Membership has its benefits!
FREE Admission to 50+ Museums!
Explore BIG FUN during The Big Exchange from May 1 – 18, 2026.
The “Big Exchange” – Your Membership Just Got Supercharged!
Here’s where your museum membership turns into a golden ticket.
Every spring, San Diego’s museums come together for something truly special: The Big Exchange, happening this year from May 1–18. During this limited-time event, your membership at any participating museum gives you FREE general admission to more than 50 museums all across San Diego County!
Download a Digital Guide to All the Participating Museums!
Coming Soon!
It’s EASY! Just use your museum membership card (or join one today) to visit more than 50 participating museums for FREE. 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, 2026. It’s EASY! Use your museum membership card (or join one today) to visit more than 50 participating museums for FREE. Some restrictions apply.
That’s right—whether you’re already a member or planning to purchase one, you’ll unlock access to an incredible lineup of museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums, and more. Think of it as a county-wide cultural celebration—and your membership is your all-access pass. 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 our way of saying THANK YOU for supporting San Diego’s vibrant museum community. And it’s not just one or two spots—this includes everything from art and science museums to historical societies and hidden gems you may have never visited before.
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 2026 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. 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, 2026. 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 in 2025
(Note some museums have restrictions or may require reservations)
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 Center for the Arts Museum (Museum only)
Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center
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. Up to 4 guest maximum admitted on a family membership).
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 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) (Good for regular Marston House Museum Guided Tours only; not for Walking Tours or other special events. New members who join SOHO during The Big Exchange will receive a FREE Third Sunday Walking Tour (a $20 value)—an excellent way to dive into San Diego’s rich history.)
Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum – Always Free
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla
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).
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 Children’s Discovery Museum (Excludes special events. Cannot be combined with other offers).
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (Open on 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 (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
Warner Carrillo Ranch House (SOHO)
