Rules and Restrictions/FAQ

The Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass provides general admission to 16 venues in Balboa Park, for 365 days from the date of purchase. As an Annual Passholder, not only do you save annually on regular admission to Balboa Park venues, you also receive exclusive offers and discounts! Learn more on the About page.

Your Balboa Park Explorer passes are valid at the following venues*:

• Centro Cultural de la Raza
• Fleet Science Center
• ICA San Diego
• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• Museum of Us
• San Diego Air and Space Museum
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• The San Diego Museum of Art
• Timken Museum of Art
• The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
• WorldBeat Center

*Limits apply depending on Pass type. Does not include the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Comic-Con Museum, or any of the performing arts venues in Balboa Park.

The San Diego Zoo is not included with Explorer Limited, Parkwide, or Annual Passes. Admission to the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park must be purchased separately.

Occasionally, a venue will feature a special exhibition that requires an additional admission fee. Here are some special exhibitions and experiences requiring an additional fee:

• Climb the California Tower, Museum of Us*
• CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR UPGRADES IMAX® and digital films, Fleet Science Center**

*Additional $10 fee per person.

**The Fleet’s Heikoff Giant Dome Theater will be temporarily closed from September 7 through the end of October 2023 for upgrades and enhancements. During this time, the IMAX will not be included with Limited or Parkwide Pass. Additional $9.95 fee for Balboa Park Annual Explorer Passholders. Major motion picture releases are not included. 

The discount is already built into the price of all Explorer Pass options!

No, each individual Annual Passholder must be named.

No, the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is a discounted general admission ticket, valid for 365 days from date of purchase.

No, Balboa Park Explorer Passes will be accepted during all regular venue operating hours. Exclusions may apply for special events. Please visit each venue’s website for current hours or scheduled closures.

No, all sales are final and Explorer Passes are not for resale.

No, all sales are final. Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be upgraded. If you renew your Balboa Park Annual Pass, you will have the option to replace names and change your Pass type.

No, all sales are final.

When purchasing online you’ll receive two emails from explorer@balboapark.org. The first is your receipt and the second will have your tickets attached. You can either print your tickets or show them on a smartphone at each museum entrance.

The Limited Pass provides one admission to your choice of up to four (4) participating venues. Pass is valid for one day only, on the day of first use.

The Parkwide Pass provides one admission to each of the 16 participating venues. 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.

The College Student Annual Pass is for college/university students with a valid student ID. The Passholder must present their student ID and Explorer Annual Pass when entering a venue. It is also required to have a school name on file.

For the best visitor experience, we encourage you to ALWAYS keep your Balboa Park Explorer Pass with you!  However, if you have forgotten your Pass, please stop by the Balboa Park Visitors Center, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Air & Space Museum, or San Diego Natural History Museum to pick up a Temporary Pass for the day.

If you lose your Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass, there is a $5 reprint fee per Pass. To request a replacement, give us a call at (619) 232-7502, option 2.

The Balboa Park Explorer Pass provides year-round savings and does not participate in County-wide promotions such as San Diego Musuem Month, The Big Exchange, and Kids Free October. Learn more about these promotions on the San Diego Museum Council website.

Kids Free in October – The Explorer Limited and Parkwide Passes are discounted tickets and do not count as full-priced admission to the venues as required by Kids Free October rules and regulations.

Use the LiveChat feature at the bottom right of this page to speak with a representative during regular business hours or submit a ticket after hours and a representative will reply the following day.