Join today and receive reciprocal admission to more than 30 museums, historic sites, gardens, and more throughout San Diego County during The BIG Exchange. Show your current membership card and get free admission for each person named on your card with a maximum of 4 people per visit.
List of Organizations Participating in The BIG Exchange
- Barona Cultural Center & Museum
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum
- California Surf Museum
- Coronado Museum of History & Art
- Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
- Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
- Heritage of the Americas Museum
- Japanese Friendship Garden
- Living Coast Discovery Center
- Lux Art Institute
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- Mingei International Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
- Museum of Making Music
- Museum of Photographic Arts
- New Americans Museum
- Oceanside Museum of Art
- San Diego Archaeological Center
- San Diego Art Institute
- San Diego Automotive Museum
- San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
- San Diego History Center
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- The New Children’s Museum
- The San Diego Museum of Art
- Timken Museum of Art
- USS Midway Museum
- Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
- Visions Art Museum
- Warner-Carrillo Ranch House Museum
- Water Conservation Garden
- Whaley House Museum
March 25-31
Sunday, March 25 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Naturally Eggs-sited
Bring your family down for an eggs-siting time learning about animals that lay eggs. Help us find sea turtle eggs scattered throughout the aquarium or discover what it takes to build a turtle nest. And of course, there will be up-close encounters with the egg-layers of the natural world. Plus join us at 11:30am for a member-only sea turtle VIP tour!
Sunday, March 25 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Come join the fun, learn all about the wonders of soils, and get discounts on outdoor composting units. We’ll cover practical ways to set up home composting systems in order to organically beautify our landscape and lessen our ecological footprint! This program is generously sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more.
Saturday, March 31 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Naturally Eggs-sited
Bring your family down for an eggs-siting time learning about animals that lay eggs. Help us find sea turtle eggs scattered throughout the aquarium or discover what it takes to build a turtle nest. And of course, there will be up-close encounters with the egg-layers of the natural world. Plus join us at 11:30am for a member-only sea turtle VIP tour!
Saturday, March 31 from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Sweetwater Safari Tour
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. We’ll learn about the natural flora & fauna and talk about the history of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This program is generously sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Subject to availability. If a wildlife educator is unavailable, the trail walk is self-guided. Backpacks can be checked out from the front desk for free any day of the week.
April 1-7
Sunday, April 1st 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Naturally Egg-sited
Bring your family down for an eggs-siting time learning about animals that lay eggs. Help us find sea turtle eggs scattered throughout the aquarium or discover what it takes to build a turtle nest. And of course, there will be up-close encounters with the egg-layers of the natural world.
Sunday, April 1st 11:30 a.m.
Member-Only Green Sea Turtle Feeding
Members of the Living Coast Discovery Center, join us at 11:30 am for a member-only Sea Turtle VIP Animal Encounter! RSVP Required.
Sunday, April 1st 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Join us and learn about composting from our Horticulturist. You’ll learn what composting is, how it affects the environment, and how you can do it at home! Meet at the front entrance of the Living Coast at 1:00 pm. This workshop is offered every Sunday.
Monday, April 2nd from 11:30am – 11:45am
Sharks and Lobster feeding
Tuesday, April 3rd from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Bird Walk
The Sweetwater Bird Walk offers those interested in viewing wildlife a unique opportunity to see a new side of South San Diego Bay. Walk the trails of the Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll come face to face with snowy egrets, ospreys, burrowing owls, Ridgsway’s rails, and more. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring any bird guide books you have and binoculars. Limited loaner binoculars may be available to use during the walk.
Wednesday, April 4th from 10:45am – 11:15am
Mystery Animal Encounter
Will it be scaly, feathery, slimy? Come discover a new animal each week at our mystery animal encounter!
Wednesday, April 4th from 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Wildlife Guided Tour
Enjoy learning about the wildlife that calls the Living Coast Discovery Center home. Led by one of our docent volunteers, guests will get to hear stories about our animal ambassadors and learn about their wild counter parts.
Thursday, April 5th from 10:45am – 11:00am
Seahorse Feed
Come see these tiny fish feed on even smaller shrimp.
Thursday, April 5th from 11:00am – 11:45am
Storytime Thursdays
Bring your little one for an adventurous storytime, full of stories, crafts, and of course animal encounters!
Friday, April 6th from 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Roadrunner Feeding and Training
Learn about the greater roadrunner and watch a training session with one of our animal keepers.
Saturday, April 7th from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Trail Walk
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get to borrow our binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. Take home bird ID sheet included (one per family while supplies last).
Saturday, April 7th from 2:45pm – 3:30pm
Sweetwater Safari Tour
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. We’ll learn about the natural flora & fauna and talk about the history of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This program is generously sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Subject to availability. If a wildlife educator is unavailable, the trail walk is self-guided. Backpacks can be checked out from the front desk for free any day of the week.
April 8-14
Sunday, April 8th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
National Zoo Lover’s Day
Come have a Zoo-per fun time with family and friends at The Living Coast! Ever wonder how zoo’s got their start? How about what makes them so important to plants and animals? Find out all of this and more while listening to talks, doing crafts and getting up close and personal with some amazing animals that call zoo’s home. Plus, members join us for a Member-Only shorebird feeding and talk at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 8th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Learn about composting from our Horticulturist. You’ll learn what composting is, how it affects the environment, and how you can do it at home! Meet at the front entrance of the Living Coast at 1:00 pm. This workshop is offered every Sunday.
Monday, April 9th from 11:30am – 11:45am
Seahorse Feed
Come see these tiny fish feed on even smaller shrimp.
Tuesday, April 10th from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Bird Walk
The Sweetwater Bird Walk offers those interested in viewing wildlife a unique opportunity to see a new side of South San Diego Bay. Guests will walk the trails of the Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge, where they can come face to face with snowy egrets, ospreys, burrowing owls, Ridgsway’s rails, and more. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring any bird guide books you have and binoculars. Limited loaner binoculars may be available to use during the walk.
Wednesday, April 11th from 10:45am – 11:15am
Mystery Animal Encounter
Will it be scaly, feathery, slimy? Come discover a new animal each week at our mystery animal encounter!
Wednesday, April 11th from 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Wildlife Guided Tour
Enjoy learning about the wildlife that calls the Living Coast Discovery Center home. Led by one of our docent volunteers, guests will get to hear stories about our animal ambassadors and learn about their wild counter parts.
Thursday, April 12th from 10:45am – 11:00am
Seahorse Feed
Come see these tiny fish feed on even smaller shrimp.
Thursday, April 13th from 11:00am – 11:45am
Storytime Thursdays
Bring your little one for an adventurous storytime, full of stories, crafts, and of course animal encounters!
Friday, April 13th from 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Roadrunner Feeding and Training
Learn about the greater roadrunner and watch a training session with one of our animal keepers.
Saturday, April 14th from 10:00pm – 2:00pm
Planting For Pollinators
Birds, Butterflies, Bees and . . . Bats? Oh My! Join us as we learn about these and other animals that help to pollinate our world. Get out on to the trails with several guided walks to learn about the plants and animals that call San Diego Home. Enjoy crafts and a plant sale to make this a fun day for all ages! Plus, members join us at 11:00am for a Guided Plant Walk, with Paul Hormick our Horticulturalist.
Saturday, April 14th from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Trail Walk
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get to borrow our binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. Take home bird ID sheet included (one per family while supplies last).
Saturday, April 14th from 2:45pm – 3:30pm
Sweetwater Safari Tour
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. We’ll learn about the natural flora & fauna and talk about the history of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This program is generously sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Subject to availability. If a wildlife educator is unavailable, the trail walk is self-guided. Backpacks can be checked out from the front desk for free an
April 15-21
Sunday, April 15th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Join us and learn about composting from our Horticulturist. You’ll learn what composting is, how it affects the environment, and how you can do it at home! Meet at the front entrance of the Living Coast at 1:00 pm. This workshop is offered every Sunday.
Monday, April 16th from 11:30am – 11:45am
Sharks and Lobster feeding
Don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Tuesday, April 17th from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Bird Walk
The Sweetwater Bird Walk offers those interested in viewing wildlife a unique opportunity to see a new side of South San Diego Bay. Guests will walk the trails of the Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge, where they can come face to face with snowy egrets, ospreys, burrowing owls, Ridgsway’s rails, and more. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring any bird guide books you have and binoculars. Limited loaner binoculars may be available to use during the walk.
Wednesday, April 18th from 10:45am – 11:15am
Mystery Animal Encounter
Will it be scaly, feathery, slimy? Come discover a new animal each week at our mystery animal encounter!
Wednesday, April 18th from 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Wildlife Guided Tour
Enjoy learning about the wildlife that calls the Living Coast Discovery Center home. Led by one of our docent volunteers, guests will get to hear stories about our animal ambassadors and learn about their wild counter parts.
Thursday, April 19th from 10:45am – 11:00am
Seahorse Feed
Come see these tiny fish feed on even smaller shrimp.
Thursday, April 19th from 11:00am – 11:45am
Storytime Thursdays
Bring your little one for an adventurous storytime, full of stories, crafts, and of course animal encounters!
Friday, April 20th from 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Roadrunner Feeding and Training
Learn about the greater roadrunner and watch a training session with one of our animal keepers.
Saturday, April 21st from 10:00pm – 2:00pm
Go Green! Go Blue!
Want to help the green and blue planet we call home? Come take the Earth Day Challenge at the Living Coast Discovery Center! Help us plant natives in our garden, learn how to compost, and discover great ways you can conserve water resources. Get ready for fun prizes, special animal presentations, and more. This event generously sponsored in part by the Sweetwater Authority. Members get a private encounter with one of Earth’s most vulnerable species, sharks. Plus, members join us at 11:00 am for a member-only shark touch! RSVP required.
Saturday, April 21st from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Trail Walk
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get to borrow our binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. Take home bird ID sheet included (one per family while supplies last).
Saturday, April 21st from 2:45pm – 3:30pm
Sweetwater Safari Tour
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. We’ll learn about the natural flora & fauna and talk about the history of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This program is generously sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Subject to availability. If a wildlife educator is unavailable, the trail walk is self-guided. Backpacks can be checked out from the front desk for free any day of the week.
April 22-30
Sunday, April 22nd from 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Join us and learn about composting from our Horticulturist. You’ll learn what composting is, how it affects the environment, and how you can do it at home! Meet at the front entrance of the Living Coast at 1:00 pm. This workshop is offered every Sunday.
Monday, April 23rd from 11:30am – 11:45am
Sharks and Lobster feeding
Don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Tuesday, April 24th from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Bird Walk
The Sweetwater Bird Walk offers those interested in viewing wildlife a unique opportunity to see a new side of South San Diego Bay. Guests will walk the trails of the Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge, where they can come face to face with snowy egrets, ospreys, burrowing owls, Ridgsway’s rails, and more. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring any bird guide books you have and binoculars. Limited loaner binoculars may be available to use during the walk.
Wednesday, April 25th from 10:45am – 11:15am
Mystery Animal Encounter
Will it be scaly, feathery, slimy? Come discover a new animal each week at our mystery animal encounter!
Wednesday, April 25th from 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Wildlife Guided Tour
njoy learning about the wildlife that calls the Living Coast Discovery Center home. Led by one of our docent volunteers, guests will get to hear stories about our animal ambassadors and learn about their wild counter parts.
Thursday, April 26th from 10:45am – 11:00am
Seahorse Feed
Come see these tiny fish feed on even smaller shrimp.
Thursday, April 26th from 11:00am – 11:45am
Storytime Thursdays
Bring your little one for an adventurous storytime, full of stories, crafts, and of course animal encounters!
Friday, April 27th from 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Roadrunner Feeding and Training
Learn about the greater roadrunner and watch a training session with one of our animal keepers.
Saturday, April 28st from 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Trail Walk
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get to borrow our binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. Take home bird ID sheet included (one per family while supplies last).
Saturday, April 28st from 2:45pm – 3:30pm
Sweetwater Safari Tour
Enjoy an interactive, guided trail walk with one of our wildlife educators. You’ll get binoculars, bird ID sheets, and more. We’ll learn about the natural flora & fauna and talk about the history of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This program is generously sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Subject to availability. If a wildlife educator is unavailable, the trail walk is self-guided. Backpacks can be checked out from the front desk for free any day of the week.
Sunday, April 29th from 10:00pm – 2:00pm
Snapshot of Nature Day
Get your cameras ready! We are hosting a photography day, filled with guided photography hikes, animal photo ops, photographic scavenger hunts for the kids, and fun nature crafts to capture the memories. This event is free with admission. Professional and amateur photographers welcome! Plus, members join us for a member-only bird encounter 11:30 a.m. RSVP required.
Sunday, April 29th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Compost Workshop
Join us and learn about composting from our Horticulturist. You’ll learn what composting is, how it affects the environment, and how you can do it at home! Meet at the front entrance of the Living Coast at 1:00 pm. This workshop is offered every Sunday.
Monday, April 30th from 11:30pm – 11:45pm
Sharks and Lobster feeding
Don’t forget your cameras!
