San Diego with Military Perks
Come explore everything that beautiful San Diego has to offer while enjoying the perks of this military town. I give you the run down on the best Navy Lodging, military discounts, and attractions.
19 Places • ago
Free
Coronado / NAS North Island / NB Coronado
Coronado tends to be a few degrees cooler, even in the summer time and can experience a lot of marine layer, so make sure to bring a sweater or jacket.
North Island Beach Cottages
@objectsinmotion
These 2 bedroom/1 bath duplex units have you falling asleep to the sounds of waves in the distance. And for the insanely low price of $180/night (as of 2022). You truly cannot get a better deal for San Diego lodging. They feature a private entrance and patio with full kitchen and access to all the normal amenities of the Navy Lodge including the pool and breakfast. Book well in advance to ensure availability. To reserve a full building for up to 4 bedrooms/2 baths you may need to enlist the help of a friend because only one bungalow can be reserved per family.
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I Bar
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No trip to North Island is complete without a visit to the World Famous Ibar! Made even more famous from one of the scenes in the Top Gun: Maverick, this is a great spot to rub elbows with pilots as they unwind from their day. Family friendly with a great courtyard for kids to run around while you socialize in the San Diego sun. Just make sure to read the rules. 😉
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Coronado Ferry Center
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Enjoy some shopping or a snack while you wait for the free ferry to take you to downtown!
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Point Loma / Ocean Beach / NB Point Loma
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites
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A quiet lodging option with a view from the end of Point Loma. Convenient to all that Point Loma and Ocean Beach have to offer, the views don’t get much better than this. The nearby event center is a great wedding venue also.
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Community Recreation Center and Take 5 Restaurant
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MWR Equipment Rentals, a great option if you want to rent a paddle board or a small sailboat.
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Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
@objectsinmotion
A little history and a lot of view, this is one of the best views of San Diego you can find. Definitely worth the trip!
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Liberty Station
@objectsinmotion
Once a Navy base, Liberty Station now boasts a movie theater, tons of restaurants, shops, and areas that are often venue to art markets and live music. Spend the day painting pottery, grabbing a craft brew at one of San Diego’s many breweries, or just enjoying the people watching.
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SeaWorld San Diego
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This amazing aquatic animal park has great live shows, interactive exhibits AND offers one free admission for military families each year!
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Balboa Park / NMC Balboa
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San Diego Zoo
@objectsinmotion
The San Diego Zoo (and SD Safari Park in Escondido) are world renowned for the many animals and enclosures they maintain. It is also home to many exotic and endangered plants. Take advantage of the free buses through out the park to see a large portion of the park from the comfort of a double decker bus and then let the kids run around the newly opened kids area (best bus seats are lower deck, right side).
Signup to feed the giraffes for only $15 per group
Free entry for Active Duty Service Members.
During the month of October Kids Admission is free (this means big weekend crowds).
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Downtown / Recruiting Depot / NB San Diego
MWR Ticket Office
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Petco Park
@objectsinmotion
Check with MWR to get discount tickets. ASYMCA San Diego also often has free tickets to games. If you’re staying at NB San Diego the trolley runs from near Base to the Gaslamp district with stops for Petco Park.
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USS Midway Museum
@objectsinmotion
This historic carrier has the best pier of all the carriers in San Diego. Right in the middle of downtown San Diego in the Gas Lamp District, this museum has many great exhibits including several aircraft on the flight deck. Free for Active Duty Service Members.
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Coronado Ferry Terminal
@objectsinmotion
Catch the Coronado Ferry back to the island, once the only way to access Coronado, the ferry still runs from downtown to Coronado and back this is a great alternative to the long cab ride over the bridge.
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Hotels with military discount or for the credit card travel hackers:
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San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
@objectsinmotion
Government rate for active duty military. If you have the Marriott card this is also a great way to gain status or use free night redemptions.
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If you enjoyed this free travel guide please save, share with a friend, leave a review and if you’re feeling generous leave a tip! These are all great ways to give back so I can continue to develop travel guides for you. 💃🏻
* * *
CURATED BY
I am a Southern California native, mother of two, military spouse and travel lover currently located in San Diego. I’ve lived and visited many different places and I hope that my travels will help you plan your next great adventure! My guides focus on travel that the whole family can enjoy and feature some of the great places the military has sent us, as well as our own travels. Having lived in many different places, I have local knowledge of a wide variety of places.
Two of my favorite recent travels are a month long family trip to Australia and Singapore and a multi-generational Caribbean cruise. I love that some of my kids first core memories will be of our international travels. It is so heart warming to watch them make friends at a foreign playground and having an interaction with a person that doesn’t speak their same language.
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San Diego with Military Perks
Come explore everything that beautiful San Diego has to offer while enjoying the perks of this military town. I give you the run down on the best Navy Lodging, military discounts, and attractions.
19 Places • ago
Free
Coronado / NAS North Island / NB Coronado
Coronado tends to be a few degrees cooler, even in the summer time and can experience a lot of marine layer, so make sure to bring a sweater or jacket.
North Island Beach Cottages
@objectsinmotion
These 2 bedroom/1 bath duplex units have you falling asleep to the sounds of waves in the distance. And for the insanely low price of $180/night (as of 2022). You truly cannot get a better deal for San Diego lodging. They feature a private entrance and patio with full kitchen and access to all the normal amenities of the Navy Lodge including the pool and breakfast. Book well in advance to ensure availability. To reserve a full building for up to 4 bedrooms/2 baths you may need to enlist the help of a friend because only one bungalow can be reserved per family.
Add to
Details
I Bar
@objectsinmotion
No trip to North Island is complete without a visit to the World Famous Ibar! Made even more famous from one of the scenes in the Top Gun: Maverick, this is a great spot to rub elbows with pilots as they unwind from their day. Family friendly with a great courtyard for kids to run around while you socialize in the San Diego sun. Just make sure to read the rules. 😉
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Coronado Ferry Center
@objectsinmotion
Enjoy some shopping or a snack while you wait for the free ferry to take you to downtown!
Add to
Details
Point Loma / Ocean Beach / NB Point Loma
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites
@objectsinmotion
A quiet lodging option with a view from the end of Point Loma. Convenient to all that Point Loma and Ocean Beach have to offer, the views don’t get much better than this. The nearby event center is a great wedding venue also.
Add to
Details
Community Recreation Center and Take 5 Restaurant
@objectsinmotion
MWR Equipment Rentals, a great option if you want to rent a paddle board or a small sailboat.
Add to
Details
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
@objectsinmotion
A little history and a lot of view, this is one of the best views of San Diego you can find. Definitely worth the trip!
Add to
Details
Liberty Station
@objectsinmotion
Once a Navy base, Liberty Station now boasts a movie theater, tons of restaurants, shops, and areas that are often venue to art markets and live music. Spend the day painting pottery, grabbing a craft brew at one of San Diego’s many breweries, or just enjoying the people watching.
Add to
Details
SeaWorld San Diego
@objectsinmotion
This amazing aquatic animal park has great live shows, interactive exhibits AND offers one free admission for military families each year!
Add to
Details
Balboa Park / NMC Balboa
Add to
Details
San Diego Zoo
@objectsinmotion
The San Diego Zoo (and SD Safari Park in Escondido) are world renowned for the many animals and enclosures they maintain. It is also home to many exotic and endangered plants. Take advantage of the free buses through out the park to see a large portion of the park from the comfort of a double decker bus and then let the kids run around the newly opened kids area (best bus seats are lower deck, right side).
Signup to feed the giraffes for only $15 per group
Free entry for Active Duty Service Members.
During the month of October Kids Admission is free (this means big weekend crowds).
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Downtown / Recruiting Depot / NB San Diego
MWR Ticket Office
@objectsinmotion
Add to
Details
Petco Park
@objectsinmotion
Check with MWR to get discount tickets. ASYMCA San Diego also often has free tickets to games. If you’re staying at NB San Diego the trolley runs from near Base to the Gaslamp district with stops for Petco Park.
Add to
Details
USS Midway Museum
@objectsinmotion
This historic carrier has the best pier of all the carriers in San Diego. Right in the middle of downtown San Diego in the Gas Lamp District, this museum has many great exhibits including several aircraft on the flight deck. Free for Active Duty Service Members.
Add to
Details
Coronado Ferry Terminal
@objectsinmotion
Catch the Coronado Ferry back to the island, once the only way to access Coronado, the ferry still runs from downtown to Coronado and back this is a great alternative to the long cab ride over the bridge.
Add to
Details
Hotels with military discount or for the credit card travel hackers:
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
@objectsinmotion
Government rate for active duty military. If you have the Marriott card this is also a great way to gain status or use free night redemptions.
Add to
Details
If you enjoyed this free travel guide please save, share with a friend, leave a review and if you’re feeling generous leave a tip! These are all great ways to give back so I can continue to develop travel guides for you. 💃🏻
* * *
CURATED BY
I am a Southern California native, mother of two, military spouse and travel lover currently located in San Diego. I’ve lived and visited many different places and I hope that my travels will help you plan your next great adventure! My guides focus on travel that the whole family can enjoy and feature some of the great places the military has sent us, as well as our own travels. Having lived in many different places, I have local knowledge of a wide variety of places.
Two of my favorite recent travels are a month long family trip to Australia and Singapore and a multi-generational Caribbean cruise. I love that some of my kids first core memories will be of our international travels. It is so heart warming to watch them make friends at a foreign playground and having an interaction with a person that doesn’t speak their same language.
PERSONALIZED TRAVEl SERVICES
Connect
with
a
local
expert
to
help
plan
your
ideal
trip
Send A Tip
Support Objects In Motion’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Read more about places in this guide