Nickel City Family Entertainment Center Is a Bargain

You have likely heard the phrase, "fun on a dime" before, but how does "fun on a nickel" sound? Yes, arcade fun for nickels. I thought this hidden gem was too good to be true, but my friend and I sat back and relaxed for an hour or so as our kids ran around enjoying themselves in arcade game heaven at Nickel City in Carmel Valley.

Just head over to Carmel Mountain Road and enjoy some family-friendly fun. Leave your other tokens and your quarters behind. Admission into Nickel City is just $2 and after that, all the games are just one to a few nickels. Take your old nickles or buy them there.

Nickel City has a wide selection of ticket redemption games (kids, this means prizes) and video games. The arcade has driving games, music games, sports games, skee ball and pinball. They serve ice-cream, pretzels, candy, drinks, and more.

Nickel City was an ideal place to hang out after we all enjoyed a movie matinee at Reading Cinemas, also in Carmel Mountain Plaza, located just steps away. 

How about some savvy tips to help you get the most out of Nickel City: 

• Go during the week for a weekday special, which includes a
  one-topping pizza, four sodas, up to four admissions and 100 nickels.
• Throw a birthday party there, and you will have all that you
  need and 90-minutes to live it up! There are two different packages one includes pizza, both include nickels and extra tickets.
• Some classic games, including Pac Man, Galaga and Centipede as well as many other enjoyable video games are always free to play.
• You can take in outside food, but it is only allowed in the
  party area.

The arcade is located at a prime spot, right near the movie theater, so why not make a fun afternoon out of your trip? We sure did!

Nickel City, 11610 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, CA 92128, 858-675-9700.

Reading Cinemas- Carmel Mountain 12, 11620 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, CA 92128, 858-674-6164.