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One of the most common questions I get from readers trying to save on San Diego attractions is whether the Go City San Diego pass is worth the money. Usually it is. Which of the three passes you buy matters more than whether you buy one at all.
They are not variations on a theme. The cheapest of the three includes no theme parks and neither zoo, and that is the thing people get wrong most often.
I use these passes and a lot of my clients do too. What follows is which pass fits which trip, and where each one stops being worth the money.
Still choosing between the two San Diego passes? I put them side by side in San Diego CityPASS vs Go City, and there is a full San Diego CityPASS review if that is the one you are leaning toward.
The Go City San Diego Passes:
- The Essentials Pass (Choose a few top attractions)
- The All-Inclusive Pass (Visit as much as you want, excluding major theme parks)
- The All-Inclusive Pass Plus (everything above, plus all five premium parks)
Go City San Diego Promo Code
Save up to 50% on 40+ San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
No extra code needed.
or
Buy direct
Straight from Go City
Apply code at checkout for an extra 5%.
At a Glance: Which Go City San Diego Pass Is Best for You?
One fact decides this for most people: only two of the three passes include a theme park or a zoo. The rest follows from that.
| Feature | Essentials Pass | All-Inclusive Pass | All-Inclusive Pass Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Model | Pick by Attraction | Pick by Day | Pick by Day |
| Best For | Short trips with one major theme park and a few other key sights. | Visitors focused on museums, tours, and activities, who will not visit the major theme parks. | A trip that includes at least one of the five premium parks, plus everything on the base tier. |
| Total Attractions | 3 (one premium park plus two from a list of 12) | 39 | 44 (adds all five premium parks) |
| Premium Park Access? | Choose 1 of 5: SeaWorld, Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, or Knott’s Berry Farm. | No Premium Park Access. | Yes, all 5 Premium Parks included. |
| Validity | 30 days from first use. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 consecutive calendar days. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 consecutive calendar days. |
| Flexibility | High (choose attractions as you go over a 30-day period). | Moderate (visit as much as you want, but must be on back-to-back days). | Moderate (visit as much as you want, but must be on back-to-back days). |
| Relative Cost | Same as a one-day Plus pass | The cheapest of the three | Highest, and the cheapest per attraction if you use it hard |
A Deep Dive: How Do Go City San Diego Passes Work?
What is the Essentials Pass?
The Essentials Pass is Go City’s choice-based pass. It works when you already know what you want to see and the list is short.
How it Works
You get admission to three attractions. The structure is very specific: you choose one premium theme park and two standard attractions from a list of the most popular tours and sights.
Who Should Get It?
- Visitors on a short weekend trip.
- Families who want one big theme park day, plus a couple of smaller San Diego experiences.
- Travelers on a tighter budget who still want a big-ticket attraction without the full gate price.
My Favorite Feature
The flexibility. Once you scan your pass at the first attraction, you have a full 30 days to visit the other two. This is fantastic for longer trips or even for locals. You also don’t have to pick your two standard attractions when you buy; you can decide as you go.
Is It a Good Value?
It is when your premium pick is one of the expensive ones. Pair LEGOLAND or SeaWorld with the USS Midway and a harbor tour, and the pass costs meaningfully less than those three gate prices added up. Pair the Zoo with two of the cheaper standard attractions and the margin narrows to almost nothing.
One thing worth knowing before you commit. An Essentials pass and a one-day All-Inclusive Plus cost about the same, and Plus opens the full lineup for that day instead of three attractions across a month.
What is the All-Inclusive Pass?
This pass is for visitors who want to pack their days with museums, tours, and activities. But it has one very important limitation.
How it Works
This is a day-based pass. You pick a duration (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days) and can visit as many of its 39 included attractions as you want during that time.
The Critical Limitation
The most important thing to know is that the standard All-Inclusive Pass does not include SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, LEGOLAND, or Knott’s Berry Farm.
Who Should Get It?
- Return visitors who have already done the big theme parks.
- Budget travelers who want a packed itinerary of museums and tours.
- Culture-focused tourists planning to explore Balboa Park and the waterfront.
Key Usage Rule
This pass runs on consecutive calendar days, and a day ends at midnight rather than 24 hours after you start it. Scan a 3-day pass at four on Monday afternoon and Monday is gone. Start it in the morning.
What is the All-Inclusive Pass Plus?
This is Go City’s top tier, and the only one of the three that includes all five premium parks.
How it Works
The All-Inclusive Pass Plus includes everything the standard All-Inclusive Pass does, PLUS admission to all five major theme parks: SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, and Knott’s Berry Farm. It is ideal for covering these plus kid-friendly San Diego museums.
Who Should Get It?
- First-time visitors who want to see everything.
- Families with kids who have the theme parks on their must-do list.
- Travelers who want total freedom to mix big park days with smaller tours and museums.
Is It a Good Value?
While it’s the most expensive option, it offers the biggest potential savings. A family can visit San Diego Zoo in the morning and take a harbor cruise in the afternoon on the same day, all for one price. The savings add up quickly, and the price per day drops the longer the pass you buy.
Worth Comparing
Compare any pass against buying discounted theme park tickets on their own. If you are exploring San Diego with kids, the choice almost always comes down to Essentials or All-Inclusive Plus.
Why I Still Recommend the Go City San Diego Pass
The pass system has changed since I first wrote about it, and the core value has not.
- The savings are real if you plan. Go City advertises up to 50% off gate prices, and I have a promo code that takes more off on top of that.
- Three tiers, not one product. The lineup covers a focused weekend, a packed sightseeing week, and a museums-and-tours trip that skips the theme parks entirely.
- All five premium parks sit on the Plus tier. The San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
- Buying direct comes with a 90-day refund. Plans change, and an unactivated pass bought from Go City is refundable within 90 days of purchase.
- You skip the ticket line at the five biggest attractions. The Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the USS Midway. That is five of the 44, so it is worth knowing which five before you count on it.
- It lands on your phone in the Go City app. Buy ahead of your trip anyway. I have tested immediate delivery and had it work, and I have also had a reader report a delay on an on-the-spot purchase.
- You decide as you go. Nothing needs locking in before you land, so an afternoon that ends early turns into another attraction instead of a gap.
- One price, paid upfront. Attraction costs stop being a running tally you are tracking against a budget mid-trip.
- It pushes you into things you would have skipped. Kayaking in La Jolla and the Maritime Museum are the two I hear about most from people who would never have bought those tickets separately.
My Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Pass
Most of what goes wrong with a sightseeing pass is a rule nobody read until they were standing at a gate.
Decide whether you want the refund window.
This is the only real difference between buying from Go City and buying from my ticket store, and it cuts both ways. Go City refunds an unactivated pass within 90 days of purchase. My store is a little cheaper on every tier, and those tickets are non-refundable. If your dates are firm, take the lower price. If the trip could still move, pay the small premium for the ability to undo it.
Download the app before you arrive.
It carries the official attraction list, the current hours, the reservation instructions, and your pass itself. A confirmation email will not get you through a gate. You need the pass loaded in the app or a PDF downloaded to your phone.
Critical Advice: Make Reservations!
Many popular tours and attractions require advance reservations. This includes LEGOLAND, whale watching, and harbor cruises. Book these as soon as you buy your pass to avoid disappointment.
Understand activation.
Your pass activates when it’s first scanned. This starts the clock on its validity period (30 days for Essentials, or consecutive days for All-Inclusive). You have one year from the date of purchase to activate it.
Master the “Calendar Day” Rule.
For All-Inclusive passes, a “day” is a calendar day, not a 24-hour period. It expires at midnight. Always start your pass in the morning.
Know When Kids Are Free.
Ages 2 and under (1 and under in the case of LEGOLAND California) enter most of our theme parks and museums for free. October is Kids Free San Diego month, where sightseeing passes may not offer the best value. Free kids’ admission requires a qualifying adult ticket, and Go City has counted as one at the Zoo and Safari Park but not at most other parks. Check the current year’s terms.
Katie’s Tip
I screenshot my pass and keep it in my camera roll, in case cell service is bad and the app will not load.
Complete Go City San Diego Attraction List
Which tier an attraction sits on is the whole game, so here is the full list, split three ways. Gate prices are approximate and change often.
Premium Attractions
(Choose one with the Essentials Pass. Get all with the All-Inclusive Pass Plus. Not included with the standard All-Inclusive Pass.)
| Attraction | Normal Adult Gate Price (Approx.) | Pass Availability |
|---|---|---|
| LEGOLAND California | $119-129 | Essentials, All-Inclusive Plus |
| SeaWorld San Diego | $126.99 | Essentials, All-Inclusive Plus |
| San Diego Zoo | $78 | Essentials, All-Inclusive Plus |
| San Diego Zoo Safari Park | $78 | Essentials, All-Inclusive Plus |
| Knott’s Berry Farm | $110 | Essentials, All-Inclusive Plus |
Standard Attractions
(Choose two with the Essentials Pass. Included with All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive Plus.)
| Attraction | Category |
|---|---|
| USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum | Museum / History |
| 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off San Diego Trolley | Tour |
| Birch Aquarium at Scripps | Aquarium |
| 90-Minute Best Of The Bay Harbor Tour by City Cruises | Tour / Cruise |
| Belmont Park Ride & Play Pass | Amusement Park |
| Semi-Private Bay Cruise | Tour / Cruise |
| San Diego Natural History Museum | Museum |
| Maritime Museum of San Diego | Museum |
| Petco Park Tours – Home of the San Diego Padres | Tour |
| San Diego Air and Space Museum | Museum |
| Whale Watching by City Cruises | Tour / Cruise |
| La Jolla – 90-Minute Kayak Rental | Water Sports |
Expanded Attractions
(Available on the All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive Pass Plus only.)
| Attraction | Category |
|---|---|
| GoCar San Diego Tours: One-Hour Navigational Tour | Tour |
| Knott’s Soak City Water Park (Seasonal) | Water Park |
| The Flagship Patriot Jet Boat | Tour / Cruise |
| Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego – La Jolla | Museum |
| Museum of Us | Museum |
| Mingei International Museum | Museum |
| Japanese Friendship Garden | Garden / Culture |
| San Diego Automotive Museum | Museum |
| San Diego Museum of Art | Museum |
| Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art | Museum |
| San Diego Model Railroad Museum | Museum |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Museum / Wildlife |
| The Whaley House Museum | Museum / Historic |
| Plunge San Diego | Activity |
| Asylum Outdoor Bouldering | Activity |
| San Diego Pier Fishing | Activity |
| Museum of Illusions San Diego | Museum |
| La Jolla – Full Day Snorkel Rental | Water Sports |
| La Jolla – Surf Board Rental | Water Sports |
| Coronado – 90-Minute Tandem Kayak Rental | Water Sports |
| Coronado – 3 Hour Bike Rental | Rental |
| Best of San Diego eBike Tour | Tour / Rental |
| Gaslamp and Balboa Park Bike Rental | Rental |
| One Way Coronado Ferry | Transportation |
| Historical Old Town Walking Tour | Tour |
| Gaslamp Walking Ghost Tour | Tour |
| Haunted Old Town Walking History + Paranormal Investigation | Tour |
FAQs About the Go City San Diego Pass
What is the biggest difference between the All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive Pass Plus?
Access to the five premium parks. The Plus tier includes SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, and Knott’s Berry Farm. The standard All-Inclusive Pass includes none of them.
How does the Essentials Pass work?
You visit three attractions: one premium park of your choosing, then two more from a list of twelve. You have 30 days from your first scan to use all three.
Do I have to use my All-Inclusive Pass on back-to-back days?
Usually. The All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive Plus passes run for the number of consecutive calendar days you buy. Go City says it is currently offering a flexible non-consecutive version to some buyers, so check what you are actually buying before you assume either way.
How long do I have to use my pass after I buy it?
One year from the purchase date to activate it. The validity window then starts the moment you scan it at your first attraction.
Do I need reservations for the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld?
No reservation is required at the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, or SeaWorld. All three do require photo ID, and the last name has to match whoever bought the pass, which matters when one person buys for a group. SeaWorld also routes Go City holders to its own redemption point rather than straight to a turnstile.
Do I need reservations for LEGOLAND California?
Yes, and this one catches people out, because LEGOLAND does not require a reservation from someone who buys a ticket directly. On a Go City San Diego pass it does, and so do seven of Go City’s other San Diego attractions. Go City keeps a reference page for making reservations.
Can I use Go City San Diego during Kids Free San Diego in October?
It depends on the attraction. Kids Free San Diego is our annual October event, where kids stay, play, and eat free with a paying adult at more than 100 hotels, attractions, and restaurants across the county. Claiming it requires a qualifying adult ticket, and Go City does not qualify at most parks. Check the current year’s terms before you plan around it.
Can I upgrade at LEGOLAND California to add the Water Park or SEA LIFE Aquarium?
Yes. Visit Guest Relations near the park entrance and ask. Two things to know before you do: children aged 12 to 23 months need a paid toddler ticket for the water park even though they enter the main park free, and neither the water park nor the aquarium runs daily in the off-season, so check the resort calendar first.
What happened to the Explorer Pass?
Go City replaced it with the Essentials Pass. The Explorer let you pick a set number of attractions across 60 days. Essentials is one premium park plus two more across 30. You may still see the Explorer listed on third-party sites, and it is not what Go City sells now.
What is the difference between the Go San Diego Card and Go City San Diego?
Nothing. The same pass has been called Go San Diego, the Go San Diego Card, the San Diego Go Pass, the San Diego Go Card, and Go Card San Diego. The word “card” was dropped once it stopped being a physical card.
Final Verdict: Which Go City San Diego Pass Should You Buy?
For me, the decision comes down to one simple question: Which major theme parks are on your list?
Here’s my simple guide to choosing:
- Buy the Essentials Pass if you’re here for a quick trip and want to visit just one major theme park, plus two other classic sights, such as the USS Midway or a harbor cruise.
- Buy the All-Inclusive Pass if you are not visiting SeaWorld, the Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, or Knott’s Berry Farm. This pass is perfect for a packed trip focused on museums and tours for one set price.
- Buy the All-Inclusive Pass Plus if you’re a first-timer, a family with kids, or anyone who wants the complete, no-limits San Diego experience. This pass is the only one that grants access to all five premium parks, and it covers 44 attractions in total.
Run your own list through the numbers before you buy. A pass starts paying for itself at around three paid attractions, and only when the ones you pick are the expensive ones.
Go City San Diego Promo Code
Save up to 50% on 40+ San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
No extra code needed.
or
Buy direct
Straight from Go City
Apply code at checkout for an extra 5%.
Tip: I recently tested immediate delivery twice and found it to be effective (as it was when I purchased Go New York Explorer Passes outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art a few years ago). To ensure the timely delivery of your Go City San Diego Passes, I recommend purchasing in advance. I did have one reader report not immediately receiving her passes after an on-the-spot purchase.
Do You Have Questions About Using the Go City San Diego Pass?
Please ask them here in the comments, and I’ll find the answers for you. And if you’ve used the pass, please share your experiences.
Go City San Diego
Save up to 50% on 40+ San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
No code needed. Scroll to the Go City sightseeing passes.
or
Buy direct
Straight from Go City
Apply code at checkout for an extra 5%.
Hi, we’re visiting San Diego late June/early July, and want to buy a Go San Diego 7 day pass. Is there a better time to do it? I’m on their email list and am generally getting weekly discount codes. are there discounts of more than 10% off the pass available at a certain time? I figured there would be for Memorial Day, but it’s still 10%.
thanks.
Hi. I rarely see it for less than that. However, I just noticed that Groupon, one of our site affiliates, has a deal for a 2-day Go San Diego Card here —>http://bit.ly/2rkWPcc
There are some restrictions like the pass must be redeemed in 30 days, etc. With Groupon it’s important to always read the terms and conditions. If you need a longer pass, it’s probably best to redeem your 10% discount. I get notified about promos, too, from the advertising side and I haven’t yet seen anything for Memorial Day. Will advise if something comes through!
(Edit: I just saw you need a 7-day pass so the Groupon isn’t long enough for you.)
How do you get a 10% discount on the Go San Diego cards?
Sometimes you can find a coupon on their site. It usually appears when you sign up for their newsletter. It is usually about 5%, however!
Good Afternoon!
I have a question regarding the 3 day Go San Diego Card. With this 3 day card it includes admission to Sea World. Is there a way to upgrade the Sea World part so that our family could swim with the dolphins? Is is still worth buying the 3 day Go San Diego card to include Sea world or just buy 2 day pass and buy separate tickets for Sea World in order to upgrade swimmming with the dolphins?
Thank you so much for your help!
With the Go San Diego 5 day pass can you go into all of these attractions or do you only get to pick 5?
We bought a 4 day pass at Costco.com and it includes the 4 Big Theme Parks and it’s at a discounted price. They also sell a 2 day pass without the theme parks at a discounted price. I think you have to be a Costco member to purchase them but I’m not totally sure. We are coming for spring break this next week so I’m excited to use them! Thank you for all the great information you’ve shared on here!! It helps so much when planning our trip.
If I buy 2 adult & 2 child all-inclusive passes, how does that show up in one app? Is it one barcode to scan for everyone or 4 individual bar codes? Can the app/barcode(s) be on both adult phones?
Question about using the Go card at Legoland: does it get you into the water park and aquarium, or just into Legoland itself? Can you go to Legoland for more than one day with the card? Or is it a one-time per pass use attraction?? Thanks so much for any info you have to clarify this for me!!
Hi, we are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids ages 8 and 6. We are coming to San Diego in October. I see most places kids are free that month. Can the adults purchase a go card and the kids get in free or do we need to pay full price at each gate for adult admission? Thank you!
Sadly, no. Each attraction has their own rules about how the Kids Go Free works and I don’t see the updated information online yet. However, rest assured that October is one of the best months for families to come because of Kids Go Free so don’t let this change your plans.
Hi! Thank you for your site. I see you mention access to an exclusive 10% discount until 5/31/2018 on the all-inclusive Go City Cards in San Diego. It shows 10% at the top of the page. However, when you enter the website per the link, the banner changes to say there is a 5% discount. None of the pricing (for example, the 3 day GOSanDiego for $209) seems to reflect any discount. Is that done at the checkout?
Thanks for the help.
That is strange. It should show in the cart after you select the number of people you’d like to buy an all-inclusive pass for. Try this link here – www.tkqlhce.com/click-7884968-13291265
If it doesn’t work, I’ll have them troubleshoot! Thanks for letting me know!
Hi I’m planning a family vacation in 2 weeks to California my main places I want to go with my boys is Legoland and SeaWorld. But what does the gosandiegocard cover in each park. Legoland it that just for the rides? What about sea life and water park? Same for SeaWorld? I’m sorry to bother.
Hello,
If we buy a 3 day/4 day Sandiego card, Can we use the card to visit 2 attractions on 1 day?
We want to cover: Zoo, Safari Park, Sea World and Lego land. we have only 3 days in san diego.
Can we go sea world 2 times on different days ?
Hi! You can now go to SeaWorld and other participating attractions on the All-Inclusive pass once per day for the duration of your pass.
Hi, in a number of places here you say that the All Inclusive pass is only good for 1 day’s entry to an attraction for the duration of the pass. So for example, you say you can visit Legoland for one day but not go back for a second day, even if your All Inclusive pass window has not expired.
That is directly contradicting what Go City says in their FAQs: https://gocity.com/san-diego/en-us/faqs
“Can I visit the same attraction more than once on my All-Inclusive Pass?
With an All-Inclusive Pass, you can visit each attraction once per day for the duration of your pass. So, say you didn’t quite make it around a museum before closing time, you can always go back the following day (if the attraction doesn’t require a booking, of course).
I also emailed Go City with this question and they responded by pointing me to the FAQ above.
So, who is correct? It matters a lot for our vacation if we can use the Go City pass to visit Legoland (and Sea World) more than once on the same pass. 🙂 Can you clarify?
Thanks!
Funny you should ask this question as I just received the answer to this. You can use the All-Inclusive pass once per day at the included attractions with some limitations. It’s not a problem at attractions that don’t require reservations as you can walk right in with the pass. However, at LEGOLAND, for example, you might be limited by their reservation system and you won’t know until after you purchase the pass because you need its number to make reservations. I sell LEGOLAND tickets also and I haven’t had any issues with people not being able to secure a reservation but there is always that possibility. You will not have any issues at SeaWorld San Diego because they no longer require reservations.
Hello! I was told that there are certain black out dates where attractions won’t accept the go cards. Is this true, if so, how do I know if my dates are blacked out?
Hi Dolly. I checked with the Smart Destinations team and they are unaware of any blackout dates in San Diego at any attractions. I also haven’t heard of anyone in San Diego experiencing a blackout date. What attraction did you hear has blackout dates?
I want to make sure I understand the GO San Diego cards… I need (4), 3 day cards. 3 adults, 1 child. If we purchase these cards, do we just scan the card at the attraction and get in? Or is it more like a coupon where we’d just get a discounted admission to each attraction? I hope this makes sense…
This does make sense. It is admission, not a coupon for discounted admission. So once you buy the pass and scan it at included attractions, you’re in!
Hello, can you enter the zoo on 2 days with the Go Card?
Hi! You can enter once on an all-inclusive pass. Hope this helps!
Is parking included in the Go San Diego Card? If not, are there discounted parking passes that can be purchased ahead of time? Any tips for parking you have is greatly appreciated!
Parking is not included. Parking at the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park is free. I do know that you can purchase parking in advance for SeaWorld San Diego but it’s the same price as if you were to pay on the day. I don’t know of any discounted parking passes unfortunately!
For the go pass, what ticket do you get with this pass for the San Diego Zoo? When I look at the Zoo website, they have several ticket options, so I was unsure as to what is included in the Go Pass Zoo ticket. Thanks!
Hi! It includes one-day general admission to the San Diego Zoo.
If I purchase the 4-day pass from Costco, can I use the pass on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday or do I need to use the pass 4 days consecutively?
I am not sure of Costco pass terms and conditions, but typically you have to use it across consecutive days. I would look at the 5-day pass. I have a 10% discount that applies to sale rates so it might be a wash or close to it.
Do you know what the GoSanDiego card discount is for Prado at balboa park ?
It’s $10 off of $40 as outlined here: https://gocity.com/san-diego/en-us/additional-offers-and-discounts
Hi I purchased a Build your own go pass (San Diego) and have one unused entry. How do I go about getting a refund for the pass? I purchased the pass online and received my pass via email (to my phone)
thanks
Apologies for the delay as I am just seeing this but would like to answer because it is a good question. You will sadly not be able to get a refund for unused entries after the pass is activated.
Do you know if you buy adult Go cards during kids free October events if it counts as purchased adult ticket? Trying to determine if I need to buy them for the kids too this month
Apologies for the delay! It does not count as an eligible pass unfortunately!
Hi, thanks a lot for your blog!
Could you please clarify about repeated entries to the same museums on different days. If we buy a 7 day pass, can we enter LEGO land and zoo twice during this week on different days?
Thank you!
Thanks for posting this! You receive a one-time entry to eligible attractions so you would not be able to enter an attraction two times on one pass. I hope this makes sense! (Edit 8/2021: you can now visit each attraction on the All-Inclusive pass once per day)
We would like to use the Go San Diego explorer pass tomorrow at the safari park. With COVID restrictions, can we just go there and get admitted with our pass?
Yes. If you have Go San Diego you do not need reservations to visit. Have fun!
Hi, so much useful information thanks so much! The link doesn’t give you an option for the build your own pass. It also looks like Legoland is not an option on the list, do you know if they are currently not participating?
Hi Karla. I just asked for clarification on Build Your Own because they just pulled that from inventory. LEGOLAND just reopened a few days ago to California residents only so it’s likely they won’t be able to participate until that restriction is removed by the state (just a hunch on my part because I’m seeing similar with other CA theme parks) because they have always particiapted.
We are visiting at the first week in August. I am wondering if I buy the go pass all of the resorts now are requiring reservations. Will the go passes have the information I need to make those reservations on each of the websites? We want to do Legoland, sea world, the zoo. Thank you
Hi! You do not need to make reservations for San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. You do need to make reservations for SeaWorld. LEGOLAND isn’t currently listed on the pass but that’s likely because it’s just opened. It usually is. Things will likely change a little between now and the time you visit. Check this page for how to use your pass and where you’ll need to make reservations.
Can you tell me if the La Jolla Kayak attraction is a guided tour of the sea caves or just a kayak rental? Do you know which kayak rental company it is through?
Hi Holly. It’s a 90-minute kayak rental through Bike and Kayak in La Jolla Shores. If you are looking for guided tours (which I would recommend), Bike and Kayak has them also or I have a discount at Everyday California a few steps away. Use code lajollamom and click the green checkmark on the tour/rental booking page for 20% off here.
Hi! Do you know how many of these options will be open the week of May 29-June 5 due to COVID?
Hi! Go San Diego does a pretty good job of listing things that are open and included on the pass. On the pass page, where it says “What’s Included” if the attractions are not open they’ll have a banner on them that says “temporarily unavailable.” Most tours are running and all of our theme parks are open. A majority of our theme parks are open also. The one thing to note is that you may have to make reservations in a few places and that information is listed on this page. You do not need reservations to visit San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park – just go straight to the gate with the pass. Hope this helps!
Hello! Question about the 3-day passes given one has to lock on a date before purchase: my understanding is that parks (like Legoland) also require you to reserve the day, but that can’t be done until after you buy the ticket.
So what if we buy the 3-day pass (including a day at Legoland) and then the day isn’t available to reserve with the park? Thank you for your help, the great packages and fabulous service you provide!
Hello! We have 5 vacation days planned in San Diego, but 1 of those days we would like to spend at the beach…. preferably in the middle of the trip so we can have a break between the busier days. If I were to purchase a 5-day Go Pass, and plan to use it for 2 consecutive days, then not use it 1 day (beach day), and then use it again for 2 consecutive days… would that work ok? Or would it stop working on the day that I don’t use it (day 3)? Thanks for your help!
Hi! Yes, that would work. You don’t have to use the pass every day. It’s just good for 5 days after you first activated it so if you use it a ton on the first few days and not at all on the third day and again on the fourth and fifth day that’s okay!
I’m considering an “all inclusive” pass but the attraction list above shows only certain passes for each activity, such as build your own or explorer pass only. Does that mean those certain attractions will only take the explorer pass or build your own pass and not the all inclusive?
Hi! The Go San Diego pass looks absolutely amazing, as I would like to visit LegoLand, SeaWorld, and a number of museums in Balboa Park. HOWEVER, there is one major problem – there is no longer a Build Your Own option available, and the LegoLand Water Park is not included in the pass — which is #1 or #2 on my most-wanted!
Do you know if there is a way to currently add on the water park to the Go San Diego pass? I have tried reaching out to LegoLand and not been able to get an answer.
If there is not, that would mean I’d need to buy the Pass AND whole separate admissions to Legoland…thank you! 🙂
Hi! You will need to add the water park at the park ticket booth or guest relations inside of the park. The same goes for SEA LIFE Aquarium. It’s pretty easy to do once you are there! Kids ages 0-2 though pay a small fee to enter the water park even though they don’t need a ticket to enter or a Go San Diego card.
How do I make zoo reservations if I purchase this pass?
Hi. You do not need to make San Diego Zoo reservations when using Go San Diego.
Hi, I’m trying to use the 10% off but the price is showing pretty much the same price as the original price. Is there a promo code I could use??
Hi! The discount is on All-Inclusive passes and will appear in your cart without a promo code.
Thank you so much for this great information. We are planning a trip in August and I was looking at this pass. We plan to do the big 3 for sure and then spend time at Legoland and stay at one of the Lego hotels. My question is do you know if the Legoland pass is a park hopper? Do you know if it includes the water park and aquarium?
It is not a park hopper. Go San Diego includes only the park. You can upgrade your ticket at the ticket booth or guest relations to includes the water park or SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Can you recommend hotels to stay in that are centrally located to the attractions in a Go San Diego pass? We have a 7 day pass for a family of 4 and are coming in August.
Hi Samantha. Apologies for the late reply as I wasn’t being notified of my comments! I want to answer this because it’s still August and I do not know when you are visiting. You will be okay staying anywhere in coastal San Diego since our attractions can be spread out. However, if you are looking for somewhere central with easy freeway access I like the Mission Bay area hotels like San Diego Mission Bay Resort or Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Resort. Have fun!
Hi. We bought 3 day passes and are wondering if we can visit all of the Big 3 (Legoland, SeaWorld and Safari) on 3 different days or are we only allowed one major park on our pass? I’m asking because we made Legoland reservations but weren’t able to make them for SeaWorld. Thank you soooooo much for any info you can provide.
Hi. Apologies for the late reply as I wasn’t being notified of comments for some reason! As of now, you do not need reservations at SeaWorld. With all-inclusive passes though you can visit theme parks in any order. If you visit two in one day that’s okay! You can just visit each included attraction once per day with the all-inclusive passes (some restrictions apply which are detailed in the guidebook you receive when you purchase your pass.
Katie, thanks for all of the great information. We’re traveling to San Diego in two weeks and have learned a lot from your website. However, I’ve tried clicking on all of your links to get the Go San Diego Pass, but the discount doesn’t apply. Am I doing something wrong? I’d like to buy the Explorer Pass for either 3 attractions or 4 attractions, and the price lists as either $90 or $117. I’ll be buying passes for six people, so the 10% discount would add up. How do I get it?
Thanks.
Hi Paul apologies for the delay as I wasn’t being notified of comments to this post for some reason but I want to answer this because I’m sure other people have the same question. The discount only applies to the All-Inclusive pass, not the Explorer Pass.
Hi there!
As of now we have to make reservations at Sea World and Legoland. 1) Does making a reservation activate the Go SD card? 2) How do we reserve our tickets at Sea World with the Go SD pass? Are we a “pass member” or “ticket holder”? 3) Are we able to reserve entry to Legoland and their Water Park with the Go SD pass? I saw that you mention above that the Go SD pass is for Legoland only.
That’s it for now. Thanks for your help!
Making the reservation does not activate the pass. As of now, you do not need a reservation to visit SeaWorld. You would be a ticket holder though and not a pass member (pass member was for their park annual pass holders. You can upgrade your Go San Diego pass at LEGOLAND to include the water park (it’s pretty easy to do at guest relations or the ticket booth).
Can I visit San Diego Zoo for two days with the All inclusive pass? I always hear people tell me they wished they did two days at San Diego Zoo
You can visit San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park once per day for the duration of your All-Inclusive pass.
Does the all-inclusive go pass include admission to the water park at Legoland or just the theme park?
Go San Diego includes park admission only. You can upgrade it at the park though to include SEA LIFE and the water parks.
I need to buy 2 adult 2 day San Diego city pass, and one 2 day San Diego city pass for a 12 year old.
Great! You can use this link. My 10% discount will automatically apply at checkout when you click it.
Hi Katie,
I’ve ordered 2 times from Go City and after 3-4 days each time they canceled the order with no explanation. I’ve tried calling and emailing but they just tell me to try again. I’ve check the cards, used alternative payments, etc. Any tips? Thanks, and we love your blog–its an incredible resource!
Hi Bonnie. I haven’t heard of this at all. I’m wondering if it’s perhaps better to call to order (but the discount probably wouldn’t apply). The other route you can take is to order through aRes Travel who will accept the payment, not Go City.
All-Inclusive: https://lajollamom.arestravel.com/attraction/single/10244/113
Explorer: https://lajollamom.arestravel.com/attraction/single/10244/2011
The above has a little bit of a discount built in. If you have a similar issue with aRes let me know.
I am planning on getting a 3 activity explorer pass for my family,
If only two of my children want to do a 3rd activity and the younger one its too little, can his older brother use it on a diferent activity? (Both would have a kids pass)
Thanks for all the great information. We purchased 5 all inclusive passes and plan to visit Legoland for 2 consecutive days. I was told by Go City customer service that Legoland reservation system may not allow me to make reservation multiple times with the same Go pass number. But on their website, it states clearly multiple entry for Legoland with all inclusive. From my understanding, with Go pass, you can only make reservation for one day at a time, and then make another one for the next day after you enter the park (subject to availability). And you can visit as many days as you like during the duration of your passes. Is that right? Please clarify!
Thanks!
I believe you are correct, but let me ask my rep there for clarification!
I see that Belmont Park is included in the Go Pass. Does that mean that all individual rides there are included in the GoPass since there is no general admission fee?
You would get one of their ride wristbands when you arrive so it would include the rides.
Hi! Just happened upon your sight. Very, very helpful information. I bought the 1 day pass. Half of my kids want to see the zoo, half of them want to go to sea world. Can we enter both parks on the same day? Our plan was to do the zoo from 9 to 1 and sea world from 2 till closing. I can’t get ahold of sea world! My app currently says I need a reservation to get in. Thank you so much for all your very valuable research!
Can universal studios Hollywood be added to the go San Diego pass?
Sadly it can’t be added to Go San Diego, but we have discounted Universal Studios Hollywood tickets if you need them.
I purchased a Go San Diego pass and used it to make a reservation for Legoland. However my confirmation email says it is only a reservation, not a ticket. I want to confirm that I will be able to use the GoCity pass barcode as my ticket to enter into the park on the date of my reservation. It’s a bit disconcerting not having a physical Legoland ticket.
Totally get it but don’t worry, they’ll scan your Go San Diego pass at the entrance and you’ll show your reservation.
Hi, I was wondering if the Go Pass allows you to leave the park/attraction and re-enter later that same day, ie. at Sea World? Thanks!
This is a really good question that I’m answering late – apologies. If the attraction allows it (SeaWorld does), you can leave and re-enter. They usually give you a handstamp. Re-entry not tied to Go San Diego it’s the park’s policy if that makes sense.
I’m planning a trip in December and hoping to use the pass to visit Legoland. I’m hoping to reserve our spots early using the Reservation page (https://gocity.com/san-diego/en-us/products/all-inclusive/reservations) since it is required now. Do you know if I click on the link that says “Please click here to begin the reservation process,” under Legoland on the reservation page and proceed with booking the reservation, will this activate the pass now and begin the consecutive day countdown? Or am I safe to complete the registration now and the pass will not be activated until I scan the pass at the first venue?
Making a reservation doesn’t activate your pass. Scanning it at an attraction entrance does.
Is the Belmont Park … just entrance? or are rides included?
THank you very much. Great information and writing.
Hi, Am I understanding this right?
Do the Go passes only give a discount on the ticket price? We still need to buy a ticket to go to Sea world, the Zoo, etc?
The Go San Diego passes are your ticket so once you buy them you don’t need to buy an entry ticket to the attractions included on your pass.
Great article!! Question-we have 3 families traveling together (grandparents, plus 2 sisters and their families). Would you recommend having one person buy all the Go City passes or someone from each family? How does one transfer the pass to other family members? Can that be done? We may not all stay together for every attraction so we would each need a pass. Thank you for any information!!
Does the all-inclusive Go City pass cover some dining at SeaWorld like SeaWorld’s “Ultimate Ticket Bundle:
Add All-Day Dining” does?
It does not cover dining unfortunately!
I have a Go City pass but want to upgrade SeaWorld for the Quick Queue. Can I do that in advance or just the day of? Thanks!
Great question. If I log into my SeaWorld app I am actually able to buy Quick Queue only on a variety of dates so maybe try to download the app and see if you can get it. I’ve also added it in the park as well but if you’re coming during peak season it’s better to buy in advance.