San Diego Museum Month (February 2026)

San Diego Museum Month is an annual February promotion coordinated by the San Diego Museum Council in partnership with San Diego County Library and other regional organizations. 

The program offers 50% off admission at more than 70 museums and cultural attractions throughout San Diego County and select venues in nearby Tijuana. It represents one of the largest museum discount programs on the West Coast and has become a February tradition for families, tourists, and culture enthusiasts across the region.

The concept is straightforward: one free pass, valid the entire month of February, gives half price admission for up to four people at each participating site.

Museum Month particularly appeals to families with kids who want educational programs without breaking the bank, out-of-town visitors looking to pack as many experiences as possible into their trips, retirees with flexible schedules who can visit on quieter weekdays, and San Diego residents who’ve been curious about local institutions but never quite made it through the door.

Think of it as a way to democratize access to arts and culture.

 

How the Museum Month Pass Works

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The Museum Month pass is free, easy to obtain, and designed for both residents and visitors. No San Diego residency is required to participate—anyone can pick up a printed pass at a library or register for a digital pass online during February.

Each pass remains valid for the entire month of February and can be used at multiple different participating museums, though typically only once per museum per day. The flexibility allows for strategic planning across multiple weekends or even an intensive museum-hopping vacation week.

The four-person limit covers any combination of adults and children, up to four total guests receiving the museum month discount when using the same pass. Infants or toddlers who already enter free under normal museum policy generally don’t count against the four discounted admissions. For larger groups, school field trips, or organized group visits, contact museums directly about their group policies rather than relying on Museum Month passes.

The 50% discount applies to full-price general admission only. Important exclusions include:

• Special exhibitions with separate ticketing
• IMAX, Giant Screen, or planetarium films
• California Tower tours and similar premium guided experiences
• Evening guided tours and paranormal events
• Specially ticketed events like galas or members-only previews
• Classes, workshops, and educational programs with separate fees
• Other special events beyond regular museum entry

 

How to Get and Use Your Museum Month Pass

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There are two main ways to obtain a Museum Month pass: picking up a free printed pass from regional libraries or downloading a digital pass from the San Diego Museum Council website. Both options get you the same 50% discount, but venue requirements differ on which format they accept.

Printed Pass

For 2026, printed Museum Month passes become available in late January at over 80 San Diego City and County public library locations, plus select Imperial County branches. This includes main library buildings as well as neighborhood branches throughout the county. Some university libraries also participate—UC San Diego’s Geisel Library and Sally T. Wong-Avery Library, for example, have distributed passes in recent years.

To pick up a printed pass, visit any participating library during regular hours. Some branches may ask for a library card or photo ID to track distribution, though policies vary. Passes are typically limited to one per adult while supplies last, and popular branches may run out quickly during the first week. If your local branch is depleted, try calling ahead to libraries in less-trafficked areas of the county before making a trip.

Museums that require a printed pass often include several major Balboa Park institutions and waterfront attractions. The San Diego Museum of Art, for instance, specifically requires a printed pass rather than digital. Treat your printed pass like an event ticket—store it safely and consider taking a photo of it as backup, even though most venues will still require the physical card.

Digital Pass

Starting February 1 each year, visitors can register on the San Diego Museum Council website to receive a Museum Month digital pass. The registration process typically involves providing an email address and basic information, after which you’ll receive a downloadable pass, QR code, or unique promo link.

Digital passes work well for museums that accept them, allowing for contactless entry or online ticket purchases. For venues with timed-entry ticketing systems, you may need to book admission online and enter a Museum Month promo code during checkout to receive your discount.

The digital format offers flexibility for travelers who might not have time to visit a library or prefer not to carry physical passes. However, the digital pass isn’t universally accepted—always verify whether your target museum accepts digital, printed, or both formats before arrival.

Just note that it’s possible not all museums will accept the digital pass and it’s best to call ahead and confirm before your visit.

 

Participating Neighborhoods & Best Museums to Visit

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Museum Month spans the entire county, with participating museums clustered in distinct neighborhoods and regions. Planning your visits geographically helps maximize time and minimize driving between attractions.

North County

North County stretches from Oceanside to Escondido with diverse offerings. The  California Surf Museum in Oceanside celebrates wave-riding culture, while  San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas showcases gardens from around the world.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park serves as the cultural heart of San Diego Museum Month, with roughly 17 participating museums concentrated within walking distance of each other. Major institutions include the: 

• San Diego Museum of Art celebrating its centennial
• Fleet Science Center with hands-on exhibits for all ages
• San Diego Air & Space Museum featuring new exhibits like “SDMA 100 Years”
• Natural History Museum
• Comic-Con Museum
• Japanese Friendship Garden

Note that many premium experiences like California Tower tours are excluded from the museum month admission discount.

Downtown & the Waterfront

Downtown and the Waterfront offer maritime and urban history experiences. A few of our top recommendations include:

• The USS Midway Museum provides a daytime self guided tour of the historic aircraft carrier.
• The Maritime Museum features historic vessels and the nautical history gallery documenting San Diego’s seafaring heritage.
• The New Children’s Museum downtown offers interactive contemporary art experiences for kids.
• The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis Horton House explores the neighborhood’s Victorian-era origins. 

Some waterfront attractions restrict discounts to walk up admission only, so check policies for online reservations.

Arts District Liberty Station

Arts District Liberty Station has transformed the former Naval Training Center into a creative hub. Visions Museum of Textile Art, various galleries showcasing folk art and photographic arts, and military heritage spaces participate in Museum Month.

East County

East County features local history and specialty museums including the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, where the museum month discount may apply differently to train rides versus museum-only entry. The Barona Cultural Center & Museum shares Kumeyaay heritage, and various community museums document the area’s ranching and agricultural past.

La Jolla

La Jolla combines coastal beauty with culture. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego showcases contemporary art in a stunning oceanfront setting. Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers visitors the chance to explore marine science, with discounts typically applied to general aquarium entry rather than add-on experiences like animal encounters.

South Bay & Coronado

South Bay and Coronado emphasize local culture, wildlife, and maritime heritage. The Living Coast Discovery Center on Sweetwater Marsh features native species and environmental education. 

The Bonita Museum and Cultural Center offers donation-based admission where visitors can choose their contribution amount—during Museum Month, this often translates to suggested giving levels. The Coronado Historical Association Museum of History and Art documents the island community’s elegant past.

Tijuana & Mexican Partners

Tijuana and cross-border partners extend Museum Month into Mexico. The Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) and the municipal institute facilities occasionally participate, connecting San Diego to its binational cultural ecosystem.

 

Planning Your Perfect Museum Month Itinerary

The key to maximizing Museum Month is clustering museums geographically and thematically. Rather than zigzagging across the county, group nearby venues into single-day adventures that match your interests and energy levels.

Family Weekend Strategy

Traveling with your kids? 

Start Saturday at a Balboa Park science museum like the Fleet Science Center, where exhibits keep kids engaged for hours. After lunch, walk to a nearby children’s museum or the Natural History Museum for afternoon exploration. Sunday, head to the waterfront for The New Children’s Museum downtown or visit Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. 

Young kids may also enjoy the gardens in Balboa Park between museum visits.

Culture & History Route

For those that want to make the most of soaking up the local culture and history, we recommend you spread historical venues across two or three slower-paced days. This will give you more time to spend at each museum.

Day one might focus on maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum and USS Midway Museum along the waterfront. Day two could explore Balboa Park’s history institutions, including the San Diego History Center. Day three might venture to East County for the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum or South Bay for the Bonita Museum, allowing deeper engagement with each venue’s exhibits and upcoming events.

Art Lover’s Circuit

For those motivated by stunning art, concentrate on contemporary art San Diego venues and fine art collections. 

Start at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, then explore the Museum of Photographic Arts and nearby galleries. Another day, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, combining it with a coastal walk. Liberty Station galleries make an excellent afternoon addition, especially for those interested in textile arts and folk art traditions.

Smart Saver Itinerary

To get the biggest bang for your buck, mix Museum Month discounts with always-free or donation-based sites. Pair a discounted museum morning with a free afternoon at public art installations or neighborhood galleries. 

Some popular museums offer free admission on specific days or evenings—check schedules to potentially stack free days with Museum Month visits to different venues.

Insider Transportation Tip

Factor in parking and transit when planning. Balboa Park, Downtown, and Liberty Station can be combined using public transportation, rideshares, or walking to minimize parking costs.

The MTS Trolley connects Downtown to Old Town and beyond, while the Coaster train and Go'side Shuttle run through North County coastal communities. Weekday visits generally mean easier parking and shorter lines at most popular museums.

 

Museum Month FAQ

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The following questions address common practical concerns that visitors often have about Museum Month logistics, eligibility, and usage.

Do I need to live in San Diego to use a Museum Month pass?

No, residency is not required. Visitors from anywhere—out of county, out of state, or international travelers—can pick up a free printed pass at participating libraries or register for a digital pass during February. Some libraries may ask for basic information or offer a temporary library card for tracking purposes, but the promotion itself is open to everyone while supplies last. This makes Museum Month particularly attractive for tourists planning February visits to San Diego.

Can I use the same pass multiple times during the month?

Yes, a single Museum Month pass is valid for the entire month of February and can be used at multiple different museums. The typical restriction is one use per museum per day, meaning you can’t re-enter the same museum twice in one day using the pass. However, you could visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum on February 8, then return on February 22 with the same pass. Policies vary slightly by venue, so confirm details with specific museums if you’re planning repeat visits.

Are children always included in the four-person discount?

The four-person limit covers any combination of adults and children, up to four total guests receiving half off admission when using the same pass. Infants or toddlers who already enter free under normal museum policy generally don’t count against the four discounted admissions.

Do I need a separate pass for each museum?

No, you generally need only one Museum Month pass per household or small group. The same pass works at multiple participating museums throughout the month, covering up to four people at each visit.

What happens if I lose my printed pass?

Replacement policies depend on where the pass was obtained. Some libraries may not offer a second printed pass, especially if supplies run low during February. Your best option if supplies are exhausted is to register for a digital pass through the San Diego Museum Council website, though remember that certain museums require printed passes only. Store your pass safely!

 

Why Museum Month Is Worth the Trip

Whether you're a curious local, a family seeking fun and education, or a visitor eager to explore, San Diego Museum Month is an opportunity to dive into world-class exhibits, uncover hidden gems, and experience the vibrant spirit of San Diego like never before.

San Diego Museum Month transforms February into the most affordable time to experience the region’s cultural depth. Whether you’re a lifelong San Diegan who has never stepped inside the Comic-Con Museum, a tourist hoping to squeeze maximum value from a vacation, or a family looking for educational weekend activities that won’t strain the budget, the program delivers genuine value.

To make the most of your Museum Month adventure, consider booking a vacation rental in the area. With multiple bedrooms, you can accommodate the whole family and take full advantage of that four-person discount at every stop. Start planning your February trip today—your affordable cultural odyssey awaits!

Featured Image Credit: zhongyugan