San Diego Museum Month begins, offering discounted admission all of February

50% off admission for more than 70 museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums and more throughout San Diego County for San Diego Museum Month.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Museum Month began Sunday and runs until Feb. 28, offering 50% off admission to more than 70 museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums and more throughout San Diego County. 

Free Museum Month passes can be picked up at any of roughly 80 San Diego City or County public library branches, five libraries in Imperial County, or at select educational libraries. 

Digital passes can be downloaded on the San Diego Museum Council’s website.

The pass is valid for up to four guests, although some restrictions may apply at certain sites. 

David Neville, the communications director for the San Diego Air & Space Museum, told CBS 8 that San Diego Museum Month consistently helps with attendance, and it’s a great way for the museums to give back. 

Neville said the museum is hopeful that it will also assist with their head count, despite Balboa Park’s new paid parking program, which some museums are blaming for a recent drop-off in the number of visitors. 

“We’re incentivizing them, saying we’re half price during this time,” Neville said. “There’s been a lot of anger, a lot of confusion, and people don’t really know what it’s like. But, this is a great time to come back to one of your local museums, especially through the Museum Month program.”

Robyn Currie and Ray Toews are on vacation for a few days and stopped by the Air & Space Museum on Sunday. Toews works in an air museum in Phoenix, and both told CBS 8 that access to museums is essential for education. 

“There are lots of people who can’t afford [it],” Toews said. “If there’s an incentive… especially kids… if you can bring your kids into museums, it’s like… who knows what can happen… (they) might be the next Neil Armstrong.”