Salute those who have served in our armed forces by attending these Veterans Day events and attractions. Active duty and retired service members can also take advantage of special offers around San Diego.
LOCAL EVENTS
FREE Red, White & Blue Salute. SeaWorld is honored to recognize the sacrifice and bravery of our armed service members with special Veterans Day entertainment and activities. The park will open each day with a flag ceremony and the national anthem, paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of our brave servicemembers. Guests will enjoy special Veterans Day entertainment and activities including a nightly patriotic fireworks show. Nov. 9-11. SeaWorld, Interstate 5, exit SeaWorld Dr. Tickets: www.seaworldsandiego.com
Salute to Service Veterans Day Celebration on the USS Midway. Nov. 11, 10 am–3 pm. Free entry with military ID. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, contests, free food and drink samples and more. All U.S. Veterans get free admission to the USS Midway all month long, Nov. 1-30. 910 N. Harbor Dr. Details: www.midway.org
San Diego Automotive Museum. All U.S. veterans receive free museum admission plus free admission for up to four guests throughout the month of November. ID is required. Veteran must be present. Tickets are valid for seven days from date of purchase. www.sdautomuseum.org/products/admission
FREE Veterans Day Ceremony. Join the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial as they pay homage to Korean War Veterans, their families and those missing in action. Nov. 9, 11 am–12 pm. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr. S. www.soledadmemorial.org
5th Annual Veterans Day Parade and VetFest. Nov. 11. Parade, 9:30 am. VetFest at 12 pm. Veterans Day Ceremony, lunch, kids’ zone, sponsor and military displays, veteran services, and FREE lunch for Active Duty military at the Post. Sign up your school, business or civic group to be in the parade or become a sponsor and help make this the premier Veterans Day event in North County. www.escovetfest.org
Veterans Day Boat Parade. View the parade from the shore of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Coronado Tidelands Park. The public is invited to San Diego Bay to watch the procession of military-themed decorated boats. Boats of all sizes are invited to salute and honor our active duty and retired service members. Elaborate decorations are encouraged! Nov. 11, 10:15 am. www.fleetweeksandiego.org/veterans-day-boat-parade
Military Family Day at Broadway Pier.. Nov. 10, 10 am-4 pm. A fun-filled day dedicated to military families that’s not to be missed! Get out and dance (or just listen and enjoy) to live music on stage throughout the day. Experience military displays, light armored vehicles, armaments and even robots. Lots of fun activities for the kids and food trucks! Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Dr. www.fleetweeksandiego.org/military-family-day
National Parks Fee FREE Days. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
FREE Veterans Day Ceremony. A ceremony to honor those who selflessly served our country. 11 am. Veterans Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Poway. www.poway.org
FREE Veterans Day Parade. Honoring those who served past and present. 10 am. Harbor Dr., in front of the County Admin Bldg. Details: www.sdvetparade.org
RESTAURANT FREEBIES
Veterans Day Free Meals at APPLEBEE'S. For the 17th consecutive year, Applebee's is offering veterans and Active Duty Military a complimentary meal on Monday, Nov. 11. Available for dine-in only. Gratuity not included. www.applebees.com/en/veterans-day-free-meals
CHILI'S: All veterans and active duty service members get a free meal on Nov. 11 at participating restaurants. Dine-in only with valid military ID. Beverages and gratuity not included. www.chilis.com/restaurant-events/veterans-day
CLAIM JUMPER STEAKHOUSE & BAR: Vets and active duty military are invited to dine in for a free meal from a select menu on Mon., Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. More info: www.claimjumper.com/veterans-day
GOLDEN CORRAL: On Mon. Nov. 11, from 4 pm to close, active duty military, retirees, reservists, guardsmen and veterans will receive a free "thank you"meal and drink. Dine-in only.
HANDEL'S ICE CREAM: All veterans and active military personnel can get a free small ice cream on Nov. 11. Must provide military I.D. or be in uniform.
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS: On Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military can enjoy a complimentary Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side when dining in at participating Red Robin locations. Not valid for online or to-go orders. https://ir.redrobin.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/691/red-robin-salutes-americas-heroes-with-free-burgers-and
STARBUCKS. Veterans, military service members and their spouses can stop by participating Starbucks stores to get a free 12 oz hot or iced brewed coffee on Nov. 11. In addition, Starbucks is donating $200,000, shared evenly, to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project to support the Veteran and military communities. https://stories.starbucks.com/starbucks-commitment-to-the-military-community/
OTHER FREEBIES
FREE Admission to The Whaley House, Old Town Trolley Tours and SEAL Tours. All veterans, active-duty military personnel and police officers receive free admission to Old Town Trolley Tours, SEAL Tours and Whaley House Museum Day Tours from Nov. 11 to 13. For each ticket sold on Veterans Day, $1 will be donated to sponsor a puppy at Patriot Service Dogs which provides veterans with assistance dogs. *Must show current ID card at any Old Town Trolley booth. www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/coupons-promotions
Free Admission to SeaWorld San Diego. Through the Waves of Honor program, former military personnel and up to two friends or family members can enjoy complimentary admission to SeaWorld San Diego, available for redemption through Dec. 31, 2024. Includes: One free admission for the service member and up to two direct dependents. Veterans can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off and purchase four All-Day Dining Deals for just $150 (25% off the regular adult price)! Excludes: Separately-ticketed events. A valid military ID is required for all visits. Dependents over the age of 10 must also provide ID. www.seaworld.com/san-diego/tickets/military-discount-veteran/
Veterans Ride Free at Belmont Park. Veterans enjoy a complimentary Ride & Play wristband on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Redeemable for U.S. Active Duty military, veterans, and National Guard members. Must show valid military I.D. www.belmontpark.com/#:~:text=Veterans
Vons Grocery Store. Get 10% off groceries from Nov. 9-11 with military I.D.
Limited Edition Library Card. The San Diego Public Library is offering patrons a new veteran-themed library card and programs for kids and adults through the month of November. Library locations will also offer an opportunity for community members to honor the veterans in their lives through a photo project. San Diego Public Library cards are free to California residents and members of the Armed Forces who are stationed within San Diego County. SDPL locations will offer Veterans Day storytimes throughout November and give out free veteran-themed water bottles, while supplies last. A full list of resources for veterans and families can be found on the library’s Veteran Resources page. Visit SDPL’s Library Services webpage for more information on how to get a library card.
Click here to find meaningful ways that your family can support our veterans during the holidays and all year long. 
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Adrienne Sigeti is the Editorial Assistant at San Diego Family Magazine.
Updated November 2024
