San Diego is proud to have the largest concentration of military in the world including Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Plus, San Diego is home to more than 250,000 veterans.
Whether active-duty military stationed in San Diego, a veteran, or you’re just visiting, there are plenty of military and veteran discounts you can take advantage of while you’re here.
Memorial Day Events in San Diego County
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began after the Civil War to honor fallen Union soldiers. Today, it commemorates all U.S. military members who died in service. San Diego County communities host heartfelt tributes on Monday, May 26, and the days leading up to it. Here’s a curated list of ceremonies and celebrations across the region:
Featured San Diego Ceremonies
- USS Midway Legacy Week: Events all weekend, including wreath ceremony, flyover, show choir performance, and remembrance wall.
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Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial (La Jolla): Tribute to the USS Cole heroes with live music, guest speakers, a wreath-laying, and flyover.
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Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (Point Loma): Memorial Day ceremony with patriotic performances; flag placement May 24 and removal May 27.
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Miramar National Cemetery: Ceremony on Sunday, May 25, with military speakers and live music. Volunteer flag placement event on May 24.
Whether you attend a formal ceremony, place a flag, or pause for a moment of silence, these events offer meaningful ways to honor the fallen across San Diego. Find more events throughout San Diego County here.
Military Themed Museums
USS Midway Museum
Where: 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
The USS Midway Museum aboard the decommissioned USS Midway aircraft carrier is the most-visited of the 100-plus historic naval ship museums in the continental United States. Berthed at Navy Pier along San Diego Bay, the Midway is a floating tribute to the hundreds of thousands who served their country aboard the ship for nearly 50 years. Highlights include self-guided audio tours; more than 40 exhibits and displays, including many restored aircraft; access to the mess deck, berthing spaces, hangar deck, flight deck, island superstructure and more; Mach Combat F-8 and F-4 phantom flight simulators and flight stations; a Flight Avionics motion simulator; and interactive, story-telling docents, many of whom are Midway veterans. Active duty and reservist personnel receive free admission; veterans with I.D. receive online discounted $22 admission ($24 at the door) Find tickets here.
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Where: 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr S, La Jolla, CA 92037
The alway free Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial sits atop one of San Diego’s most breathtaking vantage points and is recognized as one of the most unique veterans memorials in the United States. It is the only memorial to honor both living and deceased service members from the Revolutionary War to the present War on Terror, with each veteran commemorated by name, photo, and military history. The memorial features nearly 6,000 black granite plaques that line the curved walls, offering personal stories of bravery and sacrifice across every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
At the heart of the site stands a 29-foot cross, a longstanding symbol of honor and remembrance. With sweeping 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown San Diego, and the surrounding landscapes, the memorial provides a powerful and serene space for reflection and tribute. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., admission is free to all visitors. Maintained by volunteers and supported by donors, Mt. Soledad continues to serve as a lasting beacon of patriotism and gratitude.
Whether you’re a military family member, a veteran, or a visitor looking to connect with America’s history and heroes, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial offers a deeply moving experience. To learn more or dedicate a plaque, visit www.soledadmemorial.org.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Where: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park is home to a massive collection of classic military aircraft ranging from the dawn of flight through WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the jet age and beyond. The Museum also features an International Aerospace Hall of Fame, honoring the inventors, engineers, pilots and industrialists who created and built airplanes. The San Diego Air & Space Museum offers a military discount on general admission. Active-duty service members are free. Retired service members with I.D. get $5 off admission. Find tickets here.
Cabrillo National Monument
Where: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Along the paths of Cabrillo National Monument sit the remains of coastal defenses built to protect the approaches to San Diego Bay. While visiting the park, you will find base-end stations, fire control stations, searchlight bunkers, and other remains of troubled times; lonely sentinels that now serve to guard our memories of the past. Housed in an old radio station, the exhibit, “They Stood the Watch,” shares the story behind these remains, and ranger talks are often given on weekends. For those who wish to learn more, the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation bookstore, located in the Visitor Center, offers several titles about Fort Rosecrans and the military history of Point Loma. Current Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families can get free admission to Cabrillo with the 2025 Interagency Pass – Military Annual Pass. Find the details here.
Liberty Station
Where: 2701 Lytton St, San Diego, CA 92106
Hundreds of thousands of civilian and military people passed through the gates of San Diego Naval Training Center in the course of its history. This decommissioned base has now been transformed into Liberty Station, which is combination of residential, arts district and retail. With many of the businesses housed in the historic structures that date back to the 1920s, just walking around Liberty Station can bring back proud memories for the more than a million military personnel who were trained there. The base’s former command center and parade ground are included in what is now called the ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station, a cultural district with museums, galleries, artist studios, dance studios, restaurants and retail stores. The command center contains historic displays of the Naval Training Center and Point Loma. Admission is free.
Nautical History Gallery & Museum
Where: 22640 Historic Decatur Rd Bldg. 200, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92106
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Liberty Station, two free exhibitions — one of them a permanent museum — have opened inside the former Navy base’s Dick Laub NTC Command Center. Both were created by military veterans. The Nautical History Gallery & Museum is a 800 sq. ft. gallery displaying a panoramic history of the U.S. Navy, its ships and how they have evolved over time from the Revolutionary War period, through the Civil War, into the Spanish-American War, then World War I and World War II, including the beginning of naval aviation. ‘Immortalizing Heroes’ is a War Memorial designed by inspired by 94 Veterans returning from a trip to Washington DC to visit the War Memorials in their respective honor. The exhibit features large-scale artworks organized by theme: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, The Global War on Terrorism, Unsung Heroes and Funeral Honors. Admission is free.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum San Diego
Where: 1600 Henderson Ave Building 26, San Diego, CA 92140
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Command Museum opened its doors in 1987 and has served the Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region through its mission to train recruits and provide for the continuing education of Marines. It supports the recruiting effort and serves as a bridge to the civilian community. The Museum’s focus is the history of the Marine Corps in the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as the history of the Marines in Southern California. In addition to its many galleries, the Museum also maintains a Reference Center that includes an Archives and Research Library, a theater, a Visitor Reception Center, and a gift shop.
The museum offers free admission and is currently open to veterans, active duty military personnel, and families of graduating Marines on Family Day and Graduation. All visitors must show valid government issued identification. The public may visit the MCRD Museum subject to base access procedures found here. Read more about the MCRD Command museum in our recent blog here.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Where: 161492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
The Maritime Museum of San Diego, established in 1948, preserves one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the United States. Explore maritime history at one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships. Climb aboard the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the Star of India, or step inside the USS Dolphin submarine (shown) which set deep-sea exploration records. You can also see exhibits about San Diego’s naval legacy, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and more. Find tickets and details here. Military w/ID receive a $5 discount on general admission at the museum.
Fun Tip: For more fun, spend the night aboard the Star of India on June 27, July 25 or August 8; or sign up for the pirate themed adventure Boarded! on June 14. And book here now for the popular July 4 BBQ dinner with fireworks viewing onboard a historic vessel.
San Diego County Museums
Veteran Discounts at San Diego Museums
If you qualify, taking advantage of a San Diego military or veteran discount is typically an easy experience. All you usually need is your approved credentials—such as an active-duty military ID card or VA-issued identification card. Relatives—including spouses and children—can often use their military-issued Dependent ID card for applicable offers.
Many San Diego County Museums offer discount admission for for active duty military and veterans all year-long. You can find discounts at the Birch Aquarium, the Comic-Con Museum, the San Diego Automotive Museum. Search our list of more than 80 museums, historic sites, gardens, zoos, aquariums, parks and more.
More than 20 san Diego Museums are FREE year-round for the whole family!
These museums offer free admission or have a donation-based admission policy that doesn’t charge a fixed admission fee but looks to your generosity to help make them accessible to all in our community. Your whole family can explore the FUN at the Museum of Photographic Arts at SDMA in Balboa Park, the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad, the Nautical History Gallery & Museum in Liberty Station and more for free. Find the FREE museum list and other discounts here.
Memorials
San Diego Memorial Day 2025 ceremonies are planned across the County throughout Memorial Day weekend and on Memorial Day, May 26. Here’s a guide to some events to remember and honor service members who died for the country. The events are generally free.
Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial
Where: 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr S, La Jolla, CA 92037
Located high atop Soledad Mountain in La Jolla, the Mt Soledad Veterans Memorial honors war veterans from all branches of the military. Features include a 43-foot cross originally dedicated to veterans of the Korean War and black granite plaques dedicated to individual veterans. Visitors can also enjoy awe-inspiring panoramic views of San Diego County from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains.
Veterans Museum and Memorial Center
Where: 2115 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park honors all men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. On display are a variety of historical artifacts, documents, memorabilia and artwork from the Civil War era through Desert Storm in Iraq. Active-duty military get free admission to the museum, and veterans get a $1 discount. Plus the museum is free to all San Diego County residents on the second Tuesday of each month as part of Balboa park’s Resident Free Tuesdays. Tickets and more info here.
Greatest Generation Collection
The Port of San Diego showcases an inspiring collection of military heritage artworks dubbed the “Greatest Generation Collection” along its Embarcadero. For example, the “USS San Diego (CL-53) Memorial” is a striking monument commemorating the distinguished World War II service of San Diego’s namesake cruiser. The “Homecoming” sculpture depicts the happy return of a sailor from the sea, reunited with wife and child. The black obelisk and bronze sculptures of the “Aircraft Carrier Memorial” honor all who’ve served on the Navy’s aircraft carriers. The Admiral Sprague bust presides from its pedestal over the “Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial,” a fitting remembrance of one of the most desperate and heroic naval actions in U.S. history. Lastly, the “Military Tribute to Bob Hope” honors the famed entertainer’s efforts. Read more here. All artwork is located in a beautiful waterfront park on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego.
Additional Fun Discounts
San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres Military Discount
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Free for Active Duty Military
*Includes active duty members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; members of the Reserve components (Ready Reserve, National Guard, and Reservists in training); and cadets of service academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Civilians are not included.
California State Parks
California State Park Discounts
Every May, California State Parks offers free admission to veterans, active and reserve military members for Memorial Day. The California Department of Parks’ list of nature areas honoring the complimentary admission deal includes some in the San Diego area: South Carlsbad State Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Torrey Pines State Reserve, Silver Strand State Beach, Palomar Mountain State Park, Cardiff State Beach and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Honorably discharged war veterans who are residents of California with an overall / combined rating at 50% or greater service-connected disability, or were held as prisoners of war by forces hostile to the United States, or recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible to receive the California State Parks Distinguished Veteran Pass. The card entitles the holder to the use of all basic facilities (including day use, camping and boating) in California State Parks at no charge. Find out more here.
LEGOLAND California
Veteran & Active-Duty Military Discounts
Blue Star Museums
Active Duty Military
Free Family Visits
Now through Labor Day, active-duty military personnel and their families can enjoy free admission at participating museums thanks to a collaboration of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the U.S. Department of Defense and local museums.
Blue Star Museums in San Diego include Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, Coronado Historical Association, JA Cooley Museum, Museum of Making Music, Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, San Diego Archaeological Center, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, and San Diego Museum of Art.
