One day in San Diego on the cheap?

[taaren]

Help me out here - we found some really cheap plane tickets home out of San Diego, so we're connecting there from picking my son up from his grandparents in Phoenix and will have a Saturday to fill for me, the DH, and the DS4 (almost 5 at the time) at the end of our trip.
Staying in Old Town at the Courtyard by Marriott on points and need the airport shuttle since the flight home departs early Sunday morning; I vaguely remember some wonderful Mexican restaurants from when I lived in SD (Mission Valley) for a brief period half a lifetime ago. Not planning to get a car. Still have to buy our SW tickets from PHX to SAN but planning on arriving around 9 or 10am.
Was thinking about the zoo before I realized for 2A, 1C the price tag would be almost $100 not including transportation? (For some reason I thought it would be more like $20A/$15C in my head) I knew Sea World would be very expensive, or that would be my first choice ... so anybody have any ideas on things to do in San Diego (not the beach - got lots of those at home) that would be fun without breaking the bank? Or any ideas on how to get discounts on Sea World/the S.D. Zoo/Wild Animal Park/Legoland/cheap transportation to and from these attractions from Old Town? Or would you just hang out at the hotel and wander around Old Town/catch a later flight in from Phoenix and just do dinner in S.D.? Had been looking forward to putting one last "fun day" at the end of our trip to get me through the Disney withdrawal since our last DLR park day will be Thursday.
DISsers always know this kind of stuff right?

 

[Leash]

Not sure if this is too pricey for you but DH and I did it once and had a lot of fun.

http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I am not sure what your family might like but

USS Midway is pretty cool I know it is $18.00 for Adults and $10 for children 6-17 5 and younger are free.

Birch Aquarium is also really cool and if you are looking for something Aquatic it might fit the bill it is cheeper at $12.00 for Adults and $8.50 for children 3-17

Those are just a couple of things I can think of off the top of my head. I got a San Diego travel book through my library for our trip it might be worth it to see if your local library has one as well and see if they have any tips or tricks.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I had links with coupons including one for San Diego zoo but it won't let me post them or add then to a PM.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I sent it to you with the info you left, I cant respond to the PM until I get 10 posts, so hope you get the info

 

[skiingfast]

If you find Legoland to be ok $ wise, I'm sure the zoo would be cheaper.

But from that Courtyard I'd guess it's about 6 short blocks to a Coaster/Troller Station.

You could take the Coaster up to Carlsbad then cab to lego land, probably about $40 total for the transportation. Probably a great day for your 4yo.

To the zoo probably $10-$15 for a taxi each way. Probably about as good an option for 4yo as LL.

The Trolley could take you to downtown and then it's just couple long blocks to the harbor area, where the midway is, also you can tour a saling ship and submarine. Probably good for you not as much for DS.

You might check the Padres schedule. Trolley down there for some peanuts and cracker jacks.