Sesame Place San Diego is the only Sesame Street-themed park on the West Coast, and it fills a gap that San Diego’s other theme parks don’t quite cover: it’s built specifically for younger kids. If your children are roughly 2 to 8 years old and light up when they see Elmo, this is their park. The rides are sized for them, the characters are at their eye level, and the whole place is designed so that little ones are the target audience rather than an afterthought.
Located in Chula Vista, south of downtown San Diego, the park sits on the site of the former Aquatica water park. That water park heritage means Sesame Place has an unusually strong collection of water slides and splash areas alongside its dry rides. More than half the attractions involve water. Add in live shows, an award-winning daily parade, character meet-and-greets, and a walkable replica of the Sesame Street neighborhood, and most families find it takes a full day to experience everything. The park is also a Certified Autism Center. More on that below.
Before you pick a date, check the park calendar, since Sesame Place is open all year but not every day.
Sesame Place San Diego Tickets & How to Save
The biggest mistake families make at Sesame Place is paying at the gate, because buying online in advance costs much less.
A few key things to know:
- Children 35 months and younger get in free.
- All tickets are the same price for kids and adults (ages 3+), except when the park is running a kids-free offer, which my tickets guide covers.
- Combo tickets covering both Sesame Place and SeaWorld San Diego are available. The two parks are operated by the same company (United Parks & Resorts), so multi-park season passes are also an option.
I keep an up-to-date breakdown of every ticket type and today’s prices in my dedicated guide:
If saving money on admission is a priority (and it should be, because gate prices are steep), start there. For a bigger San Diego trip, my San Diego attraction calculator lets you add Sesame Place San Diego alongside the other parks and attractions you’re considering.
One more tip: The park is entirely cashless. Cards are accepted everywhere, and families who would rather use cash can load it onto a Cashless Wristband instead.
Sesame Place San Diego Hours, Calendar & Events
The park runs daily during summer and the big holiday weeks, and mostly on weekends the rest of the year. Hours vary by date, so check the Sesame Place park hours calendar or the Sesame Place app before you go.
Water attractions are seasonal, and every attraction runs weather permitting. If your visit centers on the water park, confirm those attractions are running on your date.
Two holiday events are on the park’s calendar. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular runs on select dates through November 1, 2026, and it’s included with admission. A Very Furry Christmas runs on select dates from November 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
Getting There & Parking
Sesame Place San Diego is located at 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911.
General parking is paid, and some season passes include it for free. Up-Close parking costs more and puts you closer to the entrance.
Local tip: The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre is right next door. On concert and event nights, traffic getting in and out of the area backs up considerably. Check the amphitheater schedule before choosing your visit date, especially if you’re planning an afternoon or evening at the park. My daughter was recently stuck in this traffic for over an hour.
Sesame Place San Diego Dry Rides
Sesame Place has seven Sesame Street-themed dry rides, designed for younger kids as the primary riders. Most toddlers and preschoolers will be able to ride at least a few of these with a companion, defined by the park as someone at least 14 years old.
This is consistently one of the things parents tell me they appreciate most about this park. At SeaWorld or LEGOLAND, younger siblings often end up watching from the sidelines. At Sesame Place, most rides welcome young children as long as they have an adult companion, so even toddlers get to participate instead of just watching.
Here’s what’s available:
Sunny Day Carousel: A classic carousel with Sesame Street flair. Guests under 42″ must ride with a companion.
Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets: Rocket ships circle up and down. Guests under 48″ must ride with a companion.
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby: The park’s only roller coaster. It’s gentle enough for a first coaster experience but has enough dips and turns to feel like a real thrill for young kids. Guests must be at least 38″ tall to ride, and those under 41″ need a companion. The park’s FAQ puts the ride-alone height at 42″ instead, so plan on riding along until your child is 42″.
Abby’s Fairy Flight: A swing ride with views across the park. Guests must be at least 36″ tall to ride. Those 36″ to 42″ need a companion, and guests 42″ and taller can ride alone.
Cookie Climb: Cookie Monster-themed towers where kids pull themselves up and ride back down. Guests must be at least 38″ tall to ride. Those 38″ to 48″ need a companion, and guests 48″ and taller can ride alone.
Sesame Street Soar & Spin: A gentle ride that lifts families up for a bird’s-eye park view and spins. Guests under 42″ must ride with a companion.
Rub-A-Dub Sub: Ernie’s bath-themed ride spins forward and backward. Guests under 36″ must ride with a companion.
There’s also Rosita’s Harmony Hills, a musical play area (not a ride) where younger kids can climb, crawl, and make music. It’s a great energy-burner between attractions and doesn’t have a height requirement.
Sesame Place San Diego Water Rides & Slides
The water side of Sesame Place is where the park’s Aquatica heritage still shows, with a wave pool, a lazy river, and several slide areas alongside the dry rides.
Pack swimsuits, towels, and water shoes. Swimsuits are required on every water attraction, and cotton or nylon shirts and athletic shorts aren’t allowed. Life vests are provided free (USCG Type II and III) and are required at some attractions based on height. As on the dry rides, a companion means someone 14 or older.
Big Bird’s Beach: A wave pool surrounded by a sandy beach. This is the centerpiece of the water park. Guests under 48″ must be with an adult and wear a life vest. Cabana rentals are available here, and I’d recommend reserving one in advance during summer because Chula Vista heat plus a full day at the park makes shade valuable.
Big Bird’s Rambling River: A lazy river. Guests under 42″ should wear a life vest.
The Count’s Splash Castle: A multi-level water playground with slides and interactive features. Guests must be 42″ tall to ride the slides. Great for younger kids who want to get wet without tackling the taller slides.
Elmo’s Silly Sand Slides: Small slides into shallow pools, for guests 48″ and under. The best spot for the littlest kids to splash safely.
Cookie’s Monster Mixer: The park’s biggest thrill, a family raft ride through a giant funnel. Must be at least 48″ tall.
Bert’s Topsy Turvy Tunnels: Tube slides, both enclosed and open-air. The ride’s page says riders under 42″ can go with a companion, while the park’s FAQ lists 42″ as the minimum. If your child is under 42″, ask at Guest Services before you queue, because the park’s two sources disagree on whether they can ride at all. Anyone under 48″ must wear a life vest.
Ernie’s Twisty Turny Tunnels: Tube slides for one or two riders. The same disagreement applies here. The ride’s page lets riders under 42″ go with a companion, but the FAQ lists 42″ as the minimum, so ask at Guest Services if your child is under 42″. Anyone under 48″ must wear a life vest.
Oscar’s Rotten Rafts: Family tube slide. Must be at least 42″ tall to ride.
Honker Dinger Dash: Racing body slides. Must be at least 42″ tall.
Snuffy’s Spaghetti Slides: Body slides, enclosed and open-air, ending in a pool. Guests must be at least 42″ tall to ride, and those under 48″ must wear a life vest.
Shows, Parades & Character Meet-and-Greets
Welcome to Our Street
The park’s main live character show features Sesame Street characters in a musical performance. It’s well-produced and genuinely entertaining for little kids. Show times vary by date.
Sesame Street Party Parade
This is what families consistently rave about. The daily parade features floats with Sesame Street characters dancing and performing, while kids along the route stomp, clap, snap, and dance. It’s highly interactive. Kids don’t just watch, they participate.
A note for sensory-sensitive families: The parade is loud and visually intense. The park offers low-sensory viewing locations. See Accessibility & Autism Resources below.
Character Meet-and-Greets
Sesame Street characters appear throughout the park for photos and hugs. The park’s online schedule lists the day’s meet times, so you can plan around your child’s favorites.
Sesame Street Neighborhood
Beyond the rides, set aside time to walk through the interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood. It’s a recreation of the show’s iconic set, including the 123 Stoop and Hooper’s Store.
For a lot of families, especially those with kids who are deep into their Sesame Street phase, this area is just as memorable as the rides.
Sesame Place San Diego Dining
Sesame Place has several quick-service dining spots throughout the park. The food is standard theme-park fare, with some healthier options as well.
Dine with Elmo & Friends is a character dining experience at the Sunny Day Café that costs extra beyond park admission, and reservations are required. If your child would lose their mind at the sight of Elmo up close during lunch, this is worth the splurge.
No outside food, drinks, or coolers are allowed, except a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Families with allergies, special diets, or baby food and formula can arrange an exception with the park a few days before their visit.
Tips for Visiting Sesame Place San Diego
Download the Sesame Place app before you go. It has the day’s show times and park hours.
Best time to visit: Summer weekends and holiday weeks are peak. Expect longer waits and full cabana bookings.
What to bring: Swimsuits and towels (even if you’re not sure about water rides, because your kids will end up wet), sunscreen, water shoes, a change of dry clothes, and a refillable water bottle.
Sunny Day Guarantee: If weather disrupts rides or cuts the park’s hours, you can request a free return visit. Stop at Guest Services before you leave to exchange your ticket, since the park’s FAQ says tickets not exchanged on the day are forfeited. Its weather policy page also takes requests online within one week. Season pass visits aren’t eligible, and discount tickets may not be.
Upgrade Your Day
Chula Vista is inland and gets significantly hotter than coastal San Diego, and since this is a water park, you’ll be going in and out of the water all day. That combination makes a cabana rental worth considering, especially during summer. Book early for summer dates because cabanas sell out.
Self-service lockers are available near the front of the park for storing your phone, wallet, keys, and other valuables while you’re on the water rides. You can also upgrade your day with an All-Day Dining Deal, a Magic Queue pass for front-of-the-line access, or reserved theater seating for the Welcome to Our Street show. All can be purchased in advance through the Sesame Place website or app.
Stroller rentals are available in the park. They’re large double strollers with seat belts and a canopy, and you can reserve one online in advance.
Accessibility & Autism Resources
Sesame Place San Diego is a Certified Autism Center (CAC), designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). All staff receive specialized training in autism sensitivity and awareness. The park provides a sensory guide so families can assess how each ride or show may affect a child with sensory processing needs. Noise-canceling headphones and quiet rooms are available. Check in at Guest Services for the quiet room entrance code. Staff can also suggest low-sensory viewing spots for the parade.
Ride Accessibility Program (RAP): Guests with disabilities that make waiting in standard queues difficult can enroll at Guest Services. Fill out a questionnaire in advance and bring it to the park for a personalized boarding plan.
Hotels Near Sesame Place San Diego
If you’re visiting from out of town or just want to split the trip across two days, there are affordable, family-friendly hotels in the Chula Vista area.
See: Best Hotels Near Sesame Place San Diego
More San Diego Family Activities
Sesame Place is one of several excellent San Diego theme parks and family attractions. If you’re planning a broader trip:
- SeaWorld San Diego is Sesame Place’s sister park and offers combo ticket deals. It’s north of Sesame Place and has more to offer for older kids and teens.
- How to Buy Discount Sesame Place San Diego Tickets: My detailed breakdown of every way to save on admission.
- Best Things to Do in Chula Vista: What else is nearby if you’re spending time in the area.
- Things to Do in San Diego with Kids: Our comprehensive guide to family activities across the city.
