Birch Aquarium, La Jolla
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.
SAVVY TIP: Consider the Balboa Park Explorer Pass and Go City San Diego Discount Pass for savings when you’re visiting two or more local attractions. And see the lineup for San Diego Kids Free October
1. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
ADDRESS: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037.
DISCOUNTS: Several ways to save.
- Child discount $5 off. Senior discount $2 off. Student or UCSD staff $2 with ID.
- The Go City San Diego Pass gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions).
- AAA members receive a 10% discount on general admission tickets.
- Military $3 off for active, reserve, retired service persons and veterans, valid for up to 6 tickets. Show your valid military ID. If you’re ordering on the Birch Aquarium website, enter promo code MILITARY on the cart page.
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 City San Diego Pass gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions). Or you can save with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass if you’re visiting a few local attractions.
Mingei International Museum
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 City San Diego Pass 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: Admission is free on the first full weekend of every month for BofA and Merrill Lynch card holders as part of the “Museums On Us” program. (Special exhibits are extra.)
DISCOUNT: The Go City San Diego Pass 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 City San Diego Pass, which gets you 20% off or more (when you visit two or more local attractions).
Ruben H Fleet Science Center
6. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
ADDRESS: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).
FREE: 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 City San Diego Pass 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 second 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 City San Diego Pass 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: Admission is free on the 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 City San Diego Pass 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.
San Diego Museum of Art
9. San Diego Museum of Art
ADDRESS: 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (inside Balboa Park).
FREE: Options include the following.
- 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).
- Admission is free on the first full weekend of every month for BofA and Merrill Lynch card holders as part of the “Museums On Us” program. (Special exhibits are extra.)
- Parking is free.
DISCOUNT: Seniors get $3 off. The Go City San Diego Pass 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 City San Diego Pass 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.
San Dieigo Natural History Museum, photo by Rusty Gehm
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 City San Diego Pass 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.
