I spent $26 on a flight to San Diego, and yes — it was absolutely worth every penny.
I took a late‑night Frontier flight from Charlotte (CLT) to San Diego (SAN). Just after midnight, I landed, grabbed my bags, and immediately went into hustle mode trying to find the airport bus. With two minutes to spare, I was power‑walking like an Olympic race‑walker chasing gold. Plot twist: the bus was ten minutes late. I used the extra time to catch my breath, film a quick clip, and — because Frontier’s Go‑Wild fares open at midnight — buy my $26 one‑way ticket back home right there at the bus stop.
Eventually, I boarded the bus and rode to wherever Google Maps decided my destiny was that night. I got off around 12:30 a.m. and followed the GPS toward my hostel. The sidewalks were lined with tents and belongings from the unhoused community. I stayed on the sidewalk as long as I could, then moved into the street to avoid stepping on anyone’s home. I’ve had a relative sleep on the sidewalk before — I know the pride and care people take in those spaces. The walk felt a little sketchy, but overall, I felt safe. It was Friday night, and plenty of people were out heading to bars and parties.
I finally arrived at Lucky D’s Hostel and waited a few minutes to be buzzed in. Inside, it looked like your standard upbeat, backpacker‑friendly hostel. I was placed in a four‑bunk room with an older Asian gentleman — but thankfully, I scored a bottom bunk. (After nearly getting trapped on a top bunk in Chicago, bottom bunks are now a non‑negotiable.)
I was ready to knock out immediately, but my roommate clearly missed the memo on hostel etiquette. Loud videos. 3 a.m. speakerphone conversations. Lights on. I did my best to zone out and eventually managed a few hours of sleep.
A Full Day on Public Transit (and Pure Determination)
I got an early start the next morning knowing my itinerary was ambitious — and that public transportation would eat into my time. My first stop was Little Italy’s Farmers Market. I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter on the way after making a wrong turn leaving the hostel (in classic KB fashion).
San Diego is covered in murals, and even the detours were visually interesting. Little Italy itself was cute — charming shops, nice scenery — but honestly, if you’ve been to one farmers market, you’ve kind of seen them all. The vendors weren’t particularly impressive. Maybe I’m biased because I’d visited the real Italy just a few months earlier (you can read about that here), so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
From there, I caught the bus to La Jolla. The ride took about an hour, but the second I stepped off, it felt worth it. Waves crashed dramatically against the rocks. I could hear the seals before I could see them. As I walked down, I spotted dozens of birds — later identified as Brandt’s cormorants — though at the time, I genuinely thought I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
At Point La Jolla, tourists gathered cheerfully while sea lions lounged unapologetically. I walked the shoreline for a bit, then headed back uphill to catch the bus.
Next stop: Ocean Beach.
Up until then, the day had been cold, damp, and gray — but Ocean Beach shifted something. Golden sand stretched out ahead of me. I kicked off my socks and shoes, shoved them into my bag, and walked barefoot along the shore. The sky stayed gloomy, but somehow it felt softer there. I even climbed onto the rocks to try a few modeling poses. Had the sun been out, I would’ve stayed longer — but I still had one major stop left.
Crossing into Tijuana (With a Dying Phone)
I headed back to the central terminal to catch the San Ysidro Trolley. After reading that it drops you just steps from the border, I can confirm: it absolutely does. After about 15 minutes in line, I had my temporary pass and was officially in Mexico.
I set off toward La Avenida Revolución on foot to avoid paying for an Uber. Google Maps and I had a slight disagreement — multiple wrong turns, bypasses, and detours later, I finally found my way. (Silver lining: I found a cool Tijuana sign along the way.)
La Avenida Revolución greeted me with the iconic Tijuana Arch, live music, and bustling energy. I expected more street food vendors, especially taco stands, but most food options were sit‑down restaurants. I was on a mission, though — no time to linger.
By this point, my phone was hovering around 30% after a full day of filming and navigating. Eventually, it died completely. No wall plugs in sight. I knew I absolutely did not want to get lost in Tijuana after dark with a dead phone.
Ironically, while searching for a taxi, I stumbled into a full‑blown food festival — a Festival Gastronómico — complete with food stalls, games, and gambling. I mingled briefly, then flagged down a taxi driver chatting nearby. For $8, he drove me straight to the border.
The Long Way Back
The line to re‑enter the U.S. was no joke — about 90 minutes long. It was dark, cold, and I had no phone to distract me. Vendors walked the line selling candy and jewelry. One man even offered a $20 “fast track” to the front. I passed and waited it out.
Eventually, I made it through customs and rushed toward a transit center with a McDonald’s, desperate to charge my phone. No plugs. Anywhere. I hopped on the trolley anyway, planning to figure it out along the way.
As I stared intensely at the transit map, a couple across from me finally asked if I needed help. Internally, I was having a full‑blown praise break. The woman looked up my hostel, and although I’d already passed it once, I got off nearby. Her directions weren’t perfect, and I ended up walking another forty minutes.
Thanks to the murals I’d filmed the night before, I retraced my steps and finally made it back. I’ve never plugged my phone in so fast in my life.
I packed immediately, knowing I had about four hours of sleep before heading back to the airport. I put on an eye mask and knocked out — even my roommate couldn’t stop me this time.
Final Thoughts + Cost Breakdown
At 4 a.m., I walked through San Diego’s eerily quiet streets (somehow sketchier than at 1 a.m) and caught my bus right on time. As I rode to the airport, I reflected on the trip — the chaos, the beauty, and the dream of building a travel‑filled life on my own terms.
San Diego surprised me. I was told it’s always sunny in California — clearly, San Diego missed that memo. It was cold and foggy, but still stunning. Some cities only shine in perfect weather. San Diego holds its own regardless.
Would I do things differently next time? Absolutely.
- I’d pack warmer layers.
- I’d choose a cleaner hostel.
- I’d bring two power banks.
- I’d carry small bills for Tijuana.
- I’d skip Little Italy’s market.
- I’d add Sunset Cliffs and Mission Beach.
- I’d save the San Diego Zoo for a full, dedicated trip.
What I Spent
- Lodging: $62.94 (2 nights at Lucky D’s Hostel)
- Flights: $52 total (2 one‑way Go‑Wild fares)
- Transportation:
- $13 round‑trip trolley to Tijuana
- ~$7.50 in local buses (including airport)
San Diego gave me a full, unforgettable itinerary for less than the price of a modern Subway footlong (and no, they’re definitely not $5 anymore).
If you’re looking for a low‑cost getaway with breathtaking views, San Diego deserves a spot on your list.
Want more real‑world budget travel stories and breakdowns? Check out my Free Budget Travel Guide or Join my Newsletter — KB’s adventures are just getting started.
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