San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50% – Includes San Diego Zoo

San Diego’s Explorer Pass can turn a costly sightseeing list into a flexible menu. Pick two to seven attractions, scan your mobile pass, and spread your visits across 30 days after the first use. The strongest choices include the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, harbor cruises, and the Old Town Trolley.

I like the wide range of choices, from serious museums and the Japanese Friendship Garden to a self-drive speedboat, jet ski rental, or kayak trip. I also like that the pass suits different kinds of days: you can visit Balboa Park in the morning, ride the trolley for two days, and save the big zoo day for later.

The catch is that the pass only pays off if you choose expensive attractions or activities. Some options require reservations, the attraction list can change, and a two-attraction pass may not save much if you pick low-cost museums.

Key things to know before you buy

• The San Diego Zoo or Safari Park is a major value choice: Each usually needs several hours and can make a small pass worthwhile.
• You get 30 days after first use: The pass is not a one-day sprint unless you want it to be.
• The Old Town Trolley includes two consecutive days: This is useful for sightseeing and getting your bearings.
• Water activities add the most variety: Choose from harbor cruises, whale watching, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skis, or a self-drive speedboat.
• The Go City app matters: It holds your pass, attraction details, a map, itinerary planning tools, and reservation information.
• Each attraction can be visited once: Plan carefully before activating the pass.

How the San Diego Explorer Pass works

You buy a pass for two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions. The price provided here is $124 per person, though the cost can vary by pass size and current sale. Your pass remains valid for one year from purchase, but the 30-day visit period begins when you first enter an attraction.

That timing is helpful. You can buy ahead, wait for your trip, and activate the pass on the first day you use it. Once activated, you have room to spread visits around San Diego instead of packing every ticket into one exhausting day.

The pass is fully mobile. After confirmation, select Get ticket, update your email if needed, and sync the pass in the Go City app. A PDF guide is also available. I would set up the app before heading out, since one of the practical snags with mobile passes is arriving at an entrance with a QR code that needs extra help.

Most attractions accept the pass directly, but some require reservations. Whale watching, guided hikes, trolley services, boat rentals, and other timed activities can fill up. Check the app before you build your schedule, and do not assume that an available attraction automatically means an available time slot.

Where the pass earns its keep

At $124 per person, the pass needs a little arithmetic. If you select two attractions, each one needs to be worth roughly $62 to make the pass a clear bargain. That is possible with a major zoo plus a boat tour, but less likely with two modest museums.

The seven-attraction version has a better chance of producing major savings, especially if you combine high-priced attractions with smaller stops. A useful mix might include the Zoo, USS Midway, a two-day trolley ticket, a harbor cruise, Birch Aquarium, a water activity, and one Balboa Park museum.

Do not choose seven attractions simply because the pass allows it. You can visit each attraction only once, and San Diego’s distances add up. A morning at the Zoo is tiring. A four-hour whale-watching trip takes a serious block of time. A full day of bikes or a day at Plunge San Diego is already a complete activity.

The best value comes from matching the pass to your real plans. If you already want the Zoo, Midway, and trolley, use the pass to add one or two attractions you might otherwise skip.

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo is the pass’s headline choice for many people. Its 100-acre grounds include koalas, gorillas, elephants, crocodiles, and many other animals, along with educational shows and large animal exhibits. Give it at least four hours, and more if you want to move at an easy pace.

The pass lets you choose between admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Treat these as different experiences rather than interchangeable versions of the same day. The Zoo is a central San Diego attraction with a large collection of animal exhibits. The Safari Park is built around 13 habitats and regions, endangered species, breeding programs, and conservation work.

You cannot count on using one pass for both. The wording presents them as a choice, so confirm the current app details before planning both. Either one is a strong use of a two-attraction pass, especially when paired with a second major attraction.

Midway, maritime museums, and the bay

The USS Midway Museum gives you a self-guided look at life aboard a long-serving American aircraft carrier. You can see sailors’ sleeping quarters, the engine room, galley, ship jail, and about 60 exhibits. Plan two hours, though the ship’s many levels and tight spaces can make the visit feel longer.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego offers a different kind of shipboard visit. Its collection includes the oldest active ship in existence and the USS Dolphin, a submarine noted for its record depth. This is a good choice if you want maritime history without spending the entire day on one huge vessel.

City Cruises offers a professionally narrated harbor tour lasting about 90 minutes. From the water, you see Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, and Cabrillo National Monument across a route covering about 20 miles of landmarks.

There is also a four-hour whale-watching and harbor trip. You may see sea lions, dolphins, and, during the right conditions, blue whales. The outing includes live narration from the captain and an onboard naturalist from the San Diego Natural History Museum. It is one of the most time-sensitive choices, so reserve early and keep your schedule open.

Trolley touring and classic San Diego sights

The Old Town Trolley ticket is unusually useful because it covers two consecutive days. You can use the hop-on hop-off service to connect major sights while guides provide local history and trivia along the route.

I would use the trolley early in your stay. It helps you understand how the city’s districts fit together before you commit to more specialized activities. It may also reduce the need to arrange separate transportation between stops, although transportation to and from attractions is generally not included in the pass.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers a two-hour guided walking tour focused on California’s past. The route includes historic landmarks, public squares, preserved Victorian buildings in Heritage Park, and El Campo Santo, one of Southern California’s oldest cemeteries.

The Gaslamp Quarter has its own two-hour ghost walk. It focuses on the district’s old streets and paranormal stories. Choose it for atmosphere and storytelling, not as a substitute for a museum or major sightseeing attraction.

Balboa Park’s museums and gardens

Balboa Park gives you several ways to use the pass without crossing much of the city. The San Diego Natural History Museum covers four floors of fossils, dinosaur bones, animals, and rare books. Admission also includes films shown in its 300-seat theater, including 2D and 3D programs.

The Fleet Science Center is more hands-on, with interactive exhibits and one science-themed IMAX film. It is a practical pick for families or anyone who prefers testing, building, and experimenting over looking at display cases.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum mixes aircraft, science exhibits, hands-on displays, and a 4D air and space film. It pairs well with the Fleet Science Center, though using both on the same day may feel like a lot of indoor time.

The San Diego Museum of Art occupies a Spanish Renaissance-style building and displays works from Spanish and Italian Old Masters, South Asia, 19th and 20th-century America, and other areas. The Museum of Us takes a cultural anthropology approach, examining human experience from different cultural viewpoints.

For a quieter hour, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. Its water and stone features, koi ponds, bonsai collection, and a 1735 bronze kannon bosatsu statue make it a welcome change from large attractions.

The Mingei International Museum focuses on art made for daily use across cultures and time periods. It is housed in the House of Charm, a Mission Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego offers modern and contemporary exhibitions, public programs, and a collection covering art from the 1940s onward. Its La Jolla site is included in the options, and there is also a downtown sister location, though you should confirm exactly which site your pass covers.

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a cheerful surprise even if you do not collect trains. Six permanent exhibitions and rotating displays create a miniature world with plenty of small details to spot.

La Jolla, Coronado, and the coast

The coastal activities are where this pass becomes more than a museum bundle. In La Jolla, Bike and Kayak Tours offers a choice of a 90-minute kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or surfboard rental. You can also choose a full-day snorkel adventure or bike rental.

Coronado’s SUP and Saddle option offers a 90-minute kayak or paddleboard rental, or a full-day bike rental. This is a good way to slow down and see the coast at your own pace. Remember that equipment-based activities often need advance arrangements and may depend on conditions.

The San Diego Speed Boat Adventures option is particularly unusual. You drive a 13-foot boat for up to two people around San Diego Harbor. The controls work much like a car, and the boat uses Coast Guard-approved safety equipment and a quiet 30-horsepower outboard motor.

San Diego H2O Jet Ski Rentals provides 45 minutes on a Yamaha Waverunner. It is a short activity, so it works best as an add-on to a coastal day rather than the main reason to buy a large pass.

At Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, the included activity is a two-hour catch-and-release fishing tour. The experience centers on the pier, the ocean, and the chance to catch fish without keeping them.

The Living Coast Discovery Center focuses on coastal conservation, with animal exhibits near San Diego Bay. Select days also include free nature walks. It is a smaller, focused stop that pairs well with a broader zoo or aquarium visit.

Bikes, GoCar, hiking, and active choices

Unlimited Biking offers a three-hour Gaslamp and Balboa Park bike rental, while its best-of-San Diego eBike tour lasts about two hours and 35 minutes. The guided eBike route begins in the Gaslamp Quarter and continues to San Diego Bay and Balboa Park, with historical commentary along the way.

The rental gives you freedom. The eBike tour gives you structure and context. Choose the rental if you enjoy setting your own pace, and the guided tour if you want someone else to handle the route.

GoCar Tours offers a one-hour open-air kart-style tour in downtown San Diego or Point Loma. A GPS directs you toward major destinations. It is a compact way to see more ground, though one hour leaves little room for long stops.

Mission Trails Regional Park offers one of two two-hour guided hikes, with trails ranging from beginner to intermediate. The park includes rugged canyons and hills, with views toward the city and shore. Wear practical shoes and choose this option only if you want active time, not an easy sightseeing break.

Asylum Outdoor Bouldering has a freestanding 15-foot boulder, with routes and angles for beginners through advanced climbers. It is a specialized choice, but a good one if you want exercise instead of another cultural stop.

At UTC Ice, the pass includes skate rental and one hour on the ice. Skate rental covers children age two and older, and adults up to size 15.

Plunge San Diego offers a full-day pass with seven lap lanes, a separate area, a floating obstacle course, and a basketball hoop. This can be excellent value if you plan to spend much of the day there, but it is not a quick stop to squeeze between museums.

Belmont Park’s Ride and Play Pass includes unlimited rides plus laser tag, sky ropes, mini-golf, a zip line, and a 7D theater. Set beside the beach, it can serve as a full afternoon or evening for families and thrill-seekers.

Practical planning for a smoother visit

Build your choices by area. Group Balboa Park museums together, pair the USS Midway with a harbor cruise, and save La Jolla activities for a coastal day. Use the trolley early, then decide which places deserve a longer visit.

Check opening hours, reservation rules, and the current attraction list in the Go City app. Each attraction is a one-time entry, and some activities may offer paid upgrades at the venue.

Food, drinks, gratuities, parking, and transportation are not included unless specifically stated. The pass is mobile, so keep your phone charged and have the PDF guide available as a backup. If a QR code does not work at first, the attraction may direct you to use the Go City app.

Most people can take part, but mobility matters at large sites. The Zoo requires a lot of walking, and the USS Midway has shipboard spaces that may be challenging for some visitors. If you use a walker or have limited mobility, check directly with each attraction before choosing it.

The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. That makes advance planning important, especially for a birthday trip, anniversary, or itinerary built around whale watching.

Who should buy the pass

I would consider it for a first San Diego visit with at least three substantial attractions already on your list. The best candidates are the Zoo or Safari Park, USS Midway, Old Town Trolley, a harbor cruise, and one water or bike activity.

Families can build a fun mix around the Zoo, Belmont Park, Fleet Science Center, and Plunge. Couples may prefer the Japanese Friendship Garden, harbor cruise, GoCar, whale watching, or a self-drive speedboat. Museum fans can create a full Balboa Park program.

I would skip it if you want only two inexpensive museums, dislike fixed schedules, or have no interest in reservations. I would also avoid buying the largest version until you have checked the current attraction list and mapped the distances.

Should you book the San Diego Explorer Pass?

Book it if you can name three or more included attractions and at least two are major-ticket experiences. The pass is especially useful when you want the Zoo, Midway, trolley, or a boat activity, and the 30-day window gives you breathing room.

Do not buy it on the promise of saving 50 percent alone. Make a short list, check the individual admission prices, confirm reservations, and total the real cost. When your choices add up, this pass can be a smart way to mix San Diego’s big sights with less expected pleasures such as a speedboat, coastal paddle, ghost walk, or miniature railroad museum.

FAQ

How many attractions can I visit with the pass?

You can choose entry to two to seven attractions, tours, or activities from the available options.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days after you visit your first attraction.

How long can I wait before using the pass?

The pass remains valid for one year from the date of purchase before activation.

Is the pass mobile?

Yes. You receive a digital pass and can use it through the Go City app. A PDF guide is also available.

Does the pass include the San Diego Zoo?

Yes. You can choose admission to the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Can I visit both the Zoo and Safari Park with one pass?

The attraction information presents the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park as a choice. Check the Go City app for the current entry rules before planning both.

Is the Old Town Trolley included?

Yes. The pass includes a two-consecutive-day Old Town Trolley ticket.

Do all attractions require reservations?

No, but some activities do require reservations. Check the Go City app and reserve where necessary.

Are food, parking, and transportation included?

Food, drinks, gratuities, parking fees, and transportation to and from attractions are not included unless an attraction specifically states otherwise.

Can I visit an attraction more than once?

No. Each included attraction can be visited only once with the pass.