The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Long weekend on points: San Diego (3 nights)

Long weekend on points: San Diego (3 nights): free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Disclosure: Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. Prices, schedules, park status and beach conditions move. Everything stamped "verified" was read on an official page on 2026-10-10. Anything not stamped is labelled as typical, general knowledge, or something to verify. Several official pages would not open for us (MTS fares page, Midway tickets, airport transit page, Balboa Park tickets, Hyatt and Marriott San Diego listings), and we say so where it matters.

Cover block

Promise: a Friday-to-Monday San Diego weekend where the hotel is paid for with points and the fees that hide behind a "free night" are on the table before you book.
Trip length: 3 nights, 4 days (Fri-Mon).
Best months: any; hotel points tend to stretch furthest on peak summer weekends, but fall and late winter are calmer (general guidance; check dates against your own award searches).
Budget band: low to mid cash if the hotel is on points; what you actually pay depends on resort fees, parking, and a car (blanks in chapter 8).
Best for: couples, friends and solo travelers who already hold hotel points and want a compact trip.
Base guides: our /guides/san-diego/ guide covers the general sightseeing list and /guides/toddlers-san-diego/ covers traveling with small kids. This guide does not repeat them.

At a glance

MTS adult one-way $3.00; "day pass earned" $7.00; reduced fare $1.50 and $3.50 (ID required) (checked Oct 10, 2026).
San Diego Zoo: adult (12+) $78, child (3-11) $68; "Value Days" $73 and $63 online only; Kids Free promotion shown for October 1-31 with no further detail (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Cabrillo National Monument: $20 vehicle, $10 per person on foot or bike (groups of up to 4 capped at $20), 15 and under free, valid 7 days (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Coronado ferry from $9 one way; Broadway Pier hourly, Convention Center every 30 minutes, about 15 minutes crossing (checked Oct 10, 2026).
USS Midway: open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, last admission 4:00 PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (checked Oct 10, 2026); prices not read, so see chapter 8.
Old Town SHP: free parking up to 4 hours; visitor center 10:00-5:00 (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Hotel fee categories to ask about: resort/destination fee, daily parking (self and valet), and any "amenity" credit.
Points moves in this guide come only from the transfer chart we checked on 2026-10-08.