Should I buy a Go City San Diego pass or individual attraction tickets?

So, you’re planning a trip to San Diego – cue visions of sunny beaches, fish tacos and maybe a sea lion selfie or two. Whether it’s your first visit or you know Balboa Park like the back of your hand, you’ve probably got a list of must-sees and you’re wondering how to see them all without breaking the bank. 

We’ll look at the pros and cons of both options – but spoiler alert: unless you’re planning to spend the whole trip napping on Mission Beach and befriending the lifeguards, a pass like Go City San Diego is almost always the better deal. Here’s why… 

First up – what is a sightseeing pass? 

Sightseeing passes – like Go City San Diego – are all-in-one digital tickets that give you access to loads of a city’s best attractions for one upfront price. Instead of paying at each venue (and digging around for exact change), you just scan your pass and walk right in. 

Think of it as an access-all-areas wristband to San Diego – but with more aquariums and fewer mosh pits. 

The pros of using a pass 

One price, no surprises 

San Diego is full of surprises – hey, pelicans photobombing your beach shots – but your travel budget shouldn’t be one of them. With Go City San Diego, you pay one upfront price that covers dozens of attractions. No “Wait, the San Diego Zoo costs how much?!” moments mid-itinerary. 

Everything you need in one app 

Forget printouts and juggling a dozen booking confirmations. The pass lives in one handy app – just scan and go. You can also check opening hours, see maps and make reservations where needed. It’s like having a personal San Diego guide in your pocket, cute right? 

Big savings (without skipping the good stuff) 

San Diego’s top attractions can add up fast – we’re talking the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND® California, USS Midway Museum, SeaWorld®, harbour cruises, and more. With the pass you bundle them into one deal, and the more you see, the more you save. 

Total flexibility

Not sure whether you’ll be in thrill ride mode or museum and margaritas mode on day three? No problem. With a Go City San Diego pass, you can decide on the day. Buy early, lock in the price and it only activates when you use it for the first time – perfect if you’re waiting to see if that California sunshine shows up. 

(Heads-up: some attractions do need advance booking – but the app makes it quick and easy to sort and manage any reservations.) 

Hidden gems included 

Sure, you’ll hit the big ones – hello, Knott’s Berry Farm – but the pass also includes unique finds you might not have spotted otherwise, like kayaking in La Jolla, a guided Old Town walking tour, or the Fleet Science Center. You might just discover your new favourite San Diego story to tell. 

Perks and extras 

Sometimes the pass comes with sweet extras – think skip-the-line entry, discounts at shops and restaurants, and themed tours you wouldn’t have discovered on your own. More experiences, less admin. 

The pros of individual tickets 

Okay, to be fair, buying tickets one-by-one can work for some travelers – especially if you’re only visiting one or two attractions or your main goal is to soak up the sunshine with zero agenda. 

You only pay for what you use 

No upfront cost, no feeling like you have to fit in “just one more attraction” to get your money’s worth. 

Total spontaneity 

If your perfect trip is wandering the Gaslamp Quarter, stopping for street music and only deciding to visit the USS Midway when you’re standing outside, individual tickets do keep things wide open. 

BUT… 

That freedom can cost you. San Diego’s top attractions aren’t cheap – and once you start adding them up, it’s easy to spend way more than the cost of a pass. Plus, you’ll miss out on the extras like shop discounts, skip-the-line access and those cool tours you didn’t know existed. 

Let’s compare… 
 

Feature	Go City San Diego passes	Individual tickets
Upfront cost	✔ Paid in advance, easier to budget	✖ Pay per attraction, adds up fast
Total savings	✔ The more you see, the more you save	✖ No guaranteed savings
Convenience	✔ One app, one QR code, done	✖ Booking and managing multiple tickets separately
Extra perks	✔ Skip-the-line access, shop discounts, food offers, free guides	✖ None – you get what you pay for
Food & drink deals	✔ Includes some options and offers	✖ Not included
Hidden gems	✔ Curated line-up by local experts	✔They’re out there, you’ll just need to do some more research
Flexibility	✔ Visit what you want, when you want	✔ Freedom to pick day-by-day
Risk of overspending	✔ No nasty surprises	✖ Hard to track daily spend

How much are you actually saving? 

Here’s an example of what a 2-day San Diego itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

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%.* 

And remember – the pass also gives you the app, the extras and the peace of mind that you won’t need to buy another expensive ticket on the spot. 

Final verdict: should you go for the pass? 

We say yes. If you’re in San Diego to see the big attractions, mix in a few hidden gems and get the most out of your time, the Go City San Diego pass makes it easier and cheaper to do it all. 

Instead of juggling tickets, comparing prices or second-guessing your plans, just get the pass, scan your phone and feel like a SoCal sightseeing pro from the moment you arrive. 

And hey – with the money you save, you can treat yourself to an extra round of fish tacos or that ridiculous ice cream sandwich you saw on Instagram. You earned it. 

Enjoyed this?  

Check out our complete guide to using  Go City San Diego passes 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!   

*All prices accurate at the time of writing (13th August 2025)