San Diego: CityPASS® Guide

CityPASS offers 9 different attractions to choose from. These include some of our team’s favorite theme parks, tours, and museums!

Theme Parks

The featured stars of San Diego CityPASS are Seaworld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Each CityPASS includes admission to one or both of these major theme parks.

Killer Whale at Seaworld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego

A theme park, aquarium, and zoo all in one, SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay Park is a blast for all ages. Kids and adults alike can see marine life, watch performances starring park favorites like orcas and dolphins, and go on dozens of exciting rides, from rollercoasters to kid-friendly low thrill rides.

Entrance to Legoland Ca

LEGOLAND California Resort

Do you have a LEGO fan in your family? At LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, kids can immerse themselves in the world of LEGO with rides, live shows, building stations, and restaurants all themed around their favorite characters.

Other Attractions

Purchasing a CityPASS also grants you access to three of any of the following seven attractions and activities. Remember, you can decide which of these three you’d like to visit after you purchase the pass which I think is helpful for a bit of extra flexibility.

Gorilla Statue at the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

San Diego’s best-known attraction (and one of my personal favorites), the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is a can’t-miss park for animal lovers. Housing more than 680 different species, including many rare and endangered animals, this wildlife wonderland is one of just a handful of places where you can see giant pandas in the US.

Note that CityPASS lets you choose from either the Zoo OR the Safari Park, but both attractions cannot be combined on the same pass.

Entrance at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Nature runs wild at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, where you can experience the thrills of a safari adventure right in Southern California. You’ll get to see animals in recreations of their natural habitats, from the ever-popular Asian rainforest of the Tiger Trail to the sprawling African savannah of Elephant Odyssey.

Note that admission to the Safari Park cannot be bundled with Zoo admission on the same CityPASS. Our team’s Zoo and Safari Park comparison guide will help you choose which would be the best choice for you and your family.

The End of the Flight Deck on the USS Midway

USS Midway Museum

Sitting on the shores of the Embarcadero, the USS Midway Museum gives guests the opportunity to climb aboard a real aircraft carrier.

You’ll get to learn about San Diego’s Naval history, see exhibits with restored aircrafts, and get a taste of what life was like for the real residents of the USS Midway during its service.

The Kissing Statue next to the USS Midway

City Cruises

City Cruises by Hornblower offer a whole new way to explore the city: via boat!

When you board a cruise from the Embarcadero, you’ll be all set to see the landmarks around the San Diego Bay, sip and dine while enjoying the ocean breeze, or you can even go on a whale watching tour.

Birch Aquarium Museum Entrance

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Just a few steps from the shores of La Jolla, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is another great option for seeing marine life, and one of my family’s favorites.

The aquarium has hundreds of species of fish and other sea animals, plus educational exhibits and interactive touch tanks for kids to explore and learn.

Blue Line at the Balboa Trolley Station

Old Town Trolley Tours

An Old Town Trolley Tour is one of our picks for the best tours in San Diego and overall best ways to see the city.

You’ll get to learn about the history of Old Town, including the stories behind some of its most famous examples of Victorian-era architecture, plus about some famous events and cultural landmarks.

Roll Playing with Kids on the Star of India

Maritime Museum of San Diego

As part of the pass you can also choose to see the fleet of ships that live in the San Diego Bay at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. You can tour these historic vessels, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, and climb aboard to get a taste of the seafaring life.

All San Diego: CityPASS tickets can be purchased online directly through the company’s website.

Once you purchase your tickets, you’ll get an email with your passes. You can print the tickets directly from your email, or simply install the My CityPASS app on your phone to have access to your tickets on the go.

Looking up at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

The Best Places to Stay Near the Attractions

I suggest buying your passes while making the rest of your trip reservations, as you’ll want to consider which hotels are near your preferred attractions. Some of our team’s picks for the best hotels in San Diego can be found not far from the attractions.

So that means the best hotels near Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, and the best hotels near La Jolla, with other excellent accommodation options all around the city!

Want to know how to maximize the value of a CityPASS? We’ve got answers for some common questions.

Condor Sculpture at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

What’s Included

Any attraction tickets purchased through the CityPASS includes the full costs of admission, so you won’t have to pay to get into the park.

However, the pass only covers the cost of a ticket. Add-ons like parking fees, upgrades, and any food or drinks will need to be purchased separately.

Advanced Reservations

You’re not required to book your visit ahead of time when you want to use your CityPASS. However, if you’re visiting during a crowded time like during the busy summer months, I think it’s a good idea to be on the safe side and make reservations when available.

We’ve got some tips about the best time to visit San Diego if you’re considering going in the off season to skip the crowds.

Ticket Expiration Info

Need to postpone your travel plans? No problem. An unused CityPASS is valid for a full year after purchase.

Once you activate your pass by using it at any of the attractions, you have 9 days to visit the remaining attractions before the pass expires.

Using Your CityPASS

You can visit the attractions on your pass in any order you like. There are no limits on how many attraction tickets you can activate each day, so feel free to pack each day with multiple activities or to take your time - it’s all on your schedule!

Adult and Children Tickets

For CityPASS pricing, kids from 3-12 can use a Child pass, while kids 13 and older will need an Adult pass.

Most attractions allow kids 2 and under to visit for free, but double check each attraction or tour’s policies when buying your pass.