The useful trick with the Go City San Diego Explorer Pass is that you choose attractions, not a set itinerary. Spend a choice on the San Diego Zoo, a harbor cruise, or a trolley tour, then decide when to go. It suits a city break where you want a few big-ticket stops without scheduling every hour.
I like the flexibility to spread visits across as many as 30 days after your first attraction, and the broad menu, from the USS Midway Museum to Jet Ski rentals. One caution: the pass only pays off when your selected activities would otherwise cost more than the pass, and some attractions require advance reservations or extra fees for upgraded experiences.
- Key points to know
- How the Explorer Pass works in practice
- Choosing attractions that make the pass worthwhile
- The Zoo, aquarium, and animal experiences
- The USS Midway and San Diego’s harbor
- Trolley rides as transport and sightseeing
- Kayaking, rentals, and activities with extra costs
- Reservations, digital entry, and practical planning
- Who gets the best value
- Should you book the San Diego Explorer Pass?
- FAQ
- How many attractions can I visit with the pass?
- When does the pass become active?
- Do I need to print the pass?
- Are reservations required?
- Are meals and drinks included?
- Can I share my pass with someone else?
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Key points to know
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10 / 10- Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions: The pass is based on the number of choices, not the number of days you spend sightseeing.
- Pick from more than 40 activities: Options include the San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, USS Midway Museum, trolley tours, cruises, kayaking, and Jet Ski rentals.
- Use it at your own pace: Your first attraction activates the pass, then you have up to 30 days to visit the rest.
- Expect easy entry at some major stops: The Zoo and USS Midway can be entered by showing your digital QR code, according to the stated instructions.
- Check reservations and extras first: Some activities need reservations, and certain add-ons, such as closer animal experiences or cave exploration, can cost extra.
- Compare the math before buying: The advertised savings are up to 50% compared with separate tickets, but your actual savings depend on the attractions you choose.
👉 See our pick of the 15 Best Guided Tours In San Diego
How the Explorer Pass works in practice
The Explorer Pass gives you a set number of attraction choices: 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7. You choose from a menu of more than 40 San Diego attractions and activities, then present the pass on your phone at each one. Each attraction can be used once.
The pass is activated the first time you visit an attraction. From that first use, you have up to 30 days to use your remaining choices. That is a generous window if you are combining sightseeing with beach time, family visits, or a slower stay. It is not a 30-day unlimited pass: once you have used all your choices, that is the end of your visits.
There is a small but important distinction in the timing rules. Your voucher is valid for 30 days from booking confirmation, while the attraction-use period begins on your first visit and lasts up to 30 days. Plan to activate it while the voucher is still valid, and check your confirmation for its expiration date.
You do not follow a prescribed route or join one group for the day. This is an attraction pass, not a guided tour. That freedom makes it easier to match visits to your interests, but it also puts the planning in your hands. Check opening hours, reservation rules, and availability for each activity before you set out.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in San Diego
Choosing attractions that make the pass worthwhile
The choice count is the heart of the purchase. A 2-choice pass may work for a short visit built around two expensive attractions. A 7-choice pass makes sense if you have enough time and genuine interest in several activities. Do not buy the largest option simply because it promises a larger discount. Unused choices have no value.
The starting price is listed from $136.40, but the exact amount depends on the package you select. To judge the value, add up the regular prices of the attractions you are most likely to visit, then compare that total with the cost of the pass. The stated maximum saving is up to 50% compared with buying tickets separately, not a guaranteed discount on every combination.
For example, the Zoo, USS Midway Museum, and a harbor cruise can make a strong three-choice plan if all three are on your must-do list. The pass can also help if you want to combine headline attractions with a transport-oriented option, such as a hop-on hop-off trolley tour. A family using the trolley for two days reported that it helped them reach major sights without needing to drive between them. That practical benefit may matter as much as the ticket discount, especially if you are travelling with a toddler and do not want to manage a car seat on every transit ride.
The selection is broad, but it is not a promise that every activity will suit every schedule. Some options may be seasonal, require reservations, or have operating changes. Check the current attraction list and each provider’s terms before you commit your choices.
The Zoo, aquarium, and animal experiences
The San Diego Zoo is one of the strongest anchors for a pass choice. It is a major attraction that can take a good part of your day, so pairing it with another full-scale visit on the same day may leave you rushing. If the Zoo is a priority, give it breathing room rather than trying to squeeze in too many stops.
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers a different kind of visit, and it is one of the options named alongside the Zoo. This is useful if your group wants variety rather than several large attractions of the same type. The pass menu also includes the Safari Park, though the package terms and inclusions matter: the basic entry may not cover closer animal experiences, which can require an additional payment.
The two zoos are not interchangeable if you have a strong preference. One pass user was disappointed to find that the package allowed a choice between the two rather than entry to both. Check the current rules carefully before buying if visiting both is central to your plan. A pass can save money while still limiting what is included.
The USS Midway and San Diego’s harbor
The USS Midway Museum is a natural pick if you are interested in naval history or want a substantial indoor and outdoor attraction. The pass instructions say you can enter by presenting your QR code, with no reservation required for this museum under the stated conditions. Still, check the latest rules before your visit, since attraction policies can change.
A 90-minute harbor cruise gives you a different view of the city and can be an easy way to add time on the water to a sightseeing plan. It has a clear time commitment, so it is simpler to schedule than an open-ended attraction. If you are choosing a small pass, compare its regular price with the pass cost and consider whether a boat trip is a priority for you.
Whale-watching tours are also among the activities mentioned. Sightings are not guaranteed. One listed operator offered a 90-minute boat tour as compensation when no whale was seen, but you should verify the current guarantee and terms directly before booking. The useful lesson is simple: treat wildlife as a possibility, not a certainty, and check what remedy applies if the main sighting does not happen.
Trolley rides as transport and sightseeing
The hop-on hop-off trolley tour can be more than a sightseeing ride. It may serve as a practical way to move between major points, reducing the need to arrange separate transport for each stop. One family used it over two days and valued not having to bring a car seat for every transit journey. That makes it especially worth considering if you are travelling with a young child.
The trolley can also help you get oriented early in your stay. You can ride between several points, then return to places you want to explore more fully. But do not assume that a trolley ticket works as unlimited transport for any length of time. The precise duration and terms depend on the option you select, so verify the details before counting it as your main way around town.
A two-day trolley option was used as one of four choices alongside the Zoo, USS Midway, and a 90-minute cruise. That combination illustrates how the pass can blend admission with transport. It also shows why you should think in terms of value for your particular itinerary, not just the number of attractions.
Kayaking, rentals, and activities with extra costs
The menu includes active options such as kayaking around La Jolla and Jet Ski rentals in San Diego Harbor. These can give your pass a different feel from a string of museums and ticketed attractions. Before using a choice, however, check exactly what the pass covers.
A kayak rental may not include a guided cave-exploration outing. An extra charge may apply if you want to change from a basic rental to a more involved activity. Likewise, a Safari Park ticket may cover basic admission while closer animal experiences cost extra. A partner discount can soften that additional cost, but it does not make the upgrade free.
Some activities may also have a minimum of two people using them together. That can be a problem if you are travelling solo, so check the activity requirements before you use one of your choices. The pass is most useful when you know what is included and are comfortable paying separately for optional upgrades.
Reservations, digital entry, and practical planning
The pass is digital, and you present it at the attraction for entry. The instructions say you can enter venues directly with the mobile voucher, and the Zoo and USS Midway are specifically described as not requiring reservations under the stated conditions. Other activities may require reservations, and some providers may handle bookings by phone rather than through an online system.
That difference matters. A digital pass makes admission convenient, but it does not automatically reserve you a place on a cruise, tour, or activity. Before travelling across town, check the reservation policy and current opening status for the exact attraction you want. The available hours and safety requirements may also change.
The information for the activity gives two different San Diego addresses: 400 Broadway as the meeting point and 996 N Harbor Dr #3316 as the Go City address. Since the redemption instructions direct you to use the mobile voucher at each venue, do not assume either address is a central place where you must collect a pass. Follow the location and directions shown for your chosen attraction and in your confirmation.
A few rules are worth keeping in mind: each attraction can be visited once, the pass belongs to the person who activates it, and it cannot be resold or shared. Children aged 13 and over are charged the adult rate. Meals, drinks, insurance, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
Who gets the best value
I would consider this pass if you have a short list of several attractions that are already high on your San Diego agenda. It is especially useful when that list mixes big-ticket admissions with experiences you would otherwise pay for separately, such as a cruise or trolley tour. You can use a few choices without cramming every activity into one frantic day.
It is also a good fit if you prefer to decide the order as you go. The 30-day window after activation gives you room to change plans, though reservations and opening hours still set limits. Families may appreciate the option to use the trolley to reach major sights, while couples or solo visitors may prefer a compact plan built around a museum, aquarium, or harbor activity.
I would skip it if you only want one attraction, if your preferred activities are not included, or if the separate ticket prices come out lower. I would also hesitate if your plan depends on several activities with uncertain availability or extra charges. A pass saves money only when its rules fit the trip you actually want.
Should you book the San Diego Explorer Pass?
Book it if you can name at least two or three attractions you genuinely want, have checked their current reservation requirements, and find that the combined ticket prices exceed the pass price. The strongest plans use the pass for substantial admissions such as the Zoo or USS Midway, then add a cruise or trolley option that fits your schedule.
Take a little time to compare the activity list before buying. Pay attention to what is included, what needs a reservation, and whether any activity has a minimum of two participants or a paid upgrade. If the numbers work, the Explorer Pass offers a flexible way to see several sides of San Diego without building your entire holiday around fixed tour times.
Go City – San Diego Explorer Pass
“We used the 4 day pass: Zoo, 2 day hop on hop off, uss midway, & 90mins cruise. I recommend all 4. I especially recommend the hop on hop off coz it…”
FAQ
How many attractions can I visit with the pass?
You can choose a package for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions. Each attraction can be visited once.
When does the pass become active?
It activates when you visit your first attraction. You then have up to 30 days to visit the rest of your chosen attractions.
Do I need to print the pass?
No. The pass is digital, and the instructions say to present your mobile voucher at the venue.
Are reservations required?
Some attractions require reservations, while others may not. Check the current rules for each attraction before you go.
Are meals and drinks included?
No. Meals and beverages, insurance, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
Can I share my pass with someone else?
No. Once activated, the pass can only be used by the individual who activated it.
