San Diego, on the border of the United States and Mexico in California, is famous for its charm, beaches, and nightlife. The sun-kissed city is often called “America’s finest city,” and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it offer a ton of entertainment and sightseeing opportunities, but it has the charm of a small SoCal town. Hence, arriving in San Diego without any plan might make you feel overwhelmed due to the sheer number of things that the city offers. That’s why there’s the San Diego CityPass, which allows you to explore this California city in the best and most economical and affordable way possible. It allows you to experience this amazing city without spending a fortune on transportation, entrance fees, and other random expenses.
What makes San Diego CityPass so special is that it’s offered in three packages. While one includes SeaWorld San Diego plus a choice of three attractions, the other includes Legoland California plus a choice of three attractions. Furthermore, the third one includes both of the above, plus three attractions! These include the Safari Park, San Diego Zoo, and the USS Midway Museum. It also includes City Cruises, Old Town Trolley Tours, the Birch Aquarium, and the Maritime Museum, all of which are some of the top things to do in San Diego. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the 6 top attractions to visit with the San Diego CityPass in California.
Legoland, California
6
Legoland, California, is one of the best attractions to see with the San Diego CityPass. Families with kids under 12 years old will love visiting this popular attraction. It’s home to more than 60 kid-friendly attractions and rides. What’s more, it’s notably home to some of the most stunning Lego replicas of beautiful landscapes, iconic characters, and famous cities. In fact, the various LEGO themes include Castle Hill, Pirate Shores, Fun Town, Ninjago World, and Land of Adventure. Besides providing an unparalleled imaginative theme park experience, Legoland is also home to a seasonal waterpark where you can make the most of your time in the sun. And when the kids want to take a break from all the walking, duck into the aquarium where they can see the fascinating diverse sea life.
Old Town Trolley Trip
5
Taking an Old Town Trolley Trip is one of the best things you can do with the San Diego CityPass. This trip to the mile-long historical stretch takes you back in time as you get a taste of living in the different eras of Californian history. This ranges from the Californian gold rush to the time of the Native Americans when Old Town was considered the beginning of what is California today. As a testament to the city’s colonial roots, this Old Town trolley tour takes you around all the old adobe houses, which are now restaurants, shops, and museums. Enjoy this tour at a leisurely pace, where you can hop off and hop on the trolley at any of the historical landmarks or authentic Mexican restaurants in the town.
San Diego Zoo
4
The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s largest zoos – and also one of its top-rated ones. This family-friendly attraction is nestled in the heart of the city and is home to all kinds of exotic animals. These include the likes of giraffes, rhinos, polar bears, leopards, grizzly bears, and even gorillas. What’s great is that all the animals can roam free within their natural enclosures. Hence, it’ll feel less like a traditional zoo; you’ll feel like you’re walking through the lush jungles of Brazil or on an African safari. Furthermore, the beautifully landscaped zoo is also home to more than 700,000 plant varieties worldwide. So, you might just need to set aside the entire day to get the most out of your visit to this amazing attraction.
USS Midway Museum
3
For museum aficionados, the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California, is one of the most exciting attractions to explore with the San Diego CityPass. This decommissioned historical wonder is one of the country’s largest military ships and sits majestically along the San Diego waterfront at the Navy Pier. Today, it’s an immersive museum home to more than 60 enthralling exhibits that take you back to 1945. Take a guided tour to learn all about the history of this longest-serving aircraft carrier, right from the engine room to the sleeping quarters. Furthermore, there’s even an exciting flight simulator for interested aviators who want to pilot. The CityPass includes general admission, the audio tour available in six languages, and the 3D holographic movie Battle of Midway Theater.
SeaWorld San Diego
2
No trip to San Diego is complete without visiting SeaWorld, which is a memorable experience for families with kids and adults who’re young at heart alike. This amusement park has everything from entertaining events to thrilling roller coasters and a wide range of sea animal exhibits. Visitors can watch circling sharks and frolicking otters or even catch dolphins performing at one of the shows. In the end, the focus of the SeaWorld experience is learning and exploration. Parents of little ones will love the many opportunities that their children will have to explore the 100 acres of park grounds. Plus, they also get to enjoy a hands-on learning experience about the many ecosystems that call the oceans their home.
City Cruise Boat Tour
1
The City Cruise Boat Tour is one of the absolute best attractions you can explore with the San Diego CityPass. The city is famous for its stunning coastlines, which is why a boat tour is one of the best ways to make the most of it. Sit back and relax as you cruise the San Diego Bay while sightseeing and soaking in the fresh air and the sunshine. You might even get to spy on some of San Diego’s famous marine life, such as sea lions basking on the shore, even as your knowledgeable tour guide rattles off interesting stories and snippets about the history of San Diego. Seeing the city from the water offers a fresh perspective that’s different from the one you get while walking on foot, so don’t miss this!
How To Choose The Best San Diego CityPass attractions?
First-time visitors
- Most attractions in San Diego attractions don’t charge admission fees for kids under the age of 3 years. Additionally, kids aged 3-12 years enjoy a reduced Go San Diego price.
- You’ll get a guidebook outlining how to use the pass at each included attraction, and it’s also available in the Go City app.
- The pass isn’t valid on a 24-hour basis. That means that even if you visit an attraction at 3 pm on Monday, day 1 lasts until the end of Monday. Tuesday counts as day two.
- You don’t need reservations for SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or the Zoo. Additionally, you need reservations for Legoland and some other included tours.
Free Attractions
The annual October event of Kids Free San Diego sees kids eat, play, and stay for free with a paying adult at more than 100 restaurants, attractions, and hotels throughout the county. While Go San Diego isn’t a qualifying ticket, San Diego’s attractions, except theme parks, offer free entry for kids who an adult CityPass guest accompanies. Check the “What’s Included and What You Save” section for age ranges and details.
Do I need to visit attractions in a specific order?
No, you can visit the attractions in any order that you’d like.
Can I visit the attractions more than once?
No, the tickets are valid for a single, one-time admission to every attraction unless stated otherwise in the admission details for every attraction.
Can I visit more than one attraction in a day?
There’s no limit to how many attractions one can visit in a single day.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by CityPass.
