Planning a family holiday in San Diego this October? Find out more about the annual Kids Free San Diego campaign and save on hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums and more. Read on for more details about what to expect for Kids Free San Diego October 2026.
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Kids Free San Diego October 2026
October is a great time of year to visit San Diego for a family holiday. We have often visited San Diego during the October half-term holidays. In October, you can typically enjoy warm and sunny days in San Diego, without the summer crowds and high accommodation rates.
October is also a great time to visit San Diego to take advantage of the free ticket offers for children at top attractions across the city! During the entire month of October, families can enjoy a wide range of special Kids Free San Diego promotions.
This year, over 50 San Diego hotels, museums, attractions, restaurants, tours and transportation companies will be participating in Kids Free San Diego. Read on for the top offers in Kids Free San Diego October 2026 to help make the most of your fall family holiday to America’s Finest City.
Kids Free Theme Park and Attraction Offers
From San Diego Zoo to LEGOLAND California Resort, San Diego is home to world-class family attractions and theme parks. Save on family days out this October with the Kids Free San Diego promotion.
San Diego Zoo
The world-famous San Diego Zoo is offering free admission to kids 11 years and younger when accompanied by a paying adult throughout the month of October. No coupon or voucher is required for children’s free entry.
One adult with a valid form of admission, such as an active membership, pass, or ticket, can bring up to 6 youths ages 11 and younger free during Kids Free San Diego October.
Youths ages 2 and younger are always free at San Diego Zoo.
What’s on this October at San Diego Zoo?
HalGLOWeen – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Join in on seasonal fun at HalGLOWeen, when the Zoo will stay open until 9pm. This year’s celebration is full of eerie-sistible entertainment, interactive festivities and lots of spooky surprises!
HalGLOWeen activities take place starting at 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. See the full San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen activity programme
Book tickets to visit San Diego Zoo
San Diego Safari Park
Last time we were visiting San Diego in October, we made the most of the Kids Free promotion with a day out at San Diego Safari Park. An expansive 1800-acre wildlife park and home to more than 300 species, San Diego Safari Park is San Diego Zoo’s sister park located in Escondido, North County.
Just as with the San Diego Zoo Kids Free deal, simply purchase an adult ticket and children 11 years and younger can enter San Diego Safari Park for free throughout the month of October. No voucher or coupon is required for kids’ free entry.
One adult with a valid form of admission, such as an active membership, pass, or ticket, can bring up to 6 youths ages 11 and younger free during Kids Free San Diego October.
Youths ages 2 and younger are always free at San Diego Safari Park.
What’s on this October at San Diego Safari Park?
Autumn Festival – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
San Diego Safari Park are celebrating the return of the season of colour during the Autumn Festival every weekend in October.
Join in on fall festive fun with special activities, entertainment and delicious culinary comforts. See the full Autumn Festival programme
Book tickets to visit San Diego Safari Park
LEGOLAND
Save on a family visit to LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad, North County San Diego with the Kids Free October offer. Buy one full price adult ticket and get one free child (ages 12 and under) ticket with the Kids Free San Diego October 2026 offer.
There are two options in the Kids Go Free deal: the 1-Day LEGOLAND ticket or the 1-Day RESORT Hopper ticket. With each ticket type, all park visits must occur on the same day.
The 1-Day LEGOLAND ticket includes single day admission to the theme park and SEA LIFE aquarium, while the 1-Day RESORT Hopper ticket includes single day admission to the theme park, water park and aquarium.
Only one free child ticket per paid adult ticket with the Kids Free San Diego October 2026 deal. Up to 3 Kids Go Free offers allowed per transaction.
Children under 2 years old always receive free admission to LEGOLAND California Theme Park. To visit LEGOLAND Water Park, a $5 toddler admission ticket is required for children ages 12 to 23 months and can be purchased at the Water Park guest services.
What’s on this October at LEGOLAND California Resort?
Brick-or-Treat – 19 and 26 September; Saturdays and Sundays in October, 1 November 2026
Brick-or-Treat is back this Halloween at LEGOLAND! The family-friendly Halloween event will feature fun for all ages, including live entertainment and shows, character meet-and-greets with LEGO Monsters, costume contests and trick-or-treating!
Book tickets to visit LEGOLAND California
Belmont Park
Throughout the month of October, kids ride free at Belmont Park Mission Beach with the purchase of an adult wristband. Enjoy one free kids’ wristband, for ages 12 or under, with the purchase of an adult wristband using promo code KIDSFREE online or in-person at checkout.
Belmont Park is renown for its restored Giant Dipper roller-coaster that was originally built in 1925. The amusement park also has bumper cars, miniature golf and an arcade.
What’s on this October at Belmont Park?
Beachside Fall Fest – 10 September – 31 October 2026
Step back in time this October at Belmont Park’s Beachside Fall Festival, a celebration packed with fun for all ages. Experience retro displays, enjoy live music with weekly pumpkin jams and indulge in some scrumptious seasonal specialty offerings.
Free Trick-or-Treating – every Sunday in October
Families can also enjoy trick-or-treating around Belmont Park every Sunday in October!
Trunk-or-Treat – 26 October 2026
Join free trick-or-treating during the 5th Annual Trunk-or-Treat Car Show. This event features over 50 classic cars, with candy stations all throughout the show and inside Belmont Park.
Book tickets to visit Belmont Park
SeaWorld San Diego
With the Kids Free San Diego October promotion at SeaWorld San Diego, get one free child ticket with purchase of a full price adult ticket.
The free child ticket is valid for guests ages 2 to 12 years old and must be purchased with equal number of paid adults. Kids under 2 always go free and do not require an admission ticket to visit SeaWorld San Diego.
What’s on this October at SeaWorld San Diego?
SeaWorld Spooktacular – 11 September – 1 November 2026
This fall, get ready for more family-friendly fun, featuring an all-new Baby Shark Halloween Show and meet and greets. Guests can also enjoy all-new festive characters, trick-or-treating, swashbuckling pirate adventures, enchanting mermaids and more.
Make sure to visit the all-new Shark Encounter and meet the legends of the deep, plus soak in the new shows, Dolphin Adventures and Sea Lion Tonight.
Book tickets to visit SeaWorld San Diego
Sesame Place San Diego
Buy a single-day adult ticket at Sesame Place San Diego and get a FREE kids ticket, now through 1 November. Kids tickets are valid for guests ages 3 to 9 years old. Children under 3 are always free at Sesame Place.
Sesame Place San Diego is a 17-acre theme park and water park in Chula Vista. Attractions include family-friendly dry rides, water slides, a massive wave pool, lazy river and interactive splash pads. Kids will enjoy daily live character shows, a neighbourhood replica with the iconic 123 Stoop and a musical daily parade featuring favourite Sesame Street characters.
What’s on this October at Sesame Place San Diego?
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular – 12 September – 1 November 2026
Come in costume and celebrate not-too-spooky fun at the Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. The park will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven with trick-or-treating for guests throughout the park.
There will also be Halloween-themed shows, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade and unique photo opportunities with everyone’s favourite furry friends dressed up in costume!
Book tickets to visit Sesame Place San Diego
San Diego Museums and Galleries Offers
Save on visits to San Diego museums and galleries this October with Kids Free coupons from the San Diego Museum Council.
Kids 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult to more than 60 of San Diego County’s top museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more.
San Diego Museum Council Kids Free Coupons
The Kids Free in October Museum FUN GUIDE, along with the special offers and coupons, are available to download from the San Diego Museum Council website
Check the San Diego Museum Council website throughout October for the latest Kids Free San Diego updates and the full list of participating museums.
In this list, I have highlighted the museums and cultural attractions we have visited on our family trips to San Diego;
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Enjoy one free child ticket (ages 12 and under) with the purchase of one full-price adult ticket at the Birch Aquarium La Jolla this October.
Read more: Visiting the Birch Aquarium La Jolla with Kids
To take advantage of the Kids Free San Diego offer, you must reserve your tickets online in advance. Limit of 6 buy one get one free (1 free child per adult) per order.
When reserving your Birch Aquarium tickets online, add tickets including the child tickets, and use the code KIDSFREE26 in the Shopping Cart to redeem the offer.
What’s on this October at Birch Aquarium?
Halloween Aglow – 24 – 25 October 2026
Each October, Birch Aquarium celebrates Halloween Aglow, a family-friendly after hours event between 6 to 8:30pm.
Trick-or-treat your way around, watch pumpkins get carved underwater and dive into science of slide during this year’s Halloween Aglow.
Book tickets to visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps
San Diego Natural History Museum
The Kids Free San Diego offer allows up to two children 12 and under to enter the Natural History Museum free with one full-price paid adult ticket.
To participate, download The Nat Kids Free Coupon and present a printout of the offer or show it on your phone at the San Diego Natural History Museum Admissions Desk.
Download the Nat Kids Free Coupon from San Diego Museum Council
Book tickets to visit the San Diego Natural History Museum
New Children’s Museum
The New Children’s Museum Downtown San Diego is offering free admission for children 17 and under with a paid adult on Wednesdays and Thursdays in October.
Redeem your Kids Free offer by presenting the coupon when you check in at the New Children’s Museum front desk.
Download the Kids Free coupons from the San Diego Museum Council
Read more: The New Children’s Museum San Diego Review
Book tickets to visit the New Children’s Museum San Diego
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum Kids Free San Diego October offer allows up to two children (ages 4 to 12 years old) to get in free with one adult ticket. The museum offers free admission to children 3 and younger throughout the year.
Related: USS Midway Museum San Diego with kids
The Kids Free October offer is available online or at the USS Midway Museum’s ticket booth throughout the month.
If purchasing your tickets online, enter promo code KidsFree in the shopping cart. Limit one promo code per transaction.
Book tickets to visit the USS Midway Museum
Other San Diego museums and historical sites participating in the Kids Free October promotion include California Surf Museum, Comic-Con Museum, Living Discovery Center, San Diego Air & Space Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
View the most up-to-date list of participating museums, download the Kids Free in October Museum FUN GUIDE and get your coupons or online offer codes at the San Diego Museum Council website.
Related: Fun Things to Do in San Diego with Kids
Hotel Savings for Families in October
Throughout San Diego, a wide range of hotels are offering free meals, special experiences and welcome gifts for kids this October.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Enjoy up to 15% off your stay at San Diego Mission Bay Resort this October with the Kids Free offer. The San Diego Mission Bay Resort’s kids free October package includes a $50 resort credit and a special Kids Welcome amenity of each child.
Book a family stay at San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Bahia Resort Hotel
Kids stay free this October at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego, located on the shores of Mission Bay and steps from Mission Beach. Children 12 and under receive a complimentary kids’ meal when dining at the hotel’s restaurants, Dockside 1953 or Bianchi Pizza and Pasta.
Additional Kids Free offers at Bahia Resort Hotel in October include a complimentary paddleboard or kayak rental with Bahia’s on-site partner, Action Sport Rentals.
Book a family stay at Bahia Resort Hotel
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
The family-friendly Catamaran Resort Hotel in Pacific Beach is also taking part in Kids Free San Diego, with offers valid for children 12 and under.
Kids eat free this October at Catamaran Resort Hotel’s Oceana Coastal Kitchen, valid for a free kid’s meal with each paid adult entrée. In addition, experience a paddleboard or kayak adventure with a complimentary rental from Catamaran’s on-site partner, Action Sport Rentals, with the purchase of one adult one-hour or longer rental.
Book a family stay at Catamaran Resort and Spa
Several San Diego hotels are offering free kids’ meals at their restaurants and welcome gifts, including The Dana on Mission Bay, Alma San Diego Downtown, Glorietta Bay Inn Coronado Island, Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Bay Club Hotel and Marina and Hilton San Diego Airport / Harbor Island.
Visit the San Diego Tourism Authority for the full list of hotel Kids Free San Diego offers.
Kids Free San Diego Tours & Sightseeing
Save on exciting San Diego outings this October with Kids Free offers on whale watching tours, speed boat adventures, helicopter tours and more!
San Diego Whale Watch
Book one free child for every full fare adult ticket with San Diego Whale Watch, the city’s first year-round whale watching company.
Offer valid from 1 October to 15 November 2026, 7 days a week. Kids must be 12 or under. Choose the “Kids Free October” ticket when booking.
Book a whale watching tour with San Diego Whale Watch
H&M Landing Deep-Sea Sportfishing
Kids fish free with H&M Landing Point Loma, when accompanied by a paid adult on Premium Sportfishing half-day trips during the month of October. Book using promo code KIDSGOFREE2026
Kids must be 15 years or younger and accompanied by a parent or guardian with a paid ticket. Limit 1 free child per paid adult. Does not include rod rental, tackle, fishing licenses or on-board expenses.
Book a Premier Sportfishing Trip with H&M Landing
Kids Eat Free at San Diego Restaurants
Save on dining out this October with Kids Eat Free offers at several San Diego restaurants.
Related: Top San Diego Restaurants for Families
In addition to an array of hotel and resort restaurants, San Diego restaurants offering Kids Eat Free this October include Crab Hut at various locations and Waffle Spot in Mission Valley.
Visit the San Diego Tourism Authority for the full list of Kids Eat Free October offers.
I hope you have found this post on Kids Free San Diego October 2026 helpful for planning your San Diego family vacation! October is a wonderful time to explore all that San Diego has to offer and enjoy warm, sunny weather without the summer crowds.
Whether you are a local looking for new experiences or a tourist planning a family holiday, make sure to check out the latest San Diego Kids Free October deals at San Diego Tourism Authority and take advantage of the free ticket offers for children across the city!
San Diego with Kids Guide
Looking for more San Diego with kids inspiration? Read on for more tips and reviews for planning a family trip to San Diego, California;
Fun Things to Do in San Diego for Kids
Birch Aquarium La Jolla with kids
Family Friendly San Diego Restaurants
The New Children’s Museum San Diego
USS Midway Museum San Diego with Kids
Pin for Later – Kids Free San Diego October 2026 Offers
This post was updated on 12 September 2026 with up-to-date Kids Free San Diego October 2026 offers.
