Kids Free San Diego
Kids Free San Diego: October Deals + Always-Free Family Fun
Every October, San Diego turns into a kid's paradise. Kids Free San Diego runs October 1–31 with more than 100 attractions, museums, and restaurants letting little ones eat, stay, and play for free.
We shared a few of our favorite deals over on Instagram (if you missed it, catch the post here: Kids Free San Diego on Instagram). This guide goes a step further. Below you'll find the biggest Kids Free offers worth grabbing before Halloween, plus the San Diego spots that are free every single day of the year — because the best family memories rarely come with a ticket price.
The Best Kids Free Deals (October 1 – October 31)
The heavy hitters are the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, where one ticketed adult can bring up to six kids ages 11 and under for free. For a big family, that's hundreds of dollars saved in a single day.
- San Diego Zoo — Kids free with a paying adult, up to 6 per adult; includes the Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari tram (subject to availability). Ages 11 and under.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park — Up to 6 kids free per ticketed or member adult; includes the Africa Tram (subject to availability). Ages 11 and under.
- 60+ local museums — Up to 2 kids free per paid adult with a San Diego Museum Council coupon. Ages 12 and under.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego — 2 youth free with each paid adult ticket. Ages 17 and under.
- Museum of Illusions — 1 child free with each adult ticket.
- Kings Inn Waffle Spot — Kids eat free. Ages 10 and under.
- SUP & Saddle, Coronado — Rent a double kayak: adults 50% off, kids free.
SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Sesame Place, and Belmont Park typically join the fun too. Offers vary by partner and many require booking online, so check each site for the fine print before you go.
Pro tip: Kids Free comes back every October. If this year snuck up on you, save this post and plan next fall's trip around it.
Always Free: San Diego Fun That Never Costs a Dime
Kids Free ends on Halloween, but these spots are free 365 days a year. Many are just minutes from downtown.
Balboa Park (without buying a single ticket)
You can spend a whole day here and never open your wallet. Walk through the Botanical Building and its lily pond, peek into the artist studios at Spanish Village Art Center, and visit the International Cottages. The Timken Museum of Art is always free, and kids can burn off energy at the shady Pepper Grove Playground.
Local bonus: San Diego County residents get free entry to rotating Balboa Park museums on Resident Free Tuesdays.
Downtown and the Waterfront
- Waterfront Park — Splash fountains, a playground, and a big lawn with bay views. Pack swimsuits and towels.
- Children's Park — A fenced, recently renovated playground with water jets and toddler swings.
- Seaport Village — Free to wander, with street performers, a giant kite shop, and boats gliding past.
- Gallagher Square at Petco Park — On non-game days, kids can play on a mini wiffle ball field inside the Padres' ballpark.
- San Diego Central Library — A multi-level children's area, free story times, and Dr. Seuss murals.
Wildlife and the Coast
- La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool — Watch sea lions bark and harbor seals lounge from the sidewalk. Stay 50 feet back for their safety and yours.
- Tide pooling — Shell Beach in La Jolla is a free favorite. Go at low tide, best from November through March, and wear sturdy shoes.
- Torrey Pines Gliderport — Watch paragliders launch off the cliffs. Parking is free and the views are unreal.
Parks, History, and Small Adventures
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park — Adobe homes, a one-room schoolhouse, and free small museums. Grab a free Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center.
- Spruce Street Suspension Bridge — A wobbly footbridge over a canyon that kids think is the best thing ever. Not stroller-friendly.
- Tidelands Park, Coronado — A sandy playground with skyline and bridge views, plus a calm bay beach.
- Mission Bay Park — Wave-free beaches, bike paths, and playgrounds. Perfect for toddlers.
- MCASD La Jolla — Kids 17 and under are always free at this contemporary art museum.
A Totally Free Family Day in San Diego
Here's how we'd string a few of these together starting from downtown — zero admission fees from breakfast to bedtime.
- Morning in Balboa Park. Stroll the Botanical Building, browse Spanish Village, and let the kids loose at Pepper Grove Playground.
- Picnic lunch on the lawn. Pack sandwiches and find shade in front of the lily pond.
- Afternoon on the waterfront. Head to Waterfront Park for the splash fountains, then wander over to Seaport Village to watch the boats.
- Sunset with the sea lions. Drive up to La Jolla Cove for golden hour and some very loud, very entertaining neighbors.
- Back home for s'mores. End the night around the fire pit and soak tired legs in the hot tub.
Make Boho Bungalow Your San Diego Home Base
Free days are even better when everyone has room to spread out at night. Boho Bungalow sits right in downtown San Diego, a short drive from Balboa Park, the waterfront, and Petco Park. It sleeps up to 12, so grandparents, cousins, and best friends can all come along.
- A hot tub and fire pit for after-adventure wind-downs
- An EV charger for road-tripping families
- Optional concierge add-ons: baby gear from BabyQuip, a pre-stocked fridge from BellHopt, or a private chef from Cookingenie
- No checkout chores — we don't make guests do chores on vacation
Book direct at bamboodwellings.com for the best rate. Want the link sent straight to your inbox? Comment SANDIEGO on our Instagram and we'll DM it to you.
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