Watch colorful floats, dancers, and favorite Sesame Street friends cruise along the main route. Upbeat music and bubbles keep little ones totally transfixed.
Pro tip: Pick a curbside spot about 15 minutes early so kids can see.
We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.
Every supplier is vetted for quality, reliability, and value so you only get top rated experiences. No surprises, no disappointments.
Each experience is thoughtfully organised to give you maximum availability, great value and an easy way to choose.
Free cancellations, Flexible payments, and 24/7 support - thoughtfully designed for flexibility, assurance, and total peace of mind.
1/4
You’ll park just outside the main gate, then pass through security and ticket scans before stepping into the Sesame Street Neighborhood. Colorful façades of 123 Stoop and Mr. Hooper’s store set the scene. Music, bubbles, and the first glimpses of Elmo or Cookie Monster instantly signal this is a day built around young kids.
From the Sesame Street Neighborhood, paths branch toward dry-ride areas on one side and the water attractions on the other. Big Bird’s Beach, The Count’s Splash Castle, and the lazy river anchor the splash zone. The park’s compact 17-acre layout makes it easy to loop back for naps, snacks, or repeat favorites.
Dry rides and water slides weave through the day. Younger thrill-seekers try Super Grover’s Box Car Derby or spin high on Sesame Street Soar & Spin, then graduate to Oscar’s Rotten Rafts and Snuffy’s Spaghetti Slides. Practical tip: head for big slides and The Count’s Splash Castle soon after opening, before midday queues build.
Live entertainment punctuates the heat. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Big Bird star in sing-along shows at the outdoor theater, giving everyone a shaded break. Later, the Sesame Street Party Parade rolls past with music, dancers, and towering floats, so kids can wave to almost every character in one go.
Food stops cluster near the main pathways and water areas, serving kid-friendly staples like pizza, burgers, and chicken strips. Shaded patios and picnic-style tables become natural reset points between splashes. Indoors, air-conditioned dining and occasional character meals let families cool down while Elmo and friends roam between tables.
As afternoon light softens, many families drift back to Big Bird’s Beach or the lazy river for one last play session. Others browse souvenir shops near 123 Stoop for plush friends and t-shirts. On the way out, characters often appear near the exit, offering final waves and goodbye photos before sleepy rides home.
The Single-Day Ticket is dated and gives one full day of access to all open rides, shows, and water attractions. It’s usually the best-value option if your plans are firm and you know exactly which day you’ll visit. The Any Day Ticket trades a higher price for flexibility, letting you choose your visit date within its stated validity window – helpful if you want to watch the weather or your schedule isn’t locked yet.
A large share of Sesame Place San Diego is water-based, and some attractions are seasonal or weather-dependent, so in cooler months you should be comfortable with a more rides-and-shows day if major water features aren’t operating.
Theme: Classic Sesame Street neighborhood – entry boulevard
Highlights:
Theme: Family dry rides and small coaster
Highlights:
Theme: Wave pool and lazy river hub
Highlights:
Theme: Interactive splash structures for younger kids
Highlights:
Theme: Water slides for older kids and adults
Highlights:
Theme: Outdoor stage for Sesame Street shows
Highlights:
| Ride name | Zone | Description | Thrill level | Avg. wait time | Ride type | Best time to ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Count’s Splash Castle | Water park zone | Multi-level splash fortress with small slides and fountains. Watch for the huge tipping bucket drenching the deck. | Low | 15–30 min | Water play structure | Early morning or late afternoon |
Big Bird’s Beach (Wave Pool) | Water park zone | Large wave pool with gentle surf and shallow entry. Notice how the waves build toward the deeper middle section. | Low | 0–15 min | Wave pool | Before noon |
Oscar’s Rotten Rafts | Water park slides area | Family raft slide with mild twists and turns. Look for Oscar’s grumpy touches along the walls and signage. | Medium | 15–30 min | Family raft slide | Early morning or during shows |
Snuffy’s Spaghetti Slides | Water park slides area | Pair of twisting slides suited to older kids. Notice how each flume spirals differently before splashing into the pool. | Medium | 15–30 min | Body slides | Early morning |
Sesame Street Soar & Spin | Dry rides area | Spinning tower that lifts seats high above Sesame Street. Watch the park views change as your gondola slowly rises. | Medium | 10–20 min | Spinning tower ride | Mid-afternoon after parade |
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby | Dry rides area | Gentle family coaster with small drops and curves. Notice kids’ reactions on the first downhill dip and final turn. | Medium | 30–60 min | Family roller coaster | Right at opening |
Lazy River | Water park zone | Slow-moving channel for tube floats. Look out for shaded stretches and sprayers that cool you between bigger slides. | Low | 15–30 min | Lazy river | Mid-afternoon |
Carousel | Dry rides area | Classic carousel with Sesame characters on every row. Notice the different figures and choose a favorite before the ride starts. | Low | 5–15 min | Carousel | Late morning |
Multi-lane Racer Slide | Water park slides area | Side-by-side mat slides built for friendly races. Watch which lane feels fastest, then switch positions for another run. | Medium | 20–40 min | Mat racer slide | Late morning or during parade |
Tube Slides Tower | Water park slides area | Collection of enclosed and open tube slides. Notice how each route mixes darkness, curves, and brief bursts of daylight. | High | 30–60 min | Tube slides | Right at opening |
Watch colorful floats, dancers, and favorite Sesame Street friends cruise along the main route. Upbeat music and bubbles keep little ones totally transfixed.
Pro tip: Pick a curbside spot about 15 minutes early so kids can see.
Settle into the outdoor theater for singing, dancing, and storytime with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and friends. It’s a fun, shaded break when everyone needs to sit down.
Pro tip: Aim for a late-morning or mid-afternoon show to dodge peak heat.
Stroll past 123 Sesame Street, Mr. Hooper’s Store, and colorful stoops pulled right from the show. Snap photos at the famous stoop and fire hydrant between spontaneous character hugs.
Pro tip: Visit before the parade for cooler, less crowded photos.
Seasonal events like Elmo’s Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas add decor, music, and special shows. Expect extra photo ops, costumes, and limited-time activities on select dates.
Pro tip: Check the calendar; offerings change by date.
Browse gift shops stocked with plush Elmos, apparel, toys, and colorful souvenirs. Let kids choose a small keepsake to remember their first splash-zone victory or character hug.
Pro tip: Shop mid-afternoon to avoid end-of-day lines and meltdowns.
Bringing little ones here? This park is built around younger children, so most kids 2–8 can actually ride, splash, and play rather than just watch.
Everything is scaled to small kids, so the day stays big on smiles and lighter on stress for parents.
A Very Furry Christmas transforms the park with holiday overlays, from re-themed shows to seasonal décor. This limited Christmas event runs on select dates during the holiday season each year. Ideal if you want Sesame Street with festive flair. Visit during the holidays.
Elmo’s Halloween Spooktacular brings kid-friendly frights to the park, with Halloween overlays on shows, décor, and activities. This seasonal event runs on select fall dates each year during the Halloween season. Great if you prefer cute over scary. Plan a fall visit.
Sesame Summer Splash highlights the park’s water attractions during peak heat, with seasonal programming built around slides, splash zones, and Big Bird’s Beach. It typically runs on select dates across the summer, especially July. Great if you love water play. Visit this summer.
Start in Sesame Street Neighborhood for photos at the iconic 123 Stoop and character greetings with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Cookie Monster before crowds build. Then make your way to Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, and Sesame Street Soar & Spin, enjoying some of the park’s most popular family rides with shorter wait times.
As temperatures rise, head to the water attractions and splash zones. Spend time floating along Big Bird’s Rambling River, racing down water slides, and cooling off at Count’s Splash Castle. Break for lunch at one of the park’s dining locations before catching a live character show or interactive performance for a relaxing break from the rides.
Continue exploring the water park areas and family attractions, mixing thrilling slides with gentler rides suitable for all ages. Stop for additional character encounters and themed play areas, then find a good viewing spot for the Sesame Street Party Parade, where colorful floats, music, and beloved characters bring the streets to life.
As the crowds begin to thin, revisit favorite rides or enjoy attractions you may have missed earlier in the day. Take family photos around the brightly themed neighborhoods, browse the gift shops for Sesame Street souvenirs, and end your visit with one final character appearance or seasonal entertainment offering before heading home.
Address: 2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911, United States | Find on Maps
How to reach
Skip The Count’s Splash Castle at rope-drop; start with Oscar’s Rotten Rafts before families cluster in the big play structure.
Ride Snuffy’s Spaghetti Slides immediately after Oscar’s Rotten Rafts; they share stairs, saving a repeat climb with small kids.
While Sesame Street Party Parade crowds line the Sesame Street Neighborhood, head to Sesame Street Soar & Spin for shorter queues.
Hit Big Bird’s Beach wave pool before midday; shaded chairs go fast, and afternoon sun makes sand and deck scorching.
If you’ll stay mostly around Big Bird’s Beach, choose lockers beside that zone to avoid repeated entrance walks.
After loud Sesame Street stage shows, detour to marked quiet/sensory spaces for a low-stimulation reset before tackling more rides.
Pull up the official daily schedule on your phone to time Sesame Street Party Parade and character shows around nap windows.
For guests with autism or sensory sensitivities, use the park’s attraction sensory guides to prioritize calmer options like lazy river loops.
Most visitors choose a standard 1-day ticket with dated entry. If you want flexibility on which day you go, pick a flexible entry ticket. Families planning several visits a season usually save more with a season pass.
Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and summer. Sesame Place has a seasonal calendar, and popular dates along with add-ons can sell out before the day.
A standard 1-day ticket with dated entry locks you to a specific operating day, often at a lower price. A flexible entry ticket usually costs more but lets you visit on any valid date in a stated period.
Children under 2 years old enter free and don’t need a ticket. Everyone else, including older toddlers, requires a paid ticket as per the age category at checkout.
For most families, one full day covers key rides, water attractions, and a show or parade. Multi-day tickets or a season pass are ideal if you plan to visit multiple times.
Sesame Place San Diego is designed mainly for younger children, roughly ages 2–8. Toddlers enjoy gentle rides and splash areas, while older kids prefer bigger slides and wave pools.
Height requirements are strict. Many major water slides require a minimum of 42–48 inches, while some kiddie rides start near 36 inches. Always check the official height chart.
Yes, standard 1-day tickets and season passes include the parade and regular character shows. Special-event tickets or dining add-ons may require separate purchase.
Many attractions are outdoor and weather-dependent. Tickets are generally non-refundable in the event of ride closures due to weather or maintenance, so check the forecast before visiting.
Standard tickets cover park admission only. Parking, lockers, cabanas, and meals are additional, though season passes may offer discounts.
Sesame Place San Diego is a Certified Autism Center, offering sensory guides and quiet spaces.
