Free entry, free admission days and free hours from every section.
3 picks
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyfestival
Día de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2026FreePets OK
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
City park that is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country: over 4,235 acres of land and water with 27 miles of shoreline and lifeguard stations in designated areas.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs only in outdoor areas like the plaza; not inside museums or buildings.
Family-friendly events, hands-on activities and outings for all ages.
7 picks
Section: Family Outingsfestival
Día de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2026FreePets OK
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
Balboa Park science center open 365 days a year with Kid City, Space Gallery and a Heikoff Giant Dome Theater film included; sensory-friendly accessibility hour the third Saturday of every month.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; accessibility hours third Saturday 9-10am; Dec 10 10am-4pm; Dec 24 10am-5pm; Dec 25 12:30-5pm
Cost
Adults (13+) $21.95; seniors (65+) $19.95; juniors (3-12) $18.95; 2 and under free
City park that is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country: over 4,235 acres of land and water with 27 miles of shoreline and lifeguard stations in designated areas.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs only in outdoor areas like the plaza; not inside museums or buildings.
Balboa Park museum with five floors of exhibitions and a giant screen theater; Fridays it stays open until 11pm for Nat at Night, half-price after 5pm with rooftop food and drinks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; Fridays until 11pm (select Fridays; check calendar)
Cost
Adult $24.95; youth (3-17) $16.95; 2 and under free; Nat at Night adult $12.50
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's safari park in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, with the Africa Tram included in admission, the new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, and Wildlife Safari, Cart Safari and Roar & Snore Safari experiences. Some paths are steep; a free ADA shuttle serves guests with mobility disabilities. Kids free Oct 1-31
Hours
9am-5pm (hours vary by date; see the source's calendar)
Cost
1-Day Pass $78; child (3-11) $68; Value Days online $73/$63; parking $20 per vehicle (oversized $55; preferred from $45)
Where
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
World-premiere musical about the Grim Reaper's daughter, with choreography by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler. Best availability from Nov 24. Book by Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer, music and lyrics by Petro AP, Scott Hoying, Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer; directed by Sammi Cannold.
Point Loma monument to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, first European to set foot on the US West Coast, with tidepools, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the Coastal Trail and views to Coronado.
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas); tidepools and Coastal Trail close 4:30pm
Year-round, rain-or-shine farmers' market; the Saturday market, San Diego County's largest, fills six blocks of West Date Street with produce, eggs, meat, fish, bread and local artisans.
Hours
Saturdays 8am-2pm; Wednesdays 9:30am-1:30pm
Where
West Date Street, Kettner Blvd to Front Street, Little Italy, San Diego
Balboa Park museum with five floors of exhibitions and a giant screen theater; Fridays it stays open until 11pm for Nat at Night, half-price after 5pm with rooftop food and drinks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; Fridays until 11pm (select Fridays; check calendar)
Cost
Adult $24.95; youth (3-17) $16.95; 2 and under free; Nat at Night adult $12.50
Escape rooms, bowling, trivia nights and other group activities.
1 pick
Section: Friends and Groupsevent
GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse
Oct 27 – Dec 6, 2026
World-premiere musical about the Grim Reaper's daughter, with choreography by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler. Best availability from Nov 24. Book by Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer, music and lyrics by Petro AP, Scott Hoying, Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer; directed by Sammi Cannold.
Senior discounts, accessible venues and community centers.
3 picks
Section: Senior Outingsscience center
Fleet Science Center
Indoor
Balboa Park science center open 365 days a year with Kid City, Space Gallery and a Heikoff Giant Dome Theater film included; sensory-friendly accessibility hour the third Saturday of every month.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; accessibility hours third Saturday 9-10am; Dec 10 10am-4pm; Dec 24 10am-5pm; Dec 25 12:30-5pm
Cost
Adults (13+) $21.95; seniors (65+) $19.95; juniors (3-12) $18.95; 2 and under free
Balboa Park art museum; tickets include same-day admission to the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA@SDMA). Youth 17 and under, students and military free. Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Hours
Thu-Sun 11am-5pm; closed Mon-Wed; Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Cost
Adults $25; seniors 65+ $15; youth 17 and under, students and military free; SDMA + MOPA bundle $30
Places whose official source says dogs or pets are welcome.
4 picks
Section: Pet-Friendlyfestival
Día de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2026FreePets OK
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs only in outdoor areas like the plaza; not inside museums or buildings.
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens and nature reserves.
8 picks
Section: Outdoors and Naturestate park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California's largest state park: 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and hiking trails through bighorn sheep country, wildflowers, palm groves and cacti. Dogs only in campgrounds, on designated roads and the Visitor Center/Campground Trail.
Hours
Visitor center parking lot 7am-7pm
Cost
$10 day-use fee per car at fee areas such as the visitor center lot and The Slot; seniors (62+) $9
Dogs
Dogs allowed in campgrounds, on designated park roads, and on the Visitor Center/Campground Trail.
Point Loma monument to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, first European to set foot on the US West Coast, with tidepools, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the Coastal Trail and views to Coronado.
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas); tidepools and Coastal Trail close 4:30pm
East County park with more than 100 miles of riding and hiking trails, including the Cuyamaca Peak Trail with views of the Pacific, the Colorado Desert and the Salton Sea. Dogs only in campgrounds and on paved roads. Parking in legal turnouts along the highway and hiking in is free.
Hours
6am-8pm
Cost
Vehicle day use $10
Dogs
Dogs only in campgrounds and on designated paved park roads.
City park that is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country: over 4,235 acres of land and water with 27 miles of shoreline and lifeguard stations in designated areas.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs only in outdoor areas like the plaza; not inside museums or buildings.
Art, history and science museums, with hours and prices from each source.
4 picks
Section: Museumsscience center
Fleet Science Center
Indoor
Balboa Park science center open 365 days a year with Kid City, Space Gallery and a Heikoff Giant Dome Theater film included; sensory-friendly accessibility hour the third Saturday of every month.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; accessibility hours third Saturday 9-10am; Dec 10 10am-4pm; Dec 24 10am-5pm; Dec 25 12:30-5pm
Cost
Adults (13+) $21.95; seniors (65+) $19.95; juniors (3-12) $18.95; 2 and under free
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs only in outdoor areas like the plaza; not inside museums or buildings.
Balboa Park art museum; tickets include same-day admission to the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA@SDMA). Youth 17 and under, students and military free. Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Hours
Thu-Sun 11am-5pm; closed Mon-Wed; Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Cost
Adults $25; seniors 65+ $15; youth 17 and under, students and military free; SDMA + MOPA bundle $30
Balboa Park museum with five floors of exhibitions and a giant screen theater; Fridays it stays open until 11pm for Nat at Night, half-price after 5pm with rooftop food and drinks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; Fridays until 11pm (select Fridays; check calendar)
Cost
Adult $24.95; youth (3-17) $16.95; 2 and under free; Nat at Night adult $12.50
Theater, concerts, dance and comedy, with dates and tickets from each source.
1 pick
Section: Arts and Showsevent
GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse
Oct 27 – Dec 6, 2026
World-premiere musical about the Grim Reaper's daughter, with choreography by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler. Best availability from Nov 24. Book by Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer, music and lyrics by Petro AP, Scott Hoying, Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer; directed by Sammi Cannold.
Farmers markets, food festivals, cooking classes and food halls.
2 picks
Section: Food and Marketsfarmers market
Hillcrest Farmers Market
San Diego's original and largest farmers market: over 175 vendors with local produce, flowers, crafts and international prepared food, plus weekly live music. Rain or shine.
Hours
Sundays 9am-2pm
Where
University Ave. between Herbert St. and Park Blvd., Hillcrest (map: 1601 University Ave.), San Diego, CA 92103
Year-round, rain-or-shine farmers' market; the Saturday market, San Diego County's largest, fills six blocks of West Date Street with produce, eggs, meat, fish, bread and local artisans.
Hours
Saturdays 8am-2pm; Wednesdays 9:30am-1:30pm
Where
West Date Street, Kettner Blvd to Front Street, Little Italy, San Diego
Dated pumpkin patches, holiday lights and seasonal festivals.
1 pick
Section: Seasonal and Holidayfestival
Día de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2026FreePets OK
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
Balboa Park science center open 365 days a year with Kid City, Space Gallery and a Heikoff Giant Dome Theater film included; sensory-friendly accessibility hour the third Saturday of every month.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; accessibility hours third Saturday 9-10am; Dec 10 10am-4pm; Dec 24 10am-5pm; Dec 25 12:30-5pm
Cost
Adults (13+) $21.95; seniors (65+) $19.95; juniors (3-12) $18.95; 2 and under free
Balboa Park art museum; tickets include same-day admission to the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA@SDMA). Youth 17 and under, students and military free. Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Hours
Thu-Sun 11am-5pm; closed Mon-Wed; Sat Oct 24: 10am-4pm (special hours)
Cost
Adults $25; seniors 65+ $15; youth 17 and under, students and military free; SDMA + MOPA bundle $30
Balboa Park museum with five floors of exhibitions and a giant screen theater; Fridays it stays open until 11pm for Nat at Night, half-price after 5pm with rooftop food and drinks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; Fridays until 11pm (select Fridays; check calendar)
Cost
Adult $24.95; youth (3-17) $16.95; 2 and under free; Nat at Night adult $12.50
Section: Free and Budget-Friendlyfestival
