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San Diego CityPASS is a sightseeing pass that bundles SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND California, or both with your choice of three more attractions at a discount. It’s worth buying if at least one of those theme parks is on your itinerary and you plan to visit a few of the add-on attractions, too. Below, I’ve done the actual math on savings for common combinations so you can decide quickly.
I live in La Jolla and help people plan San Diego vacations as a travel advisor. We sell a lot of CityPASS, and the feedback from clients is consistently positive. It’s one of two sightseeing passes I recommend regularly. The other is Go City San Diego, which is better suited for visitors who aren’t interested in SeaWorld or LEGOLAND. My family uses multi-attraction passes when we travel, and I know which ones deliver real value and which ones don’t.
If SeaWorld and LEGOLAND aren’t on your list, this pass won’t save you money. Read my Go City San Diego review instead.
What San Diego CityPASS Includes
There are three CityPASS packages. Each includes one or two theme parks plus your choice of three additional attractions from a list of six.
Package 1: SeaWorld San Diego + 3 Attractions
Adult (13+): $169 | Child (3-12): $149
Saves up to 47% vs. gate prices
Package 2: LEGOLAND California + 3 Attractions
Adult (13+): $186 | Child (3-12): $166
Saves up to 44% vs. gate prices
Package 3: SeaWorld + LEGOLAND + 3 Attractions
Adult (13+): $239 | Child (3-12): $219
Saves up to 48% vs. gate prices
Children 2 and under are free at the CityPASS level. Individual attraction age cutoffs vary slightly, and I’ve noted those in the FAQs.
A $2 per ticket processing fee applies when you buy directly from citypass.com. There is no processing fee and no tax when you buy through our aRes Travel link.
Your three add-on attractions can be any combination from this list:
- San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park (1-Day Pass to one park; you can’t visit both)
- USS Midway Museum (General Admission)
- City Cruises Best of the Bay Tour (90-minute narrated harbor cruise)
- Old Town Trolley Tours (1 day of unlimited reboarding, 11 stops)
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps (General Admission)
- Maritime Museum of San Diego (General Admission)
You don’t need to choose your three add-ons at the time of purchase. You decide later.
Tip: To get the most value from this pass, include San Diego Zoo or Safari Park as one of your three picks. It’s the highest-value individual ticket on the add-on list.
Is San Diego CityPASS Worth It? Savings Breakdown
CityPASS advertises savings of up to 48%, and clients do save real money with it. That said, the 48% figure is based on the highest published gate prices of the year, which isn’t what most visitors actually pay. SeaWorld and LEGOLAND both use demand pricing, so your gate price depends on the day you visit.
I’ve priced out the most popular attraction combinations below using typical non-peak gate prices, which is what most families will encounter. Your savings will be higher on peak days and lower on the cheapest days.
Scenario 1: Family of Four — SeaWorld + Zoo + Midway + Harbor Cruise
This is the combination I see most often from clients. Two adults and two children (ages 3-12).
| Attraction | Gate Price (2 Adults) | Gate Price (2 Kids) |
|---|---|---|
| SeaWorld San Diego (1-Day) | ~$180 | ~$180 |
| San Diego Zoo (1-Day) | $156 ($78 x 2) | $136 ($68 x 2) |
| USS Midway Museum | $52 ($26 x 2) | $36 ($18 x 2) |
| City Cruises Best of the Bay | ~$80 ($40 x 2) | ~$66 ($33 x 2) |
| Total at the gate | ~$468 | ~$418 |
| Grand total: ~$886 |
| CityPASS (SeaWorld + 3) | 2 Adults | 2 Kids |
|---|---|---|
| CityPASS price | $338 ($169 x 2) | $298 ($149 x 2) |
| Total with CityPASS: $636 |
Savings: approximately $250 for a family of four (about 28%)
Use promo code SAVEMORE on our ticket site for an additional $5 off.
Scenario 2: Family of Four — LEGOLAND + Zoo + Midway + Birch Aquarium
A solid combination for families with younger kids. Two adults and two children (ages 3-12).
| Attraction | Gate Price (2 Adults) | Gate Price (2 Kids) |
|---|---|---|
| LEGOLAND California (1-Day) | ~$238 | ~$238 |
| San Diego Zoo (1-Day) | $156 | $136 |
| USS Midway Museum | $52 | $36 |
| Birch Aquarium | ~$54 ($27 x 2) | ~$38 ($19 x 2) |
| Total at the gate | ~$500 | ~$448 |
| Grand total: ~$948 |
| CityPASS (LEGOLAND + 3) | 2 Adults | 2 Kids |
|---|---|---|
| CityPASS price | $372 ($186 x 2) | $332 ($166 x 2) |
| Total with CityPASS: $704 |
Savings: approximately $244 for a family of four (about 26%)
When CityPASS Is NOT Worth It
CityPASS probably isn’t the right fit if:
- You’re not visiting SeaWorld or LEGOLAND. These theme parks are the foundation of the pass. Without at least one, the math doesn’t work. Go City San Diego is the better choice.
- You’re visiting in October during Kids Free San Diego. Many attractions offer free admission for children ages 3-11 with a paid adult during October. Sightseeing passes don’t qualify for free kids’ entry at some attractions (these policies seem to change every year).
- You’d only visit two or three of the included attractions. The savings really require four or more. For fewer attractions, my discounted individual tickets are the better buy.
- SeaWorld or LEGOLAND is running a deep discount on a slow day. Both parks use demand pricing. On a quiet Tuesday in January, the single-day gate price can be low enough that the pass math tips the other way. Worth checking before you buy.
Where to Buy for the Best Price
Through our ticket site (best price). We sell San Diego CityPASS through aRes Travel at the same base price as CityPASS direct, but with no processing fee and no tax. Use our year-round promo code SAVEMORE at checkout to save an additional $5.
San Diego CityPASS
Save $2 per pass through aRes Travel. Add other discounted San Diego attraction tickets to your cart, too! Save an extra $5 with promo code SAVEMORE.
San Diego CityPASS + Hotel
Save even more on the pass when you bundle it with a hotel stay. Choose from over 150 San Diego hotels!
Direct from CityPASS. Some people prefer to buy directly from citypass.com. You’ll pay a $2 per ticket processing fee, but the tickets auto-link in the My CityPASS app without the manual barcode step. No tax either way.
If CityPASS doesn’t offer the right combination of attractions for you, it’s better to buy discounted tickets or use a Go San Diego discount pass.
How to Use Your CityPASS
The process from purchase to admission is simple.
1. Buy your pass online. You’ll receive an email with a ticket (barcode) for each person in your group.
2. Download the My CityPASS app (iPhone or Android) or go to my.citypass.com. If you bought directly from CityPASS, your tickets link automatically when you sign in with your purchase email. If you bought through our aRes Travel link or another third-party seller, select “Add Your Tickets” in the app and enter the barcodes from your confirmation email. It takes about a minute. CityPASS has a help center walkthrough for linking third-party tickets.
3. Make reservations where required. The app shows which attractions need advance reservations and lets you book directly. LEGOLAND requires a reservation. SeaWorld does not. Other attractions vary. Reserve as early as possible, especially for Birch Aquarium, which often reaches capacity.
4. Show your phone at each attraction. They scan the barcode from the app (or your printed ticket), and you walk in. No ticket booth lines.
Your 9-day window starts on the first day you scan your pass or make a reservation at an attraction, not on your purchase date. Unactivated passes expire one year from purchase. Nine days covers most San Diego vacations with room to spare.
You can visit attractions in any order and visit more than one per day. Each pass provides one-time admission to each included attraction.
What’s Included: Attraction-by-Attraction Notes
Brief notes on each CityPASS attraction with the practical details that matter for planning.
SeaWorld San Diego
Your CityPASS includes a single-day ticket to SeaWorld San Diego with access to animal exhibits, presentations, and all rides. SeaWorld is in Mission Bay, about 15 minutes from downtown. No reservations required. Budget a full day. There are over a dozen rides, plus shows and animal encounters, and clients consistently tell me it exceeded their expectations. Children 2 and under are free.
LEGOLAND California Resort
Your CityPASS includes 1-day admission to LEGOLAND California with over 60 rides and attractions. LEGOLAND is in Carlsbad, about 35 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Reservations are required. This park is geared toward kids ages 2-12, though adults will enjoy Miniland and the Dragon Coaster. Important: LEGOLAND requires a ticket for children ages 2 and up. Only children under 2 (ages 0-1) get in free. The CityPASS website says “ages 2 and under, free,” but that does not apply at LEGOLAND. If your child is 2, you will need a child CityPASS ticket or a separate LEGOLAND ticket purchased at gate price. This catches families off guard, so plan accordingly. Note: CityPASS does not include SEA LIFE Aquarium or LEGOLAND Water Park, but both are available as separate upgrades.
San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park
You choose one park; you cannot visit both with CityPASS. (See my comparison of San Diego Zoo vs Safari Park.)
San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, minutes from downtown. Your 1-Day Pass includes the Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari Aerial Tram plus all regularly scheduled exhibits and shows. The Zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals across 100 acres. No reservation required. This is the higher-value pick for most first-time visitors.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park is in Escondido, about 35 minutes north of downtown. Your 1-Day Pass includes unlimited rides on the Africa Tram and all regularly scheduled exhibits and shows. The Safari Park spans 1,800 acres and offers a more immersive, open-range experience. Parking is not included with CityPASS at Safari Park.
The brand-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley opened at Safari Park in March 2026 and is worth the trip if you’ve already visited the Zoo before.
USS Midway Museum
Board one of the nation’s longest-serving aircraft carriers, the USS Midway, docked on the downtown San Diego waterfront. This is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego for a reason. General admission includes the 3D holographic Battle of Midway Theater and a self-guided audio tour with 60 exhibits and 29 aircraft. Audio tours are available in six languages. Allow 3-4 hours. Last admission is at 4 p.m. Children ages 3 and under are free, which is different from CityPASS’s 3-12 child range, so your under-3 won’t need a CityPASS ticket here.
City Cruises Best of the Bay Tour
A 90-minute narrated cruise of San Diego Bay covering 20 miles and 50 landmarks. You’ll see the Coronado Bridge, naval vessels, the Star of India, Hotel del Coronado, and sea lions along Point Loma. In-seat food and beverage service is available. Departs from Pier 2, right next to USS Midway, making these two easy to pair on the same day. Even locals enjoy this one when guests are in town.
Old Town Trolley Tours
A hop-on, hop-off narrated tour with 11 stops covering San Diego highlights, including Coronado Island, Old Town State Historic Park, Balboa Park, Little Italy, and the Gaslamp Quarter. Your pass provides one day of unlimited reboarding. This is especially useful if you don’t have a rental car.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Located in La Jolla with ocean views, Birch Aquarium is one of our family’s favorite local spots. features over 5,000 creatures, a two-story Giant Kelp Forest, and the Tide Pool Plaza. It’s one of the best family attractions in San Diego and one of the smaller ones on the CityPASS list. Plan about 2 hours. Reservations are strongly recommended, as it regularly reaches capacity. Your CityPASS provides general admission.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego covers over 500 years of seafaring history across a collection of historic ships, including the Star of India (the world’s oldest active sailing ship). You’ll move from ship to ship via docks and ladders, so wear closed-toe shoes. Last admission is at 4 p.m. Located on the downtown waterfront near USS Midway and the City Cruises pier, so all three pair well for a downtown waterfront day.
How to Group Your Attractions by Location
You don’t need a full itinerary, but clustering attractions geographically will save you time:
Downtown Waterfront Day: USS Midway Museum + City Cruises Best of the Bay + Maritime Museum of San Diego. All three are within walking distance on Harbor Drive.
North County Day: LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad). If you’re heading north anyway, Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is on the way back.
Balboa Park Area Day: San Diego Zoo. Spend the rest of the day exploring Balboa Park’s gardens and museums (not included in CityPASS but free to walk through).
Mission Bay Day: SeaWorld San Diego.
Flexible Add-On: Old Town Trolley Tours works on any day since it covers multiple parts of the city.
Available Upgrades
CityPASS passholders can purchase upgrades at several attractions. These are optional and not required.
LEGOLAND California: Add SEA LIFE Aquarium or the seasonal water park for a nominal fee.
San Diego Zoo or Safari Park: Book an Inside Look or other experience.
USS Midway Museum: VR flight experience or air combat flight simulator available on-site.
City Cruises: Your CityPASS now includes the full 90-minute Best of the Bay Tour, which is their standard sightseeing cruise. No upgrade needed for most visitors.
Old Town Trolley: Passholders get discounts on other available tours.
Birch Aquarium: Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tour (offered twice daily), plus seasonal opportunities like Tidepooling Adventures with a naturalist. Both are separately ticketed through Birch Aquarium.
Maritime Museum of San Diego: Options include a 45-minute narrated historic bay cruise, a 75-minute naval history cruise (weekends only), and a weekend Tall Ship adventure. Check with the ticket booth at the museum.
CityPASS vs. Go City San Diego: Which Should You Buy?
The short version: CityPASS if you’re visiting SeaWorld and/or LEGOLAND. Go City if you want more variety or aren’t interested in those theme parks.
CityPASS is focused. A handful of top attractions at a solid discount, valid over 9 days. Go City San Diego offers access to 55+ attractions across multiple pass types, including the Balboa Park museums, bike rentals, and tours that CityPASS doesn’t cover. Go City also lets you visit both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, while CityPASS only allows one.
SeaWorld and LEGOLAND are not included on the Go City Explorer Pass, so if you want those parks, you’ll need Go City All-Inclusive or CityPASS.
I’ve written a detailed comparison of both passes with pricing scenarios: San Diego CityPASS vs. Go City San Diego.
FAQs About San Diego CityPASS
Do I need to choose my attractions before I buy?
No. You choose your theme park package at checkout (SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, or both), but you don’t pick your three add-on attractions until you’re ready to visit.
Can different people in my group visit different attractions?
Yes, with one caveat. If you placed one order for your whole group, you need to contact CityPASS Customer Care before making any reservations if you want to split up and visit different attractions. If you know in advance that your group will want to split up, place separate orders for each subgroup.
Should I buy two separate CityPASSes to see every attraction?
In theory, you could buy a SeaWorld + 3 pass and a LEGOLAND + 3 pass separately to cover all listed attractions. Yes, you’d save money vs. gate prices. But crunch the numbers against the Go City All-Inclusive Pass first, which may save more if you’re sightseeing over a shorter date range (this is likely).
Is CityPASS worth it during Kids Free October?
For most families, no. In October, many San Diego attractions offer free admission to children ages 3-11 when accompanied by a paid adult. You’re typically better off buying discounted individual adult tickets and getting the kids in free. My adult tickets qualify for Kids Free.
What’s the refund policy?
Unactivated passes can be refunded within 365 days of purchase. Once you scan your pass at your first attraction, it’s considered activated and is non-refundable. See the full CityPASS refund policy.
Does my toddler need a CityPASS ticket?
Children 2 and under are listed as free at the CityPASS level, but this is where it gets tricky. LEGOLAND requires a ticket for all children ages 2 and up; only children under 2 (ages 0-1) get in free there. If your child is 2 and you’re visiting LEGOLAND, you need a child CityPASS ticket or you’ll be buying a ticket at gate price at the door. At the other attractions, children 2 and under are free at SeaWorld and the Zoo, and children 3 and under are free at USS Midway and on City Cruises. Check each attraction’s policy, but the LEGOLAND one is the one that catches people.
Is CityPASS good for locals?
Yes. There’s no residency restriction. It’s a reasonable buy for locals who want to take the kids to a theme park plus a few attractions during a school break. The 9-day window gives you weekends to spread it out.
Do I need to make reservations?
It depends on the attraction. LEGOLAND requires one. SeaWorld does not. The My CityPASS app shows which attractions need reservations and lets you book directly. Reserve as early as possible, especially for Birch Aquarium.
Gate prices fluctuate, especially at SeaWorld and LEGOLAND, which use demand-based pricing. Always verify current prices before purchasing.
Katie Dillon
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