Boujee Budget Travel

In August, I budgeted a laid-back beach getaway in San Diego and a high-energy bachelorette weekend in Albuquerque. Here’s how it went down:

🌴 San Diego Staycation Vibes (August 2025)

5 nights | 2 people

San Diego in August sounds expensive—and it can be—but this trip proved that coastal California is doable with the right choices.

Where We Stayed

We booked a Margaritaville-themed Airbnb for $1,405.69 total for five nights. Splitting that between two people for a well-located stay felt like a win compared to hotel prices in peak summer. The beach house included a full kitchen, living room/bedroom combo, and separate bathroom. Amenities included bikes and beach gear as well. It was less than a minute walk to the bay and a minute walk to Mission Beach- the perfect location for a chill beach vacay.

Getting There & Around

• Two roundtrip Southwest flights from Albuquerque to San Diego: $433.92 total

• Rideshares for the week: $146.19

Skipping a rental car saved us money (and parking stress), and rideshare worked perfectly for beach hopping and dining out.

Food Strategy: Groceries First, Restaurants Second

This is where the budget really stayed in check.

• Groceries: $177.93

• Restaurants: $122.82

By keeping breakfasts, most lunches, and a few dinners at the Airbnb, we could still enjoy eating out without that “California prices” shock.

Entertainment

Beach walks, sunsets, and free coastal views did most of the heavy lifting. We only spent $68.48 on a few extras, including checking out a local bar and riding coaster at the boardwalk.

Low-cost experiences added up to a full, relaxed itinerary without overspending.

San Diego total: $2,355.03

San Diego Budget Takeaway:

A themed Airbnb, Southwest flights, grocery runs, and intentional splurges made five nights in San Diego surprisingly affordable—and absolutely worth it.

🎉 Albuquerque Bachelorette Weekend (2 Nights)

This trip was all about celebrating and splitting costs made it easy to say yes.

Accommodations- Airbnb: $798.78 total, divided between 4 people

Splitting a larger space kept costs lower than individual hotel rooms—and gave us a built-in hangout spot. The condo had plenty of space, was close to downtown, and had a pool/hot tub on site. As a bonus, every guest had their own room!

Entertainment- $428.78

This covered the fun stuff (because bachelorette weekends are not the time to be too frugal). We mostly hung by the pool and played games at the condo, but did enjoy a pole dancing class the first night and bought a table at the local lgbtq+ club the second night. Sharing expenses kept it reasonable for everyone while still going all out.

Albuquerque total: $1,227.56

Albuquerque Budget Takeaway:

Group trips are one of the easiest ways to travel affordably. Splitting lodging and entertainment makes weekend getaways much more accessible—and more fun.

Final Thoughts

From beachy San Diego mornings to a celebratory Albuquerque weekend, both trips proved the same thing: budget travel isn’t about skipping fun—it’s about being intentional. Whether that’s choosing an Airbnb over a hotel, buying groceries instead of eating out every meal, or splitting costs with friends, small choices add up to big experiences.

And honestly? These are the trips that end up being the most memorable anyway. ✈️