6-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary: Denver to San Diego

  • Day 1: Santa Monica Pier
    15 hours (1,050 miles) from Denver

    The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark and popular attraction located in Santa Monica. It’s known for its amusement park, beautiful beach, and various attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy.

  • Day 2: Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory
    30 minutes (10 miles) from Santa Monica Pier

    The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a must-visit for movie buffs, with stars for famous actors and actresses laid into the sidewalks. The Griffith Observatory, on the other hand, offers a fantastic view of the city and educational exhibits for visitors.

  • Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park
    2.5 hours (130 miles) from Hollywood Walk of Fame

    Journey to Joshua Tree National Park, a stunning American park with mesmerising geological formations, a great place for hiking, and stargazing.

  • Day 4: San Diego Zoo
    2 hours (125 miles) from Joshua Tree National Park

    San Diego Zoo is a popular attraction among the visitors. It has 4000 animals and over 800 species represented in the zoo.

  • Day 5: USS Midway Museum
    15 minutes (1 mile) from the San Diego Zoo

    The USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum located on the Navy Pier. It consists of the USS Midway (CV-41) aircraft carrier that served the United States from 1945 until 1992 and now serves as a museum ship.

  • Day 6: La Jolla Cove
    20 minutes (11.7 miles) from USS Midway Museum

    La Jolla Cove is undoubtedly one of San Diego’s most beautiful attractions with beautiful scenery, sandy beaches, excellent snorkeling, and underwater parks.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Santa Monica Pier (15 min, Free)
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame (1.5 hours, Free)
  • Griffith Observatory (2 hours, $8 for parking)
  • Joshua Tree National Park (5 hours, $30 per vehicle)
  • San Diego Zoo (5 hours, $60 per person)
  • USS Midway Museum (3 hours, $26 per person)
  • La Jolla Cove (3 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $124 per person

Useful Tips:

If you have more time, you can add a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico, or visit SeaWorld San Diego. If you have less time, consider skipping Joshua Tree National Park or shortening your stay in San Diego.

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