San Diego is full of theme parks, museums, tours, and water sports to take advantage of. Choosing the right multi-attraction pass can make a huge difference in your sightseeing experience by adding convenience and saving money.
Most of the time, it comes down to comparing San Diego CityPASS vs. Go City San Diego. I will show you how these options differ and help you choose the best one for your itinerary and budget. Here’s a high-level summary:
- Choose CityPASS if you want to visit SeaWorld San Diego and/or LEGOLAND California and at least two more of its included attractions. If you are not visiting one or both of these theme parks, I’ll share why you should instead focus on Go City.
- Choose Go City if you want more variety, flexibility, or access to both the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I think this pass offers great value especially if you plan to bounce between Balboa Park museums.
It’s very much worth going through each pass’s features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you plan a fun-filled trip whether you’re heading to San Diego with family or exploring my vibrant city solo. We also have discounts on both passes.
Overview of Each San Diego Sightseeing Pass
I always tell people that some number crunching is really the only way to know for sure how much you’ll save.
Number Crunching Tips
San Diego CityPASS Features & Benefits
San Diego CityPASS offers three simple packages:
What are the three attractions? Well, you can choose three from this list:
You also don’t need to decide which extra three attractions you’ll visit at the time of purchase.
I do think that you need to visit one of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance parks to make these passes cost-effective.
The key benefit is the savings, reaching up to 42%. The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, which I can say covers the length of most San Diego vacations our clients take. It’s nice that it doesn’t have to be used on consecutive days, either.
This pass is ideal for visitors who want to see specific attractions without being constrained by the need to use it across a set number of consecutive days.
See also: My full CityPASS San Diego review.
Go City San Diego Pass Features & Benefits
The Go City San Diego Pass (formerly known as the Go San Diego Card) offers two flexible types of passes:
- All-Inclusive Pass: Visit over 55 attractions within a timeframe of 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. You can visit as many attractions as you like as long as they’re included.
- Explorer Pass: Choose 2, 3, 5, or 7 attractions to visit across 60 days.
Either arrangement offers a fantastic variety for those who love diverse experiences. They are especially worth considering if you visit Balboa Park Museums, where admission can add up quickly.
I like the Explorer Pass option for locals who want to accompany out-of-town guests to attractions but don’t want to invest in annual passes.
This pass also boasts a potential savings of up to 50%, along with a risk-free guarantee which allows refunds for any unused passes. There’s a 30-day cancellation window if the passes haven’t been activated.
See also: My full Go City San Diego pass review.
Comparing San Diego CityPASS vs. Go City San Diego Pass
When choosing between the San Diego CityPASS and Go City San Diego Pass, it’s essential to consider several factors:
- Attraction Coverage
- Flexibility
- Potential Savings
The audience for each pass also differs, influencing which option offers the best value.
Attraction Coverage
San Diego CityPASS offers access to popular spots SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. It allows entry to three additional attractions from a limited list, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize major landmarks.
Go City San Diego Pass provides a broader selection, featuring over 55 attractions, including theme parks, museums, outdoor adventures, and tours. This pass is ideal for travelers seeking a mix of well-known sites and smaller, unique experiences.
Many Go City San Diego users skip the theme parks entirely because of the sheer variety of other attractions included, from harbor cruises to bike rentals and Balboa Park museums.
How SeaWorld and LEGOLAND Influence Your Choice
Flexibility
CityPASS is valid for nine days from the first use, allowing some scheduling flexibility within that period. It’s popular for shorter trips because only a handful of attractions are included.
Go City San Diego Pass flexibility depends on the pass chosen. The All-Inclusive must be used on consecutive days and the Explorer permits visits over a longer time frame without needing consecutive days. Th Explorer Pass flexibility can be advantageous for travelers with varied schedules.
Savings Potential
What you actually save depends on where you buy your sightseeing pass and what kind of sales and promo codes are on offer. You will have to crunch some numbers.
San Diego CityPASS saves the most if you only go to LEGOLAND California, one of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Parks, USS Midway Museum, and one other included spot. The estimated savings is up to 42% if you fully utilize the three options outside of the theme parks.
San Diego CityPASS – Exclusive Discount!
Use promo code WINTER to apply an extra $5 off San Diego CityPASS sightseeing passes when you buy through our ticket site! Compare to direct pricing.
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
Go City San Diego savings can be a little more difficult to calculate since there are so many included attractions. You’ll want to be sure that you’re visiting a few high-value attractions, and savings are estimated at up to 55%.
Go City San Diego – Exclusive Discount!
Use promo code GOSDO5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go San Diego sightseeing passes when you buy through Go City! This discount stacks on top of sale rates!
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
Ease Of Use
San Diego CityPASS is straightforward, as tickets are accessible digitally, making it easy to enter major sites.
Go City San Diego Pass also features user-friendly digital tickets via their app, which provides details on included attractions and planning tools.
You’ll Need Reservations
Target Audience
San Diego CityPASS is best for those focused SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and either the Zoo or Safari Park (not both).
Go City San Diego Pass appeals to tourists who want a versatile experience, blending iconic spots with lesser-known attractions. It’s perfect for travelers who want more variety and the freedom to explore different aspects of San Diego.
Comparison Chart for San Diego CityPASS and Go City San Diego Pass
| Aspect | San Diego CityPASS | Go City San Diego Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Attraction Coverage | Three pass options: | Two pass options: |
| 1. SeaWorld San Diego + 3 attractions | 1. All-Inclusive Pass: 55+ attractions for 1–7 consecutive days. | |
| 2. LEGOLAND California + 3 attractions | 2. Explorer Pass: Choose 2–7 attractions, valid for 60 days. | |
| 3. SeaWorld San Diego + LEGOLAND California + 3 attractions | Offers a wider variety, including theme parks, museums, outdoor activities, and tours. | |
| The three attractions could be: San Diego Zoo OR Safari Park, USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium, City Cruises and Maritime Museum of San Diego. | Includes major attractions like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, USS Midway, plus unique options like water sports, bike rentals, and guided tours. | |
| Flexibility | Must choose the theme park at the purchase date. You can decide later on the other three attractions. | All-Inclusive Pass: Attractions must be visited on consecutive days. |
| Valid for 9 consecutive days from the first activation. | Explorer Pass: Valid for 60 days, allowing spaced-out visits. | |
| You can visit included attractions one time. | You can visit included attractions one time. | |
| Savings Potential | Save up to 42% on bundled attractions. | Save up to 55% on admissions with strategic planning. |
| Example: A family of four can save $375 (38%) when visiting LEGOLAND California, the Zoo, and two other attractions. | It can be overwhelming for travelers with short trips or narrow itineraries. | |
| Attraction List Size | 9 attraction options (choose 3 in addition to the main theme parks). | 55+ attractions with All-Inclusive Pass. |
| Explorer Pass is more selective, focusing on smaller curated lists. | ||
| Ease of Use | Mobile and printable tickets available. | Mobile tickets available via the Go City app. Can print the QR code as well. |
| Requires upfront theme park attraction selection. | Flexibility to decide attractions later. | |
| Target Audience | Families focused on iconic attractions like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, and the Zoo. | Travelers seeking variety, including museums, outdoor activities, and unique experiences like whale watching or paddleboarding. |
| Visitors staying in San Diego for 4–5 days who want flexibility without visiting too many locations. | Power sightseers or long-term visitors who want to explore San Diego comprehensively. | |
| Additional Perks | Can upgrade experiences (e.g., USS Midway VR simulators or Maritime Museum narrated cruises) and it includes skip-the-line privileges and instant digital delivery. | Includes skip-the-line privileges, instant digital delivery, and a risk-free refund policy for unused passes. Can also upgrade experiences. |
| Limitations | Requires main attraction selection at purchase date, limiting spontaneity. | All-Inclusive Pass is valid for a set number of days after first use, making it less flexible for multi-day sightseeing breaks. |
Pros and Cons of Each San Diego Attractions Pass
Choosing between the San Diego CityPASS and Go City San Diego Pass depends on what you want to see and do in San Diego.
Each pass offers distinct benefits, so it’s key to match them to your travel style and interests.
San Diego CityPASS
- Pros:
- The San Diego CityPASS is super easy to use, especially for visiting top family attractions like SeaWorld and LEGOLAND. It’s perfect for travelers with limited time.
- The pass is valid for nine days, giving you ample time to enjoy each location without feeling rushed. This can be a relief for families who want a relaxed vacation.
- Cons:
- The downside of CityPASS is its limited selection. If you’re going to visit the Balboa Park museums, you may have to buy a Balboa Park Explorer Pass or pay a la carte, and this cost might mean Go City All-Inclusive could be cheaper.
- It’s not the best option if you’re planning a more diverse sightseeing experience. In particular, it might not satisfy those looking to discover hidden gems beyond the main tourist spots.
- It does not include both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
- Go City Explorer could be better if you need to see a short list of attractions because it has a longer use window.
Go City San Diego
- Pros:
- Go City San Diego shines with its extensive list of multiple attractions. It offers flexible options like the Explorer Pass, allowing you to choose the number of attractions to visit over 60 days.
- This flexibility makes it great for active sightseers and local residents who want to explore at their own pace, enjoying discounts without limitations on spontaneity throughout the summer.
- It includes both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park as well as a Belmont Park Ride and Play Pass, Fleet Science Center, and so much more.
- Cons:
- With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to calculate its value. Planning is essential to maximize value, which could be a bit daunting if you’re not keen on creating a detailed itinerary.
- LEGOLAND and SeaWorld are only included on the All-Inclusive pass.
When to Choose San Diego CityPASS?
- You are visiting SeaWorld and/or LEGOLAND plus at least two of its three other included attractions.
- You can see everything within nine days.
- You’ve crunched the numbers and decided this San Diego tourist pass is cheaper than Go City or buying individual discounted tickets.
When to Choose Go City San Diego Pass?
- You are an active sightseer who doesn’t want to visit theme parks.
- You want to focus on museums or visit multiple Balboa Park museums.
- You want to visit both San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
- You want to mix in some water sports or tours with major theme parks and museums.
- You want to be able to use the pass across nearly two months (Explorer Pass)
- You’re also going to Knott’s Berry Farm (in Orange County — this is included)
Tips for Maximizing Each Pass
Strategize Your Visits
To save both time and money, plan your activities in advance. Use the passes on consecutive days to take full advantage of attractions.
I recommend starting early to beat the crowds and maximize your time at each location.
Family Travelers
When crunching numbers, pay attention to the age at which kids need tickets. For example, all kids ages 2+ need a LEGOLAND California ticket (ages 0-1 are free). A child’s ticket at San Diego Zoo is for ages 3-11 and ages 0-2 are free.
Solo Adventurers
Traveling alone? You may want to opt for the Go City San Diego Explorer Pass for flexibility. It allows you to enjoy a mix of attractions at your own pace.
Luxury Travelers
Luxury travelers absolutely buy both passes. Even if you’re planning on, for example, splurging on a VIP tour at San Diego Zoo, you still have to buy a separate admission. Both of these passes provide admission.
Notes on Public Transportation
San Diego’s transit system can be a great way to navigate between attractions without the hassle of parking, but while inexpensive, it is limited. Having the Old Town Trolley included on both passes helps you get around, but it’s only for one day.
Make the Most of Your Pass as a Local
These passes aren’t just for tourists—they’re a fantastic option for San Diego residents, too. Whether you’re hosting family and friends or looking to keep the kids entertained during summer break, passes like the Go City Explorer can save you money without committing to annual memberships.
With a long validity period, they’re great for spreading out visits to attractions you might not typically explore.
Conclusion & Where to Buy
Choosing between San Diego CityPASS vs Go City San Diego Pass depends on your itinerary and how long your San Diego vacation is. CityPASS is great for SeaWorld and LEGOLAND fans. Go City offers flexibility with Explorer and All-Inclusive options for more variety.
San Diego CityPASS – Exclusive Discount!
Use promo code WINTER to apply an extra $5 off San Diego CityPASS sightseeing passes when you buy through our ticket site! Compare to direct pricing.
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
Go City San Diego – Exclusive Discount!
Use promo code GOSDO5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go San Diego sightseeing passes when you buy through Go City! This discount stacks on top of sale rates!
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
