With world-class family attractions, a rich arts and culture scene, delicious Cali-Baja cuisine and popular activities on land and water, San Diego is consistently rated one of the top family destinations in the United States. In October, after the summer crowds diminish, visitors to San Diego can relish in the region’s sunny weather and warm temperatures and enjoy numerous fun-filled fall activities at reduced prices.
Below are highlights of the 8th annual “Kids Free San Diego” month.
Big Savings at Big Attractions
Home to world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California Resort, San Diego is offering families big savings this October with free kids’ admission into its popular theme parks.
- Kids, ages 11 and younger, are admitted free into the San Diego Zoo where families can learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts and see more than 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species from around the world. Also occurring in October, kids of all ages can get in the Halloween spirit during the zoo’s HalGLOWeen event. The same offer is also valid at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, an 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary, home to more than 300 species. Families can walk among kangaroos and wallabies and other unique Australian species at the park’s newest exhibit, Walkabout Australia.
- Offering one child, ages 3 to 9, free admission with one full-paid adult ticket, SeaWorld San Diego lets kids and families check out the park’s exciting new dueling roller coaster, Tidal Twister. A first of its kind adventure, this unique ride is an exhilarating experience that demonstrates the power of the ocean. The same offer is valid at Dine with Orcas and the Dolphin Interaction program (kids must be at least 48” tall to participate).
- Celebrating its 20th birthday in 2019, LEGOLAND California Resort offers free admission for kids, ages 2-12, with one paid adult admission. Kids can party down in the toddler-geared DUPLO Playtown play area, race down the Riptide Racers water slide in the LEGOLAND Water Park (open weekends) and take a dive on the LEGO CITY: Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride.
Hotels Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Kids
Located throughout San Diego, hotels ranging from budget options to luxury escapes are offering special experiences just for kids this October. Kids can eat free at many hotels or receive special welcome gifts upon arrival at others.
- Located in downtown’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, The Pendry offers families a modern luxury getaway where kids, ages 2-10, can enjoy a sleepover party with complimentary PJ Salvage pajamas (one pajama per family, additional pajamas at $21 per child), two in-room movies, snacks and candy. The “Kids Party Free” package is available for every night booked in October.
- At the family friendly Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay, kids ages 12 and under, can play, shop or eat for free with a special “island allowance” worth $50. The credit can be applied towards ice cream, a toy from the gift shop, bike rental and more.
- Located in picturesque Coronado just a short walk from Coronado Beach, which is often recognized as one of the top family beaches in the nation, the Glorietta Bay Inn is giving kids a $25 gift card to MooTime Creamery, Coronado’s local premier creamery shop. Kids can enjoy freshly baked waffle cones and delicious hand-crafted ice cream, yogurt and sorbet in a fun and nostalgic atmosphere.
Kids Can Dig In with the Deals at San Diego’s Restaurants
After spending a fun day around the city, parents can enjoy a taste of San Diego’s diverse culinary scene while kids eat free at participating family friendly restaurants.
- Located in Seaport Village along downtown’s waterfront with breathtaking views of San Diego Bay and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, Buster's Beach House is a tropical, surf-themed restaurant offering one free kids meal with purchase of an adult entrée. The offer has a maximum of four kids per table.
- Galaxy Taco in La Jolla Shores celebrates the culture and cuisine of Mexico with an emphasis on seafood and tacos. The restaurant is offering two children, aged 12 and under, a free Kid's Combo per paid adult meal.
- Set along the vibrant boardwalk in Pacific Beach with panoramic ocean views, Waterbar’s “social seafood” menu is inspired by East Coast, West Coast and Baja cuisines. During October, the restaurant is offering one free child entree with one paid adult entrée.
Kids Learn and Have a Blast at San Diego’s Diverse Arts and Culture Venues
Kids have endless options to learn while having fun at more than 30 San Diego museums offering free admission to all kids, ages 12 and under, in October. The offer is valid for two children per paid adult. Below are just a few of San Diego’s many kid-friendly museums to discover.
- In Old Town San Diego, celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2019 as the first settlement of Alta California, kids can forgo the history books and learn about the early settlers of San Diego at the Junipero Serra Museum. Kids can also learn about the region’s Native American history at the Barona Cultural Center & Museum, in San Diego’s rural East County. Dedicated to the local Kumeyaay-Diegueño culture, the museum’s unique collection represents thousands of years of history with objects dating as far back as 10,000 years and demonstrating the artistry and skill of the hemisphere’s first inhabitants.
- Families can spend hours exploring Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in North America, home to 17 museums, beautiful botanical gardens and exciting performing arts venues. Kids can enjoy free admission at participating park museums including the Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego, a living work of Japanese art and culture, and the San Diego Natural History Museum, where kids can discover fossils and dinosaur bones and get to know the natural history of Southern California, past to present.
- Downtown’s kid-friendly museums include the Maritime Museum of San Diego, a collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats and deep diving submarines, and the USS Midway Museum, a historic aircraft carrier with climb-in aircraft, exciting flight simulators and more. At The New Children’s Museum, imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families are stimulated through engaging experiences with contemporary art.
Free Unique and Cool Ways for Kids to Explore San Diego
During October, kids can explore San Diego through a variety of unique tours and fun activities for free. From taking a thrilling speedboat tour on San Diego Bay to learning about photography while discovering the city’s iconic spots and hidden gems, families have many ways to enjoy San Diego.
- Families can indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice, as they cruise in a private gondola through the enchanting canals of scenic Coronado Cays with The Gondola Company. A limit of four kids, aged 12 and under, ride free with a paid cruise, and an adult must be present.
- One kid rides free with two paid adults on a 2-hour speedboat tour along San Diego Bay with Speed Boat Adventures. Families can drive at their own speed and experience spectacular views of Navy ships, the USS Midway Museum, famous Star of India and historic ships of the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, San Diego skyline and more on this fun sightseeing journey.
- Kids can learn photography or hone their Instagram skills when accompanying a paid adult on San Diego Photography Tours. Both walking and shuttled driving tours are offered with an experienced professional photographer as guide. Tours range from walking tours of the waterfront, downtown and Old Town to driving tours of picturesque Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument offering spectacular vistas and photo opportunities.
A complete listing of “Kids Free San Diego” participants and their special offers is available at SanDiego.org/KidsFree. All offers are valid Oct. 1–31, 2019, and age limits and other restrictions vary by venue and activity. Visitors should check for complete offer details and terms at SanDiego.org/KidsFree before visiting any attraction.
There's something to smile about in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org.
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