Rules and Restrictions/FAQ

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

• Centro Cultural de la Raza
• Fleet Science Center
• Institute of Contemporary Art 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
• Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
• WorldBeat Center

*Limits apply depending on Pass type. Does not include the San Diego Zoo, The Old Globe, or Comic-Con Museum.

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

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*
• IMAX® and digital films, Fleet Science Center**

*Additional $10 fee per person.

**Included with Limited or Parkwide Pass. Additional $9.95 fee for Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passholders. Major motion picture releases are not included. 

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.

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 Parkwide Pass provides one general admission to each participating Balboa Park venue and is valid for 7 consecutive days, beginning with first use. It is not valid for re-entry* across multiple days.

The Limited Pass provides you with one general admission to up to 4 of the participating venues, valid on the day of first use only. 

*Check with the museum for same-day re-entry privileges.

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, you gain access to newsletters that include recommendations and announcements about happenings in the Park and exclusive invitations to monthly special events, providing a truly unique behind-the-scenes look into Balboa Park.

No, all sales are final.

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

No, each individual Annual Passholder must be named.

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.

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.

No, the San Diego Zoo is not included with any Explorer Pass options.

NOTE: The Parkwide Pass w/ Zoo (formerly Explorer Combo Pass) has been temporarily paused.

Valid vouchers will still be honored. Please contact us via email at explorer@balboapark.org or by using Live Chat on our website for redemption options.

No. San Diego Museum Month is a program of the San Diego Museum Council and Balboa Park Explorer does not participate. Head to their website for more info.

No. The Explorer Annual Pass is not a membership and does not qualify for The Big Exchange. Head to San Diego Museum Council’s website for more info.

No. The Explorer Parkwide and Limited Pass are discounted tickets and do not count as full-priced admission to the venues as required by Kids Free October rules and regulations. Head to San Diego Museum Council’s website for more info.

Use the Live Chat 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.