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Kids Free San Diego in October

kids folding a U.S. flag on a wooden boat deck, near water.

October is one of the best months to bring the family to San Diego. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is still warm and, thanks to Kids Free San Diego, kids eat, stay and play free all month long.

Run by the San Diego Tourism Authority, Kids Free San Diego offers more than 100 deals from October 1 to 31, 2026. In most cases, an adult pays full price and a child gets in, eats or stays for free. Here’s what’s included and how to make the most of it.

Kids Free Highlights Around San Diego

Theme parks and the zoo – Some of San Diego’s biggest attractions take part. At the San Diego Zoo, up to six kids 11 and under get in free with one paid adult. LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego also offer a free child ticket with each paid adult, with age limits that vary by park.

Museums – About 78 museums across San Diego County join in through the San Diego Museum Council. Kids 12 and under typically get in free with a paid adult. Favorites include the Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.

On the waterfront – Head to the bay for some of the best family stops. The USS Midway Museum lets two kids 12 and under in free with each paid adult. The Maritime Museum of San Diego, Cabrillo National Monument and Birch Aquarium at Scripps take part too.

Hotels and restaurants – Many hotels let kids stay free, and participating restaurants offer free kids’ meals with a paid adult entrée.

Each offer has its own rules for ages, dates and how many kids are included, so check the details before you go.

Tips for Making the Most of Kids Free

  • Check each offer’s fine print. Age limits and the number of free kids per adult change from place to place.
  • Grab your coupons. Museum offers use coupons from the San Diego Museum Council, and some attractions need a promo code when you book online.
  • Skip the multi-attraction passes. Passes like Go San Diego and the Balboa Park Explorer Pass usually don’t count as the paid adult ticket.
  • Book early. October weekends fill up fast, especially at the most popular attractions.Woman in straw hat holds a child on a boat with island in background.

Add a Day on the Bay

With all that you’ll save, treat the family to a San Diego experience they’ll talk about for years. Aboard The Yacht America, 

a 139-foot replica of the schooner that won the first America’s Cup, kids can watch the giant sails fill with wind and spot sea lions, dolphins and

 Navy ships along the bay.

Our whale watching tours are a family favorite. Pair one with a morning at the USS Midway or the Maritime Museum for a perfect day on the waterfront.

Plan Your Fall Family Trip to San Diego 

See the full list of more than 100 offers on the Kids Free San Diego page. Then book your sail to round out your family’s San Diego adventure.

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