12 San Diego Museums with Free Days + Discounts

San Diego museums often offer free admission days so you can spend the day visiting the city’s cultural institutions without spending a dime. Can’t go on the free days? Sometimes you can go for less by taking advantage of deals. Here are the best options. But do make sure you check with the venue for any changes or updates before you head out.

Many museum free days are available with the special “Museums On Us” program for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders. Just show your card at the door on designated days. Only the cardholder gets in free, so family and friends will need tickets (or see discounts listed below). Plus often the Balboa Park Explorer Pass and the Go San Diego Discount Card are both worth a look if you’re visiting two or more local attractions. FYI: Wherever possible, you’ll see my referral links to available discounts.

Also see: San Diego Kids Free October

1. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

ADDRESS: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037.

FREE: Admission is free on the first full weekend of every month for BofA or Merrill Lynch cardholders as part of the “Museums On Us” program. Parking is free.

DISCOUNT: The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions).

2. Mingei International Museum

ADDRESS: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Admission is free on the third Tuesday of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Parking is free. Closed Mondays.

DISCOUNT: The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

3. Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

ADDRESS: 1100 & 1001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.

FREE: Admission is free on the third Thursday of each month, from 5-7pm. Closed Wednesdays.

DISCOUNT: The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions).

4. Museum of Photographic Arts

ADDRESS: 1649 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101.

FREE DAY: Admission is free on the first full weekend of every month for BofA or Merrill Lynch cardholders as part of the “Museums On Us” program.

DISCOUNT: The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Or save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

5. The New Children’s Museum

ADDRESS: 200 West Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

FREE: Free admission to military families, however, between Memorial Day and Labor Day through the Blue Star Program.

DISCOUNT: Discounted admission price of $3 per person on the second Sunday of every month, thanks to Target. Also, you can save with the Go San Diego Card, which gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions).

6. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

ADDRESS: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE DAY: Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Fees for IMAX.

DISCOUNT: Seniors get a small discount. The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

7. San Diego Air & Space Museum

ADDRESS: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Free fourth Tuesday of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Parking is free.

DISCOUNT: The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

8. San Diego Automotive Museum

ADDRESS: 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE DAY: FREE fourth Tuesday of the month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Parking – FREE via trams.

DISCOUNT: Seniors get $2 off. The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

9. San Diego Museum of Art

ADDRESS: 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Free admission on third Tuesdays of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Parking is free. Closed Mondays.

DISCOUNT: Seniors get $3 off. The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

10. San Diego Museum of Man

ADDRESS: 1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Free admission on third Tuesdays of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military (photo ID required). Parking is free.

DISCOUNT: Seniors/students $2.50 off. The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

11. San Diego Natural History Museum

ADDRESS: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Free admission on first Tuesdays of every month for San Diego County residents, San Diego County college students, and active duty Military. Parking is free.

DISCOUNT: Seniors get $2 off. The Go San Diego Card gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). And you can save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.

12. Timken Museum of Art

ADDRESS: 1500 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).

FREE: Always Free. Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 4:30pm Sunday 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

DISCOUNTS: Save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.