Looking for details on Kids Free San Diego 2024?
You’ve come to the right place! I’ve rounded up all the Kids Free October offers right here so you can easily plan your visit.
What is Kids Free San Diego?
During the entire month of October, dozens of San Diego hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more offer families the chance to explore San Diego while saving big! Offers range from complimentary admission at local attractions to free meals at restaurants to welcome amenities and experiences at area hotels and much more.
“October is the best time to be a kid in San Diego, and parents love it, too,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “As families look for ways to make the most of their hard-earned dollars, San Diego Kids Free is a great way to create lasting memories without breaking the bank.”
Kids Free San Diego – Theme Park Offers
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 free admission for kids at many attractions.
Here are the highlights of October Kids Free San Diego and everything you need to know to take advantage of these offers.
San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are celebrating fall with a wide range of seasonal activities and entertainment, along with immersive wildlife experiences, and both parks are offering free admission to kids 11 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult.
This is the perfect opportunity for families to visit the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Panda Ridge, and its world-famous residents Xin Bao and Yun Chaun, two giant pandas who now call the zoo home.
The same offer is also valid at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary and home to more than 300 species. Families can get up close and personal with lions lounging in the grasslands, antelope and giraffes mingling, rhinos wallowing in waterholes, and storks and cranes on the march.
HalGLOWeen has become an annual “must” for the whole family at the zoo. After the sun sets every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, enjoy a multitude of Halloween-themed experiences, including live music and performances, culinary treats and interactive fun.
SeaWorld San Diego
Kids receive free admission with a full-paid adult ticket at SeaWorld San Diego, which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year!
SeaWorld has upped its game in recent years with new thrill rides and shows! Cool off with amazing animal encounters, the new snowmobile-style Arctic Rescue family coaster, and spend the day exploring the wonders of the sea. There is also the new Rescue Jr. where learning to save animals is fun, and many other rides and shows, too!
For some extra excitement, SeaWorld Spooktacular is back and bigger than ever on select days starting now through November 2. Enjoy decorated trails, colorful characters, a Halloween dance party and more for fully immersive family fun.
Belmont Park
As one of many free things to do in San Diego with kids, visiting Belmont Park is always free to enter and walk around. But for Kids Free October they are offering a free wristband for kids 12 and under with the purchase of an adult wristband.
Belmont Park has a variety of options to celebrate the fall season. Visitors can BOO-gie over for FREE Trick-or-Treating every Sunday in October or groove at the park’s Beachside Fall Festival, taking place every weekend in September and October.
LEGOLAND California Resort
One of the best amusement parks in Southern California for families, LEGOLAND is offering free admission for kids, ages 2 to 12, with one paid adult admission. Your kids can enjoy more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, plus enjoy your choice of SEA LIFE® Aquarium or LEGOLAND Water Park.
Sesame Place San Diego
Children, ages 4 to 9, receive free admission to the all-new Sesame Place San Diego with one full-paid adult ticket from now until the end of October.
Through November 3, kids can wear costumes and participate in The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular. The park will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven. Enjoy trick-or-treating around the park, Halloween-themed shows and parades, an interactive Sesame Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and unique photo opportunities.
Hotels Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Kids
Hotels throughout San Diego, ranging from budget options to luxury escapes, are also offering free meals, special experiences and welcome gifts for kids this October.
Located on the shores of Mission Bay and steps from San Diego’s famous Mission Beach, Bahia Resort Hotel offers families an exciting getaway with 25% off their stay. We have stayed here a few times and absolutely love the Bahia Resort Hotel for a San Diego beach getaway that won’t break the bank.
This October, kids stay and play free at Bahia Resort Hotel! Also receive an exclusive offer of up to 25% off when you book directly with the hotel. Kids 12 and under can also get a free meal with each paid adult entrée at Dockside 1953, serving creative coastal cuisine and comfort food.
► Check out these Hotels on Mission Bay San Diego.
Kids stay, eat & play at the Catamaran Resort and Spa! During the month of October, families visiting the resort can enjoy 25% off their stay. Located in Mission Bay, the Catamaran is close to all the San Diego family favorites and offers exciting amenities for all ages. While at the Catamaran, dine at Oceana Coastal Kitchen for a free kid’s meal and savor California-inspired cuisine amidst Mission Bay views. Families can also experience an exciting paddleboard or kayak adventure with a complimentary rental from Catamaran’s on-site partner Action Sport Rentals.
Families can play big and save bigger at the historic Grande Colonial Resort in La Jolla. For families traveling with children under the age of 12, they can save up to $45 per night of their stay with a waived nightly hospitality service charge. This is the perfect chance to explore the La Jolla Village on a budget!
The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown is celebrating Kids Free with special offers all month long. Families can book a family package that includes free kids meals at Bronze Bird, a 25% discount on a second room, and Fall fun on the San Diego Bay with a Flagship 1-hour harbor tour and kayak or SUP rental as a part of their destination amenities.
Kids Free October Deals at San Diego 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.
All Crab Hut locations are offering free kids meals to kids 12 and under with a minimum adult purchase of $25. Visit the Downtown San Diego, Convoy, or Mira Mesa locations to take advantage of this deal for the whole family to enjoy a delicious seafood meal.
After exploring the historical sites of Old Town San Diego, parents can unwind with a margarita and some traditional Mexican food at Casa Guadalajara, while up to three kids receive a free meal from the kids menu per one paid adult entrée.
The Fish Market is giving families the opportunity to enjoy delicious seafood and other plates on a budget. Stop by the San Diego Bayfront or Del Mar locations to receive a free kids meal with each purchase of an adult meal for children 10 and under. Say FISHFREE to your server to take advantage of this promotion!
Have a Blast at San Diego’s Diverse Arts and Culture Venues
Kids have endless options to learn while having fun at a plethora of museums offering free admission to all kids 12 and under in October.
Below are just a few of San Diego’s many kid-friendly museums to discover.
Families can save on kids admission when diving into the world of sharks, seahorses, and Little Blue Penguins at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla! As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium’s hands-on exhibits explore the latest in oceanographic discovery, while introducing guests to a variety of amazing creatures.
Head up to North County San Diego, where kids can learn about the history of surfboards and wave riding at the California Surf Museum. The museum features permanent and revolving exhibits, such as Bethany Hamilton’s shark-bitten board.
Kids receive free admission at participating Balboa Park museums, including the Japanese Friendship Garden, a living work of Japanese art and culture, and the Museum of Us, where families can discover a variety of interactive exhibits highlighting human stories that span time and cultures.
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 that features exciting flight stimulators and real fighter jets.
Through the month of October, families can receive special discounts when visiting the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. Up to two children aged 12 and under can get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket when a coupon is presented.
Kids can enjoy free admission to the Comic-Con Museum! This is a chance for families to explore the museum’s newest exhibits including Myth of Superheroes, Betty Boop, Border Blitz, and Collaboration(s)! a Journey with John Jennings. Kids Free San Diego coupon is valid Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday throughout October. Purchase up to two general admission adult tickets and receive up to two children (ages 6-12) tickets for free.
Free Unconventional Ways for Kids to Explore San Diego
During October, kids can take it to the land or sea and explore San Diego through a variety of unique tours and fun activities for free.
Discover “America’s Finest City” on a two-hour, fully narrated, historic city tour of San Diego and Coronado aboard the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour. Hop on and off at ten locations and tour the city at your own pace throughout the day. Kids ride free in October with an adult ticket purchased.
Free fishing fun is available to kids ages 12 and under at Lake Jennings. Mention “San Diego Tourism Authority: Kids Fish Free” at the Lake Jennings Bait & Tackle Shop or Campground Kiosk and each young angler will receive a free one-day fishing permit.
Families can explore Mission Bay from a kayak with Ocean Connectors. Kids under 12 can observe coastal wildlife for free while learning about conservation and marine biology from local experts.
See San Diego from a new angle. Through the month of October, kids can fly free at Corporate Helicopters on their 30-minute ‘Beaches & Bays’ Helicopter Tour!
Complete List of Offers
A complete listing of Kids Free San Diego participants and their special offers is available at SanDiego.org/KidsFree. All offers are valid October 1–31, 2024, and age limits and other restrictions vary by venue and activity.
Be sure to check for complete offer details and terms on the website before visiting any attraction, as some require advance registration.
Final Thoughts: Kids Free October in San Diego
While Kids Free San Diego was designed to bring families to the area during the destination’s shoulder season when attractions are less busy, it is actually the perfect time to visit! October is a great time to bask in the region’s sunny weather without the summer crowds. We live in the area and can say from experience that fall is the best time to visit!
So take advantage of these fantastic offers and spend some time enjoying San Diego’s best attractions, restaurants and hotels with these deals.
► Be sure to also check out these family-friendly things to do at night in San Diego.
Save These Kids Free San Diego 2024 Activities for Later!
Thinking about visiting some top San Diego attractions in October to take advantage of Kids Free San Diego? Pin the image below for future reference!
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