Under $100: San Diego, Calif.

With 70 miles of beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather year-round and the magnificent countrywide views, San Diego, Calif., offers a fun and inexpensive getaway for families, adults and kids, anytime of the year.

There are plenty of activities and sights to see in the city to keep you entertained without making a dent in your bank account.

Start your morning early with a hike at Potato Chip Rock. This 7.5-mile hike is probably the most-hyped hiking trail in the country. It’s an uphill challenge but a great workout and provides excellent views of the city once you reach the top. Be sure to take your picture on this infamous piece of rock.

An Old Town Trolley in the Gaslamp District © Susanne Neal | Dreamstime

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by Breakfast Republic for a bite to eat. True to its name, the local chain can be found in Liberty Village, East Village, Encinitas and North Park. Try the banana split French toast for $12.50, or the Vietnamese Chicken Wing Breakfast Bowl or Mushroom ‘n Pesto Benedict for $12.

After breakfast, stroll through the 16-block historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego to view the renovated, turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture which includes boutiques, art galleries, specialty shops and more. The neighborhood is also the site of several entertainment and nightlife venues.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! A visit to San Diego is incomplete without stopping by the San Diego Zoo — one of the best zoos in the world. The San Diego Zoo houses 3,700 animals on its 99 acres of property. If you want to cover as much ground as possible, hop on one of the tour buses. A one-day pass for adults is $52 and for children $42. The pass includes one visit to the zoo, a guided bus tour, a kangaroo express bus, Skyfari aerial tram and all regularly scheduled shows.

San Diego Zoo © Rebekah Flory | Dreamstime

For lunch, eat a burrito — food thoroughly intertwines with life in the city. Stop by Nico’s Mexican Food on Ocean Beach — the original location. Nico’s provides consistent and delicious California burritos from the fish or the chorizo for $3.90, to the vegetarian for $4. If you’re not in the mood for a burrito order a taco or chimichanga, which are equally as good.

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If you don’t mind the stench, see the seals and sea lions at La Jolla Cove. It’s a sight to see a beach full of seals napping. Just try not to touch them.

Be sure to catch a sunset at Sunset Cliffs — it has its name for a reason. It is one of the most breathtaking places in San Diego to watch a sunset while staring into the ocean. Perhaps you’ll see dolphins or catch the whales swimming up the coast.