Kids & family
Spooky Night with a haunted maze at Penn Athletic Field
Fri, Oct 23, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Penn Athletic FieldSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Free this weekend in San Diego
Oct 23 – Oct 25
Free to join: unlock how to get each one, the official links and tips.Join free
Friday, Oct 23 25 listings
Kids & family
Haunted Halloween Night at Mountain View Community Center
Fri, Oct 23, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Mountain View Community Center at Neal Petties ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Food
Free groceries and produce at Spring Valley Library
Fri, Oct 23, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spring Valley LibraryEast County
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
No catch
Kids & family
Halloween carnival and trunk-or-treat in San Carlos
Fri, Oct 23, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
San Carlos Community ParkEast County
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Kids & family
Fall festival and spooky movie night at Park de la Cruz
Fri, Oct 23, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Park de la Cruz GymnasiumCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Kids & family
Bay Terraces fall festival with a car show and haunted maze
Fri, Oct 23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bay Terraces Community ParkSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Attractions
Coronado Museum of History and Art (free admission)
Tue–Sun, 10am–4pm
Coronado Museum of History and ArtSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · coronadohistory.org
No catch
Attractions
Museum of History and Culture La Jolla (always free)
Wed–Sun, 12–4pm
Museum of History and Culture La JollaLa Jolla & North Coastal
Verified Oct 22 · mhclajolla.org
No catch
Attractions
Wieghorst Western Heritage Museum (free admission)
Fri–Sun, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wieghorst MuseumEast County
Verified Oct 22 · wieghorstmuseum.org
No catch
Free itemsFree (worth about $10)
Free dog or cat food at San Diego Humane Society (Gaines St)
Tue–Sun 10am–6pm
San Diego Humane Society, San Diego CampusCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · sdhumane.org
No catch
Classes & fitness
Free ranger hike at Blue Sky: plants and animals
Fri, Oct 23, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Blue Sky Ecological ReserveNorth County Inland
Verified Oct 22 · poway.org
No catch
Food
Free bags of ready-to-eat food on weekdays (Hillcrest)
Mon–Fri 10am–8pm
The San Diego LGBT Community Center (Welcome Desk)Central San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · thecentersd.org
No catch
Food
Free hot lunch every day at Father Joe's Villages (East Village)
Mon–Sat 11am–12:30pm; Sun 9:30–11:30am
Father Joe's Villages, courtyard on 15th StCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · my.neighbor.org
No catch
Entertainment
Free Friday organ recitals at St. Paul's Cathedral
Fridays at 1pm
St. Paul's CathedralCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · stpaulcathedral.org
No catch
Entertainment
Free piano concerts at the Timken Museum
Fridays, Saturdays and select Sundays, 10am–noon
Timken Museum of Art, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · Timken Museum
No catch
Kids & familyFree (worth about $15)
Free youth basketball skills nights at Park de la Cruz
Fridays 6–8pm through Dec 4
Park de la Cruz GymnasiumCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Ages 8–12 · Register at the center or on SDRecConnect (code 136636)
Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $20)
Free sewing and upcycling class in Golden Hill
Fridays 11am–2pm through Nov 20
Golden Hill Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Ages 18–80 · Register on SDRecConnect (code 135009)
Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $10)
Free badminton clinics at Presidio Rec Center
Youth Tue 6–7:30pm; adults Fri 5–6pm (Sept–Nov)
Presidio Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Youth 8–17 on Tuesdays, adults 18+ on Fridays · Sign-up codes: 137551 (youth), 137513 (adults)
Services
Free legal advice clinic in City Heights, Friday mornings (Community Law Project)
Fridays 8:45–10:45am through Dec 18 (closed Nov 27)
Rosa Parks Elementary SchoolCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · cwclp.org
Catch: For low-income and vulnerable San Diegans
Food
Free groceries once a month at the Feeding San Diego Marketplace
Tue–Wed 9am–1pm and 5–7pm; Thu–Fri 9am–1pm; 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays 9am–1pm (reservation only)
Feeding San Diego Marketplace, Sorrento ValleyLa Jolla & North Coastal
Verified Oct 22 · Feeding San Diego
Catch: One visit a month (one reservation every 4 weeks) · Saturdays need a reservation; no walk-ups
Free items
Free mulch pickup at Ramona Disposal (City of Escondido program)
Mon–Sat, 7am–4:30pm; closed Sundays
Ramona DisposalNorth County Inland
Verified Oct 22 · City of Escondido
Catch: Self-load only: bring your own containers and shovel
Food
Free weekday hot lunch for ages 60+ in Hillcrest
Weekdays 11:30am–12:30pm
The San Diego LGBT Community CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · Jewish Family Service
Catch: Ages 60+ (younger guests can buy a meal) · Reservation required by 3pm the day before
Food
Free weekday hot lunch for ages 60+ in Linda Vista
Weekdays 11:30am–12:30pm
Bayside Community CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · Jewish Family Service
Catch: Ages 60+ · Reservation required
Services
Free HIV, hepatitis C and STI testing in Hillcrest
Mon–Fri 10am–7pm; Sat 10am–3pm
The San Diego LGBT Community CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · thecentersd.org
Catch: By appointment (walk-ins only if there's space)
Food
Free groceries every Friday downtown (Jewish Family Service)
Fridays 9–10am (none Nov 27 or Dec 25)
Chabad DowntownCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · Jewish Family Service
Catch: For San Diego County residents in need of food assistance · While supplies last
Saturday, Oct 24 14 listings
Entertainment
Halloween Spooktacular at the Spreckels Organ
Sat, Oct 24, 7:00 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · Spreckels Organ Society
No catch
Attractions
Queen Califia's Magical Circle: Niki de Saint Phalle's mosaic garden
Tue & Thu 9am–noon; 2nd and 4th Saturdays 9am–2pm
Kit Carson Park, EscondidoNorth County Inland
Verified Oct 22 · City of Escondido
No catch
Attractions
Free Saturday bird walks at the Tijuana Estuary
Every Saturday, 9:30–10:30am
Tijuana Estuary Visitor CenterSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · Tijuana River Estuary
No catch
Kids & family
Spooky garden party with live animals at Tecolote Nature Center
Sat, Oct 24, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Tecolote Nature CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Classes & fitness
Free guided nature walks at the Tijuana Estuary
1st, 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 11am
Tijuana Estuary Visitor CenterSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · Tijuana River Estuary
No catch
Kids & family
Free Junior Rangers program at the Tijuana Estuary
Saturdays, 11am–noon (Oct 31 canceled)
Tijuana Estuary Visitor CenterSouth Bay
Verified Oct 22 · Tijuana River Estuary
Catch: For kids ages 7 to 12
Classes & fitness
Free guided nature walks at Mission Trails
Wed, Sat & Sun 9:30–11am (8:30–10am in July–Aug)
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor CenterEast County
Verified Oct 22 · Mission Trails Regional Park
No catch
Kids & familyFree (worth about $15)
Free ballet folklórico classes at Golden Hill Rec Center
Mon & Thu 7:30–9pm, Sat 11am–12pm, through Nov 19
Golden Hill Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Ages 8–75, or the 7-and-under class · Register on SDRecConnect (codes 135108, 135109, 135110)
Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $10)
Free Saturday art classes at Southcrest Rec Center
Saturdays 10–11am through November
Southcrest Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Register on ActiveNet (code 136142 for October, 136143 for November)
Attractions
Free walking tour of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 2pm
Robinson Rose Visitor Information Center, Old Town San Diego State Historic ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · California State Parks
Catch: Runs as staffing permits · Limited to 18 people; sign up at the visitor center front desk
Free items
Free electronic signal flare for boaters (Shelter Island)
Sat, Oct 24, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shelter Island Boat Ramp Parking LotCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County
Catch: One per vehicle, while supplies last · Bring proof of eligibility (residency, boat registration or slip fee) · No commercial flares
Free items
Free mulch and paper shredding in Ramona
Sat, Oct 24, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ramona High SchoolNorth County Inland
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County
Catch: Unincorporated County residents only · Ends early if it reaches capacity
Services
Free hazardous waste and e-waste drop-off for Poway residents
Saturdays, 9am–3pm
Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection FacilityNorth County Inland
Verified Oct 22 · poway.org
Catch: Poway residents only; bring a formal ID or a current utility bill
Services
Free hazardous waste drop-off for City of San Diego residents
Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am–3pm, by appointment
Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility, Miramar LandfillCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: City of San Diego residents only; bring photo ID or a recent bill with your address · Appointment required (book on the City's online form)
Sunday, Oct 25 3 listings
Entertainment
Día de los Muertos festival in Encinitas: mariachi, folklórico and lowriders
Sun, Oct 25, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
MiraCosta College, San Elijo CampusLa Jolla & North Coastal
Verified Oct 22 · encinitasarts.org
No catch
Kids & family
Halloween at Liberty Station: trick-or-treating, inflatables and a car show
Sun, Oct 25, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ingram Plaza, Liberty StationCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · libertystation.com
No catch
EntertainmentFree (worth about $15)
Free Sunday organ concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Sundays at 2pm, year-round
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · Spreckels Organ Society
No catch
Always free, any weekend 8 listings
ServicesFree (usually $80)
Free national parks pass for military, veterans and Gold Star families
Ongoing
Federal recreation sites (e.g. Cabrillo National Monument) or Recreation.govCountywide
Verified Oct 21 · National Park Service
Catch: Military, dependents, veterans or Gold Star families only · Show photo ID with the pass · Federal sites only, not state or city parks
Kids & familyFree (usually $78)
Free San Diego Zoo and museum passes with a County Library card
Ongoing
San Diego County Library (Discover & Go)Countywide
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County Library
Catch: San Diego County Library card required (numbers start 01535) · Up to 2 reservations at a time; book up to 3 months ahead · Some attractions allow one pass per year; each sets how many people a pass admits · Photo ID must match the name on the pass
AttractionsFree (usually $78)
San Diego Zoo free for active-duty military
Ongoing
San Diego Zoo, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 22 · zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Catch: Active-duty military only, with a valid CAC card · Covers the service member only, not family
AttractionsFree (usually $39)
USS Midway Museum: free for active duty and reservists
Ongoing
USS Midway MuseumCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · USS Midway Museum
Catch: Active duty, reservists or kids 3 and under only; others in your group pay · Free guests get tickets at the booth on the day
FoodFree (worth about $25)
Free groceries: Feeding San Diego distributions
Ongoing; hours vary by site
Multiple locations countywide
Verified Oct 21 · Feeding San Diego
No catch
FoodFree (worth about $25)
Free groceries: San Diego Food Bank distributions
Once a month at each Neighborhood Distribution site
Multiple locations countywide
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego Food Bank
Catch: Each site runs once a month; check its schedule · Some other Food Bank programs have income guidelines
Kids & familyFree (usually $25)
San Diego Museum of Art: free for kids, students and military
Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Wednesdays
San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego Museum of Art
Catch: Only for ages 17 and under, students and military; other adults pay $25 (seniors $15) · Kids under 14 need an adult 18+ · Students and military need ID
Kids & familyFree (usually $20)
Free national park pass for 4th graders and their families
2026–27 school year (Sept 1 – Aug 31)
Federal parks and lands, including Cabrillo National MonumentCountywide
Verified Oct 22 · National Park Service
Catch: For U.S. 4th graders and the family with them · Complete a short online activity to get the pass · Bring photo ID with the pass at Cabrillo