How to Buy Discount Sesame Place San Diego Tickets: 8 Cheap Ways

Save money instantly on Sesame Place San Diego tickets by purchasing now through these authorized sellers.

Last updated: March 3, 2026 

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Katie Dillon

Katie Dillon is the founder of La Jolla Mom and a trusted travel advisor based in San Diego for over three decades. A former Four Seasons resident, she shares unmatched hotel insight, certified San Diego expertise, verified theme park discounts, and VIP hotel privileges worldwide through her industry connections.

We can help you save on tickets, tours, and hotels. If you purchase through some of the links below, we may be compensated. Our editorial guidelines.

Sesame Place San Diego is a theme park and water park in Chula Vista. It’s the only Sesame Street park on the West Coast. Visitors and residents enjoy rides, water slides, live shows, and character meet-and-greets geared toward toddlers through early elementary schoolers, though we know some older kids who love it, too.

The park operates seasonally from late March through late September, and it’s easy to find discount Sesame Place San Diego tickets if you know where to look. Below you’ll find the lowest prices and which ticket type makes the most sense for your family. Children 2 and under get in free.

We live in San Diego and have been tracking Sesame Place pricing since the park opened in 2022. Our team fact-checks every deal on this list so you don’t waste time chasing promo codes, coupons, and special offers that don’t actually work.

Note: Sesame Place reopens March 2026 and, you can buy tickets now.

My Top Pick: Best Value Sesame Place San Diego Ticket


  • Price: $46.99 (Ages 3+) — Go any day!
  • Savings: Save $51 compared to the gate price of $97.99!
  • Benefits: Valid for one day of general admission on any regular operating day. Mobile ticket delivery.
    This is our top recommended deal for most visitors seeking a single-day ticket.

Key Takeaways


  • Best Single-Day: Our exclusive Any Day Ticket for $46.99 with no dynamic pricing and 6 months validity.
  • Date-Specific Alternative: Tickets through Sesame Place start at $47.99 on value days but prices vary by date.
  • Buy Online & In Advance: Always purchase tickets online before your visit to save money compared to gate prices.
  • Season Passes for Locals: If you plan multiple visits, a Season Pass offers the best per-visit value and includes perks like free parking and in-park discounts. Silver starts at $135.
  • Consider Bundles: The 2-Park Ticket (Sesame Place + SeaWorld) is $92.99 through aRes, saving $131+ over buying separately.  
  • Gate Price: The standard walk-up gate price for a 1-Day ticket (ages 3+) is $94.99. Children under 3 are free.  

A variety of discounts on Sesame Place San Diego tickets can help reduce admission costs. Below are the best current offers from authorized ticket sellers.

1. Discounted Good Any-Day Sesame Place San Diego Tickets

Our discounted tickets through authorized seller aRes Travel are the best deal for most visitors. Tickets are delivered to your phone, and you show them at the gate.

SAVE $51

Sesame Place Single Day Any Day Ticket

Valid for one-day general admission to Sesame Place San Diego during regular operating hours. No reservation required! Price:$46.99/ages 3+

SAVE $131

Sesame Place and SeaWorld San Diego 2 Park Ticket

Valid for one single-day admission to SeaWorld San Diego and one (single-day admission to Sesame Place San Diego on regularly scheduled park operating days. Price: $92.99/ages 3+

2. Online Tickets Direct Through Sesame Place

Sesame Place sells date-specific tickets on their website starting at $47.99 (ages 3+). Prices vary by day, so weekdays and off-peak dates tend to be cheapest while weekends and holidays cost more.

The main advantage of buying direct is the Sunny Day Guarantee, which is essentially weather protection. If it rains, you can reschedule. You can also change your date for free by calling 619-943-ELMO.

The trade-off: you’re locked into a specific date, prices fluctuate, and peak days can cost significantly more than the $47.99 starting price.

3. Sesame Place San Diego Season Passes

Aerial view of the water park areas of Sesame Place San Diego.
A rendering of the water park (photo courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego)

For families planning more than one visit, a Season Pass is the best per-visit value. All passes include unlimited visits through 2026 with no blockout dates, and most tiers include free parking and in-park discounts.

Sesame Place is currently running a Spring Break Sale with reduced prices on all pass tiers.

Silver Season Pass: $135 (reg. $180)
Unlimited visits, free general parking, 2 free guest tickets, 15% off merchandise, 10% off food and beverage.

Gold Season Pass: $162 (reg. $225)
Everything in Silver, plus 4 free guest tickets, 20% off merchandise, 15% off food and beverage, free advanced show seating, and a free one-day PhotoKey.

Platinum Season Pass: $252 (reg. $375)
Unlimited admission to 11 SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment locations nationwide, including SeaWorld San Diego. Includes free preferred parking, 6 free guest tickets, 25% off merchandise, 20% off food and beverage, and a free annual PhotoKey.

2-Park Season Pass (Sesame Place + SeaWorld San Diego): $199.99 (reg. $228.99)
Unlimited visits to both parks through 2026, no blockout dates. Does not include parking or guest tickets. Children under 3 are free.

4. AAA Member Tickets

AAA members may be able to purchase discounted Sesame Place San Diego tickets through their regional office. Availability varies by location and is not guaranteed, so check the Auto Club app or call your local branch before your visit.

When available, AAA discount Sesame Place tickets are typically priced between the online advance purchase price and the full gate price. This is worth checking if you already have a membership, but it’s unlikely to beat the aRes Travel price listed above.

5. Military Discounts

Sesame Place San Diego honors U.S. military members and veterans with special offers verified through ID.me or GovX. These military discount Sesame Place San Diego tickets are among the best deals the park offers.

Active duty personnel are eligible for up to 4 discounted single-day tickets. Veterans and their families can save up to 50% on single-day tickets, with up to 6 tickets per purchase. Military discounts are typically available once the season opens, so check the Sesame Place military offers page after March 27 for current 2026 pricing.

6. Group Discounts

If you’re visiting with a larger party, group discounts are available. Sesame Place San Diego offers discounted tickets for groups of 15 or more.

For school groups of 15 or more, tickets start at $29.99 per person, with one complimentary ticket for every 10 paid tickets (specific validity periods apply). Check the official Sesame Place San Diego website for details on booking group visits.

7. Costco Sesame Place San Diego Tickets

“Sesame Place Costco tickets” is a common search because Costco occasionally carries discounted tickets to Southern California theme parks like SeaWorld and Disneyland.

We have not been able to confirm that Costco has carried Sesame Place San Diego tickets specifically, but it’s worth checking your local warehouse if you’re already a member. The aRes Travel and Sesame Place direct prices listed above are more reliable options.

8. Groupon

There are no current Groupon deals or Sesame Place San Diego coupon codes for the 2026 season. Groupon has offered discounted Sesame Place tickets in past years, so it’s worth checking back periodically, especially once the season opens on March 27. If a Groupon deal does appear, we’ll update this post. In the meantime, the deals listed above are the best verified discounts available.

What Else to Expect at Sesame Place San Diego

Cookie Monster, Elmo and Grover post in front of the Sesame Place San Diego entrance.
Elmo, Cookie Monster and Grover (photo courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego)

Sesame Place is a San Diego theme park and water park built for younger kids. The interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood features the iconic 123 Stoop from the show, and Sesame Street characters are out throughout the day for meet-and-greets and photos. There’s also a daily parade and live character shows.

Rides are designed for toddlers through early elementary schoolers, though older kids enjoy them too. Popular rides include Sunny Day Carousel, Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets, Abby’s Fair Flight, and Cookie Climb.

Water attractions open for the summer season and include slides, a wave pool, and a water playground. While some slides are big enough for older kids and adults, options like Elmo’s Silly Sand Slides are built for the park’s youngest visitors. Bring swimsuits and a change of clothes.

Sesame Place San Diego is a Certified Autism Center (CAC), with designated quiet spaces and sensory guides to help parents plan visits around their children’s needs.

Stroller rentals are available in the park. No outside food or coolers larger than 12×12 are allowed, but bottled water and baby food/formula are exceptions.

You can learn more in our Sesame Place San Diego guide and view our list of hotels near Sesame Place San Diego.

A children's ride at Sesame Place San Diego.
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby (photo courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego)

Sesame Place San Diego Tickets & More FAQ

Address: 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Does Sesame Place San Diego currently offer a student discount?

Unfortunately, Sesame Place San Diego does not currently offer any discounts specifically targeted at students. As such, students who wish to visit the park may benefit from purchasing discount tickets. 

Do you need to make reservations for Sesame Place San Diego?

No reservations are required. You can buy tickets in advance and show up any operating day (for Any-Day tickets) or on your selected date (for date-specific tickets).

Can you buy tickets at the gate?

Yes, guests can purchase Sesame Place tickets at the gate on the same day. This isn’t the most cost-effective strategy, especially when admitting an entire family.

Even at sister park SeaWorld San Diego, buying tickets online directly through the park or through an authorized ticket seller before you go is less expensive.

Does Sesame Place San Diego offer a teacher discount?

There is no dedicated teacher discount at Sesame Place San Diego at this time. The Philadelphia Sesame Place location offers a teacher pass, but it has not been extended to San Diego.

What age is free at Sesame Place San Diego?

Children ages 0-2 are always free at Sesame Place San Diego. There are also occasional Kids Free promotions throughout the year.

Is Sesame Place San Diego open year-round?

No. Sesame Place San Diego operates on a seasonal schedule. For 2026, the park opens March 27 and closes September 20. It runs daily during spring break (March 27 through April 5) and from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with weekends only in between.

How long do you need at Sesame Place San Diego?

Most families spend 4 to 6 hours at the park. If you plan to do both the dry rides and the water attractions during summer, allow a full day.

What’s the best age for Sesame Place San Diego?

The park is designed for ages 2 through 7, but toddlers and kids up to about 10 enjoy it. The rides have low height requirements, the characters are familiar to preschoolers, and the water play areas work for a wide range of ages.

Learn also how to buy discount tickets for Southern California and other United States theme parks including:

Featured photo is courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego

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