Need something fun to do for fall break with the kids? Kids Free October in San Diego offers 100+ FREE things to do for kids all over Southern California.
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What is Kids Free October?
It’s October, which means it’s Kids Free October in San Diego! That means for the whole month, you can take advantage of over 100 free offers for kids! Over 30 years ago, the San Diego Zoo decided to celebrate its birthday by offering free admission for kids throughout October. Shortly afterwards, the San Diego Museum Council (which includes over 30 museums) joined in, and now there are 100+ participants.
What’s included in Kids Free October?
From hotels to restaurants to activities—there’s tons to do with kids for free during October throughout all of San Diego County.
Several hotels offer discounted stays or fun upgrades for kids. They differ from year to year, but some examples from the past include The Pendry offering a move and candy “sleepover” for kids or Paradise Point Resort and Spa giving kids a free gift card to spend at the resort.
Many restaurants throughout the county offer kids eat free deals in October with a paying adult. Some of our favorites include Casa Guadalajara and Casa de Reyes in Old Town San Diego and the Waffle Spot in Mission Valley.
And don’t forget the activities! Over 2 dozen museums, bike/kayak rentals, whale watching tours, city/harbor cruises, trolley rides, Sea World, Legoland, the Birch Aquarium, and even the world famous San Diego Zoo all offer free admission for kids in October.
Check out the complete list here.
What else is there to do for free in San Diego?
Besides the freebies during Kids Free October, San Diego offers many other free activities all year round.
We love to visit Old Town San Diego and explore the more than 35 historic sites there. Old Town was the first European settlement in California, and you can visit old homes, the schoolhouse, printing press, and more. One of our favorites is the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center. They offer free, interactive tours that are fun for kids, and you can even make bricks and pan for gold!
La Jolla Cove is another favorite. From watching the sea lions at Children’s Pool to kayaking to sea caves and snorkeling, La Jolla is a great place to spend the day. We kayaked out to some sea caves and saw some gorgeous orange fish with our snorkels!
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve boasts 8 miles of trails with gorgeous views to explore. Our kids loved to explore the tide pools as well. One of our favorite trails is the Guy Fleming Trail. It’s only .7 miles, but the views are unbeatable. In the winter, you can often see the migrating gray whales up and down the coastline. And in the spring, you’re in for a treat with the colorful wildflowers that dot the coast. (Torrey Pines does have a small charge for parking.)
And don’t forget the beaches! October is often a great time to hit the beach because the weather is still hot, but the water is often warmer than in spring/summer. And the crowds are low! Oceanside Harbor is one of our favorite beaches (with cute little shops and restaurants nearby), but there are PLENTY of great beaches in San Diego County to choose from. Coronado Beach is another favorite.
Why is October a great time to visit San Diego?
Not only are so many things free in October in San Diego, but most SoCal schools don’t have Fall break. They do typically have Columbus Day off though (and many of the museums are closed on Mondays), so keep that in mind. Many neighboring states do have fall break in early/mid-October, so sometimes there can be moderate crowds in some of the more popular places. But for the most part, October is a GREAT time to visit Southern California! And with so many Kids Free October offers, it’s budget-friendly too!
What are your San Diego favorites?
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