October Savings at San Diego's Top Attractions

1. San Diego Zoo

Lions and tigers and koalas, oh my! The world-famous zoo features more than 3,700 animals, including pandas, polar bears, and Malayan tigers. Kids under 12 are free in October; each ticketed supervising adult may bring up to 5 youths (ages 11 and younger) free.

2. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo's sister park is an impressive, 1,800-acre refuge for more than 2,600 animals who roam freely, offering a safari-like experience to 2 million people each year. The park is home to cheetahs, zebras, condors, African rhinos, and giraffes who love acacia leaves. October 1-31, 2025, kids (11 and younger) entrance is free, no ticket required. October free entrance for kids includes the Africa Tram (subject to availability).

3. Legoland California

Everything is awesome at Legoland's October park hopper promotion, which includes a free child Hopper Ticket with paid full-price adult Hopper Ticket. Note: Separately ticketed events (like Brick-or-Treat Party Night) are not included.

4. SeaWorld San Diego

Kids are free this month at SeaWorld Spooktacular, which includes a trick-or-treating candy trail, fall-flavored food & beverages, all your favorite amazing animals, rides and roller coasters, and more. Receive a free ticket for a child aged 3 to 9 with each paid adult ticket. (Kids under 3 are always free.)

Kids can get up close and personal with marine animals. Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium

October Freebies at San Diego Museums & Outings

5. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Speaking of the water wildlife, here's another place where up to 2 kids can get in free with each adult. (Must buy tickets online and enter the promo code KIDSFREE25 at checkout.)

6. Children's Museum of Discovery

This North County gem of a kids' museum has loads of hands-on activities, including the new Water Ways exhibit, the Magnification Station, and the Discovery Garden. There’s also a special toddler area. In October, up to two children (12 and under) get free admission with one full-price paid adult.

Do you hear what I hear? Photo courtesy of The New Children's Museum

7. The New Children's Museum

Kids can explore, create, and learn on play structures, in art studios, and in immersive art installations. Score one free child admission with every paid adult ticket to San Diego's New Children's Museum on Wednesdays and Thursdays in October. (See site for details.)

8. Fleet Science Center

Voted San Diego's Best Museum of 2025, there are more than 100 interactive exhibits at the Fleet. In October, one child (12 and under) receives free admission with one full-price paid adult and a valid Kids Free coupon. 

Free Boat Rides and Tours for Kids in October

9. The Gondola Company

Ever feel tempted to take a ride on one of those graceful, peaceful boats from another age, pushed through calm waters by a dashing gondolier? It's not just a Valentine's Day thing; kids love these rides, too, and The Gondola Company is inviting up to four kids, ages 12 and under, to ride free with a paid cruise.

10. Corporate Helicopters of San Diego

 In October, kids can fly free at Corporate Helicopters on the 30-minute 'Beaches & Bays' Helicopter Tour! (Can not book online; must call for details and to redeem.)

11. San Diego Whale Watch

Kids under 12 can ride along free with every full-fare paid adult on a whale watching cruise all month long. Use code KIDSFREEOCTOBER. These voyages always have a naturalist on board, and while the company can't guarantee you'll see a whale, it does promise that if you don’t see a whale or dolphin, you’ll receive a free pass for another whale watching trip.

12. City Cruises

From October 1st to 31st, kids cruise free on the 'Best of the Bay Harbor Tour' with code KIDSCRUISEFREE2025.

Take a slide down the Twister at Town and Country Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

Mommy Poppins Picks for Family-Friendly Hotel Deals

13. Town and Country Resort

At one of our favorite family resorts in San Diego, kids eat and slide (on the Twister!) for free in October, which means resort fees are waived and kids get a paid breakfast each day with a paying adult. The food here is awesome, so that's a great deal!

14. Bahia Resort Hotel

Bahia is another of our favorite hotels in the area for families, and kids get a complimentary kids' meal (with purchase of adult entree), as well as a free paddleboard or kayak rental (with purchase of adult rental). Also, save up to 25% off the hotel room! Check website for details.

15. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Finally, a third of our favorite family-friendly San Diego resorts has the same deal as Bahia - free meal, paddle or kayak, and up to 25% off. Awesome.

Kid-Favorite Restaurant Deals 

16. Carnitas' Snack Shack

For stunning views of the city and San Diego Bay (not to mention a fabulous outdoor patio on the waterfront and incredible cocktails for parents), hit the Carnitas' Snack Shack, where, for the month of October, kids 12 and under can get one free kid's meal per paying adult (up to two per meal).

17. Casa Guadalajara

Stopping for dinner in Old Town? That stop could be at the Mexican restaurant voted most kid-friendly by San Diego Magazine readers. There's a free kids' meal for each paid adult meal (up to three); the mariachis are on the house, too.

18. Shores Restaurant

No trip to San Diego is complete without a stop in La Jolla, and one of the best places to eat right by the beach is Shores. Kids eat free with the purchase of an entree throughout October.

For a complete list of all the offers in the Kids Free October promotion, including many hotels and restaurants, check out the Kids Free San Diego deals on the San Deigo Tourism Authority Website.

Originally posted September 26, 2017

Photos courtesy of San Deigo Tourism Authority, unless otherwise noted