ONLY IN OCTOBER
October 16, 2009 by Junvi
Filed under Family Friendly, San Diego North
To most, October is the month of pumpkin carving, costume hunting and bloodcurdling screams echoing throughout the county’s haunted houses. For me, October brings the promise of a fatter bank account because of the bevy of FREE or ALMOST FREE activities that come around only this time of year. Don’t fret, your cup can also runneth over. Take a look at all the FREEBIES that abound this October and put the extra cash towards topping last year’s costume.
Photo credit: inetours.com/Lee W. Nelson
Belmont Park is celebrating EVERYONE’s birthday this month with a FREE Unlimited Ride Wristband, even if you were born in another month. Your birthday will be celebrated on the corresponding day of your birth (for example, if you were born July 20, then you can get the free wristband on October 20). This sweet freebie includes unlimited rides on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Speedway Bumper Cars, Vertical Plunge, Chaos, Laser Maze, Mirror Maze, one round of miniature golf, 20 arcade tokens, a FREE 20 oz soda from Patio Grill, and a FREE frozen banana from the Sweet Shoppe. Any guest you bring can purchase the same wristband for only $15.
San Diego Asian Film Festival
To celebrate their 10th year anniversary, the San Diego Asian Film Festival is offering 10 FREE films within the festival’s schedule. Sponsored by Target, any film during the festival that starts at 4pm is free, one ticket at the box office per person. Free films include, Love in Translation, a series of short films about the matters of the heart, and Sita Sings the Blues, a family-friendly animation of a Hindu goddess. Plus, round out your festival experience by going to any of their free panels (you’ll still need to grab a ticket at the box office), which includes Fight Scenes and Fall Guys and You Tube Can Be a Celebrity.
San Diego Italian Film Festival
During this year’s festival, foreign film buffs and lovers of all things Italian can celebrate life in the social piazza of cinema with FREE Italian films screening at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Running mid-October to early November, the film festival showcases 12 recently released Italian films with English subtitles and is open to the public for free (donations are strongly encouraged). Films include Se Fossi In Te (If I Were You), about three discontented men who switch places to then face unexpected situations, and Notte Blu Cobalto (Cobalt Blue Night), a whimsical tale of a pizza deliverer who finds his deliveries are more than what he thought.
San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal is offering FREE children admission during October’s Kid Free Days. Valid for children ages 3-11.
Hornblower San Diego
Children ages 12 and under can cruise for FREE on any one- or two-hour Harbor Cruise of San Diego Bay with Hornblower Cruises & Events. Complimentary tickets will be provided for up to two children, per each paying adult for the entire month.
Balboa Park
During the month of October, four museums in Balboa Park are offering HALF-PRICED admission every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am-12pm. The participating museums are Mingei International Museum, Museum of Man, Museum of San Diego History and the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) Note: this offer is actually valid through May 31, 2010 with some blackout days effective after October 31; please check museums to verify for half-priced admission days.
