Unusual and Inexpensive Ways to Enjoy San Diego North

Known for its diverse terrain, ideal climate and popular attractions, exploring the hidden treasures of San Diego North doesn't require a lot of money. The San Diego North area runs from La Jolla north to Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside to the inland, mounting and desert communities of Escondido, Julian and the Anza-Borrego Desert.

Brimming with pristine beaches, natural preserves and historical landmarks, the 2,000 square mile region provides an abundance of unusual and inexpensive ways to discover the authentic San Diego North experience.

Following is a listing of 30 unusual and inexpensive ways visitors can enjoy San Diego North year-round:

1) Head to one of San Diego North's beautiful beaches and enjoy some of the best surfing, boogie boarding, volleyball and shell seeking along the 36 miles of coastline.

2) Imagine the everyday life of the Franciscan Friars and Indians who inhabited the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside more than two centuries ago during a walking tour of the largest of the 21 California Missions.

3) Watch the sea lions play in the sand at La Jolla Cove, famous for its spectacular underwater preserve.

4) Bird watch at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, known for its wealth of natural resources and spectacular views along its miles of nature trails.

5) Gather around the bonfire for s'mores at Oceanside Beach or Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.

6) Look for a full moon and high tide and catch the grunion riding the waves onto the shores of one of the many San Diego North beaches.

7) Sample the region's best local produce at one of the many Farmer's Markets held daily at locations throughout the county.

8) Take a scenic drive to Mt. Laguna to enjoy the fresh mountain air and miles of hiking and biking trails.

9) Discover real artifacts at the San Diego Archaeological Center in Escondido where you'll find comparative collections of geological, shell and historical specimens.

10) Hike along the bluffs of Torrey Pines State Reserve and enjoy the breathtaking views and indigenous plant life along the trails.

11) Get a blast of the past by taking a historical walking tour of downtown Encinitas, Escondido or Carlsbad.

12) Snorkel La Jolla Cove, a protected underwater preserve, and discover some of the clearest waters on the California Coast.

13) Explore the tide pools at Swami's in Encinitas at a low tide and discover a plethora of aquatic life.

14) Take a drive through San Diego North's wine country with wine-tasting stops at Orfila Vineyards and Bernardo Winery, Southern California's oldest operating winery.

15) Stroll through the streets of Julian, a quaint historic mining town, and stop for a bite of their famous apple pie at one of the many pie shops in town.

16) Wander through rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, and tropical rainforests while touring the more than 30 acres of gardens at Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas.

17) Take in the beauty of nine acres of French and English Lavender Fields at the base of Palomar Mountain. Walk through the Lavender Labyrinth and oil distillery located at the nine-acre farm.

18) Take a step back in time with a visit to the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum located in Vista. With 40 acres, this in the only "early life farm" museum in Southern California.

19) Discover butterflies such as Anise swallowtail and California dogface during docent-led tours at the Encinitas Butterfly Vivarium covering such topics as gardening for butterflies and charting migration patterns while feeding the butterflies.

20) Take a cruise along the Historic Highway 101 from Oceanside to La Jolla through a string of charming beach communities, funky little shops housed in everything from Victorian homes to old 1950s gas stations, as this intriguing old roads hugs the Pacific Coast.

21) Learn about the region's historic surf culture at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside filled with antique surfboards, historic photos and memorabilia from the early pioneer surfers.

22) Meditate at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple on the cliff tops of Encinitas after strolling through the lush gardens.

23) Take a walk down memory lane at The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad which features popular tunes from different eras and more than 450 vintage instruments, historic photographs and hands-on instruments to play.

24) Get a close-up view of the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory and visit the interactive museum filled with spectacular space photography.

25) Take a backwards glance in time at the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park & Museum in Escondido honoring those who participated in the 1846 San Pasqual Battle during the Mexican War.

26) Visit Rancho Buena Vista Adobe in Vista, located on one of the last remaining 1.9 acres of its original 1845 land grant. Inside is an exhibition of heirloom-quality artifacts of the period.

27) Wander through Queen Califia's Magical Circle in Escondido, the only American sculpture garden created by internationally acclaimed French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Inspired by California's mythic, historic and cultural roots, the garden consists of nine brilliantly colored, large-scale mosaic sculptures, a circular "snake wall" and maze entryway.

28) Take a backcountry drive through California Oaks, ocotillo cactus, and palm trees to the Anza-Borrego Desert to enjoy an abundance of desert wildlife, hiking trails and brilliant night sky constellations.

29) Dip your pole into one the many trout-stocked inland lakes of San Diego North for an extraordinary fishing experience at Dixon Lake, Lake Hodges, Lake Poway and Lake Wohlford.

30) Wander through the Mingei International Museum in Escondido. Called Mingei for the Japanese term meaning "everybody's art," it is considered the crown jewel of Escondido's collection of museums, galleries and studios.