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Save Big and Play Big: Kids Free San Diego Returns This October

San Diego

Save Big and Play Big: Kids Free San Diego Returns This October

Every October, San Diego transforms into a kid’s dream destination, offering an entire month of family fun and big savings. Thanks to the Kids Free San Diego program, kids 12 and under can enjoy free admission to over 50 museums, historic sites, gardens, and more—with a paid adult ticket. It’s the perfect time to plan your next family adventure, as San Diego offers unbeatable deals on not only museums but also hotels, restaurants, and attractions throughout the city.

How to Start Your Kids Free Adventure

With so many places to explore, it’s easy to dive into the fun! Start by checking out the all-new Kids Free Museum FUN GUIDE, where you can browse through a variety of activities and pick your favorites. Once you’ve made your selections, head over to SanDiego.org to download your coupons and start planning your trip.

What to Expect: Free Admission and More

From learning about marine life at aquariums to stepping back in time at historic sites, Kids Free San Diego offers experiences for every type of young explorer. Not only do kids get to enjoy free admission at these participating locations, but in many cases, the whole family can experience these attractions without spending a dime! Here are just a few of the exciting options available:

  • San Diego Natural History Museum: Explore exhibits on dinosaurs, local wildlife, and much more.
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum: Let your kids’ imaginations soar with incredible aircraft exhibits.
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps: Get up close with marine life at this renowned aquarium.
  • The New Children’s Museum: A creative space designed to inspire and engage young minds.

More Than Just Museums: Free Meals, Stays, and Activities

Beyond museum visits, Kids Free San Diego offers plenty of other ways to save. Kids eat, stay, and play for free at many local restaurants, hotels, and attractions. Whether you're planning a weekend staycation or a full family vacation, the savings add up, giving you the chance to make unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.

Plan Your Trip Today

With so many fun, educational, and free experiences available for kids, October is the perfect time to explore San Diego’s rich culture, history, and attractions. Head to SanDiego.org, download your Kids Free coupons, and get ready for a month packed with adventures!

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Complaints prompt Carlsbad to remove traffic circles City will install all-way stop signs instead of roundabouts at two Kelly Drive intersections A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) By PHIL DIEHL | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune UPDATED: June 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM PDT Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove two traffic circles, or small roundabouts, that residents said were “a failed experiment” installed in 2013 as a pilot project. Homeowners near the traffic circles at two intersections on Kelly Drive said the traffic circles encourage speeding and create a safety hazard for children walking to the nearby Kelly Elementary School. “It is a mess, truly a mess,” said Sheila O’Neill, who volunteers as a crossing guard at the school. “The roundabout nudges cars closer to the crosswalk and kids crossing the street … all-way stops would be great. It would make next year so much better.” Traffic circles are different from roundabouts, although the terms often are used interchangeably. Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas. Roundabouts are larger, sometimes with landscaping, usually have pedestrian crosswalks set back from the intersection, and are installed on busier streets and thoroughfares. Carlsbad approved the interim traffic circles for two intersections on Kelly Drive — at each side of Kelly Elementary School — one at Park Drive and the other at Hillside Drive. Each one is essentially a circle of small ceramic bumps or domes on the asphalt at the center of the intersection for vehicles to drive around. The bumps are small enough that cars can drive over without damage. “This was a well-intentioned experiment, but it’s time to acknowledge its failure,” said Steve Linke, a resident and former member of the city’s Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission. Council members agreed with the speakers. One of the options presented to the council was to proceed with a final design, environmental studies and permits for roundabouts to replace the Kelly Drive traffic circles. Instead, the council voted to remove the traffic circles, resurface the roadway with a slurry seal, and install all-way stop signs. Also, the council directed city staffers to consider the costs and benefits of other possible improvements such as bike lanes, crosswalks and curb ramps, and bring that information back at a future meeting. “It’s a good opportunity to step back, catch our breath and listen to what our residents are saying,” said Councilmember Keven Shin. “I feel like an all-way stop would create a lot of safety for the kids.” Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, shown at right, where underground pipeline work continue in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, at right, where underground pipeline work is underway in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Earlier this year, the City Council hit the brakes on the long-planned installation of a roundabout to replace the traffic signals at the beachfront intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. That project also faced widespread community opposition. And the council has said that sometime soon it will reconsider a still unbuilt roundabout that it approved in 2023 for the intersection of Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. Roundabouts and traffic circles are elements of a “complete streets” program that Carlsbad has been working on for several years. The program’s goal is to prioritize safety for everyone on the roads, whether they are driving, walking or biking. In March the City Council approved five traffic circles to be installed at intersections in the older downtown Barrio neighborhood starting in 2026. Barrio residents generally supported the installations because they are expected to help control traffic and reduce speeding. The city obtained about $4 million in federal funding for the Barrio traffic circles. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM PDT

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