Membership has its benefits!
Explore BIG FUN during The Big Exchange from May 1 – 18, 2025. It’s EASY! Just use your museum membership card (or join one today) to visit more than 50 participating museums for FREE.
The Big Exchange is your ticket to an exciting cultural adventure! This special program grants reciprocal admission to members of participating museums, historic sites, gardens, and cultural institutions across San Diego County. With over 50 locations to explore, you can discover new favorites or revisit beloved spots—all for free! Simply present your current membership card from any participating organization and enjoy complimentary entry to the incredible destinations listed below. It’s a fantastic way to experience the rich history, art, science, and nature that make San Diego so unique!
Download a Digital Guide to All the Participating Museums!
Get Your Big Exchange Digital Museum Guide Here – Enter your information to view the digital guide on your mobile device or home computer. Explore BIG FUN during The Big Exchange from May 1–18, 2024. It’s EASY! Use your museum membership card (or join one today) to visit more than 50 participating museums for FREE. Some restrictions apply.
How It Works: During the Big Exchange, members of any of the participating organizations (see list below) can simply head to another participating museum and show their membership card for complimentary reciprocal admission.
Tip: Not yet a museum member? Contact your favorite museum to join today and ask for a temporary Big Exchange Membership Card to visit other participating sites. Each membership is reciprocal per guest or membership status. For example, a single membership would enjoy similar access for one attendee at a participating museum. A family membership might enjoy entrance for up to four guests at another participating museum.
Note: The Balboa Park Explorer Pass or Go San Diego Card will not be accepted as part of this program. Reciprocal admission requires proof of current membership from one of the participating museums.
Become a member of your favorite local museum or renew your current membership now.
The Big Exchange 2025 will run May 1 -18.
Youth Ride Free with PRONTO
Plus the City and County has made it easier and more affordable for families to access more San Diego FUN. Starting All riders 18 & under are able to ride MTS and North County Transit District (NCTD) services for FREE with a Youth PRONTO app account, or a Youth PRONTO card. The Youth Opportunity Pass is a pilot program, sponsored by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and County of San Diego, through June 30, 2024. Find out more here.
JOIN TODAY!
Become a Member of Your Favorite Museum
(Click on a link below to explore all the benefits that come with membership)
Look Below for Museums Participating from 2024
(Note some museums have restrictions or may require reservations)
Barona Cultural Center & Museum
Birch Aquarium (Please note, reservations must be made online in advanced to visit Birch Aquarium during The Big Exchange. Capacity is limited, Big Exchange tickets are available on the Birch Aquarium website on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
California Wolf Center (Limited availability. Online advanced reservations required).
Coronado Historical Association
Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum (Family memberships limited to 2 free admissions at Deer Park)
Fleet Science Center (Exhibit gallery only at the Fleet. Films not included but can be added for $9.95 per person).
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House (Only for general admission self-guided tours Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Heritage of the Americas Museum (Excludes special events and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Central
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) North
Junípero Serra Museum (The Junípero Serra Museum is part of the San Diego History Center)
Lemon Grove Parsonage Museum (Only open on Saturdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Living Coast Discovery Center (Does not grant member discount for camps, tours, gift shop, or other member perks. Excludes special event pricing and member only events.)
Marine Corps Rucruit Depot Command Museums (Membership is with the MCRD Museum Foundation, in support of MCRD Museum. Get 15% off when you become a member. All visitors must show valid government-issued identification that is REALID compliant. The MCRD Museum is located on a Federal Installation. Enter through gate 5. Limited base access, click here for details)
Maritime Museum of San Diego (Self-guided general admission tours only. On-the-water experiences do not apply.)
Marston House Museum and Gardens (SOHO)
Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum – Always Free
Museum of Photographic Arts at SDMA
Nautical History Gallery & Museum
New Americans Museum (By appointment only)
New Children’s Museum (Excludes special events. Cannot be combined with other offers).
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum – (Applies to museum admission only, NOT train ride tickets. Available in-person only. Excludes Campo Days, May 3-5).
RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust Exhibit
San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts (Museum without Walls – watch the website/social media for upcoming exhibits and online programing).
San Diego Archaeological Center
San Diego Automotive Museum (Children must be accompanied by an adult).
San Diego Botanic Garden (Walk-in admission only at the Garden /World of Orchids- additional $7).
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (Excludes special events. Cannot be combined with other offers).
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (Open on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m.)
San Diego International Airport Arts Program (Terminal 2 / Access to some parts of the airport are for ticketed passengers only.)
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Museum of Art (Special exhibition opens May 13, $10/person surcharge. Museum closed on Wednesdays.)
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) Does not include films (available to add on for $5 a person.)
The New Children’s Museum (Excludes special events. Cannot be combined with other offers).
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center – Always Free Admission
Timken Museum of Art (The Museum is Always free).
