About
The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to the best museums San Diego has to offer! Choose your own adventure with art, science, history, and culture opportunities for all. There’s no shortage of things to do and there are always new experiences to enjoy. Learn more about the Explorer Pass options and choose the Pass that’s right for you!
The Explorer Pass program is managed on behalf of the participating museums by the nonprofit Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.
About
The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to the best museums San Diego has to offer! Choose your own adventure with art, science, history, and culture opportunities for all. There’s no shortage of things to do and there are always new experiences to enjoy. Learn more about the Explorer Pass options and choose the Pass that’s right for you!
The Explorer Pass program is managed on behalf of the participating museums by the nonprofit Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.
Annual Passes
Enjoy general admission to 16 participating museums in the Balboa Park Cultural District for 365 days from the date of purchase. As an Annual Passholder, not only do you save annually on regular admission to the Cultural District museums, you also receive exclusive offers and discounts!
Family – $229 - Up to any 2 adults and up to any 4 children (ages 3-17)
- Passholders don't have to live in the same household.
- Passholders can be added any time, space permitting.
- Additional children $40 each.
Adult (age 18+) – $129
Senior (age 65+) – $99
College Student (with valid College/University ID) – $99
- School name required on file; museums may request school ID to enter.
Youth (ages 3-17) – $99
- Paid adult must accompany Youth Passholder.
Give Vouchers are available for all Annual Pass options. Learn more below.
Please Note: Children under the age of three (3) do not require a ticket to enter any of the participating museums. All individual Passholders must be named. Photo ID required for adults and students. General admission only. Not valid for certain events, special exhibitions, and programs.
Annual Pass Benefits
As an Annual Passholder, not only do you save annually on regular admission to Balboa Park Cultural District museums, you also receive exclusive offers and discounts!
- Unlimited general admission to amazing Balboa Park museums and more for one year!
- Exclusive Explorer monthly newsletters featuring upcoming exhibitions, events, and activities.
- Explorer Experiences - exclusive events, behind-the-scenes access, tours, and more.
- Special prices for tickets to the Fleet Dome Theatre* for IMAX documentary films (Major motion picture releases not included) and the California Tower Tour at the Museum of Us! Plus discounted tickets at the Marston House Museum and 10% off purchases at the United Nations Gift Shop.
- Complimentary or discounted admission to select special events and exhibitions.*
- The knowledge that you are supporting the arts and culture organizations you love most!
*Special exhibition and film costs are determined by each individual museum.
Gift Vouchers
Buying a Gift Voucher
Give the gift of Balboa Park's Cultural District museums! For the museum lover in your life, the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is a great way to gift the experience of arts and culture. Gift Vouchers for all regular Annual Pass types are available for purchase. The Annual Pass will not activate until the Gift Voucher is redeemed.
Redeeming a Gift Voucher
Congratulations! You received the best gift ever! Redeeming a Gift Voucher for an Annual Pass is easy. Click "Buy Passes" in the top right corner of this page, and click "Redeem Gift Voucher." Create an Explorer account, if you don't already have one, or log in to an existing account. Once your order is processed, you'll receive Temporary Passes via email so you can begin exploring right away!
VIP Annual Pass
Looking for more ways to get the most out of the Annual Pass and make a positive impact? Consider the VIP Patron Pass!
VIP Annual Pass - $1,500
- Admission for two named adults + up to three guests per visit.
- The same benefits of an Annual Pass (listed above).
- $1,000 tax-deductible.
In addition to these great benefits, the VIP Annual Pass helps make it possible for Explorer to enhance our community outreach. For each VIP Annual Pass purchased, ten families in our Community Access and/or Military Appreciation programs will be provided a complimentary Family Annual Pass. Learn more about our community initiatives and the positive impact of the VIP Annual Pass in the Community Engagement section below.
Interested in becoming a VIP? Email Director of Community Engagement, Theresa Wulf, at theresa.wulf@bpcp.org.
Parkwide Pass
The Parkwide Pass provides one admission to each of the 16 participating museums. Pass is valid for seven (7) consecutive days, beginning with the day of first use. The Parkwide Pass does not provide re-entry across multiple days. Check with the venues for same-day re-entry privileges. Includes one documentary film at the Fleet Science Center’s IMAX dome theater*. Once purchased, the Parkwide Pass will be sent to the email provided at check out.
- Adult (age 12+) - $67
- Youth (age 3-11) - $43
*Major motion picture releases are not included.
Limited Pass
The Limited Pass provides one admission to your choice of up to four (4) participating museums. Pass is valid for one day only, on the day of first use. Includes one documentary film at the Fleet Science Center’s IMAX dome theater*. Once purchased, the Limited Pass will be sent to the email provided at check out.
- Adult (age 12+) - $56
- Youth (age 3-11) - $35
*Major motion picture releases are not included.
Group Sales
Discounts are available on the Limited and Parkwide Passes for groups of 15 or more.
Parkwide Pass Group Rate
- Adult (age 12+) - $58 (Retail price: $67)
- Youth (age 3-11) - $38 (Retail price: $43)
Limited Pass Group Rate
- Adult (age 12+) - $49 (Retail price: $56)
- Youth (age 3-11) - $29 (Retail price: $35)
Contact us at groups@balboapark.org to plan your group visit today!
Please Note: Once we receive your group details at least two weeks prior to your visit, you will receive a proposal for your order. Upon approval, you will receive an invoice to be paid in full via check or credit card one full week prior to your visit. Orders are processed Monday through Friday and may take up to 48 hours once payment is received. Shipping is available for an additional fee. Chaperones are required for groups with children.
Participating Museums
We are proud to provide access to the following museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass:
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- San Diego Automotive Museum
- San Diego History Center
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- The San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- Timken Museum of Art
- The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
- Worldbeat Center
Visit each museums’s website to see their hours of operation.
Getting Started
Create an Account
All Annual Pass purchases require an Account*, but we recommend all customers set up an account with us!
A Balboa Park Explorer account allows you to manage your contact information, check your Annual Pass status, manage Passholders, and gives you access to exclusive offers, news, and information!
*Please note that you may already have an account with us. Not sure if you have an account? Use the account lookup feature to confirm if you have an existing account and/or reset your password.
Existing Explorers: We recently implemented a new login system. As a security measure we are requiring all existing Explorer Passholders to reset their accounts.
Using your Annual Pass
Welcome to the Explorer crew! Your Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive two emails from explorer@balboapark.org: your confirmation/receipt and Print-At-Home Temporary Pass(es).* You can print your Pass(es) or simply pull up the attachment on your smartphone at each museum entrance to be scanned. Your physical Pass(es) will arrive in the mail within 5-7 business days.
*Please allow 10 - 15 min for your Print-At-Home Pass(es) to arrive via email.
- Adult, Senior, and Student Passholders must present valid photo ID when entering venues.
- Additional fees apply for replacement Passes; see FAQ section below.
Using your Parkwide or Limited Pass
Get ready to Explore! Your Pass starts on the first day of use.
Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive two emails from explorer@balboapark.org: your confirmation/receipt and Print-At-Home Pass(es).* You can print your Pass(es) or simply pull up the attachment on your smartphone at each museum entrance to be scanned.
*Please allow 10 - 15 min for your Print-At-Home Pass(es) to arrive via email.
- Passes are not replaceable if lost, stolen, damaged, or expired.
- Unused Passes expire one year from order date.
General Disclaimers
The Explorer Limited, Parkwide, and Annual Pass provide admission to 16 participating museums in Balboa Park. See the list of Participating Museums above.
- All individual Annual Passholders must be named.
- Children under the age of three (3) do not require a ticket to enter any of the participating venues.
- Not valid for events, special exhibitions, and programs.
- Special exhibitions and film costs are determined by each individual museum.
- The Explorer Limited, Parkwide, and Annual Passes do not provide admission to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or Comic-Con Museum.
Refund Policy
- All sales are final.
- Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable; not for resale.
- Not valid for select events, special exhibitions, and programs.
- Before visiting, please contact the participating museums or check their individual websites for more information on hours, closures, additional events, special exhibitions, and film costs.
- Annual Passes are valid for one year from the order date. Limited and Parkwide Passes must be used within one year of purchase.
FAQ
Are there any additional costs when visiting the museums in Balboa Park?
Occasionally, a museum will feature a special exhibition that requires an additional fee. Often, special exhibitions are discounted for Balboa Park Explorer Passholders. Always contact a venue to verify their policy before visiting.
Here are some special exhibitions and experiences requiring an additional fee:
- Climb the California Tower at San Diego Museum of Us - Additional $10 per person. Tower Tour capacity may be limited.
- IMAX® documentary film and digital shows at Fleet Science Center - One documentary film screening is included with a Limited and/or Parkwide Pass; Annual Passholders receive a special rate for documentary films. Free or discounted IMAX tickets are not available for major theatrical releases.
Are there discounts on Balboa Park Explorer Passes?
The discount is already built into the price, with huge savings over purchasing tickets at each of the participating venues.
Are guest passes included with the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass?
Only our VIP Annual Pass includes additional guest access, otherwise all individual Passholders must be named and Passes are non-transferable. For more information on the VIP Annual Pass, click here.
Can I transfer an Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass to another person?
All Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passes are sold as non-transferable. If you have a Family Annual Pass and have not used all your Adult or Child spaces you may add them at any time. You're also able to add additional children, ages 3 - 17, to your Family Annual Pass any time for an additional $40 each.
Once you renew your Annual Pass, you have the option to swap or replace names as needed.
What happens if I'm visiting Balboa Park but I forgot or lost my Explorer Annual Pass?
For the best visitor experience, we encourage you to always keep your Explorer Pass with you! However, if you have forgotten your Pass, you can stop by the Balboa Park Visitors Center, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, or San Diego Air & Space Museum to pick up a Temporary Pass for the day.
If you lost your Pass(es) there is a $5 reprint fee per Pass. To request a new one:
- Email us: explorer@balboapark.org
- Call us: (619) 232-7502 and press 2 to speak with a representative
- In person: Fill out a reprint request form in the Balboa Park Visitors Center
Then pick up a Temporary Pass to continue enjoying the museums until your new Pass(es) arrive(s) in the mail.
Coming soon! Request a reprint and print a Temporary Pass for the day on an Explorer kiosk, found in participating museums.
Can I participate in San Diego Museum Month, the Big Exchange, and/or Kids Free in October?
San Diego Museum Month, the Big Exchange, and Kids Free in October are programs of the San Diego Museum Council and Balboa Park Explorer does not qualify or participate. Visit the Museum Council's website for more information.
Annual Passes
Enjoy general admission to 16 participating museums in the Balboa Park Cultural District for 365 days from the date of purchase. As an Annual Passholder, not only do you save annually on regular admission to the Cultural District museums, you also receive exclusive offers and discounts!
Family – $229 - Up to any 2 adults and up to any 4 children (ages 3-17)
- Passholders don't have to live in the same household.
- Passholders can be added any time, space permitting.
- Additional children $40 each.
Adult (age 18+) – $129
Senior (age 65+) – $99
College Student (with valid College/University ID) – $99
- School name required on file; museums may request school ID to enter.
Youth (ages 3-17) – $99
- Paid adult must accompany Youth Passholder.
Give Vouchers are available for all Annual Pass options. Learn more below.
Please Note: Children under the age of three (3) do not require a ticket to enter any of the participating museums. All individual Passholders must be named. Photo ID required for adults and students. General admission only. Not valid for certain events, special exhibitions, and programs.
Annual Pass Benefits
As an Annual Passholder, not only do you save annually on regular admission to Balboa Park Cultural District museums, you also receive exclusive offers and discounts!
- Unlimited general admission to amazing Balboa Park museums and more for one year!
- Exclusive Explorer monthly newsletters featuring upcoming exhibitions, events, and activities.
- Explorer Experiences - exclusive events, behind-the-scenes access, tours, and more.
- Special prices for tickets to the Fleet Dome Theatre* for IMAX documentary films (Major motion picture releases not included) and the California Tower Tour at the Museum of Us! Plus discounted tickets at the Marston House Museum and 10% off purchases at the United Nations Gift Shop.
- Complimentary or discounted admission to select special events and exhibitions.*
- The knowledge that you are supporting the arts and culture organizations you love most!
*Special exhibition and film costs are determined by each individual museum.
Gift Vouchers
Buying a Gift Voucher
Give the gift of Balboa Park's Cultural District museums! For the museum lover in your life, the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is a great way to gift the experience of arts and culture. Gift Vouchers for all regular Annual Pass types are available for purchase. The Annual Pass will not activate until the Gift Voucher is redeemed.
Redeeming a Gift Voucher
Congratulations! You received the best gift ever! Redeeming a Gift Voucher for an Annual Pass is easy. Click "Buy Passes" in the top right corner of this page, and click "Redeem Gift Voucher." Create an Explorer account, if you don't already have one, or log in to an existing account. Once your order is processed, you'll receive Temporary Passes via email so you can begin exploring right away!
VIP Annual Pass
Looking for more ways to get the most out of the Annual Pass and make a positive impact? Consider the VIP Patron Pass!
VIP Annual Pass - $1,500
- Admission for two named adults + up to three guests per visit.
- The same benefits of an Annual Pass (listed above).
- $1,000 tax-deductible.
In addition to these great benefits, the VIP Annual Pass helps make it possible for Explorer to enhance our community outreach. For each VIP Annual Pass purchased, ten families in our Community Access and/or Military Appreciation programs will be provided a complimentary Family Annual Pass. Learn more about our community initiatives and the positive impact of the VIP Annual Pass in the Community Engagement section below.
Interested in becoming a VIP? Email Director of Community Engagement, Theresa Wulf, at theresa.wulf@bpcp.org.
Parkwide Pass
The Parkwide Pass provides one admission to each of the 16 participating museums. Pass is valid for seven (7) consecutive days, beginning with the day of first use. The Parkwide Pass does not provide re-entry across multiple days. Check with the venues for same-day re-entry privileges. Includes one documentary film at the Fleet Science Center’s IMAX dome theater*. Once purchased, the Parkwide Pass will be sent to the email provided at check out.
- Adult (age 12+) - $67
- Youth (age 3-11) - $43
*Major motion picture releases are not included.
Limited Pass
The Limited Pass provides one admission to your choice of up to four (4) participating museums. Pass is valid for one day only, on the day of first use. Includes one documentary film at the Fleet Science Center’s IMAX dome theater*. Once purchased, the Limited Pass will be sent to the email provided at check out.
- Adult (age 12+) - $56
- Youth (age 3-11) - $35
*Major motion picture releases are not included.
Group Sales
Discounts are available on the Limited and Parkwide Passes for groups of 15 or more.
Parkwide Pass Group Rate
- Adult (age 12+) - $58 (Retail price: $67)
- Youth (age 3-11) - $38 (Retail price: $43)
Limited Pass Group Rate
- Adult (age 12+) - $49 (Retail price: $56)
- Youth (age 3-11) - $29 (Retail price: $35)
Contact us at groups@balboapark.org to plan your group visit today!
Please Note: Once we receive your group details at least two weeks prior to your visit, you will receive a proposal for your order. Upon approval, you will receive an invoice to be paid in full via check or credit card one full week prior to your visit. Orders are processed Monday through Friday and may take up to 48 hours once payment is received. Shipping is available for an additional fee. Chaperones are required for groups with children.
Participating Museums
We are proud to provide access to the following museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass:
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- San Diego Automotive Museum
- San Diego History Center
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- The San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- Timken Museum of Art
- The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
- Worldbeat Center
Visit each museums’s website to see their hours of operation.
Getting Started
Create an Account
All Annual Pass purchases require an Account*, but we recommend all customers set up an account with us!
A Balboa Park Explorer account allows you to manage your contact information, check your Annual Pass status, manage Passholders, and gives you access to exclusive offers, news, and information!
*Please note that you may already have an account with us. Not sure if you have an account? Use the account lookup feature to confirm if you have an existing account and/or reset your password.
Existing Explorers: We recently implemented a new login system. As a security measure we are requiring all existing Explorer Passholders to reset their accounts.
Using your Annual Pass
Welcome to the Explorer crew! Your Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive two emails from explorer@balboapark.org: your confirmation/receipt and Print-At-Home Temporary Pass(es).* You can print your Pass(es) or simply pull up the attachment on your smartphone at each museum entrance to be scanned. Your physical Pass(es) will arrive in the mail within 5-7 business days.
*Please allow 10 - 15 min for your Print-At-Home Pass(es) to arrive via email.
- Adult, Senior, and Student Passholders must present valid photo ID when entering venues.
- Additional fees apply for replacement Passes; see FAQ section below.
Using your Parkwide or Limited Pass
Get ready to Explore! Your Pass starts on the first day of use.
Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive two emails from explorer@balboapark.org: your confirmation/receipt and Print-At-Home Pass(es).* You can print your Pass(es) or simply pull up the attachment on your smartphone at each museum entrance to be scanned.
*Please allow 10 - 15 min for your Print-At-Home Pass(es) to arrive via email.
- Passes are not replaceable if lost, stolen, damaged, or expired.
- Unused Passes expire one year from order date.
General Disclaimers
The Explorer Limited, Parkwide, and Annual Pass provide admission to 16 participating museums in Balboa Park. See the list of Participating Museums above.
- All individual Annual Passholders must be named.
- Children under the age of three (3) do not require a ticket to enter any of the participating venues.
- Not valid for events, special exhibitions, and programs.
- Special exhibitions and film costs are determined by each individual museum.
- The Explorer Limited, Parkwide, and Annual Passes do not provide admission to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or Comic-Con Museum.
Refund Policy
- All sales are final.
- Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable; not for resale.
- Not valid for select events, special exhibitions, and programs.
- Before visiting, please contact the participating museums or check their individual websites for more information on hours, closures, additional events, special exhibitions, and film costs.
- Annual Passes are valid for one year from the order date. Limited and Parkwide Passes must be used within one year of purchase.
FAQ
Are there any additional costs when visiting the museums in Balboa Park?
Occasionally, a museum will feature a special exhibition that requires an additional fee. Often, special exhibitions are discounted for Balboa Park Explorer Passholders. Always contact a venue to verify their policy before visiting.
Here are some special exhibitions and experiences requiring an additional fee:
- Climb the California Tower at San Diego Museum of Us - Additional $10 per person. Tower Tour capacity may be limited.
- IMAX® documentary film and digital shows at Fleet Science Center - One documentary film screening is included with a Limited and/or Parkwide Pass; Annual Passholders receive a special rate for documentary films. Free or discounted IMAX tickets are not available for major theatrical releases.
Are there discounts on Balboa Park Explorer Passes?
The discount is already built into the price, with huge savings over purchasing tickets at each of the participating venues.
Are guest passes included with the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass?
Only our VIP Annual Pass includes additional guest access, otherwise all individual Passholders must be named and Passes are non-transferable. For more information on the VIP Annual Pass, click here.
Can I transfer an Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass to another person?
All Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passes are sold as non-transferable. If you have a Family Annual Pass and have not used all your Adult or Child spaces you may add them at any time. You're also able to add additional children, ages 3 - 17, to your Family Annual Pass any time for an additional $40 each.
Once you renew your Annual Pass, you have the option to swap or replace names as needed.
What happens if I'm visiting Balboa Park but I forgot or lost my Explorer Annual Pass?
For the best visitor experience, we encourage you to always keep your Explorer Pass with you! However, if you have forgotten your Pass, you can stop by the Balboa Park Visitors Center, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, or San Diego Air & Space Museum to pick up a Temporary Pass for the day.
If you lost your Pass(es) there is a $5 reprint fee per Pass. To request a new one:
- Email us: explorer@balboapark.org
- Call us: (619) 232-7502 and press 2 to speak with a representative
- In person: Fill out a reprint request form in the Balboa Park Visitors Center
Then pick up a Temporary Pass to continue enjoying the museums until your new Pass(es) arrive(s) in the mail.
Coming soon! Request a reprint and print a Temporary Pass for the day on an Explorer kiosk, found in participating museums.
Can I participate in San Diego Museum Month, the Big Exchange, and/or Kids Free in October?
San Diego Museum Month, the Big Exchange, and Kids Free in October are programs of the San Diego Museum Council and Balboa Park Explorer does not qualify or participate. Visit the Museum Council's website for more information.
