Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Discount Gift Cards

Go to www.restaurant.com, where you can usually buy $10 gift certs for $3 OR $25 worth of gift certs for $10. Usually the only rule is that you have to at least spend $35... but good for gifts or just saving money. It's usually only locally owned restaurants. Check it out! There are some good ones, and probably some of your favorites!

Once you sign up you'll get promotions from time/time. Two weeks ago gift certifcates were only $1.00!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Attractions

These are not "free" entrances, but GREAT deals!

Kids Eat Free

Here is a list of restaurants where Kids can eat free or nearly free...in alpha order...if you know of any others, please tell me and I'll update!

Applebee's: Mondays, get one free kids meal with the purchase of one adult entree. Additional kids eat for only $1.00! Kids also get a free sundae upon request only.
Antonio's Hacienda (El Cajon):Mondays, free meal w/ purchase of adult meal; 10 and under
Baskin Robbins:Birthday club = free ice cream on birthday
Bennigans:Tuesdays, Kids eat free w/ the purchase of each adult entree.
Bistro d'Asia (Coronado): Kids Eat FREE on Tuesday nights (10 and under).
BJ's Restaurant: Free Pazookie on your birthday.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free kids meal during the month of their birthday if you register.
Carrows Restaurant:Weds and Thurs after 4 p.m. children under 10 w/purchase of adult entrée
Cheesecake Factory:Free Infant/Toddler Snack - any day of the week
Chevy's:Tuesdays, Tues all day children 12 and under w/purchase of an adult entrée (website tells you which locations are not participating); On your birthday - Free dessert and sombrero
Chicken Pie Dinner (Poway): Tues get free kid's meal and drink for with adult w/ adult entrée purchase and drink.
Chick-fil-A:Tuesdays, 1 free kids meal with each combo meal purchased. (Remember to check your location to see if they Participate).
Claim Jumper: Free Infant Snack - any day of the week
Coco's:Tues & Weds children 10 and under get a free kid’s meal w/ adult entrée purchase.
Cold Stone Cremery:All day on MONDAYS, buy a mid-size creation or "love it signature," get a free child size "create your own" mix-in free. All day on TUESDAYS, buy 1 child size "create your own" mix-in and receive another child-size free.
Denny's:Tues (some locations also Sat) 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. free kid’s meal w/adult entrée
El Torito:Kid's Eat Free on Wednesday; One free child's meal per paying adult; Children 12 and under select from the kid's menu.
Fuddruckers:Sun, all day. Children 12 & under from the kid's menu w/purchase of adult entrée.
Hometown Buffet: must join the club to get free meal on birthday and free meal for signing up.
Hooley's Irish Pub & Grill (Rancho San Diego) Kids 12 & under get one free meal w/ adult purchase. Wednesday night @ San Diego location, Monday night @ La Mesa location
iHop: 4:00pm - 8:00pm - Kids ages 12 & under eat free- 1 FREE Kids' Menu item per Adult entree purchase (Drink NOT included).
Ikea: Kids Eat FREE any day of the week after 3 pm; Any other time, the kid's meals are only $1.99.; The Mission Valley location throws free birthday parties for kids on the first Tuesday of every month. Sign up at the store. Free cake, soda, magic show, face painting, small gift.
Islands: Tues. nights kids menu item free w/ purchase of adult entrée @ Mission Valley, Balboa Ave. in San Diego and Vista locations
Jamba Juice: Order the Jamba of your choice and have them split your drink and pour it into a kids cup. You get 1, your child gets 1.
Kooky's Diner: Monday through Thursday with an adult meal purchase. Located in Mission Center Plaza.
La Jolla Brewhouse: Kids 12 and under eat free on Sunday nights.
Noodles & Company: Dads Eat Free at Noodles & Company on Fathers Day; Mother's Day?
Oggi's: kids eat free meal deals on Wednesday after 5 p.m.
Pat & Oscars: Kids Eat FREE on Tuesday nights (with purchase of an adult meal).
Pizza Hut: Kids reading programs, see restaurant for details.
Pizza Nova: Kids entrees are under $5.00!
Rainforest Café: Wednesdays, Kids eat free 5 p.m. - close.
Roadhouse Grill – (Santee & San Marcos): Tues free kid’s meal w/adult entrée
Rubios: Tuesdays, after 2:30, $1 fish tacos
Ruby's Diner (Carlsbad, San Diego & Oceanside):Tues after 4 p.m. free kid's meal, 12 and under, with paying adult.
Submarina (santee): Monday-Saturday after 4 pm; Kid’s sandwich, apple slices or raisins, juice box; 10 and under; $1 kids meal with purchase of any 6-inch, eat-in only
Submarina (carlsbad): Saturday-Sunday after 4 pm; Kid’s sandwich, apple slices or raisins, juice box; 12 and under; Free kid's meal with purchase of any 6-inch sandwich
TGI Fridays: On MONDAYS and TUESDAYS, kids 12 and under receive a free kid's meal with each adult meal purchased, (valued at $8 or above), after 5 p.m.
The Old Spaghetti Factory: Rewards for Reading program; Also sign up and child gets a FREE meal on his/her birthday; they have a Gluten-free menu too!
Tony Romas: Tuesday, Free kid’s meal with each adult meal purchase; 12 & under
Wings Pizza n Things - (Oceanside): Tues all day from kid's menu w/adult purchase

Kids "almost" Eat Free

Costco:$1.50 hot dog/drink - kids split the hot dog and you get a drink
El Pollo Loco: BRC Burrito - $1.19/split it for 2 small children
Pat & Oscars:Side Salad, Mini Pizza & Drink - $5.00 (two adults or 1 adult & 2 small children)
Wendys & McDonalds: $1 menu, can't beat that!

Free Birthday Meals & Deals

http://www.heyitsfree.net/2006/10/03/eat-free-on-your-birthday/

http://www.sandiegobargainmama.com/bargains/329.html

Beach Parks

Always FREE, these are some of my favorite San Diego parks.
Coronado

  • Spreckels Park: middle of the town
  • Heritage Park: great view

La Jolla

  • Children's Pool (Seal Beach) - FREE visiting of the seals (and since it's spring = their babies).
  • La Jolla Cove, is a great small beach during the weekdays. I love it b/c Diego can't run too far. If you have older children and they are strong swimmers, put on a mask and/or snorkel and see some amazing fish, including the bright orange Girabaldi. PLUS, the 4th of July celebration there is awesome.
  • Tide Pools
  • LJ Shores: Playground, Grass & Beach

Solana Beach
Fletcher Cove: Playground separate from beach. Clean bathrooms. Walk downhill to the beach and my favorite part = you don't have to walk forever to get to the water. There is always parking during the week and not a ton of people. "Naked Cafe" is across the street - amazing all-natural food restaurant & reasonably priced. Take Loma Santa Fe Road West until it ends.

Encinitas
Moonlight Beach/Park: playground, beach, refreshment stand. very crowded on weekends.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=659

Point Loma
Tide Pools: http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/tidepools.htm
Bermuda Street Beach: no playground, tiny beach for a couple families when it's low-tide.

South Bay

"Arco" Olympic Training Center: FREE guided tours daily. Weekdays are less busy. http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/sandiego/a/arcoolympic.htm

Coronado

Ride your bikes along the harbor then catch the ferry to Coronado for $2.50/each way.
http://www.sdhe.com/san-diego-bay-ferry.html

If you go on a Sunday you can enjoy live music from Frank Sinatra imitators as the sing near Peohe's. Pack a sack lunch and you're set or ride your bike across the street to Tartine and get a sandwich or pastry to go - yum! http://www.tartinecoronado.com/

and/or ride them to any of the amazing parks & beaches on the island. My two favorites are the Sprekels Park (off Orange & recently re-done - great place to throw a birthday bash) and Tidelands park (bayside). http://www.coronadochamber.com/visitor/parks.asp

Balboa Park

Every Tuesday a different MUSEUM is FREE! Here is the schedule for which ones are free.
http://www.balboapark.org/calendar/detail.php?EventID=370

Here is the link that describes the variety of museums and other discounts.
http://www.balboapark.org/just-for-kids/

Every Sunday you can visit the International Cottages from 12noon-4:00pm. Expose your children to a different culture. Food is free but a donation is accepted. Each week from March through October they feature a different country - live performances & music. Mark you calendars, Spain is October 11th! and you can bet we'll be there in Flameno and Torrero attire!
http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=36

Amusement Parks

  • Check with your HR department, they often get coupons and you can save as much as $10/entrance on amusement parks and sometimes FREE entrances to museums & other seasonal attractions.
  • Costco offers great promotions - the package might be the same price but you may get free parking or other perks.
  • Grocery stores will promote Legoland & other local attractions from time/time, call them.

Article on Free SD Attractions

http://www.sandiego.org/article/Visitors/795?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=thingstodo-yahoo-cpc&utm_campaign=traffic

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Strawberry & FlowerFields

Flower Fields in Carlsbad - Buy one, Get one FREE coupon - http://www.randomsandiego.com/blog/2009/04/20/discount-coupon-to-the-flower-fields-in-carlsbad/

Visit the flowerfields and you get a FREE child entrance to Legoland!

Strawberry Fields in Carlsbad
. Bring your friends! Buy 10 buckets and they're 1/2 off (i.e. you pay $3/piece vs. $6). So if you have two children, it's buy one, get one FREE! Fun to do with your kids and you get dessert! http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/