This October, families visiting San Diego can save up to $1,000 by taking advantage of Kids Free San Diego deals across the region.
Now in its 14th year, “Kids Free San Diego” gives parents an opportunity to stretch both their smiles and wallets with over 100 family-friendly offers. From complimentary admission at local attractions to free meals at restaurants to welcome amenities and experiences at area hotels, the month-long promotion adds up to real savings.
San Diego Attraction Deals for Families
Dive into discovery this October at Birch Aquarium, where kids receive free admission with each paid adult ticket. Explore the brand-new Living Seas Gallery, home to a Giant Pacific Octopus, colorful coral reefs, and research highlights from Scripps Pier. Step outside to the interactive Tide-Pool Plaza for hands-on encounters with sea stars and other coastal creatures, and don’t miss the playful Little Blue Penguins, the only exhibit of its kind on the West Coast.
Families can go wild this October at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where kids enjoy free admission all month long with a paid adult. At the Zoo, families can encounter the only giant pandas on the West Coast, gorillas, polar bears, elephants, and more. Admission also includes the Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari aerial tram. Over at the Safari Park, kids can hop aboard the Africa Tram and get up close to giraffes, rhinos, and other incredible wildlife roaming expansive habitats.
Legoland California invites families to enjoy extra savings this October with a free child Hopper Ticket when a full-price adult Hopper Ticket is purchased. Guests can select from the Legoland + Sea Life Aquarium Hopper Ticket or the Resort Hopper Ticket, which includes access to Legoland California, Sea Life Aquarium, and the Legoland Water Park.
Make a splash this October at SeaWorld San Diego, where kids go free with every paid adult ticket. Families can dive into unforgettable animal encounters or climb, splash, and play at the new Rescue Jr. area. And for a seasonal twist, Spooktacular brings trick-or-treating and not-so-spooky fun perfect for kids of all ages.
San Diego Hotel Deals for Families
Ocean Park Inn makes family stays even more fun with special perks for kids, including bike rentals, parking, and a complimentary swag bag. Just steps from the beach, guests can enjoy a hot breakfast and easy access to the best of Pacific Beach.
Kings Inn in Mission Valley is celebrating Kids Free October with family-friendly perks all month long. Hotel guests can save up to 25% on their stay, and children eat free at both the Amigo Spot and the Waffle Spot with the purchase of an adult meal. This special offer is available for dine-in guests only and requires a minimum of one paying adult. Families can book their stay using the code “KIDSFREE” to take advantage of these savings.
Catamaran Resort gives families even more reason to visit San Diego this season. Families can kick off their vacation with up to 25% off their stay, complimentary paddleboard or kayak rentals, and a free kids’ meal at Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the resort’s signature restaurant with stunning views of Mission Bay.
San Diego Restaurant Deals for Families – Kids Eat Free in San Diego Deals
Voted “Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant” in San Diego, Casa Guadalejara is making October even more special for families. Throughout the month, kids enjoy a free meal from the Kids’ Menu with the purchase of an adult entrée, featuring favorites like Bean & Cheese Burritos, Kid’s Quesadillas, and Fish Sticks & Fries.
Original 40 Brewing Company in North Park is serving up a family friendly deal this October: kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. From burgers to tacos to flatbreads, it is a tasty stop for the whole family.
Celebrate Kids Free in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter at Hasta Mañana Cantina. All October long, kids receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée and can choose from flavorful options including a cheese quesadilla, bean and cheese burrito, or grilled chicken taco.
San Diego Museum Deals for Families
The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, voted San Diego’s Best Museum of 2025, is making October extra special for families. Children receive free admission with a paying adult, giving kids the chance to explore more than 100 interactive exhibits, unleash their creativity in the StudioX makerspace, and journey to new worlds in the IMAX® Giant Dome Theater.
Step aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers at the USS Midway Museum, where kids receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. Families can explore more than 60 exhibits, take in 29 restored aircraft on the flight deck, and follow a self-guided audio tour narrated by former Midway sailors.
More Free and Fun Ways for Kids to Explore San Diego for Free
Set sail on a Venetian-style adventure with The Gondola Company, where up to four kids ride free with a paid cruise in the month on October. Glide through the Coronado Cays in a private gondola and experience all the charm and tradition of Venice without leaving San Diego.
Explore the city aboard the Old Town Trolley Tour, where kids ride free with each paid adult. This two-hour, fully narrated city tour covers approximately 25 miles and over 100 points of interest, including historic San Diego and Coronado. Guests can hop on and off at various stops, touring at their own pace while enjoying colorful anecdotes, humorous stories, and well-researched historical insights.
Kids can fly free with Corporate Helicopters on the 30-minute ‘Beaches & Bays’ Helicopter Tour. Soar above San Diego’s stunning coastline and get a seagull’s-eye view of dolphins and beachgoers along the surf. The tour highlights some of the region’s most iconic beaches, including Solana Beach, Del Mar, Sunset Cliffs, and La Jolla Cove.
From beaches to theme parks, museums to dining, Kids Free San Diego makes October the best time for families to visit.
A complete listing of “Kids Free San Diego” participants and their special offers is available at SanDiego.org/KidsFree. All offers are valid Oct. 1–31, 2024, and age limits and other restrictions vary by venue and activity. Visitors should check for complete offer details and terms at SanDiego.org/KidsFree before visiting any attraction.
