San Diego Offers Free Museum Entry to More Than 60 Venues in May with ‘The Big Exchange’

San Diego Offers Free Museum Entry to More Than 60 Venues in May with ‘The Big Exchange’

From May 1 to 18, members of participating museums can use their passes as a "golden ticket" for free admission across the county.

Por Eric Sanchez el May 1, 2026

Museum members across San Diego County are in for a rare treat this May. From May 1 through May 18, The Big Exchange will grant free admission to more than 60 museums, historical sites, aquariums, and other cultural attractions. The event effectively turns valid memberships from participating institutions into a kind of “golden ticket,” allowing entry without any additional cost.

All ticket holders need to do is present their current membership card to enjoy free access to a wide range of cultural destinations.

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How to Make the Most of The Big Exchange

For those who do not already hold a museum membership, a temporary card created specifically for The Big Exchange is available. However, organizers note that Balboa Park Explorer Passes and Go San Diego Cards will not be accepted as part of the program.

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Participating Museums and Attractions

The list of participating venues includes the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Comic-Con Museum, the Fleet Science Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the San Diego Natural History Museum, among others.

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In addition, the Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Living Coast Discovery Center, and several other cultural and educational organizations are also taking part.

For the full lineup of locations participating in The Big Exchange, visit the San Diego Museum Council’s website at: https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange/

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