The Fleet Science Center Ticket
Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 29.2
Key Highlights
- Explore over 100 interactive hands-on science exhibits across eight galleries, covering space exploration, energy, illusions, the natural world, nanotechnology, and more
- Experience the world's first IMAX Dome Theater
- Let imaginations run wild at Kid City, a dedicated space for children aged 5 and under, with a miniature grocery store, ball wall, block corner, and magnetic wall
- Invent, create, and experiment in Studio X
- Visit the Space Gallery, Design Zone, Illusions, Power Play San Diego, San Diego's Water, and the Pulseworks VR Transporter
About The Fleet Science Center Ticket
The eight galleries cover an extraordinarily wide range of scientific disciplines and creative challenges. The Space Gallery and Sun, Earth, Universe gallery bring NASA-inspired content to life — visitors can design model spacecraft, drive rovers across a Mars landscape, and play mission-to-space board games. The Illusions gallery challenges perception and visual assumptions in ways that consistently delight both children and adults. Power Play San Diego connects the science of energy to everyday life, while San Diego's Water explores the remarkable story of how southern California's most precious resource is collected, treated, and delivered. Kid City is a richly designed environment for the youngest visitors, with a miniature grocery store, ball wall, block corner, and Little Learner's Lab packed with maths and reading games. Studio X is where older children and adults can experiment, design, and create at dedicated maker stations using science and technology.
The centrepiece of the Fleet is the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater — the world's first IMAX Dome Theater, with a 76-foot wrap-around screen nearly eight stories high and 16,000 watts of digital surround sound. IMAX films, documentary features, and planetarium shows come to life in a 360-degree immersive format that makes every subject feel genuinely transporting. One Dome Theater show is included with every general admission ticket. The monthly Sky Tonight astronomy show — hosted by the Fleet's astronomer-in-residence on the first Wednesday of every month — is one of San Diego's most beloved and longest-running science events. Book your Fleet Science Center ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 15%.
Inclusions
- General admission to the Fleet Science Center
- One documentary screening in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater
- Access to Pop-Up Science Demos throughout the day
- Access to the North Star Science Store and Element 8 Cafe
Exclusions
- Special premium or travelling exhibitions
- Transport
Insiders' Tips
Check the Dome Theater schedule as soon as you arrive and plan your galleries around your screening time, since your ticket includes one documentary and showtimes are fixed.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
- Open daily: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Sky Tonight: first Wednesday of the month, 5:00 PM to 8:15 PM
- Accessibility Mornings: third Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Occasional late openings on select dates
Child Policy
- Children aged 2 and under enter free
- Junior rate applies to ages 3 to 12
- Adult rate applies to ages 13 to 64
- Senior rate applies to ages 65 and over
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility & Facilities
- Complimentary wheelchairs available at the ticket counter
- Designated wheelchair areas inside the Dome Theater
- Free assistive listening and captioning devices on request
- Noise-cancelling devices available at the ticket counter
- Service animals are welcome on a non-retractable leash
- Accessible parking off Space Theater Way
- Element 8 Cafe and gift shop on site
Restrictions
- Dome Theater screenings run to fixed showtimes
- Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted
- Assistive devices may not be available for all special events
- Group discounts require a party of 15 or more
- Captioning is accessible in the upper seating area only
Other
- Accompanying aides or companions may qualify for free admission
- Residents’ Free Day on the first Tuesday of each month
- Senior Monday on the first Monday of each month
- Sensory-friendly Accessibility Mornings run monthly
- Allow two to three hours for a full visit
Cancellation Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews
The exhibits covered everything from space to earthquakes. Some displays could do with updating....
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Allow a couple of hours for the exhibits. Worth the ticket for the interactive exhibits....
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The exhibits covered everything from space to earthquakes. It draws families from across the San Diego area....
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It's a wonderful place to take young children. It's aimed squarely at primary-age children....
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The Balboa Park location is lovely and central. Balboa Park is home to many of San Diego's museums....
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Reviews said go midweek, and that helped with crowds. The center covers a wide range of STEM topics....
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The giant dome screen made for a great show. Worth it for an educational family outing....
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Book online and check the IMAX showtimes. Gallery admission includes exhibits, with IMAX sometimes extra....
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The kids learned a lot without realising it. Teens in our group were a bit bored. It sits among the Spanish-style buildings of Balboa Park....
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Book online and check the IMAX showtimes. It's a bit pricey for what it is for adults....
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The IMAX dome theater was a real highlight. The IMAX ticket on top adds to the cost....
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It's beautifully set in Balboa Park. It's a well-known stop on a San Diego family trip....
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The giant dome screen made for a great show. The galleries are spread over a couple of floors....
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Worth it for a couple of hours with the kids. The galleries get noisy and busy with groups....
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The exhibits covered everything from space to earthquakes. It's one of San Diego's long-standing family attractions....
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We'd heard it was great for kids, and it was. It's in the heart of Balboa Park, near the zoo and other museums....
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The IMAX film in the dome was fantastic. There's a gift shop and a cafe on site. The cafe options were limited and pricey....
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One of San Diego's nicer family attractions. It's a favourite for rainy-day and school-holiday visits....
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The kids learned a lot without realising it. Fair value with the exhibits and an IMAX show....
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Everyone said it's good for families, and they were right. The price feels steep once you add the IMAX....
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