It’s October, and that means that it’s the 15th annual “Kids Free San Diego” month, with a host of deals and freebies through Oct. 31.
You can really save some dough, because the freebies include some of the most expensive attractions in the city, including both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park in Escondido, where up to six kids ages 3-11 get in free with a paid adult admission. (You still have to pay for parking). Hotels and restaurants have also jumped on the bandwagon.
Personally, I’d try to go on a weekday and get there before dawn — OK, not really, but as early as you can to beat the crowds.
For some sites, including the USS Midway Museum, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Air & Space Museum and Birch Aquarium, you need to get a free museum pass here: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kids-free-museum-coupons. You will be asked for your email
Learn more at SanDiego.org/KidsFree
There are many offers. Here are only a handful of what’s available:
- San Diego Zoo: Kids 11 and under free with paid adult admission. Active duty military adults with ID are also free. zoo.sandiegozoo.org/kids-free
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Kids 11 and under free with adult paid admission or active duty military ID. Check out the new elephant enclosure. sdzsafaripark.org/kids-free
- Legoland California, Carlsbad: Get one free child ticket with a paid adult one, through Dec. 25. legoland.com/llckidsgofree
- USS Midway Museum: Two kids 12 and under get in free with full-price paid adult admission. Get your coupon here: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kids-free-museum-coupons/
- San Diego Natural History Museum: Two kids 12 and under get in free with full-price paid adult admission. Get your coupon here: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kids-free-museum-coupons/
- San Diego Air & Space Museum: Two kids 12 and under get in free with full-price paid adult admission. Get your coupon here: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kids-free-museum-coupons/
- Maritime Museum of San Diego: Step aboard historic tall ships. One kid aged 6-17 get in free with each paid adult admission. (Ages 5 and under are always free) sandiego.org/plan-your-trip/deals-offers/kids-go-free-to-the-maritime-museum-of-san-diego/366
Check out all the offers online and note that this year, for the first time, Tijuana in Baja California has joined the kids free promotion. You can check out the offers at sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/baja-museums/