LEGOLAND California draws many families of young children to San Diego. The resort caters to kids ages 2–12 and is home to a theme park, aquarium, two water parks, and two hotels. With all there is to do at the resort, you’ll want to buy discount LEGOLAND California tickets so that you have more money to spend on, well, LEGOs (because the kids will ask).
These easy and reliable methods for buying cheaper LEGOLAND California Resort tickets are the most reliable, fact-checked by our team, and prevent you from trying promo codes, special offers, coupons, and deals that likely won’t work. Plus, right now, there are free kids tickets you may qualify for.
You can save on tickets, tours, and hotels through my affiliations. If you make purchases through some links in this post, I may be compensated. Our editorial guidelines.
Before You Buy: LEGOLAND California Ticket Tips
If traveling with a LEGO enthusiast or simply planning a North San Diego County family vacation, it may be wise to consider multi-day passes to experience the entire resort. Alternatively, even a half-day at LEGOLAND California is entirely doable if you are pressed for time.
When booking a San Diego vacation that involves visiting LEGOLAND California, you must check opening dates and hours. The reason is that the water parks have seasonal hours, and the theme park is closed on some Wednesdays from September through February (except Thanksgiving and winter breaks). Check the calendar.
You’ll need to number crunch to see what tickets and methods listed below are the cheapest on your dates.
1. Online Promotions Through LEGOLAND
Right now, the best place to buy 1-Day LEGOLAND tickets at the lowest price on off-peak days is through legoland.com, which starts at $79.
You can now also buy combo tickets at a discount as well in addition to Reserve N Ride and other upgrades. They do charge a $9.99 processing fee, which may make one of the methods below more advantageous.
2. Discount LEGOLAND California Tickets to One or More Parks (Promo Code)
aRes Travel is a San Diego-based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions, including LEGOLAND California. They offer ways to buy LEGOLAND California discount tickets and tickets to other popular San Diego attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
These LEGOLAND California discount tickets are either print-at-home or can be pulled up on a mobile device so that you can head straight to the gate without the need to redeem a ticket voucher.
aRes Travel charges a $2 convenience fee per ticket, but you will still likely come out ahead on peak days. Tip: Save money on LEGOLAND tickets with aRes Travel and then buy a Reserve ‘N’ Ride (when available) through LEGOLAND.
You can also have the details sent immediately to you for later, plus our other exclusive promo codes. Click to request all San Diego discounts by email.
3. Go City San Diego (Most Popular Sightseeing Pass)
The Go City San Diego pass saves up to 50% off of admission to 45+ top San Diego attractions, including LEGOLAND California, in three simple steps:
- Choose the pass option that best suits you (you can buy an All-Inclusive pass or Explorer pass) and buy your pass in advance.
- Get your pass on a mobile device or print it at home.
- Show the pass at any eligible attraction, and you’re in for free.
The passes are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 7-day options, each at different prices. Make sure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy. This is by far the most popular discounted, bundled San Diego attractions pass.
Tip: Sometimes, a 1-Day All-Inclusive Go San Diego pass costs less than a 1-Day General Admission LEGOLAND California ticket. Go San Diego includes access to the theme park, but you can pay a small fee when you arrive also to include SEA LIFE Aquarium and the water park (a small fee for ages 2 and under applies at the water park). You can also purchase some upgrades in advance.
EXCLUSIVE LA JOLLA MOM DISCOUNT
Use promo code GOSDO5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go San Diego sightseeing passes! This discount stacks on top of sale rates! Expires 12/31/23.
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
See also: 14 San Diego Discounts: Experience the City for Less
4. San Diego CityPASS
Another more limited sightseeing pass choice is San Diego CityPASS.
This pass ONLY makes sense if you are visiting LEGOLAND California AND San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park AND at least one of the other three participating attractions across nine consecutive days.
Otherwise, buying discounted tickets individually or using Go San Diego (more participating attractions) is more advantageous.
The pass types include:
- LEGOLAND California + 3 Attractions
- SeaWorld San Diego + 3 Attractions
- SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California + 3 Attractions
The three attractions can be your choice of:
- San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park (not both)
- USS Midway Museum
- City Cruises
- Old Town Trolley Tours
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
You will still need to use the My CityPASS app to make a LEGOLAND California reservation before you visit.
5. Combo Tickets with Specific San Diego Attractions
6. Bundle a Hotel with LEGOLAND California Tickets
Sometimes, it can be more beneficial to book a vacation package that includes hotels, tickets, and other extras.
See also: Best Hotels Near LEGOLAND California Resort
7. Go Los Angeles Pass
The Go Los Angeles pass works exactly like the Go San Diego pass mentioned above. This pass, however, includes some famous theme parks in San Diego, too.
LEGOLAND California is included in the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. This is an excellent option for families on a Southern California road trip. Remember that with Go City passes, you’ll need to make a separate reservation to enter the park (instructions come with the pass).
Plus, you can take advantage of my exclusive discount.
EXCLUSIVE LA JOLLA MOM DISCOUNT
Use promo code GOLA5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go City Los Angeles sightseeing passes! This discount stacks on top of sale rates!
(Pass has limited value for families in San Diego during Kids Free October — we recommend individual tickets instead during this timeframe. See promotional terms and conditions.)
8. Kids Free October for LEGOLAND
During the month of October, children can score free admission to LEGOLAND California and other major San Diego theme parks, museums, and more during the annual Kids Free San Diego promotion. Yes, this is why October is one of the best times to visit San Diego with kids.
Since October is on the horizon, the LEGOLAND kids free tickets are already live and can be purchased below.
9. Honest Kids — Kids Free Tickets
Sometimes, there’s a promo code to receive a free child ticket when purchasing an adult ticket (the promo code automatically applies at that link). This is an excellent deal, but it applies only to combo tickets: the 1-Day SEA Life Hopper and the 1-Day Water Park Hopper. It doesn’t seem to have an expiration, so you can take advantage of it now, but we’ll keep monitoring it.
10. Los Angeles Residents Deal — Kids Free Through 12/31/23
Los Angeles residents also have a Kids Free deal through 12/31/23, where LA residents can purchase a multi-park ticket that includes LEGOLAND theme park and SEA LIFE Aquarium or LEGOLAND theme park and water park.
These are all park hopper tickets. So, you’ll want to make sure that you want to visit more than just LEGOLAND Park. If you don’t have time for SEA LIFE Aquarium or the water parks, you may want to consider a 1-Day LEGOLAND ticket instead.
11. AAA Discount LEGOLAND California Tickets
LEGOLAND California often offers discounts to AAA members. You can check with your local branch for offers.
12. LEGOLAND Military Discounts
LEGOLAND California offers several substantial, special military discounts that change throughout the year. Currently, you can save up to 30%. Log in to ID.me to find out!
13. Costco LEGOLAND California Discount Tickets
From time to time, Costco sells discounted tickets for LEGOLAND, California. At the time of this writing, you’ll save more through aRes Travel mentioned above because Costco has not recently been selling theme park tickets.
14. Sign Up for the LEGO Club Magazine for Discounts
Subscribers to the LEGO Club Magazine often receive various discounts throughout the park and cheap LEGOLAND tickets. It’s free, geared toward ages 5–9, and sent out five times per year.
15. Annual Passes
Annual passes to LEGOLAND California start at $179.99 and go up to $339.99, depending on the number of resort parks you’d like to visit. It’s an excellent option for San Diego residents and those who visit the park multiple times yearly.
16. Teacher Discounts
LEGOLAND California often offers special teacher discounts that change throughout the year. At the time of this writing, there are no discounts available. However, you can check back here or log in to the site to learn more!
17. Group Discounts for 15 or More
If you have 15 or more people, you can walk up to a front gate ticket booth on the day of your visit to purchase group tickets. Truthfully, I would not do this because it will very likely be cheaper for everyone in your group to buy LEGOLAND discount tickets online in advance.
FAQs About LEGOLAND California Tickets & Logistics
I help families plan San Diego vacations. These are the questions that I receive the most. Grab a coffee because this San Diego theme park is so popular that my inbox overfloweth.
Where is LEGOLAND in California?
LEGOLAND® California Theme Park is located in Carlsbad, California, just north of San Diego. (It’s often mistakenly believed to be in Los Angeles.)
HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO THE PARK?
Currently, LEGOLAND California requires date-specific tickets. Gate prices vary depending on the day you’d like to visit. Typically, one-day adult gate tickets are around $124.
I can offer discounted tickets and tips for finding cheaper rates through authorized ticket sellers that are significantly less expensive.
How can you get free kids tickets to LEGOLAND?
There are various ways to get free kids tickets throughout the year, as we’ve outlined. In October, during Kids Free San Diego, LEGOLAND California offers discounts such as one child ages 12 and under receive a free ticket when accompanied by a paid adult. You can also currently get that deal year-round through a promo available thanks to Honest Kids. These offers apply to park hopper tickets.
DOES LEGOLAND OFFER ANNUAL PASSES?
es, there are four levels of annual memberships available: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Elite. The LEGOLAND Silver Pass provides unlimited visits to LEGOLAND California, while the Gold, Platinum, and Elite include admission to SEA LIFE California Aquarium and LEGOLAND Water Park. You can buy them online.
Does the park offer any other kind of special tickets or passes?
Yes, you can purchase a VIP Experience pass, which grants you priority access, private experiences, and your very own host.
How much is parking at the park?
The parking fee at LEGOLAND California is currently $30 for general parking and $50 for preferred parking.
When is the park open?
This is the most important tip for your LEGOLAND California visit. The park is open seven days a week all year round, but it closes on certain Wednesdays between September and February. The water park also has seasonal hours. And the exact hours of the day that the parks are open varies year-round and based on special events. Check the calendar before you buy tickets.
Can you bring food into the park?
No outside food or beverages are permitted unless they are for babies and infants or guests with special dietary or medical needs.
What is there to do at the park?
The park features more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions. Your kids can take the LEGO® Factory Tour, get behind the wheel at Driving School, and ride the Coastersaurus. From DUPLO® Playtown to the Safari Trek, there are so many attractions to entertain the whole family. Don’t miss the character meet and greets, live shows, and 4D shows.
Is the park fun for adults?
The park is geared toward children ages 2 to 12 years old. While most of the rides are for little ones, adults will enjoy the elaborate LEGO scenes and structures. Check out mini versions of the Las Vegas Strip, New Orleans, and New York, made entirely from the mini blocks.
Can you get skip-the-line access at the park?
Yes, you can purchase special passes that allow you to make ride reservations through the Reserve ‘N’ Ride application. Three levels of passes are available online: Express, Deluxe, and Ultimate. These upgrades cost between $35 and $100 per person and can reduce your wait time between 25% and 95%, depending on the level you purchase.
Can you purchase LEGOs at the park?
Yes! The park features several places to stock up on your kids’ favorite toys. Check out the LEGO® Ideas Shop, The Big Shop, the Minifigure Market, and The Dive Shop.
Can I Go Shopping at LEGOLAND California for Free?
Yes! You must buy a 1-Day ticket and pay for parking to enter the park. If you spend $25 or more and are inside for less than one hour, guest services will refund the cost of your ticket and parking.
What kind of food is available at the park?
The park offers a variety of eateries for when you work up an appetite. Burgers, barbecue, and pizza are just a few of the options. For lunch, choices include Garden Deli and Cafe, The Market, Ninja Kitchen, and more. For dessert, swing by Fun Town Treats, Castle Ice Cream, or Granny’s Apple Fries. You can find vegetarian and gluten-free options as well.
What is SEA LIFE Aquarium San Diego?
SEA LIFE Aquarium is a massive indoor aquarium featuring 5,000 real sea animals, from sharks to rays. Learn about the sea creatures, and don’t miss feeding time. The aquarium is located next to the LEGOLAND California theme park.
Do I need separate tickets to visit SEA Life Aquarium?
You do need to have a ticket that allows entry into SEA LIFE Aquarium. You can buy a SEA LIFE Aquarium ticket or it’s included on certain park hopper tickets and annual passes.
Does my LEGOLAND ticket include entrance to the water park?
Only guests with a Resort Hopper or Water Park Hopper ticket can access the water park without purchasing an additional ticket.
You can only access the water park through LEGOLAND, so you can upgrade your LEGOLAND-only ticket to include access to the water park during times when it is open for the season.
The water park has all sorts of fun for children, including a wave pool, water slides, and water play structures. Make a splash in Wipeout Lagoon and float down the lazy river. If you don’t mind getting soaked, take a ride on the Pirate Reef or wait for the water cannons to blast you at the Joker Soaker.
When is the LEGOLAND Water Park Open?
The water park is open seasonally, and its hours depend on the day of the week and time of year. It’s usually open between mid-March and August, with some dates in September and October.
Hours of operation vary between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Check the park’s calendar for specific dates when planning your trip.
Where Can I Find More LEGOLAND California Deals?
New promotions are released regularly, but the LEGOLAND website has a tab that lists current deals through them that can include hotels, upgrades, and more.
How do you buy LEGOLAND California discount tickets? See our guides for how to buy discount:
- San Diego Zoo tickets
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets
- SeaWorld San Diego tickets
- Sesame Place San Diego tickets
- Disneyland tickets
- Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
- Knott’s Berry Farm tickets
- Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
- Universal Orlando tickets
- SeaWorld Orlando tickets
- LEGOLAND Florida tickets
- LEGOLAND New York tickets
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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And, don’t forget to save money on sightseeing with my discount tickets or a Go San Diego Card.
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