Around 30 years ago, the San Diego Zoo started to offer free entry for kids during October to boost sales during a normally slow month. That tradition has now expanded to over 100 companies over San Diego county for the entire month of October. “Kids Free San Diego” offers everything from free food to free museum tours and even rides on the Amtrak train for kids with an accompanying paid adult.
Most companies restrict the deal to two free children for every one adult, except for the San Diego Zoo, which only specifies that the amount of children per paying adult must be within reason. Either way, it’s an amazing opportunity for friendly family fun that doesn’t break the bank.
Check out a complete list of participating companies HERE and specifically which museums (there are over 40!) which will have free entry HERE. Note that some places, like the Birch Aquarium, require you either download or print out the coupon in order to take advantage of the deal. A lot of places define a child as ’12 and under,’ however some places like the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park limit the age to '11 and under.’
If you’ve ever wanted to book a week for the family at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals, now is the time. There are enough fun activities and meals to last beyond a seven-day stay. Below is a list of our favorite picks:
Our favorite amusement park is chock full of deals this month! Kids will receive an Unlimited Ride wristband with the purchase of one full priced adult Unlimited Ride wristband. With the purchase of an adult unlimited laser tag wristband, one child will also receive an unlimited laser tag wristband. Kids will love the free cotton candy they get when an adult buys an ice cream cone at The Sweet Shoppe. You must print out the Coupon (HERE) to redeem these goodies and more!
Restaurant Deals
If you visit the Patio on Lamont during breakfast, kids will get free pancakes with the purchase of an adult breakfast.
If you’ve ever wanted to try the delicious and upscale Brazilian barbecue, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, then this is the month to do it. Children receive one complimentary dinner with the purchase of an adult full-priced churrasco dinner, or entree.
For ‘shopaholics,’ Bloomingdales is letting kids eat free at their cafe. So the whole family will benefit when you need to take a break from a shopping spree for some grub.
Museums & Culture
As we mentioned before, there are over 40 museums taking part in this amazing deal. Balboa Park will be especially fun for the whole family, as most of their museums will offer up to two free children’s entry for every one paying adult. You can visit as many museums as you like, just be sure you print out a coupon for the museum you want to visit. Here are a few that we are especially excited about sharing with the kids:
Family Entertainment
For every one adult full-priced ‘Adult Hopper’ ticket bought to LEGOLAND, you will get one free ‘Child Hopper’ ticket. The ‘Hopper’ tickets allow you entry to LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Water Park, and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
The San Diego Zoo started it all and the fact that they let more than two children in per one paying adult is pretty awesome. Just note that the Zoo as well as the San Diego Safari Park define children as 11 and under.
For educational fun, the lovely Birch Aquarium in La Jolla will engage visitors of all ages. Just be sure you print out your coupon before you go.
Two kids can ride free with Flagship Cruises and Events per paid adult for all one and two-hour San Diego Harbor Tours.
October will be the month that the whole family should learn to surf thanks to Surf Diva La Jolla, where every private surf lesson bought for an adult or child, another child will receive a free private lesson as well.
Everyday California offers tours and rentals for kayaking and snorkeling, as well as paddle boarding and surfboard rentals. For every paying adult, one child will be free.
The whole fam will love taking a gondola cruise through San Diego Bay from the Gondola Company. Up to four kids ride free for every paying adult couple.
Take a one or two-hour cruise on Hornblower Cruises and two kids will ride free per adult.
The Amtrak Pacific Surfline train hugs the coast of Southern California for stunning views as it makes its way to San Diego. This month, one child will receive a free ticket per adult.
For the truly adventurous, Corporate Helicopters are offering one free child ride per paying adult for a 30-minute ride over San Diego, but you will need to have a minimum of two adults booked per ride.
Take a ride on one of San Diego’s charming trolleys through Old Town or La Jolla and Mission Bay on the Old Town Trolley Tours. For every paying adult, one child will be able to ride for free.
