute, or here http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=32.87鈥?/a> Both locations have great views of the ocean and La Jolla Cove. The map link I included is a spot we used to hang out at while destressing from finals at UCSD. Blacks beach below is a "nude" beach, but thankfully the cliffs are high enough. Great place to sit and each lunch. Enjoy!|||Kayaking in La Jolla cove is one of the best things to do (if it's warm) you can see all kinds of fish and sea lions and birds, the scenery is awesome. the caves are really cool to go kayaking through. there's a bunch of places to rent kayaks from in La Jolla shores.|||Torrey Pines (trail) Old Town La Jolla Cove (seals) Coronado Hotel Del Mar Seaport Village San Diego Zoo Presidio - a historic landmark, is where Junipero Serra established the first of the Spanish missions in California. Carlsbad Flower Fields Gaslamp Quarter|||Kayak in La Jolla on a guided tour in La Jolla. Fun!