Many families planning San Diego vacations center them around visiting SeaWorld San Diego. I am asked about this San Diego theme park the most because it’s one of the best activities in San Diego for kids from toddlers to teens. The good news is that various ways to buy discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets legitimately exist through authorized ticket sellers so you don’t have to pay full price.
Which method to choose depends on how long you intend to spend in the park, your itinerary once inside, and the other San Diego attractions that are on your to-do list. Rest assured that you’ll easily be able to choose the right SeaWorld ticket based on the information below, so you can avoid trying coupons, discount codes, and deal links that do not work.
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Important General SeaWorld San Diego Ticket Gate Prices & Tips
Know all of this already? Jump to: SeaWorld San Diego Tickets
You will save money by purchasing tickets and experiences online in advance. There’s actually no need to pay gate prices — I don’t know anyone who does.
Prices for SeaWorld San Diego tickets fluctuate throughout the year more than at other local theme parks. At the time of this writing, for ages 3+, gate prices are:
- 1-Day Ticket: $114.99
- 1-Day Ticket + All-Day Dining: $164.98
- Ultimate Bundle (1-Day Ticket + All-Day Dining + Quick Queue): $214.97
- 2-Day Ticket: $219/98
- 2-Day Ticket + All-Day Dining Bundle: $329.96
- Kids ages 2 and under are free.
It’s important to read all terms and conditions before purchasing SeaWorld tickets. Ensure they do not expire before your visit, and check refund or transfer policies.
SKIP THE LINES
SeaWorld San Diego has a variety of Quick Queue passes that provide guests with express entry to the best SeaWorld San Diego rides (like Manta roller coaster and Electric Eel) and priority seating at shows. I recommend this for older kids who will primarily be interested in the thrill rides which tend to have long lines.
1. SeaWorld San Diego Direct Online Promotions
SeaWorld San Diego offers numerous admission ticket options via its website that are usually lower than gate prices. Keep in mind that they charge a $9.99 service fee for online orders, which may make #2 below a better option for some purchases. Their pricing changes frequently based on various promotions so what we have here is accurate as of this post date.
Again, just do not buy at a park ticket booth. If you find yourself at the park without a ticket, I recommend buying one on your mobile instead of going to a booth. It will be cheaper, I promise.
2. Groupon Holiday Sale
It’s actually pretty rare that Groupon has San Diego theme park deals better than what you can get through other authorized sellers, but this one might be worth considering on weekend peak dates. You’ll pay a flat rate for Any Day tickets. Crunch the numbers and compare to #1 and #2 below to see if this price works for you. Check out Groupon.
3. Discounted SeaWorld Single-Day and 2-Day Tickets Through aRes Travel
I offer discount SeaWorld tickets right here, powered by aRes Travel, a San Diego-based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions.
These SeaWorld tickets are print-at-home or mobile, so you can head straight to the gate without the need to redeem a ticket voucher. There is a $2 convenience fee per ticket, but you will still likely come out ahead.
4. Combo Tickets with Other Theme Parks
One of the particularly good deals is the 2-Park ticket with sister SeaWorld Park, Sesame Place San Diego in Chula Vista. But you can also bundle other parks together for extra savings. You can also do this with sightseeing passes and I’ll talk about a couple of these below.
VISITING FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY?
Definitely consider a Fun Card, Annual Pass, or Two-Day Tickets. We have a Silver annual pass that pays for itself in two visits.
5. SeaWorld San Diego Fun Card
Fun Card holders receive unlimited visits to SeaWorld San Diego through December 31, 2024. This pass does have some limited blockout dates, but it’s popular with residents and people who may visit more than once in a year and don’t plan to park a car in the lot.
It doesn’t provide parking and dining discounts, but it’s still a great deal, seeing that it’s nearly the same price as 1-Day SeaWorld tickets. Price: $114.99 (curently $98.99 through aRes Travel).
6. SeaWorld San Diego Annual Passes
For a bit more than the Fun Card, a SeaWorld San Diego Annual Pass can add more value. And, they’ve revised the passes to include even more for a limited time.
Your annual pass includes the new Spooktacular and Christmas festivities that are on tap in the coming months. I’ve listed some of the pass highlights below, but the list is long for each.
Silver Annual Pass
These annual passes include unlimited admission throughout the year with:
- Unlimited admission for 12 months
- Two free guest tickets
- Free general parking
- 10% Discount on dining
- 20% Off merchandise
- and more
(Price: $159/person). Monthly payment options are available!
Gold Annual Pass
The Gold Annual Pass also includes:
- Unlimited Admission
- Four free guest tickets
- Free up-close parking
- 30% off daily and all-Season Discounted Quick Queue
- Up to 30% off merchandise
- 15% Off dining
- and more
(Price: $198/person). Monthly payment options are available!
2-park season pass
Unlimited visits to both SeaWorld and Sesame Place San Diego through 12/31/2024!
Limited Time Offer! (Price: $199.99/person)
SeaWorld + AQUATICA Platinum Pass (11 Parks)
SeaWorld Platinum Pass holders receive:
- Unlimited admission for 12 months to 11 SeaWorld Parks locations (VA, FL, CA, TX, PA)
- Six free passes for friends
- Free up-close parking
- Free reserved show seating
- Free animal experience
- Free single-ride quick queue per day
- Free-up-close parade viewing
- Up to 50% off merchandise
- 20% Off dining
- One free Howl-O-Scream ticket on select dates
- and more
(Price: $282/person). Monthly payment options are available!
Plus, you’ll also get access to SeaWorld San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg; Aquatica San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio; Adventure Island; Water Country USA; and Sesame Place with no blockout dates in addition to many other VIP benefits and discounts through the rest of 2023 and all of 2024 with a Platinum Pass.
HOLIDAY EVENT ADMISSION IS INCLUDED
Annual Pass holders receive free admission to Halloween Spooktacular and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.
7. Go San Diego (Most Popular San Diego Attractions Pass)
The Go San Diego pass saves up to 50% off of admission to 45 top San Diego attractions, including SeaWorld San Diego, 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.
All-Inclusive passes are available in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7-day options at different prices. With the Explorer pass, you’ll buy the option to see 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions and tours that you can choose as you go over the course of 60 days from first use.
Ensure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy. This is by far the most popular San Diego sightseeing pass.
See also: 10 Benefits of the Go San Diego Discounted Attractions Pass
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.)
8. Bundle a Hotel with SeaWorld San Diego Tickets
You can often save even more with a SeaWorld San Diego vacation package that includes your hotel and the cost of admission.
You can read my list of favorite hotels near SeaWorld San Diego for hotel advice.
9. San Diego CityPASS
San Diego CityPASS is a sightseeing pass that makes sense for people visiting LEGOLAND California and/or SeaWorld San Diego and San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park and at least one of the other six participating attractions. You can read my full San Diego CityPASS review for more details.
Otherwise, it’s most cost-effective to purchase tickets separately using my discounts (I have a Zoo and Safari Park promo code) or the Go City San Diego pass, which has many more attractions on it. The pass types include:
- SeaWorld San Diego + 3 Attractions
- LEGOLAND California + 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
10. AAA Discount Tickets
Members of AAA can receive various SeaWorld San Diego discount ticket options throughout the year. You can check with your regional office.
However, be mindful that buying directly through SeaWorld San Diego or aRes Travel is often less expensive than using AAA member discounts.
11. Free Military Tickets
Active duty military members and veterans receive special SeaWorld theme park discounts through the Waves of Honor program. Active military personnel and three direct dependents will receive one complimentary admission to SeaWorld San Diego, valid through December 31, 2023. Additionally, the park now offers a SeaWorld San Diego 2023 Military Pass, which offers unlimited visits to the park and general parking through Jan. 2, 2024.
12. Teacher Fun Card
SeaWorld San Diego offers unlimited free park admission to certified California and Arizona K-12 teachers via its complimentary Teacher Fun Card.
The 2023 Teacher Fun Card is valid for unlimited admission through December 31, 2023. The first park visit has to occur on or before July 31, 2023, to activate the card. Blockout dates apply.
13. Kids Free Tickets in October
Thanks to the annual Kids Free October promotion in San Diego, kids ages 9 and under receive free park admission with a paid adult. The exact promotion details are usually released in late summer, but SeaWorld San Diego always participates. So do the other major theme parks and amusement parks so it’s a truly excellent time to plan a San Diego family vacation.
Quick Tips for Planning Your Day
Spending a half-day at the park is entirely doable if you are pressed for time. Plan to arrive in the morning, enjoy the shows and outdoor exhibits, grab lunch, see a few more things, and leave.
SeaWorld San Diego has a Weather-or-Not Assurance Policy for most tickets (complimentary and some others excluded), which means you can request a return visit if our weather isn’t cooperating. You’ll want to read the terms and conditions, but this applies when the park’s operating hours are negatively impacted and rides are closed for over 60 minutes during certain weather conditions. You can submit your request and learn more online.
SeaWorld San Diego Tickets FAQs
These are the most frequently asked questions that land in my inbox. Or, consider this your TL;DR (too long; didn’t read).
How much are tickets to SeaWorld in San Diego?
The gate prices for general single-day admission vary depending on the day and time of year. However, currently, you can expect to pay around $114.99 at the gate for ages 3 and older at SeaWorld San Diego.
How can I get SeaWorld discount tickets?
I offer up-to-date tips for finding discounted tickets through trusted vendors. The theme park also offers Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales and other limited-time offers throughout the year.
DO SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO TICKETS INCLUDE RIDES?
Yes, you can access all rides in the park, except for the Bayside Skyride cable car ride, which costs $6 per person ages 3 and up.
Do children get into the park for free?
Children ages two and younger can enter the park for free year-round. However, SeaWorld San Diego participates in the annual Kids Free San Diego promotion in October. This is a county-wide promotion where kids aged 9 and younger receive free admission when accompanied by an adult with a qualifying ticket.
How many days do I need at SeaWorld San Diego?
If you are pressed for time, you can visit SeaWorld San Diego in a half-day. However, most families spend a full day unless they’re splitting visits into multiple days.
Believe it or not, multi-day visits are common, especially for families staying in nearby Mission Bay hotels. They’ll buy the 7 Days for the Price of 1 ticket (temporarily unavailable) and spend a few or more half-days in the park. This is especially convenient when traveling with children who need to nap or don’t have the stamina for a full theme park day.
Can you buy packages that include SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo?
Yes, you can purchase several multi-park passes that include both theme parks.
SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo Combo Package includes one-day general admission to the San Diego Zoo and seven consecutive days of SeaWorld San Diego general admission.
The San Diego 3-For-1 ticket gets you admission into SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park within seven days of your visit to the first park.
The Go San Diego Pass grants you access to more than 50 attractions in the area, including both parks, depending on the pass that you buy.
How much is SeaWorld San Diego parking?
General parking for a single car costs $30. Up-close parking costs $50, and VIP parking starts at $70. Annual pass holders receive free general parking.
Do You Have Tickets for Sesame Place San Diego?
Yes, you can purchase Sesame Place San Diego tickets, SeaWorld’s seasonal water park in Chula Vista through aRes Travel as well.
What kind of ticket upgrades are available?
The park offers several different upgrades you can purchase, from animal encounters and reserved seating at shows to Quick Queue front-of-the-line access (we recommend this upgrade) and dining specials. These experiences are additional add-ons to your general admission ticket.
DOES SEAWORLD OFFER STUDENT DISCOUNTS?
No, SeaWorld does not offer student discounts. However, it’s always worth browsing the web for up-to-date deals and discounts offered at the various SeaWorld locations.
IS THERE A SEAWORLD FIRST-RESPONDER TICKET DISCOUNT?
SeaWorld is not currently offering discounts for First Responders. However, it has done so previously. Please continue to check back in for updated discounts and deals available for First Responders.
DOES SEAWORLD OFFER BUY-ONE-GET-ONE FREE TICKETS?
SeaWorld San Diego offers an incredible Kids Free Single-Day ticket annually for use in October (sometimes even September). This means that for every one adult ticket purchased, one child, between the ages of 3 and 9, can attend SeaWorld for free. All children under the age of 3 do not require a ticket upon entry.
And around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they typically offer some kind of BOGO on tickets and annual passes.
How Can I Get SeaWorld San Diego Discounts in the Park?
The best way to secure in-park discounts is through an annual pass. Depending on whether you choose Silver, Gold, or Platinum, you’ll receive 10-20% off of dining and up to 50% off of select merchandise purchases in addition to other perks.
Do California residents get a discount at SeaWorld?
There is no specific California resident discount at SeaWorld San Diego currently. Sometimes, there are resident prices on Fun Cards. However, residents who visit the park more than once a year should definitely consider an annual pass or Fun Card to save money. We have the Silver Pass for this reason.
Does SeaWorld San Diego have an AARP Discount?
No. There is no AARP discount.
What is your personal experience with the park?
I live on Mount Soledad in La Jolla, and I can see SeaWorld San Diego from my backyard. Having grown up in Orange County, I’ve been visiting the park since I was a kid. And I get to visit now as a parent. Rescue Jr. area appeals to toddlers, the new roller coasters thrill teens, and there’s plenty to do for ages in between.
When marine mammals are in danger along the San Diego coastline, SeaWorld San Diego rescues them. I’ve called their rescue hotline when I’ve seen La Jolla seals and sea lions hurt or malnourished. They’ve always responded and have even followed up with me to let me know what happened to the animals.
How do you buy discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets?
See also: Top 10 Things to Do in San Diego and Best Things to Do at Mission Bay
Learn also how to buy discounts:
- LEGOLAND California tickets
- San Diego Zoo tickets
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets
- Disneyland tickets
- Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
- Knott’s Berry Farm tickets
- Universal Orlando tickets
- Sesame Place San Diego tickets
- Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
- Walt Disney World tickets
- SeaWorld San Antonio tickets
- SeaWorld Orlando tickets
Photo credits: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld® San Diego
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).
Planning a Trip to San Diego? Start Here!
And, don’t forget to save money on sightseeing with my discount tickets or a Go San Diego Card.
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