Kids Free San Diego returns in October

During the entire month of October, dozens of San Diego hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums, tours and transportation companies will offer freebies for families

The 11th annual “Kids Free San Diego” provides parents an opportunity to stretch their dollars with a variety of unique deals, ranging from complimentary admission at local attractions to free meals at restaurants. An Diego is consistently rated one of the top family destinations in the US.

Major Savings at Major Attractions

Home to world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California Resort, San Diego is offering families big savings this October with admission deals at theme parks.

The San Diego Zoo is offering free admission to kids, 11 years and younger, when accompanied by a paying adult, to experience the zoo’s recently opened Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.

Children, ages 3 to 9, receive free admission to SeaWorld San Diego with one full-paid adult ticket so families can check out the park’s exciting Spooktacular event running through October 31, 2022.

LEGOLAND California Resort is offering free admission for kids, ages 2 to 12, with one paid adult admission. Families can enjoy more than 60 rides, shows and attractions.

Hotels roll out the welcome mat for kids

Hotels throughout San Diego, ranging from budget options to luxury escapes, are also offering free meals, special experiences and welcome gifts for kids.

Located on the shores of Mission Bay and steps from San Diego’s famous Mission Beach, Bahia Resort Hotel offers families an exciting getaway where kids, ages 12 and under, get a free meal for each paid adult entrée at Dockside 1953, which offers up creative coastal cuisine and comfort food. Resort guests can also tour Mission Bay courtesy of Bahia’s on-site partner Action Sport Rentals, which is offering a complimentary paddleboard or kayak rental with the purchase of an adult paddleboard or kayak session.

At the family friendly Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay, kids, ages 12 and under, can play, shop or eat for free with a special “island allowance” worth $50. The credit can be applied toward ice cream, a toy from the gift shop, bike rental and more.

Set on the village bluffs with panoramic views of the Pacific coastline, La Valencia Hotel is giving kids, 12 and under, an exclusive activity kit at check-in that includes a take-home bag, details for an exciting scavenger hunt and an activity book.

Kids deals at San Diego restaurants

After spending a fun day around the city, parents can get a taste of San Diego’s diverse culinary scene while kids eat free at participating family-friendly restaurants.

Located on the waterfront in downtown San Diego, Carnitas’ Snack Shack Embarcadero, is known for its laid-back atmosphere, pork-centric menu and specialty crafted cocktails. It is offering one free kid’s meal for kids, 12 and under, per each paying adult.

Located inside the popular Little Italy Food Hall, at the much-buzzed Piazza della Famiglia, Samburgers offer families the opportunity to savor food-celebrity Sam the Cooking Guy’s fan favorite burgers. Kids 12 and under can enjoy one free kid’s meal with the purchase of one adult meal.

After exploring the historic sites of Old Town San Diego, parents can unwind with a margarita and some traditional Mexican food at Casa Guadalajara, while up to three kids receive a free meal from the kids menu per one paid adult entrée.

Kids activities at San Diego’s arts and culture venues

Kids have endless options to learn while having fun at a plethora of museums offering free admission to all kids, ages 12 and under in October.

Head up to North County San Diego, where kids can learn about the largest of the 21 California Missions: Mission San Luis Rey. The museum kicks off Kids free October with three free activities that include adobe brick making, painting with cochineal and a Rancho period scavenger hunt.

Kids can also take center stage and find out how music is made at the Museum of Making Music. Children will also have the opportunity to learn by doing and playing on a wide variety of hands-on instruments.

Families can spend hours exploring Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in North America, home to 17 museums, beautiful botanical gardens and exciting performing arts venues. Kids receive free admission at participating park museums including the Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego and the Museum of Us.

Downtown’s kid-friendly museums include the Maritime Museum of San Diego, a collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats and deep diving submarines, and the USS Midway Museum, a historic aircraft carrier, which features exciting flight stimulators and real fighter jets. The New Children’s Museum stimulates imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through engaging encounters with contemporary art.

Cool ways to explore San Diego

During October, kids can take it to the land or sea and explore San Diego through a variety of unique tours and fun activities for free.

Families can indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice, as they cruise in a private gondola through the enchanting canals of scenic Coronado Cays with The Gondola Company. A limit of four kids, ages 12 and under, ride free with a paid cruise, and an adult must be present.

One kid under 17 years old rides free with a paid adult on a San Diego Whale Watch adventure. The on-staff marine biologists will have endless wildlife facts to share with passengers of all ages. Each whale watching trip is a two-and-a-half-hour journey.

Kids can discover the historical side of San Diego on Murder n’ Mayhem’s Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour. During this one-hour walking tour, families will visit several of the Embarcadero’s most popular haunted locations while learning of spooky spirits and hearing tales of ghostly history. As an added bonus, guests will also be able to ghost haunt with paranormal and ghost investigation equipment. One free child admission per paid adult.