San Diego runs on a lot of small decisions. The CityPASS cuts those down. This 9-day ticket bundle lets you hit several of the city’s biggest attractions in any order, using instant mobile tickets you scan at each stop. It’s built for people who want to spend more time moving around and less time spreadsheet-ing.

I especially like two things. First, the pass lets you stretch visits over 9 consecutive days, so you’re not forced into a frantic park-hopping sprint. Second, the mix is smart: you get the big “headline” attractions plus a couple that are calmer and easier to enjoy at your own pace.

One drawback to plan for: the base bundle is non-refundable, so you’ll want a realistic sense of your dates and how many attractions you truly want before you buy.

CityPASS at a Glance: The Stuff That Actually Matters

• 9 consecutive days means you start on day one and then keep going for the next nine calendar days, with your first scan setting the clock.
• Mobile tickets on your phone: you present the CityPASS mobile ticket for scanning at each attraction.
• No limit per day: you can stack as much as you want, or keep it light—either way the pass supports it.
• You get a major “wow” stop with the USS Midway Museum 3D holographic movie in the Battle of Midway Theater.
• Your Zoo choice is flexible: San Diego Zoo or Safari Park (choose one), and each comes with its own included tram or guided transport.
• The app is part of the experience: use my.citypass.com to view details and reservations if required.

How the 9-Day CityPASS Works With Mobile Tickets

Here’s the core idea: you buy CityPASS for San Diego, then you use it like a key for multiple venues. Your ticket is valid for 9 consecutive days, counting the first day you visit an attraction. That sounds obvious, but it’s the key to planning. If you start early in your trip, you can pace everything. If you start late, you’ll feel rushed on the back end.

What makes this smoother than buying separate tickets one by one is the “one ticket, many scans” system. At each attraction, you present your CityPASS mobile ticket and it gets scanned for entry. No hunting for printouts. No losing a paper voucher in a daypack. Just keep your phone charged and you’re good.

Also, you can visit in any order. That matters because San Diego has a few clustering zones (downtown/waterfront, Mission area, Zoo/Safari region, theme-park area). The pass doesn’t force you to follow a strict route, so you can build days around your energy level, not a predetermined script.

Price and Value: When $178 Feels Like a Win

CityPASS is listed at $178 per person (with availability depending on starting times). The headline claim is saving up to 44% versus buying certain attractions individually. You shouldn’t expect the full max savings unless you use multiple included options at the right mix, but the structure still tends to favor people who want several “top-tier” stops.

The value equation is simple:

• You’re not just buying one attraction. You’re stacking multiple major ones across days.
• Several included stops are full admissions (not just partial experiences).
• You also pick a Zoo option (Zoo or Safari Park), plus you can add big sightseeing and museum time.

Food and drinks aren’t included, and that’s normal. But you can still control your budget by mixing paid time (theme parks) with lower-cost meals and snack breaks. If you’re the kind of traveler who already plans to see Zoo, Midway, and at least one waterfront or aquarium option, CityPASS tends to feel like the easier purchase.

One more practical note: the activity is non-refundable, so I suggest you check your schedule twice, especially if you’re traveling with kids or building in weather flexibility.

Choosing Your Zoo Day: San Diego Zoo vs Safari Park

The CityPASS includes one-time admission to one of these: San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. That choice drives the “vibe” of your trip day, because the included transport and show access are different.

San Diego Zoo (1-Day Pass)

If you choose the Zoo, your pass includes:

• Admission plus unlimited use of the Guided Bus Tour
• Kangaroo Bus
• Skyfari Aerial Tram
• All regularly scheduled shows and exhibits (special ticketed events are excluded)

This option is ideal if you want a packed mix of animals, exhibits, and transport that can reduce walking time. The Skyfari Aerial Tram and bus components are especially useful if you want scenic views without grinding your legs all day.

Safari Park (1-Day Pass)

If you choose Safari Park, your pass includes:

• Admission plus unlimited rides on the Africa Tram
• All regularly scheduled shows and exhibits (parking and special ticketed events are excluded)

Safari Park tends to feel more open and scenic, and the Africa Tram is a big part of making the day feel manageable. If you want big landscapes and a tram-based approach, Safari Park fits well.

Quick decision tip: if you like the idea of aerial views plus guided bus access, pick the Zoo. If you prefer tram rides as the main transport theme, pick Safari Park.

USS Midway Museum: The 3D Holographic Battle of Midway

This is one of the stops I’d circle first. The USS Midway Museum included admission comes with the Battle of Midway Theater and its 3D holographic movie, plus access to the audio tour in six languages.

Why this matters: it’s not just looking at ships. It’s a story-forward way to connect the museum to real events, and the 3D experience is the kind of thing that keeps attention when you’re inside for longer than planned.

The museum includes a self-guided audio tour as part of the general admission package. So you’re not locked into a group schedule. You can move at your pace, then return to the movie theater when it fits your day.

Practical tip: plan to give yourself enough time here. This is the kind of attraction where “one quick pass” can turn into a longer visit because there’s a lot to notice.

SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California: Two Very Different Days

CityPASS may include SeaWorld San Diego and/or LEGOLAND California, depending on the option you select. Either way, you’re covered for a single-day entry ticket for each included park.

SeaWorld San Diego

If SeaWorld is in your bundle, you’ll get a SeaWorld San Diego Single Day Ticket. This tends to pair well with calmer attractions because it’s a full-day magnet. Think of it as the day where you’ll want to commit to rides/shows and spend time moving between areas.

LEGOLAND California

If you pick LEGOLAND California, you get 1-Day Admission to the park. This is a great family choice, and it can be easier to structure around shorter stops than a “wander all day” adult-only museum day.

How to choose between them (or why take both):

• If you want one big theme-park day, choose the park that matches your group’s interests.
• If your trip has kids, or you just like theme parks, taking both can make your 9 days feel productive without feeling like you’re squeezing.

A small caution: theme parks are often the most time-sensitive parts of a trip. You’re allowed to visit in any order, but don’t leave everything important for the last day unless you’re okay with cutting corners.

City Cruises Best of the Bay: Views Without the Stress

CityPASS includes City Cruises: Best of the Bay Tour. It includes 50 local landmarks and covers over 20 miles of sights.

This is a valuable inclusion because it gives you a “big San Diego” perspective. You’re seeing the bay and coastline from the water, which tends to feel like a reset button after walking around museums or theme parks.

Also, the tour is listed as including 50 landmarks. That’s a good signal that you’re not just doing a scenic float. There should be plenty of commentary and points of interest to keep the time moving.

If you’re planning a day around the waterfront, this is a great anchor. It can also break up your schedule if you’ve had a heavy day and want something that doesn’t require a ton of stamina.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps: A Relaxed Day With Marine Science

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is included as general admission.

This is one of those attractions that works for a wide age range. It’s a good choice if you want something structured, but not the kind of full-throttle theme-park energy. Aquariums also tend to be easy to fit into almost any day because you can control how long you stay and when you take breaks.

For families, it’s often easier to keep everyone happy here than in venues that require long lines or nonstop motion. For adults, it’s still a great stop if you like hands-on or exhibit-based learning without feeling like you need “tour stamina.”

Old Town Trolley Tours: Unlimited Reboarding for 1 Day

Old Town Trolley Tours is included with 1 day of unlimited reboarding with 11 Hop-on, Hop-off stops.

Here’s the practical value: trolley days help you get oriented. Even if you don’t hop off at every stop, the route gives you a sense of where things are in relation to each other. Then you can come back to the spots you like on a different day.

A detail that matters: it’s unlimited reboarding on the included day, so you can treat it like flexible transport. One ride might not be enough if you decide halfway through that you want to see more.

If you’re the type who usually walks a lot, this is still worth it because it saves time and keeps you from zig-zagging across town with no plan.

Maritime Museum of San Diego: Self-Guided and Low Pressure

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is included with general admission (self-guided).

This is a nice contrast to attractions with set show times. You can come in, wander, and focus on what grabs you. Self-guided tends to be easier for mixed groups because everyone can find their own pace.

If you already plan a waterfront day, this is an easy add-on that fits naturally into the same general area. It also gives you variety—ships and seafaring stories are different from the animal or theme-park categories.

Building Your Own 9-Day Rhythm (Without Overplanning)

CityPASS lets you space visits across 9 days, so I recommend you build your trip around “anchors” rather than a rigid checklist. Here’s a practical approach that keeps the experience fun:

A simple pacing model

• 1 day for a theme park (SeaWorld or LEGOLAND, or both if your schedule allows)
• 1 day for Zoo OR Safari Park
• 1 day for USS Midway Museum
• 1 half day to a day for water (City Cruises plus a nearby museum stop)
• 1 day for aquarium + trolley-style sightseeing
• Use any extra days for rest, repeat favorites, and the attractions you naturally want to revisit

That model works because the included attractions are varied: animals, ships, a cruise, and waterline scenery. The pass won’t feel repetitive if you mix categories. It also reduces the risk of feeling stuck in one “mode” all week.

One more reality check: if you have a longer trip, you may feel like you want more time at certain stops. The fix is simple—leave one flexible day where you don’t schedule a tight chain of big-ticket attractions back-to-back.

Who CityPASS Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

CityPASS is a smart fit if you want:

• Multiple top San Diego attractions
• A flexible schedule across 9 consecutive days
• An easy phone-based entry system
• Savings that come from bundling major admissions together

It may not be ideal if:

• You only want to visit one or two attractions total
• You’re uncertain about your travel dates (since it’s non-refundable)
• Your group prefers to deeply explore just one area of town rather than see multiple highlights

If you’re traveling with kids, the mix is especially strong: theme parks, Zoo/Safari, aquarium, and a ship museum give you multiple “everyone wins” options. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, the tradeoff is still good—you get major landmarks, museums, and scenic sightseeing without needing to buy a stack of separate tickets.

Should You Book San Diego CityPASS®?

Yes—if you’re planning to see several big-name attractions and you want a low-stress way to pay for them up front. The 9-day validity, the mobile scanning, and the strong lineup (USS Midway with the 3D movie, Zoo/Safari with tram or bus inclusions, aquarium, trolley reboarding, and water-focused sightseeing) make it feel built for real itineraries, not just a bundle on paper.

If you only want a single theme park or a single museum day, you might do better buying individual tickets. But if your goal is a varied San Diego week across land and water, CityPASS is one of the easiest ways to make that happen.

FAQ

How long is San Diego CityPASS® valid?

It’s valid for 9 consecutive days, starting with and including the first day you visit an attraction.

Can I visit attractions in any order?

Yes. The CityPASS is usable in any order, and you can visit the attractions at your own pace.

Do I need to make reservations?

You should check my.citypass.com in case reservations are required for specific attractions. If a reservation is required, you’ll see it there.

What do I show to get into each attraction?

You present your CityPASS mobile ticket for scanning at each attraction.

What’s included in the ticket?

You get San Diego CityPASS plus entry to selected theme parks (SeaWorld and/or LEGOLAND, if you chose those options) and one-time admission to 3 other attractions from the included set.

Is there a limit on how many attractions I can visit per day?

No. There’s no limit to how many attractions you can visit in a day during the validity period.