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October is the best month of the year when looking for Southern California adventure on a budget. The annual kids free in San Diego for October offers fun for the whole family, with free admission to popular attractions. This guide outlines the best free meals, activities, and attractions for kids in the month of October throughout San Diego county.

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This post originally published Sept 29th, 2015 and has been updated and republished with a new date.

Kids Free in San Diego for October

October is a perfect time to visit San Diego. The lazy days of summer have past but SoCal weather is still quite warm. Summer crowds have thinned, with children returning back to school.

These are fun (and free!) things for kids of all ages offered in the San Diego area. Free October activities make it the perfect time to schedule a family vacation!

The entire month of October is already an excellent time to visit San Diego, with continued warm weather and ideal beach conditions.

Keep reading to find out where you’ll be able to visit in San Diego for October with the kids for free. Check out all the details on these special offers and where to find those special admission tickets!

What’s the Kids Free in San Diego Promotion?

World-class family attractions have partnered with the San Diego tourism authority for the annual kids free in San Diego event. Family fun can be yours this fall with these amazing getaways that will save hundreds of dollars.

Where are the free deals?

A number of local theme parks and restaurants are a part of the promotion, including LEGOLAND, SeaWorld San Diego, Sesame Place, and the San Diego Zoo.

The free restaurant dining and free tickets to amusement parks alone would be awesome. But there’s also free museum visits, free whale watching and free transportation – enough here for a month of fun!

FYI About the October Free Promotion

Who: Read the details on what the free child ticket entails. Many of these special activities require the purchase of a full-paid adult ticket. Free kid’s meal at participating restaurants is generally offered with the purchase of a paid adult entrée.

Check the age consideration for each location, to determine the age bracket for a “child”. For instance, at Sesame Place, a child is aged 3-9. At the San Diego Zoo, it’s ages 3-11.

When: All October free deals and offers are valid Oct. 1–31, 2022.

What: The kids free San Diego offer is popular. That means weekend visits to these top family destinations will be busier than usual. If you’re able to take kids out of school, you’ll be blessed with lighter crowds on weekdays versus weekends.

How to Get Your San Diego Free Tickets

1. In order to receive the free pass, purchase general admission adult tickets for the following attractions at Get Away Today. One child’s ticket per paying adult will be included with the free offer!
2. To view these special free ticket offers, change the calendar to a travel date in October.
3. Click each of the locations below to find out where to buy your tickets.

• LEGOLAND California
• SeaWorld San Diego
• San Diego Zoo
• San Diego Safari Park
• Sesame Place
• USS Midway
• Flagship Cruises
• Old Town Trolley Tours

What’s FREE for Kids in San Diego?

We are talking big deal savings here! These family-friendly events last all month long. Click the links to read my personal articles with tips about each attraction.

Free Amusement Park admission

LEGOLAND California – This whimsical theme park in Carlsbad is a blend of amusement park with inspiring LEGO models made by master builders. The LEGOLAND California theme park rides are best for ages up to 12.

Visit on a day in which Brick-or-Treat, the LEGOLAND Halloween party, takes place. Admission for kids is free during this seasonal event, as well!

SeaWorld San Diego – Get close to marine animals at Sea World San Diego with live shows and thrill rides.

October free admission includes participation in the weekend SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular event.

San Diego Zoo – From polar bears to Komodo dragons, see all the amazing animals at the World-famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Safari Park – The sprawling San Diego Zoo Safari Park gives guests a look at animals in wild settings via the Africa tram.

Kid’s Free Outdoor Water Adventures

• Free fishing for kids at H&M Landing
• City Cruises
• Speed Boat Adventures, kids ride free on two hour tour
• San Diego Whale Watch
• The Gondola Company

Free Kid’s Admission to San Diego Museums

• Balboa Park attractions, including the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, Model Railroad Museum, Museum of Art, Natural History Museum and and Fleet Science Museums
• Museum of Making Music
• Birch Aquarium
• The New Children’s Museum

See San Diego Historical Sites with Free Admission for Kids

• Cabrillo National Monument
• Maritime Museum, including the Star of India
• Kids ride free on Old Town Trolley Tours
• Downtown San Diego itinerary attractions, including the USS Midway

Kids Eat Free at These Restaurants and San Diego Hotels

• Free kids dining at Oceana Coastal Kitchen for resort guests at the Catamaran Resort.
• Casa Guadalajara in Old Town
• Samburgers Little Italy
• Bahia Resort Hotel offers free kids meals at Dockside 1953 for resort guests, along with one complimentary paddleboard or kayak rental.
• Mary Jane’s Diner at the Hard Rock Hotel

Looking for MORE Entertainment in San Diego for October?

These special events take place in San Diego throughout the fall season. Stretch out your San Diego trip with these extra fun things to do in San Diego during the month of October.

Carlsbad San Diego is a the perfect seaside community for families with tons of outdoor activities, kid-friendly dining and beach fun.

Spend all your time enjoying the gorgeous San Diego weather with these top Things to Do Outside in San Diego with Kids.

LEGOLAND California Resort offers the return of their annual Brick-or-Treat Halloween Party Nights. This nighttime event takes place on select nights and a general admission LEGOLAND ticket allows guests to enjoy the Monster Party!

What Else is Free in San Diego Year-Round?

Looking for additional freebies? Make unforgettable family memories in SoCal on a budget with these additional free deal in the San Diego area.

Balboa Park

Admission and parking at Balboa Park is free. Visitors can enjoy the many walking trails, gardens and grassy lawns.

Every Tuesday, Balboa Park museums offer complimentary admission to residents and military members. The first Tuesday of the month is usually the most popular. Free admission on this day includes the Fleet Science Museums. Valid identification and proof of residency is required for complimentary admission.

Beaches

San Diego beaches are free to enjoy all year around. Local parking lots are free to park a vehicle for the day. SoCal beaches are ideal in October, with perfect water temperatures and lower crowds. Especially good to visit on weekdays.

While the games and rides in Belmont Park cost extra, admission into this oceanside amusement park is complimentary.

Seaport Village

Seaport Village offers up meandering bayside paths and beautiful harbor views. Set aside a few bucks for ice cream!

Summer Concerts

Enjoy live music throughout the summer in most San Diego community parks

READ MORE – Want more free things to do in San Diego? Read this TravelingMom post with 50 SoCal freebies.

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