Planning a trip to sunny San Diego? Get ready for beaches, boats and bucket-list attractions – from the world-famous San Diego Zoo to museums, aquariums, tours and more. But before you start booking tickets left, right and surfboard, let us introduce your ultimate sidekick: Go City San Diego.
With three flexible pass types and access to over 45 attractions and experiences, our handy sightseeing pass lets you explore more while spending less. Whether you’re a planner, a freestyler, a theme park lover or a beach bum, there’s a pass for you.
Here’s how it works, what’s included and how to get the best value from your San Diego getaway.
How do Go City San Diego passes work?
Go City offers three different pass types to suit your sightseeing style:
All-Inclusive Pass Plus
- Choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7-day pass
- Great if you’re looking to do a lot of sightseeing and hit all the zoos and theme parks the feet can handle!
- Pick this for the complete San Diego experience - visit as much as you wish from the full attraction lineup.
All-Inclusive Pass
- Choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day pass
- Great if you want to do a lot of sightseeing but aren’t interested in doing the top theme parks and zoos.
- Pick this to see as much as you'd like from a more select lineup.
Essentials Pass
- Visit three attractions of your choice, including one from the list of top zoos and theme parks.
- You’ll have 30 days to visit all your choices, so this is ideal for a more relaxed trip.
- Pick this if you know exactly what you want to see and only want to visit three attractions.
All three pass types are 100% digital, live in our handy app and promise big savings compared to buying individual entry tickets for everything.
Is there a limit on Go City San Diego passes?
Here’s the scoop:
All-Inclusive Plus passes have no limit on how many different attractions you can visit per day and they're valid for however many consecutive calendar days you purchase.
All-Inclusive passes work just like our ‘plus’ option, but they don’t include access to five of the big hitters: San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld® San Diego, LEGOLAND® California (San Diego), Knott's Berry Farm, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Essentials passes enable you to visit three attractions within a 30-day period; one from the ‘top five’ (San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld® San Diego, LEGOLAND® California (San Diego), Knott's Berry Farm and San Diego Zoo Safari Park) and two more from our top 12 attraction list.
So whether you’re racing from roller coasters to aquariums or just ticking off a few essentials over a long weekend, there’s a pass to suit your pace and your preferences.
Still not sure which type to go for?
If you want to do a LOT in a few days? Go for the All-Inclusive Pass or the All-Inclusive Pass Plus (if you want the big five).
If you only want to hit your top 3? The Essentials Pass gives you that, with more time and flexibility to visit at a more laid-back pace.
Buying and activating your pass
Buy online – get your pass from the official Go City website or app for the best prices and top-notch customer support.
Download the Go City app – your pass lives here! Use the link from your confirmation email to add it to the app. You’ll also find any attraction info, opening hours, maps and booking links you’ll need.
Activate it when you’re ready –
- All-Inclusive passes activate when scanned at your first attraction and are valid for the number of consecutive calendar days you purchased.
- Essentials passes activate the same way but give you 30 days to use your 3 choices.
Using your pass on the day
It’s simple: show your pass at the entrance, get scanned and go enjoy yourself, stress-free.
Goodbye, digging around for printed tickets or scrolling desperately for email confirmations!
Top tip: save your favorites ahead of time in the app for smooth sightseeing on the go.
What’s included with Go City San Diego passes?
With over 45 attractions, tours and experiences to choose from, there’s something for every sun-chaser, thrill-seeker and history buff.
Here are just a few highlights:
Wildlife & marine life – meet over 12,000 animals at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, dive into splashy shows and thrilling rides at SeaWorld San Diego, and get up close with coral reefs, jellyfish and sea dragons at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
Water & outdoor adventures – take in the stunning skyline on a 90-minute Harbor Tour, paddle along the La Jolla coast with a Kayak Rental or explore the area on two wheels with a Bike Rental.
Culture, history & heritage – step aboard an aircraft carrier at the USS Midway Museum, admire masterpieces from across the globe at the San Diego Museum of Art or experience an exhilarating visit to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
With so much included, you can mix up your plans, see more, and still save as you go. Just remember to check which attractions are included with your pass type before you set off.
Is Go City San Diego worth it?
Short answer, yes absolutely.
Slightly longer answer, yes, because… prices for top attractions like the zoo and SeaWorld can run upwards of $70–$100 individually, so it doesn’t take long for the pass to pay for itself.
Let’s say you get a 2-day All-Inclusive Pass Plus and visit:
Day 1
San Diego Zoo ($76)
1-Hour Harbor Cruise ($35)
Day 2
SeaWorld San Diego ($99.99)
Birch Aquarium at Scripps ($39.95)
Plus, hop on and off the Old Town Trolley for both days ($98.00)
That’s $348.94 worth of tickets, on a $199 pass. That’s some seriously sunny savings of $149.94 or around 43%!*
*prices accurate as of 6th August 2025
What’s the main advantage of Go City San Diego passes?
Besides those serious savings? Flexibility and freedom.
Choose your pass type based on how YOU like to travel
See what you want, when you want – without buying individual tickets
Get instant mobile entry to dozens of top spots
Discover new experiences you might’ve skipped if paying separately
Tips & tricks for making the most of your pass
1. Map your day
Use the Go City app to plan your stops by neighborhood. Don’t zigzag unless you love traffic.
2. Start early
Especially with the All-Inclusive Pass types. The more you see, the more you save.
3. Check bookings
A few activities need advance reservations, all the info you’ll need is in the app.
4. Mix it up
Theme park one day, harbor cruise the next. Variety is the spice of your San Diego trip.
5. Stay hydrated
This is Southern California, after all.
Reservations required? No problem!
Some top San Diego attractions require reservations – but don’t worry, booking is easy via the Go City app and all the information you’ll need is in there.
We’re kind of popular, but don’t just take our word for it…
Reviews left on the Go City Trustpilot page in summer 2025.
The bottom line
Go City San Diego is the smartest way to explore one of America’s sunniest cities. Whether you’re diving into marine life, chasing thrills at theme parks or cruising the bay, your pass gives you access to it all – for a much better price.
So pick your pass, pack your sunscreen and get ready for some West Coast wow-factor.
Enjoyed this?
Check out our guide to quirky things to do in San Diego or get help picking between San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Step up your sightseeing with Go City® San Diego. We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings compared to buying individual attraction tickets.
See more, do more, and experience more with a Go City® San Diego Pass – just choose a pass to get started!
