Entertaining the kids all summer (or throughout the year) gets expensive—as does hosting out-of-town guests. Every dollar counts! Here are the best San Diego deals, discounts and freebies to local attractions, museums and restaurants. Have fun with your family and friends without breaking the bank!
San Diego Hometown Pass
www.hometownpass.com
Spend the day showing out-of-town guests around town for free with a San Diego Hometown Pass. With the purchase of one full-fare adult ticket from a visitor, local residents enjoy the Old Town Trolley, SEAL Tour and Whaley House Day Tour for free. Apply for a Hometown Pass through Historic Tours of America.
Discover & Go
www.sandiego.gov/discoversd
Reserve a free family day pass through the San Diego Public Library Discover & Go program for attractions such as the Children’s Museum of Discovery, New Children’s Museum, The San Diego Museum of Art and more. Must be a local resident age 16 or over and have a library card in good standing.
Resort Pass
www.resortpass.com/hotel-day-passes/San-Diego-3
Take a family “daycation” in San Diego! ResortPass offers single-day access to local pools, spas, cabanas and more at dozens of hotels and resorts across the county. Prices and amenities vary by location.
Balboa Park Explorer Pass
https://explorer.balboapark.org
Save on admission to up to 16 Balboa Park museums with a one-day, one-week or one-year Balboa Park Explorer Pass. San Diego Zoo and Comic-Con Museum not included.
Museum of Us Annual Pass
www.museumofus.org
When you purchase one-day admission, you can receive free admission for a whole year. Simply opt-in with an associate during your visit.
Kids Eat Free
Dozens of restaurants around town offer free meals for kids with the purchase of an adult entrée. Access the list of participating restaurants at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/kids-eat-free/kids-eat-free.
Youth Opportunity Pass
www.sandag.org/yop
Youth ages 6–18 can register for free rides on the bus, trolley, Sprinter and Coaster with the Youth Opportunity Pass program, a collaboration between SANDAG, MTS, NCTD and the County of San Diego. Riders must have the Youth PRONTO app or a PRONTO Youth card. Kids 5 and under always ride MTS and NCTD free without the app or card.
Free Play Days at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Join the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla for Play Day on the second Sunday of every month. Includes free admission all day (but Play Day activities are between 11 am–2 pm), special tours, hands-on art activities, an accessible food program and more. Reservations are not required. www.mcasd.org/learn/prebys-play-day
San Diego Military Discounts
www.military.com/discounts/san-diego
United States active-duty military personnel and veterans receive discount admission on dozens of San Diego attractions including museums, theme parks, hotels, aquariums, live entertainment, tours, sporting events and more.
Resident FREE Days at Balboa Park
https://balboapark.org/resident-free-days
Select Balboa Park museums offer free admission on rotating days throughout the month to residents of San Diego County, and to active military personnel and their dependents.
LIMITED-TIME DEALS
Seniors Free to San Diego Zoo Safari Park (February)
www.sdzsafaripark.org/seniors-free
Older adults (age 65 & up) receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park throughout the month of February. This annual perk includes a ride on the Africa Tram, but does not include parking.
San Diego Museum Month (February)
www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month
Get 50 percent off admission at more than 70 museums, historic sites, gardens, zoos and aquariums in February.
Kids Free October
www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
Kids 12 & under receive free admission (with paid adult) to more than 60 of San Diego County’s most popular attractions and museums. Not valid with other discounts.
We’ve made most of this information available in a free printable pdf! Click on the "SAVE BIG" graphic to print out San Diego’s Best Deals, Discounts and Freebies to Local Attractions.
Do you know other insider tips or San Diego discounts, freebies and deals for residents or visitors? Email details to
Lisa Gipson is the managing editor of San Diego Family Media.
