UPDATED JULY 2024. Sesame Place San Diego is so much more than a theme park! It is a Certified Autism Center and offers specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs. Today we're going to give you the details on everything you need to know to visit Sesame Place in San Diego with your family.

We are so excited to share everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind theme park. Sesame Place is located in the space that was previously Aquatica San Diego. Here we will also answer all of your questions like where it's located, when it's open and of course, where to get your tickets. So get ready to make memories at one of the newest Southern California theme parks!

What is Sesame Place San Diego?

Sesame Place is a new theme park based on the popular show, Sesame Street. When you visit Sesame Place you’ll experience family-friendly rides and splashy water slides all in one space. Plus, it is designated as a Certified Autism Center creating a comfortable environment for everyone in your group.

Did Sesame Place replace Aquatica San Diego?

Yes, Sesame Place did replace Aquatica San Diego water park when it opened in 2022.

Where is Sesame Place San Diego?

Sesame Place San Diego is located in Chula Vista, about a 30 minute drive from SeaWorld San Diego. The best way to get there is to drive and standard parking is about $30 per day. If you don't have a car, or just don't want to deal with driving and parking, you can easily take a ride share service.

Parking can be purchased and reserved online before you arrive. Regular parking will be in the ground level parking lot with little to no shade. Upgraded parking for about $45 is available. This VIP Parking gets you closer to the main entrance and is covered parking.

When is Sesame Place San Diego open?

Sesame Place San Diego is typically open on weekends and holidays, then returns to a daily schedule around Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

On days when the park is open, it typically opens mid-morning, around 10:00 or 10:30 am and stays open until 5:00 or 6:00 pm. On busier weekends, the park may stay open as late as 8:00 pm. Be sure to check the official calendar before making any solid plans for visiting the Sesame Place.

We love saving families money on their Southern California vacations, and Sesame Place is no exception.

How do I get Sesame Place San Diego tickets?

The best way to purchase your discount Sesame Place tickets online is with Get Away Today. Not only do we offer Sesame Place discounts, we also have tons of other San Diego ticket options for you to choose from.

Our top recommendations for San Diego vacations are listed here.

What Hotels are Near Sesame Place San Diego?

Because Sesame Place is located in Chula Vista, about a 30 minute drive from SeaWorld San Diego, there are some really great hotels to choose from near the center of it all.

Sesame Place San Diego has rides that everyone can enjoy together! From first roller coaster rides to an imaginary trip to outer space in an Elmo-themed rocket ship, the rides at Sesame Place are designed with everyone’s favorite furry friends in mind.

Abby's Fairy Flight

• A family swing ride themed after everyone’s favorite fairy-in-training
• Guest must be 38” tall to ride

Cookie Climb

• Pull yourself to the top of these Cookie Monster-themed towers and have a giggling good ride back down
• Guest must be 36” tall to ride

Elmo's Rockin' Rockets

• Fly up, down, and all around in one of Elmo’s rocket ships
• Guests under 48" must be accompanied by a supervising companion

Rosita's Harmony Hills

• Climb, crawl, and create beautiful “música” as you play on these rolling green hillsides
• Guests of all ages can participate

Rub-A-Dub Subs

• Go around and around both forward and backward on the S.S. Duckie
• Guests under 36" must be accompanied by a supervising companion

Sesame Street Soar & Spin

• Get a bird’s-eye view of the whole park as you soar and spin atop this lively family ride
• Guests under 42" tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion

Sunny Day Carousel

• A cute, colorful, classic ride that’s perfect for everyone
• Guests under 42" tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion

Photo courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego

Super Grover's Box Car Derby

• This family-friendly coaster is full of fun hills, big turns, and mini-dives
• Guest must be 38” tall to ride

In addition to the family favorites above, there are also a number of water rides your family can enjoy during spring and summer months! Water rides will open for the season on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

The Count's Splash Castle - Opens Summer 2023

• Get ready for The Count’s Splash Castle, the ALL-NEW water-play attraction
• Guests of all ages can participate

Big Bird's Beach

• Catch a wave in our family-friendly wave pool surrounded by a sandy beach
• Guests under 48” must be accompanied by an adult and wear a life vest

Big Bird's Rambling River

• Grab a tube and enjoy this relaxing, fun-filled water adventure
• Guests under 42” are recommended to wear a life vest

Elmo's Silly Sand Slides

• A colorful, hands-on water adventure with 6 slippery slides and lots of splashy fun
• Slides in this area require guests to be no taller than 48” to ride

Honker Dinger Dash

• Grab a mat and enjoy the thrilling race down these 6 colorful water slides
• Guest must be 42” tall to ride

Bert's Topsy Turvy Tunnels

• Grab your best buddy for a splish-splashing tube ride down enclosed or open-air slides
• Guests under 42 inches tall must ride with a supervising companion
• Toddlers who cannot walk on their own are not permitted

Cookie's Monster Mixer

• This 6-story, four-person family raft ride sends you on a swirling, swishing, splashing adventure
• Guest must be 48” tall to ride

Ernie's Twisty Turny Tunnels

• Get ready for a tubular adventure down enclosed or open-air slides!
• Guests under 42 inches tall must ride with a supervising companion
• Toddlers who cannot walk on their own are not permitted

Oscar’s Rotten Rafts

• Share a grouchy good time on this family-raft ride down a watery path with long twists and turns
• Guest must be 42” tall to ride

Snuffy’s Spaghetti Slides

• Swoosh down one of six different, 60-foot-long body slides straight into a splashy ending
• Guest must be 42” tall to ride

From furry friend meet and greets, to parades and storytime, there’s something for everyone who visits Sesame Place.

Sesame Street Meet-and-Greets

• Meet your Sesame Street friends in various locations throughout the neighborhood and grab the perfect selfie!
• We’ve seen Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch, Bert & Ernie, Grover, Zoe, Rosita and more friends.

Furry Friends Dance Party

• Dance, sing, and groove along with your Sesame Street friends during this interactive dance party!
• Lively music, parade-type floats with friends like Bert & Ernie, Elmo and more make an appearance.

Welcome To Our Street!

• Elmo, Abby, Grover, Rosita, and Cookie Monster want to put on a show to welcome their new friends to Sesame Street but can’t decide what kind it should be.
• Will it be a dance show, a magic show or a cookie show? With the help of DJ Dani, the Sesame Street friends work together to put on the biggest, most spectacular welcome show of all!

Sesame Street Party Parade

• The Sesame Street Party Parade will be marching excitement throughout Sesame Place San Diego in 2023!
• During this show you could be exposed to intense audio, visual, and special effects including loud noises, bright lights, strobe lights, and confetti blasts.

Sesame Street Party Parade

• The Sesame Street Party Parade will be marching excitement throughout Sesame Place San Diego in 2023!
• During this show you could be exposed to intense audio, visual, and special effects including loud noises, bright lights, strobe lights, and confetti blasts.

Storytime with Big Bird

• Enjoy a tale and feathered friends during this interactive experience everyone can enjoy.
• Showtimes vary, check schedule for times.

When you are ready for a tasty treat, there are plenty of food locations, a variety of healthy choices and sweet treats sure to satisfy even the hungriest little monsters.

Grover's Grill

Enjoy grab-and-go grilled favorites including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Impossible burgers and chicken sandwiches (grilled or fried).

Monster Snacks

Mosey over to Monster Snacks to munch on a variety of snack options including chicken tenders, waffle fries, garden salads, PB&J sandwiches, & sweet treats.

Telly's Trattoria

Take a break at Telly’s Trattoria to enjoy a savory slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza or healthy garden salad.

Eats On The Street

Serving a variety of snacks including popcorn, hot dogs, packaged snacks, fountain and bottled beverages

Oscar's Grouchy Grub

Serving a variety of tasty wraps, healthy salad options, fresh fruit cups and parfaits.

When you're ready to book your vacation to San Diego, we'd love to help. We will always help you get the best deal on park tickets. We'll also make sure that we help you find the perfect hotel for your vacation.

Our vacation experts tour our San Diego hotels and visit the attractions so we can give you first hand recommendations for your vacation. You can view all of our San Diego packages online, or call our agents at 855-GET-AWAY. Either way, we can't wait to help you book your Sesame Place San Diego vacation!