As someone who’s always looking for ways to make family travel more affordable and enjoyable, I have to say that San Diego might just be the most military-friendly vacation destination in the country. Between the incredible military discounts, the perfect weather, and all the family-friendly attractions, it’s honestly the ideal spot for a military family getaway.

I recently planned a family trip to San Diego using every military travel perk I could find, and I’m excited to share exactly how we made it work without breaking the bank. If you’ve been dreaming of a California vacation but worried about the costs, this post is for you!

The Game-Changing Travel Perks We Used

Let me walk you through the specific perks and programs that made our San Diego trip not just affordable, but actually luxurious. The key was combining multiple military benefits and credit card perks to maximize our savings at every step.

USO San Diego Airport: Your First Taste of Military Hospitality

Before we even left the airport, we were already saving money thanks to the USO. The USO center at San Diego International Airport was fantastic. Just be aware that the USO is located outside of the secure airport area, and it can get very busy, especially during peak travel times.

What the USO San Diego Offers:

• Comfortable seating areas perfect for families
• Free snacks and beverages (this alone saved us $30-40 at airport prices)
• Clean family restrooms and baby changing areas
• Quiet spaces for kids to decompress after flights
• Friendly volunteers who gave us local tips and recommendations

Rental Car

My husband uses the DOD Rental Car Program when he books cars for TDY’s, which is fairly often, so he had earned enough points for several free days. We booked thru Hertz and after a rocky start with all their computers being down at check-in, we had a good experience driving around a brand new car with less than a thousand miles on it.

Amazing Theme Park Savings: Legoland and SeaWorld

This is where our military benefits really shined. San Diego has some incredible family attractions, and the military discounts available made them much more accessible for our budget.

Legoland Military Discounts: Perfect for Younger Kids

Legoland’s military discounts are generous, and the California location in nearby Carlsbad was absolutely perfect for our family. We used the military discount to save significantly on admission, and the kids had an absolute blast.

Why Legoland California Works for Military Families:

• Designed for kids aged 2-12 (that sweet spot for many military families)
• Less overwhelming than larger theme parks
• Manageable in one day, two days is perfect if you want to do everything & your favorite’s twice
• Military discounts available year-round
• Beautiful location near the coast

If you can fit it in the budget the Legoland hotel was so fun and early entry was a huge perk! You’ll basically be the only family on the ride.

SeaWorld’s Waves of Honor: Free Military Admission

Now this program absolutely blew me away. SeaWorld’s Waves of Honor program offers completely FREE admission to active-duty military members and their families. Yes, you read that right – FREE.

Waves of Honor Program Details:

• Free single-day admission for active-duty service members
• Up to three family members get free admission too
• Must register online in advance
• Valid military ID required at the gate
• Available year-round with some blackout dates during peak seasons

Our SeaWorld Experience: The shows were incredible and knowing we were experiencing it all for free made it even more enjoyable. We did spend money on two stuffed penguins. Highly recommend packing lunch so you aren’t paying $5 for a snack bag of Cheetos.

Sesame Place San Diego: Another Waves of Honor Option

Here’s something many military families don’t realize – the Waves of Honor program isn’t just for SeaWorld! Sesame Place San Diego also participates in this incredible free admission program for military families.

Why Consider Sesame Place:

• Perfect for families with younger children (ages 2-8)
• Water park attractions combined with Sesame Street theming
• Same Waves of Honor benefits as SeaWorld
• Less crowded than SeaWorld, especially on weekdays
• Great alternative if SeaWorld dates are full

Free Hotel Nights with AmEx Hilton Aspire: Military Benefits That Actually Pay You Back

This is honestly one of my favorite military benefits that many families don’t know about. I used free night certificates from my American Express Hilton Aspire card to cover our accommodation costs other than the Legoland hotel.

Why AmEx Hilton Aspire is Perfect for Military Families: Why AmEx Hilton Aspire is Perfect for Military Families:

• Annual Free Night Certificates: Earn certificates that can be used at premium Hilton properties
• Semi-annual $250 Resort Credit: This was huge for us – we used it for hotel dining, snacks, and even parking fees
• $50 Quarterly Airline Credit: We applied this toward our Delta flights, adding up to $200 annually in flight savings
• Hilton Diamond Status: Automatic upgrades, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast at many properties

Our San Diego Experience: The combination of free nights plus two $250 resort credits meant we stayed at a beautiful hotel without spending a dime on accommodation, and we actually had credit to cover most of our hotel dining and incidental costs. The kids loved the hotel pool, and we enjoyed room service one night without stressing about the cost.

Delta Flight Benefits: Since we flew Delta, we also got free checked bags for military, which saved us another $60-80 each way. When you start stacking these military benefits, the savings add up incredibly fast.

Must-Visit Military-Friendly Attractions

Beyond the theme parks, San Diego offers some incredible experiences that are both educational and entertaining for military families.

USS Midway Museum: Free for Military Members

As a military family, visiting the USS Midway felt almost like a pilgrimage. This floating museum offers an incredible glimpse into naval aviation history, and active-duty military members get completely FREE admission (though family members pay regular price).

Why We Loved the USS Midway:

• Free admission for active-duty service members
• Authentic aircraft carrier experience
• Interactive exhibits that kept the kids engaged
• Audio tour narrated by actual Midway veterans
• Incredible views of San Diego Bay
• Plan to stay the entire day – there’s so much to see and explore

Food Strategy: You’ll definitely want to fuel up during your visit since there’s easily a full day’s worth of exploration here. We packed some snacks for the kids, but honestly, the food on the ship is pretty tasty and reasonably priced. The galley-style dining adds to the authentic experience, and it’s convenient when you’re spending the whole day aboard.

Family Tip: The flight deck can be windy and sunny, so bring layers and sunscreen. The kids were fascinated by the aircraft displays, and the veteran volunteers who staff the museum were incredible storytellers. Don’t rush through – this is the kind of experience that deserves a full day.

Coronado Beach: Free Family Fun with Military Perks

Sometimes the best experiences are the simplest ones. Coronado Beach offered us a perfect family day that cost absolutely nothing beyond parking and snacks.

Why Coronado Beach is Perfect for Military Families:

• Wide, family-friendly beach with gentle waves
• Close to Naval Base Coronado (familiar territory for many military families)
• Stunning views of the Hotel del Coronado
• Free parking available if you know where to look
• Safe, clean environment perfect for kids

Our Beach Day Strategy: We packed a cooler with snacks and drinks, brought our own beach toys, and spent the entire day building sandcastles and playing in the waves. The kids were exhausted in the best possible way, and it didn’t cost us anything beyond what we’d packed from home.

The Bottom Line: San Diego is Made for Military Families

After experiencing San Diego with all these military travel perks, I’m convinced it’s one of the most military-friendly vacation destinations in the country. The combination of incredible discounts, free attractions, and military-specific benefits makes it accessible for families on military budgets.

Our Total Savings Breakdown:

• Flights: Paid with credit card points except about $60 in taxes
• Rental car: 4 free days
• Hotel: Completely free with AmEx Hilton Aspire Certificates
• Legoland: Military discount applied
• SeaWorld: Completely free through Waves of Honor
• USS Midway: Military discount applied
• Coronado Beach: Free
• Food and extras: This is where our savings from everything else allowed us to be more generous

Planning Your Own San Diego Military Family Trip

Start with the Free Stuff: Register for Waves of Honor and plan your SeaWorld day first. This sets your baseline for a completely free day of entertainment.

Layer Your Benefits: Use credit card points for hotels, and military discounts for paid attractions. Each benefit builds on the others.

Don’t Overlook the Simple Pleasures: Some of our best family memories were from the free beach day at Coronado. Pack a cooler and embrace the simple joy of a family day at the beach.

Plan Ahead: Military discounts and programs like Waves of Honor require advance planning. Don’t wait until the last minute to register or book.

San Diego was an incredible, memory-making vacation without spending a fortune – you just need to know how to stack your military benefits effectively. The combination of perfect weather, military-friendly attractions, and generous discount programs makes it a destination I’d recommend to any military family looking for their next adventure.

Have you used any of these San Diego military travel perks? I’d love to hear about your experiences and any additional tips you discovered! As always, I’m here to help you make the most of the benefits available to our military families.

Remember to verify current program terms and availability, as military discounts and travel benefits can change. The information in this post reflects our experience and current programs as of the publication date.