I love it when someone emails me for San Diego family vacation advice, and I get to tell them their travel dates fall during Kids Free San Diego. From October 1–31, 2026, kids can eat, stay, and play for free at over 100 museums, attractions, tours, hotels, and restaurants across the county.
Why It Matters: As a longtime resident and member of the San Diego Tourism Authority—the official organization behind this event—I’ve supported it since it began over 14 years ago. I know how meaningful Kids Free San Diego is to our community. Sure, it’s about bringing visitors to our local attractions, but it’s also about making them accessible and more affordable for residents.
Some families we work with actually shift their vacations to October to take advantage of the savings. Local parents use the deals to try something new. Both pull ideas from my ultimate guide to the best things to do in San Diego with kids.
I attended the intimate, invite-only kickoff with our mayor and other tourism leaders. I left feeling very proud to be a San Diegan, and with more tips on how to maximize the deals, which I’ll share with you below.
How Kids Free San Diego Works
What is free is the child’s half. An adult buys the ticket, orders the entrée, or books the room, and the child’s admission, meal, or stay comes free on top of it. Your own ticket stays full price.
It reaches well past the theme parks. More than 60 museums take part, along with the Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, Sesame Place, LEGOLAND, and Belmont Park, plus harbor cruises, whale watching, and a gondola ride, hotels around Mission Bay and Mission Valley, and a list of participating restaurants. What changes from venue to venue is the age limit, how many children one adult can bring, and whether you need a coupon in hand.
Three things are worth knowing before you buy anything.
- Check the fine print at the source. Every participating restaurant, hotel, and attraction has to upload its offer to the Tourism Authority’s member portal and get it approved, which makes the Kids Free page the reliable version rather than what circulates on Instagram or TikTok.
- Confirm the age limit and the cap. The range runs from ages 3 to 9 at SeaWorld and Sesame Place up to 12 and under at LEGOLAND, Belmont Park, and most of the museums, so a 10-year-old is free at some of these and full price at others. Most offers also limit how many children come in free per paying adult, and a few block out high-demand dates.
- Use the right redemption method. Some offers apply automatically with a paid adult ticket, some require advance purchase through a specific link, and most museums need a coupon. Skip the correct process and the deal is gone.
The quick answer
Kids get in free all October. Find your route:
Your Strategy for October
The odds are high that the attractions on your wish list are part of Kids Free San Diego. With some planning, families can save hundreds.
Where we are right now: the October 2026 offers are posted. The Tourism Authority’s Kids Free page lists 54 offers, LEGOLAND and Belmont Park among them, and the Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, and Sesame Place have been selling their kids-free tickets since August. The one piece still to come is the museum side.
- September 15 – The San Diego Museum Council posts the 2026 museum Fun Guide and its coupons.
I update each section as offers are added or change through the month.
The Deals I Check First
These are the five I look at first, all confirmed for 2026.
- Most kids in free: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, up to six children 11 and under per paid adult.
- Widest age band at a theme park: LEGOLAND California, one child aged 2 to 12 free with each full-price adult one-day ticket.
- A room discount on top of the kids’ offer: San Diego Mission Bay Resort, up to 15% off plus a daily resort credit on stays of two nights or more.
- On the water: Flagship harbor tours, up to two children 12 and under free with each full-fare adult.
- Sit-down meal: Kings Inn, where kids 10 and under eat free at the Waffle Spot with an adult meal.
Here’s your October game plan:
- Download museum coupons – One signup covers every museum, but each one needs its own coupon. Full instructions are in the museum section below.
- Weigh a sightseeing pass carefully – A pass admits the kids free at the Zoo and Safari Park and nowhere else on this list, and Go City’s free child passes from past Octobers have not been announced for 2026. The pass section below has the details.
- Check hotel packages – My authorized ticket store lists three October hotel packages built around Kids Free San Diego. Browse the Kids Free vacation packages.
Theme Park & Major Attraction October Deals
You will save substantially in October at our theme parks and amusement parks. Most qualifying attraction tickets go on sale on or before October 1.
Kids Go Free to San Diego Zoo
I have a lot of advice for buying San Diego Zoo tickets, but in October the ticket above is the one to buy, because the kids then come in free on it.
- The Offer: Up to six children ages 11 and under get free admission with one paid adult.
- How to Redeem: Nothing to download and nothing to show. The kids walk in with you on any valid adult admission, and a sightseeing pass counts here even though it does not at the museums.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026
Katie’s Tip
Your free kids’ admission in October covers HalGLOWeen, the Zoo’s after-dark event with lights and entertainment, so the same ticket covers the evening as well as the day. Arrive at opening, take the Skyfari Aerial Tram to the back of the zoo, and work your way forward against the crowd.
Kids Go Free to San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Located about 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego, the Safari Park offers a completely different experience, with vast, open-field enclosures where animals roam together.
- The Offer: The same terms as the Zoo: up to six children ages 11 and under get free admission with one paid adult.
- How to Redeem: The kids walk in with you on any valid adult admission, a sightseeing pass included. Nothing to download.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026
Katie’s Tip
The Africa Tram is included with admission and covers ground you cannot reach on foot, which is why I do it first. Lines build through the afternoon, so ride it in the morning for the shortest wait and the better light. Read my full guide to San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Kids Go Free to SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld combines marine life exhibits with exciting roller coasters and the Rescue Jr. area for younger kids, making it a great park for families with kids in multiple age groups. For the ticket side rather than the October offer, my guide to discounted SeaWorld San Diego tickets covers the passes, Fun Cards, and current promotions.
- The Offer: One child gets in free with each paid adult. The free child ticket covers ages 3 to 9. From age 10 they need an adult ticket, on either seller, and children under 3 do not need a ticket at all.
- Buy from SeaWorld: SeaWorld’s offer page sells the paid adult ticket at $99.99, good for visits any day through November 1, 2026, with the free child’s ticket added in the same cart.
- Buy from my store: My authorized ticket store sells the same offer as the SeaWorld San Diego Single Day Ticket – Kids Free. The paid adult is $96.99, and the ticket is valid for visits up to six months from the date of purchase.
- Valid: Any regular operating day, including Spooktacular weekends. Sightseeing passes do not qualify as the paid adult ticket.
Katie’s Tip
The Kids Free ticket works on SeaWorld Spooktacular days, the park’s daytime Halloween event with trick-or-treat trails and dance parties. Spooktacular runs Fridays through Sundays rather than daily, so check the schedule against your dates before you buy. Read my full guide to SeaWorld San Diego.
Kids Go Free to Sesame Place San Diego
SeaWorld’s sister park in Chula Vista participates too. Its rides and water attractions suit younger kids, and The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, included with admission, runs on select days from September 12 through November 1, with trick-or-treating and a Halloween parade.
- The Offer: One child ages 3 to 9 gets free admission with each full-price adult ticket. Children under 3 do not need a ticket.
- Where to Buy: On Sesame Place’s tickets page, where the paid adult is $94.99 and the free child’s ticket goes into the same cart. My authorized ticket store does not carry the kids-free version. It sells a single-day any-day ticket at $49.99 for anyone 3 and older, valid six months from purchase.
- Valid: The Tourism Authority lists the offer through October 31, 2026. The ticket Sesame Place sells is printed valid through November 1, 2026, the park’s final Spooktacular day, so you may see both dates. Sightseeing passes do not qualify as the paid adult ticket.
- Good to Know: Sesame Place moves to a fall schedule and is open weekends only in October, so plan a Saturday or Sunday visit.
Kids Go Free to LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND suits families with younger children, with more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, and October adds Brick-or-Treat on select dates from September 19 through November 1. If you are working out the ticket itself rather than the October offer, my guide to discounted LEGOLAND California tickets covers every way to bring the price down year-round.
LEGOLAND’s 2026 offer is posted, and it is sold on LEGOLAND’s own Kids Go Free page.
The adult ticket is where families get caught. The free child only attaches to an adult ticket at LEGOLAND’s gate price, which is $139 for LEGOLAND with SEA LIFE included or $164 for the Resort Hopper that adds the Water Park.
LEGOLAND’s regular online sale, running through November 1, lists the same one-day adult ticket from $69 and a child ticket from $39, and my authorized ticket store sells the one-day ticket from $77. How the two compare depends on how many adults and children are in your party, so price it both ways before you buy.
- The Offer: One child ages 2 to 12 gets a free one-day ticket with each full-price adult one-day ticket. Each Kids Go Free ticket covers one adult and one child, and LEGOLAND caps it at three per transaction.
- How to Redeem: Buy on LEGOLAND California’s Kids Go Free page. The ticket is dated when you buy it, and LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE have to be visited on that same day. It is not sold in my authorized ticket store.
- Valid: The Tourism Authority lists visits from August 17 through October 31, 2026, with purchases through December 25. LEGOLAND’s own page says visits through December 25 with no blockout dates, so you may see both.
Katie’s Tip
Sightseeing passes do not unlock this one. LEGOLAND confirmed to me that neither CityPASS nor Go City counts, because the free child comes bundled with a specific ticket, so a pass has nothing to attach to. Read my Brick-or-Treat survival guide.
Kids Ride and Play Free at Belmont Park
This classic beachfront amusement park in Mission Beach is free to enter, but the Kids Free deal offers big savings on the rides.
- The Offer: One child 12 or under gets a free wristband with the purchase of an adult wristband, one free wristband per adult wristband. The child has to be present.
- How to Redeem: Use promo code online or in person at checkout. The offer is on the Belmont Park promotions page and is not valid with any other discount.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026.
Katie’s Tip
Belmont Park’s Beachside Fall Fest page lists free trick-or-treating every Sunday in October, so the wristband is not the only reason to come. Here’s what we like to do at Belmont Park.
Kids Go Free at More Than 60 San Diego Museums
One of the best parts of Kids Free October is the chance to walk into more than 60 museums and cultural institutions without paying for the kids. Here is how it works.
Worth Knowing
The 2026 Fun Guide and coupons post on September 15. The popular museums fill their weekend slots early in October, so download the coupons you need before your trip.
How the Kids Free Museum Coupon Works
Most participating museums need a coupon, one per museum. Here is how to get them.
- How to Get It: Sign up once on the San Diego Museum Council’s page with your email address, and every coupon becomes available to you. Save that email, because each museum has its own coupon and you will come back through the month for the ones you still need.
- The Offer: Each coupon admits one or two children ages 12 and under free with one full-price paid adult, and the number varies by museum, so read the coupon. The Fleet Science Center admits one child per adult, while the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum, and the USS Midway admit two.
- Important Restriction: This offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Sightseeing passes like Go City San Diego, CityPASS, or Balboa Park Explorer Passes are not considered a valid paid adult admission for this promotion. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee.
Participating Museums You Should Visit
With youth admission free, October is the month to try a museum you have never been to, because guessing wrong costs you nothing. The list below is the roster the San Diego Museum Council promoted last October. The 2026 lineup posts with the Fun Guide on September 15, and I refresh this list when it does.
The Tourism Authority has already listed these for 2026: the Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the USS Midway Museum, the San Diego History Center and Junípero Serra Museum, the Children’s Museum of Discovery in Escondido, the Museum of Making Music, the Coronado Historical Association, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, the Barona Cultural Center & Museum, the Marston House, the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House, and the San Diego Botanic Garden.
In Balboa Park
- Centro Cultural de la Raza
- Comic-Con Museum (Tip: They don’t participate in the Balboa Park Explorer pass, so this is a great opportunity to visit for less.)
- Fleet Science Center
- Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) San Diego
- Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego
- Marston House Museum
- Mingei International Museum
- Museum of Photographic Arts
- Museum of Us
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- San Diego Automotive Museum
- San Diego History Center
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- Timken Museum of Art (always free)
- WorldBeat Center
Around the county
- Barona Cultural Center & Museum
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps (one free child 12 and under per full-price adult, booked online in advance with the code printed on the Museum Council coupon)
- Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
- Brain Observatory
- Cabrillo National Monument
- California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido
- California Surf Museum
- Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center
- Coronado Historical Association
- Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
- Heritage of the Americas Museum
- J.A. Cooley Museum
- Junipero Serra Museum
- La Jolla Historical Society
- La Mesa Depot Museum
- Lemon Grove Parsonage Museum
- Living Coast Discovery Center
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
- Mission San Luis Rey
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- Museum of Making Music
- Nautical History Gallery & Museum
- New Americans Museum
- The New Children’s Museum (Note: This offer is historically valid on Wednesdays ONLY)
- Olaf Wieghorst Museum
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts
- San Diego Archaeological Center
- San Diego Botanic Garden
- San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
- San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
- San Diego International Airport Arts Program
- San Diego Police Museum
- Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
- USS Midway Museum
- Visions Museum of Textile Art
- Warner-Carrillo Ranch House
- The Water Conservation Garden
- We the People Museum
- Women’s Museum of California
Family-Friendly Tours and Activities Worth Booking
These are the 2026 tour and activity offers, taken from each operator’s listing on the Tourism Authority’s Kids Free page or from the operator’s own page where noted.
Flagship Cruises & Events
- The Offer: Up to two children 12 and under ride free with each full-fare adult on the 1-hour North or South harbor tour or the 2-hour Full Bay tour.
- How to Redeem: Book on Flagship’s Kids Free page. The same note, two free children per paid adult on the 1-hour and 2-hour harbor tours, appears on the Flagship harbor tour tickets in my authorized ticket store, where the adult ticket is $29.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026.
Katie’s Tip
Take the 2-hour tour over the 1-hour. It goes all the way under the Coronado Bridge, which is the part worth the extra hour.
City Cruises
- The Offer: Up to two children 12 or under cruise free with each adult ticket on the Best of the Bay Harbor Tour.
- How to Redeem: Apply code at checkout when you book the tour on City Cruises’ site.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026.
Old Town Trolley Tours
- The Offer: One free child with each paid adult on the hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, per Old Town Trolley’s own tour page. A child ticket covers ages 4 to 12.
- How to Redeem: Buy the 1-Day or 2-Day tour, which carry the Kids Free note on Old Town Trolley’s site and on the Old Town Trolley tickets in my authorized ticket store. This one is not on the Tourism Authority’s 2026 list as of this update.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026.
The Gondola Company, Petco Park Tours, Whale Watching, and Fishing
- Petco Park Tours (Downtown): One kid 12 and younger tours free with each paid adult on the Padres’ daily guided ballpark tour. Print the listing and present it at the Western Metal Building ticket window. Not valid on school field trips or private tours. See the offer.
- The Gondola Company (Coronado Cays): Up to four kids 12 or under ride free with one paid adult cruise through the canals. Reserve online for two passengers, then reply to the confirmation email with how many kids are coming. See the offer.
- San Diego Whale Watch (Mission Bay): One child 12 or under sails free with each full-fare adult, October 1 through November 15, 2026. The adult ticket cannot be a discounted one. See the offer.
- Wild Pacific Whale Watch (Point Loma): One child 14 and under sails free with each paying adult through November 8, 2026, applied automatically at checkout. See the offer.
- H&M Landing (Point Loma): One child 15 or younger fishes free with each paid adult on the half-day sportfishing trips, with code KIDSGOFREE2026 applied before departure. Rod rental, tackle, and licenses are extra. See the offer.
- Lake Jennings (East County): Kids 12 and under get a free one-day fishing permit when you mention the Tourism Authority offer. See the offer.
Hotel & Resort Deals Where Kids Stay or Eat Free
Many kid-friendly San Diego hotels take part, and the 2026 list is posted. Most of the offers are meals: a free kids’ entrée with each adult entrée at the hotel’s restaurant, for children 12 and under and usually for overnight guests. A few add a room discount, a resort credit, or a welcome gift. The details below come from each hotel’s listing on the Tourism Authority’s Kids Free page.
Book It · Vacation Packages
My authorized ticket store lists three October hotel packages built around Kids Free San Diego, where kids eat free, get a welcome gift, or play free.
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
Catamaran Resort Hotel offers the most activities of any Mission Bay hotel (and try to book one of the rooms in the photo above).
- The Offer: For overnight guests, children 12 and under get one free kids’ entrée with each regularly priced adult entrée at Oceana Coastal Kitchen, and one free kids’ paddleboard or kayak rental with each adult rental of an hour or more from Action Sport Rentals. Two free meals and two free rentals per visit.
- How to Redeem: Book directly on the Catamaran’s Kids Free October page. The offer cannot be combined with another discount or rate.
- Valid: Stays October 1-31, 2026.
Bahia Resort Hotel
I like Bahia Resort Hotel as a more wallet-friendly hotel on Mission Bay that’s also walkable to Mission Beach.
- The Offer: The same terms as the Catamaran, for overnight guests: one free kids’ entrée per regularly priced adult entrée at Dockside 1953 or Bianchi Pizza and Pasta, and one free kids’ paddleboard or kayak rental per adult rental of an hour or more, two of each per visit.
- How to Redeem: Book directly on the Bahia’s Kids Free October page. The offer cannot be combined with another discount or rate.
- Valid: Stays October 1-31, 2026.
Ocean Park Inn
Ocean Park Inn sits steps from the sand in Pacific Beach and includes a hot breakfast.
- The Offer: The Park, Stay and Play rate takes 15% off the standard rate, waives parking, and includes two beach cruiser rentals for two hours. In October it adds two kids’ bike rentals, a reusable bag, and a kids’ cup with a slushie. Two-night minimum, new reservations only, and blackout dates may apply.
- How to Redeem: Book with code on Ocean Park Inn’s offer page.
- Valid: Stays October 1-31, 2026 for the kids’ extras.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
We have great perks at San Diego Mission Bay Resort through the Noble House Select VIP program, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit, and more.
- The Offer: Up to 15% off the stay, a Kids Welcome Amenity, and a $50 daily resort credit on stays of two nights or more.
- How to Redeem: Book with code through the resort’s booking link. The booking window runs August 17 through October 31 for stays October 1-31, 2026.
- Book in VIP: Request rates.
Kings Inn
- The Offer: Kids 10 and under eat free at the retro Waffle Spot with an adult meal, two kids’ meals per paying adult, dine-in only. Kings Inn’s own page also names the Amigo Cantina. The room is up to 25% off with the code below.
- How to Redeem: Use code when you book the room, and show the digital coupon on Kings Inn’s Kids Free page to your server.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026.
Town and Country Resort
- The Offer: For kids 12 and under, the Twister waterslide and one free kid’s breakfast for every adult entrée at ARLO or MRKT, with the resort fee waived. Parking is charged daily, and blackout dates apply.
- How to Redeem: Book with code on the resort’s Kids Free page, which carries a 48-hour cancellation policy.
- Valid: Stays October 1-31, 2026.
More Hotels on the 2026 List
Each of these is for children 12 and under with an adult purchase, for overnight guests unless the listing says otherwise. The link on each one goes to its Tourism Authority listing, which carries the fine print.
- The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: Kids eat free at Bronze Bird with an adult meal, and a second room is up to 40% off with code ZJ5 on Marriott’s offer page. Listing.
- Sheraton San Diego Resort: Kids 12 and under eat free at Rumorosa with each adult entrée, up to three meals a day, for guests booked in the Marina Tower, plus a $25 food and beverage credit. Listing.
- Homewood Suites Hotel Circle/SeaWorld Area and Homewood Suites Mission Valley/Zoo: Kids stay free and eat free at the daily breakfast. Hotel Circle listing and Mission Valley listing.
- Hampton Inn San Diego Mission Valley: Free daily hot breakfast buffet for kids. Listing.
- Grande Colonial La Jolla: Up to two kids’ menu selections per adult entrée at NINE-TEN, with code KIDSFREE on the room booking and the children pre-registered at reservation. Listing.
- DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Bayside: Kids stay free and eat free at Point Loma Cafe or Bayside Bar & Grille with each adult entrée. Listing.
- Hilton San Diego Airport Harbor Island: Kids eat free at Panorama with each adult entrée. Listing.
- Humphreys Half Moon Inn: Kids eat free at Humphreys SoCal Dining or the Oasis Pool Bar with each adult entrée, and stay free on the hotel’s special rates and packages. Listing.
- Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego: One free kids’ breakfast buffet at Seaview with each adult breakfast buffet, for hotel guests. Listing.
- Pacific Terrace Hotel: Suites only, booked with code KIDSFREEOCT. Kids eat free at Terrace Café with an adult entrée, with a teepee tent and s’mores kids’ camp add-on. Listing.
- The Dana on Mission Bay: Kids eat free at Firefly Eatery & Bar with an adult entrée, lunch and dinner. Listing.
- Hyatt Regency Mission Bay: A free s’mores kit at Red Marlin with an adult dinner entrée. Listing.
- Glorietta Bay Inn (Coronado): A $25 MooTime Creamery gift card for the kids, one per room, with the offer page printed and shown at arrival. Listing.
- Rancho Bernardo Inn: One free kids’ entrée per adult entrée at Veranda, up to three a day, on stays through December 31, 2026. Listing.
- Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina: Kids eat free at Blue Wave Bar & Grill with each adult entrée, all meal periods. Listing.
Kids Eat Free in San Diego This October
Most of the 2026 dining offers sit inside hotels, listed above. These are the restaurants on the Tourism Authority’s list that serve walk-in diners as well as hotel guests. Mention Kids Free or show the listing to your server, and note that each one sets its own terms. For places outside the promotion, my list of family-friendly San Diego restaurants covers the rest of the year.
- Crab Hut (Downtown and Mira Mesa): One free kids’ meal per child 12 or under with each dining adult, dine-in, with a $25 minimum adult purchase. Listing.
- Osteria Panevino (Downtown): A free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal. Listing.
- The Café + Lobby Bar at Alma San Diego (Downtown): A free dessert for kids 12 and under with each entrée purchased, up to two children per check. Listing.
- SHOR at Hyatt Regency La Jolla: One free child breakfast buffet with each adult breakfast buffet. Listing.
- Studio at Sheraton La Jolla: One free kids’ entrée per adult entrée, up to two, with the coupon from the listing shown on arrival. Listing.
- Bay Club Bar & Grill (Point Loma): One free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Listing.
Kids Free Deals vs. Sightseeing Passes: Which Is Better?
While sightseeing passes like the Go City San Diego All-Inclusive Pass Plus and the San Diego CityPASS can offer solid value at other times of the year, they generally don’t pair well with what Kids Free San Diego offers.
The “No Stacking” Rule
Per the San Diego Museum Council, sightseeing passes do not count as paid adult admission for the Kids Free museum promotion. So if you use a pass to enter a museum, you can’t automatically bring in a child for free.
Watch For This
In past years Go City bundled up to four child passes free with each adult pass in October. That promotion has not been announced for 2026, and Go City’s San Diego page showed no kids offer as of this update.
The Zoo and Safari Park are the exception, and it is a big one. Both honor any valid form of adult admission for Kids Free, sightseeing passes included, so a Go City or CityPASS entry still gets your kids in free at either park. The museums are where a pass stops working, and so are LEGOLAND and SeaWorld, where the free child comes bundled with a specific ticket, so a pass has nothing to attach to.
What It Actually Costs: Zoo + Midway + LEGOLAND
Here is the arithmetic for two adults and two children aged 5 and 8 visiting the Zoo, the USS Midway, and LEGOLAND on the 2026 offers. The adult prices are the ones I checked on September 4, 2026, so confirm them when you buy.
- San Diego Zoo: 2 adults × $70 with my promo code in my authorized ticket store = $140. Both kids free on the adult tickets.
- USS Midway Museum: 2 adults × $39 online at midway.org = $78. Both kids free with code kidsFree at checkout, or with the Museum Council coupon at the door.
- LEGOLAND California: 2 Kids Go Free tickets × $139 = $278, each covering one adult and one child for LEGOLAND with SEA LIFE.
- Total: $496 for four people at three attractions.
The LEGOLAND line is the one to price both ways. LEGOLAND’s regular online sale through November 1 lists the same one-day ticket from $69 for an adult and $39 for a child, which comes to $216 for the same four people, and my authorized ticket store sells the one-day ticket from $77 each.
Katie’s Tip
Go City’s free child passes changed this math in past Octobers, and they have not been announced for 2026. If they return, I will rerun the numbers here.
It also often does make sense for grandparents, teens, and extra adults visiting in October to buy sightseeing passes to save money on multiple attractions.
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%.
Sample Itineraries Using Your Free Kids Tickets
Both itineraries below are built around offers on the 2026 list.
A Fun 3-Day Kids Free October Weekend
- Day 1: Mission Bay Fun. Stay at the Bahia Resort, where the kids eat free with your entrée and paddle free with your kayak or paddleboard rental, then take a Flagship harbor tour, where up to two kids ride free with each adult.
- Day 2: Balboa Park Exploration. Head to Balboa Park with your Museum Council coupons. Spend the morning at the Fleet Science Center, which admits one child free per adult, and the afternoon at the Natural History Museum, which admits two. Head back to Mission Beach.
- Day 3: Theme Park Adventure. Head to SeaWorld San Diego for a day of marine life and coasters. (The kids-free ticket is sold on SeaWorld’s site and in my authorized ticket store; the SeaWorld section above has both.)
A Day on San Diego’s Downtown Waterfront
San Diego’s Embarcadero is home to two iconic maritime and naval museums that can easily fill a full day. But the order you visit them matters, especially if you want to avoid long lines and overtired kids.
- 10 a.m. – USS Midway Museum (Arrive Right at Opening)
Start your day at the USS Midway Museum, a massive aircraft carrier filled with restored planes, interactive exhibits, and volunteer docents who bring it all to life. A complete visit usually takes three to four hours, but with kids, two to three is good. Up to two kids 12 and under get in free with each full-price adult in October, with code kidsFree online or the Museum Council coupon at the door. - 1 p.m. – Lunch at Portside Pier at either Miguel’s for Mexican or Brigantine for fish tacos.
- 3 p.m. – Maritime Museum of San Diego
With the day’s biggest attraction behind you, shift to a more relaxed pace at the Maritime Museum. Most families spend about 60-90 minutes here touring the lineup of historic ships.
Can’t Visit in October? Find Free Family Fun Year-Round
If your travel dates fall outside of the Kids Free promotion, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the city’s best attractions on a budget. Here are a few of the best year-round programs for families:
- Balboa Park Residents Free Tuesdays: If you are a San Diego resident, you can enjoy free general admission to a rotating selection of Balboa Park museums every Tuesday of the month. Each Tuesday features a different group of museums, so be sure to check the official schedule before you go.
- Museums for All Program: Families who receive food assistance (SNAP benefits) can get free or significantly reduced admission to more than 20 local museums, including the USS Midway Museum. Present your EBT card at the admissions desk to participate.
- San Diego Public Library’s Discover & Go Program: With a valid library card, you can reserve free family day passes to some of San Diego’s most popular attractions, including The New Children’s Museum, the Museum of Us, and The San Diego Museum of Art. Passes can be reserved online, making it an easy way to plan a fun and free day out.
These are just a few of the ways to save. For a complete guide, see my main post on Free Things to Do in San Diego with Kids.
2026 Kids Free San Diego FAQ
When is Kids Free October in San Diego for 2026?
Kids Free October runs October 1 through 31, 2026, and most offers are valid every day of the month. Three of the biggest have been on sale since August: SeaWorld and Sesame Place sell their kids-free tickets now, and LEGOLAND’s Kids Go Free ticket is already open for dates in October. The museum coupons post on September 15, and the hotel and restaurant offers apply to stays and meals inside the month.
How does Kids Free San Diego work?
Every October, more than 100 attractions, hotels, and restaurants across San Diego offer free admission, meals, or stays for kids when accompanied by a paying adult. It’s a fun way to explore more, without spending more.
Do I need a coupon?
Sometimes you will need a coupon, while other times you’ll book through a specific link or mention the Kids Free San Diego promotion. This is why it’s important to read each deal’s terms and conditions before arriving.
Are the deals valid on weekends?
Yes. Most offers are available daily throughout October. However, a few spots may have blackout dates or special restrictions, so it’s smart to double-check with each business before you go.
Can I combine Kids Free with other discounts?
Not usually within the same offer. But you can mix and match across your trip—for example, book a hotel with a Kids Free stay and also enjoy a separate Kids Free restaurant deal. Just don’t expect to stack multiple discounts on the same purchase.
What ages qualify as “kids”?
It changes from venue to venue, and the gap is wider than most families expect. SeaWorld and Sesame Place cover ages 3 to 9. The Zoo and Safari Park go to 11 and under. LEGOLAND covers ages 2 to 12, and Belmont Park and most museum coupons go to 12 and under, though a few museums set their own limit. So a 10-year-old gets in free at the Zoo, LEGOLAND, and the museums, and pays full price at SeaWorld and Sesame Place. Check the age on each offer before you build a day around it.
Do I need a coupon for San Diego Zoo?
No. Your valid adult admission is enough to get up to six kids ages 11 and under in. They walk in with you.
Are kids free at LEGOLAND in October?
Yes. One child aged 2 to 12 gets a free one-day ticket with each full-price adult one-day ticket bought on LEGOLAND’s Kids Go Free page, up to three per transaction. The adult ticket is charged at LEGOLAND’s gate price, $139 for LEGOLAND with SEA LIFE or $164 for the Resort Hopper, and cannot be combined with any other discount. The Tourism Authority lists it for visits through October 31, 2026.
Is SeaWorld free for kids in October?
Yes. One child aged 3 to 9 gets in free with each paid adult ticket. SeaWorld sells the offer for visits through November 1, 2026, and my authorized ticket store sells the same ticket valid for six months from purchase. From age 10 a child needs an adult ticket on either seller, so a 10-year-old who is free at the Zoo and LEGOLAND pays at SeaWorld.
Is Kids Free San Diego only for locals?
No. Every offer is open to visitors and residents alike, and no proof of San Diego residency is required. Plenty of families book their trip around it, which is part of why the Tourism Authority runs it in a quieter travel month.
Visit the San Diego Tourism Authority for the full list of offers.
i want to go to legoland
Does the “kids go free” work with the San Diego Go card?
Apologies for the delay! Kids go free does not work with the Go San Diego Card.
Do you know Why the San Diego go card doesn’t work with the kids go free? If the go card doesn’t work, does that mean you can’t buy discounted tickets to use with it?
You must hold a qualifying ticket and Go San Diego cards and other sightseeing passes are not qualifying tickets. You can get a little creative. For example, if you are a family of two adults and a child, the second adult could use a Go San Diego pass to enter the attraction while the first adult purchases an eligible Kids Free October ticket that provides free child entry.
Is this a yearly event? or just from2019? We’re looking at going this year (2020) and it sounds like October is a great time to head there. Thanks!
It is an annual event but the details for 2020 will probably not be released until this summer so I can’t say for sure if the promotions will be the same. They usually are, but you never know!
Will the Kids Free San Diego Offers be happening again in Oct 2022? I am planning a trip with my family and I’m wanting to book our hotel and see what other offers are available before I purchase tickets to the zoo and other sights we want to check out.
Yes, it’s happening in 2022! For the Zoo, you would not need to buy a child’s ticket if they are ages 11 and under – you’d just buy an adult ticket (and I have a discount on these) and walk in with the kids. There are specific Kids Free tickets for a lot of our attractions but they are not for sale yet. I would expect them to go online in September.
Do you by chance know if they are offering this again for 2023?
Yes! The promotions for the major theme parks are usually the same or close to the same each year but the exact details don’t get released until about August or so.
Thank you so much for the information. Regarding legoland, can I pay the online price for an adult ticket and just show that at the gate and my child walks in free? Or is the online price not considered full price?
Also my husband has an IATA card, will that discount qualify to get kids in for free? It seems silly to pay gate price.
Hi Tara! For Kids Free October, LEGOLAND requires that kids have a free kids ticket. So when you buy the full priced adult ticket through a designated link, it will give you the option to select a kids’ ticket at $0. So, kids do need a ticket, even if it’s a free one.
I see that Sea World, the zoo and the Wild Animal Park have a special price if you plan to go to all three sites. Would this price work in conjunction with the kids go free in October?
Thank you!