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

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 is open all year, though not every day (daily in summer, when the water attractions run, and mostly weekends and holiday weeks the rest of the year), 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 San Diego isn’t open every day outside summer, so check the park hours calendar before you pick a date.

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.

2. Online Tickets Direct Through Sesame Place

Sesame Place sells date-specific tickets on their website starting at $61.99 (ages 3+). Prices vary by day, so weekdays and off-peak dates tend to be cheapest while weekends and holidays cost more.

As a limited-time fall offer, Sesame Place is selling its own any-day ticket through November 1, 2026, at the same price as the any-day ticket in our store. Theirs must be used by November 1, while ours is good for six months from purchase.

Through November 1, 2026, Sesame Place is also selling a Kids Go Free ticket, good for one free child ticket (ages 3 to 9) with each full-price adult ticket, and it must be used by that date. For an adult visiting with a child that age, it can cost less than buying two tickets in our store, so compare before you buy.

The Sunny Day Guarantee is Sesame Place’s own weather policy. It offers a return visit when weather closes rides for more than 60 minutes or shuts the park early. The park notes that discounted and promotional tickets may not qualify, so confirm with Guest Relations before you count on it. There’s no change fee to move a date-specific ticket by calling 619-943-ELMO, though you’ll pay the difference if the new date costs more.

Buying direct also lets you add extras you can’t get through discount ticket sellers, like a poolside Big Bird’s Oasis cabana, an all-day dining plan, or front-of-line access.

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

3. Sesame Place San Diego Season Passes

For families planning more than one visit, a Season Pass is the best per-visit value. All passes include unlimited visits through early January 2028, with no blockout dates, and most tiers include free parking and in-park discounts.

Sesame Place is selling 2027 passes at sale prices, and a 2027 pass bought now also covers the rest of 2026.

2027 Silver Season Pass: $144 (reg. $186)
Unlimited visits, free general parking, 2 free guest tickets, 15% off merchandise, 10% off food and beverage.

2027 Gold Season Pass: $180 (reg. $234)
Everything in Silver, plus 4 free guest tickets, 20% off merchandise, 15% off food and beverage, and free advanced show seating.

2027 Platinum Season Pass: $279 (reg. $387)
Unlimited admission to 11 SeaWorld parks including SeaWorld San Diego, 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. $235.99)
Unlimited visits to both parks through January 3, 2028, 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. These military discount Sesame Place San Diego tickets are among the best deals the park offers.

These online offers change throughout the year, so check the military offers page for what’s currently live. Active military and veterans can also buy discounted tickets year-round at base ITT and MWR ticket offices.

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.

School and daycare groups of 15 or more pay less than general groups, with one free ticket for every 10 paid (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

Groupon sells Sesame Place San Diego tickets at the same prices Sesame Place charges on its own site, so there’s no extra discount there. Our ticket store has no promo code to hunt for either, since the discount is already built into the price.

What Else to Expect at 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 Fairy 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, drinks, or coolers are allowed, except a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. The park makes exceptions for special dietary needs, food allergies, and baby food or formula.

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

Yes, Sesame Place San Diego is open in every month of the year, but not every day. It’s open daily in summer, when the water attractions are open, and weekends and holiday weeks the rest of the year, with Halloween and Christmas events on select dates. Check the official park hours calendar for your exact date.

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:

• San Diego Zoo
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• SeaWorld San Diego
• LEGOLAND California
• Disneyland
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Knotts Berry Farm
• LEGOLAND Florida
• Universal Orlando
• San Francisco Zoo

Featured photo is courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego