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San Diego Magazine /  San Diego Covered /  San Diego Museums

San Diego Museums

Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum
2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista. 760-941-1791 or 800-587-2286. Farm machinery, antique equipment and tradesmith tools. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults 18-64 $3; Children 6-17 $2; Children 5 and under free; Seniors 65+ $2.

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego 92106, 619-557-5450 Fax: 619-226-6311. National monument commemorating Cabrillo's 1542 exploration of the California coast. Old Point Loma Lighthouse provides spectacular view of San Diego. Open 365 days a year, 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m. $5 per vehicle; $3 for hikers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and bus passengers. 62+ with Golden Age Passport admitted free.

California Center for the Arts
340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido 92025, Ticket Office (800) 98-TICKETS ;Administration (760) 839-4138. Highlighting the art of California, this 12-acre, world-class center showcases dance, music, and theatre, and includes a museum and conference center.

California Surf Musuem
223 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, 760721-6876. Historic surfing and surfing-related artifacts and memorabilia in a series of rotating exhibits. Open daily 10 am - 4 pm, except major holidays. Free admission.

The Children's Museum/Museo de los Ninos of San Diego
211 Maple St., San Diego 92103, 619-233-KIDS. Interactive museum for children ages 2-12. Closed till Fall 2007. Adults and children older than 2: $4. Call for information.

Firehouse Museum
1572 Columbia St., San Diego 92101, 619-232-FIRE. Antique firefighting equipment: fire engines, pictures, helmets, and memorabilia displayed in San Diego's oldest firehouse. Open Wed - Fri, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults: $3; seniors and juniors: $2; under age 12, free.

Heritage Park Victorian Village
2455 Heritage Park Row, San Diego 92110, 858-694-3049. Dedicated to the preservation of San Diego's Victorian era. Doll shop, antiques, and bed-and-breakfast inn. Park admission free.

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave., Coronado 92118, 619-435-6611, Reservations 800-HOTEL-DEL. One-hour, guided tours every Fri-Sun. 2 pm; $15 adults; under 6 free.  For info on tours, call 619-435-7242. Free admission to gallery featuring photos and memorabilia at the Coronado Historical Art and History Museum.

Junipero Serra Museum
2727 Presidio Dr., San Diego 92103, 619-297-3258, FAX 232-6297. A San Diego landmark, this museum stands near the site of California's first mission and fortified settlement established in 1769. Open everyday, 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. Adults: $5; Students, Seniors, Military, and Group $4; Children 6-17 $2;  under age 6 free.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum
1600 Henderson Ave., #212; San Diego 921405000, 619-524-4426. Portrays the general history of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the region, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Free.

Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101; 619-239-0003. Changing exhibitions of "Arts of the People" from all parts of the world. Ceramics, textiles, toys, and other useful daily objects. Open Tues-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mon. and national holidays. Adults:$6; students w/ id and children 6-17: $3.

Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcala
10818 San Diego Mission Rd., San Diego 92108-2429, 619-281-8449 FAX 619-283-7762. The first of a chain of 21 missions along the California coast. Museum and gardens open daily, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Adults: $3; seniors 55+ and students: $2; under 12: $1.

Mission San Antonio de Pala
P.O. Box 70, Pala 92059, 742-3317. Built in 1816 as a branch of Mission San Luis Rey, it still is used by the Indians. Open daily, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Gift shop closed Mon. Museum admission: Adults: $2; students and children: $1.

Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Hwy. and Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 92675, 949-234-1300. A national historic mission, open daily. Featuring museums, gardens, and gift shop. Guided tours by appointment. Open daily 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free parking. Admission: $5-$7.

Mission Santa Ysabel
23013 Highway 79, Ysabel 92070, 619-765-0810. Founded in 1818 as an assistencia of the mother mission. Museum, murals, and an Indian burial ground. Open 7 a.m.dusk daily. Adults: $1.

Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center
2510 Juan St., San Diego 92110, 619-298-3317 Re-live the 2,000-mile saga of the Mormon Battalion March in 184(47. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Free tours, films. Wheelchair accessible.

Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
Downtown location: 1001 Kettner Blvd. at Broadway,San Diego 92101, 619-234-1001, FAX 619-234-1070 La Jolla location: 700 Prospect St., La Jolla 92037, 858-454-3541, FAX 858-454-6985 With two locations, the Museum has an international reputation for its permanent collection and thought-provoking exhibitions. Downtown hours 11am - 5pm daily except Wednesdays. La Jolla hours 11am - 5 pm Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun; 11am - 7pm Thurs, Closed Sunday. Downtown admission is free. La Jolla admission: Adults $6; Students/Military/Seniors $2; Children under 12 free.

Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-238-7559, FAX 619-238-8777. Devoted exclusively to the photographic arts, year-round changing exhibitions displaying a wide range of fine art photography from around the world. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday until 9 p.m. Admission: Adult $6; Students/Military/Seniors $4; under 12, free with an adult. Free admission second Tues. of every month.

Museum of San Diego History
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-232-6203. Changing exhibits from collections of San Diego Historical Society, 1850 to present, and national traveling exhibits. Open daily 10am - 5pm; special holiday hours. Adults: $5; ages 6-17: $2. Students, Seniors, AAA and Military $4; under 5 - free.

Old Town State Historic Museums
San Diego Ave. at Twiggs St., San Diego, 619-220-5422. San Diego historic pueblo location during the 19^th century. Original structures. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 92101, 619-238-1233. Five galleries of exciting, hands-on science exhibits, as well as major traveling exhibitions. A 76-foot IMAX Dome Theater, the first in the world, presents the biggest films on the planet, plus planetarium shows and more. Its unique configuration wraps the audience in images and provides the illusion of being suspended in space. Open 9:30am daily.

San Diego Aerospace Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park 92101, 619-234-8291, FAX 619-233-4526. More than 65 aircrafts and spacecrafts, and thousands of associated artifacts bring to life the significant events in flight and space exploration. Behind-the-scenes, restoration tours available. Open 10 a.m.-4p.m. daily (extended to 5 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day). Adults: $10; students/seniors w/ id: $8; juniors (ages 6-17): $5; active-duty military: free. Free admission fourth Tues. of every month.

San Diego Automotive Museum
2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park 92101, 619-231-AUTO, FAX 619-231-9869. Stroll through and see rare and exotic automobiles and motorcycles. Always something new. Gift shop with one-of-a-kind specialties. Open daily 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Summer-Labor day hours 10am - 6pm. Adults: $7; seniors: $6; ages 6-15: $3; Active Military $6; under 6 free. Free admission fourth Tues. of every month.

San Diego Hall of Champions
2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park 92101, 619-234-2544, FAX 619-234-4543. Exhibits celebrating achievements and great moments in San Diego sports history, from Ted Williams and Maureen Connolly to Walton, Fouts, and Gwynn. Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Adults: $6; ages 55+, military, and students:$4; ages 7-17: $3.

San Diego Historical Society: George White and Anna Gunn Marston House
3525 Seventh Ave., San Diego 92103, 619-298-3142, FAX 619-232-6297. Craftsman-style house museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Fri-Sun; guided tours only; 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Adults $5; ages 6-17 $2; Students, Seniors, Military, and group $4.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-696-0199. One of the largest model railroad exhibits in the United States. Features 5 operating giant model railroads, interactive toy train, working full-size artifacts, and railroad theme gift shop. Open Tues-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults: $6; students and seniors 65+: $3; Active military w/ id $2.50; under 15 free when accompanied by adult. Free admission first Tues. of every month.

San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado, San Diego 92112-2107, 619-232-7931, 619-232-9367. Includes collections of Italian Renaissance, Dutch, and Spanish Baroque Old Masters, as well as American, Modern, and Asian art treasures. Open Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m; Thurs 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.. Adults: $10; age 65+/military with I.D. $8; students with I.D. $7; ages 6-17, $4; children 5 and under free. 

San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-239-2001. Anthropological museum located in Balboa Park's historic California Tower building. Permanent and changing exhibits explore the culture of mankind. Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Adults $6; Seniors $5; ages 6-17 $3; underage 6 and military in uniform: free.

San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-232-3821, FAX 619-232-0268. Flora, fauna, mineralogy of southwestern United States and Baja California in permanent exhibits; special traveling exhibits of a more global nature. Call for hours and prices.

San Diego Railroad Museum
31123-1/2 Campo Train Center, Hwy. 94, Campo 91906, 619-478-9937. The museum has vintage train trips every weekend and excursions monthly to Mexico, plus restored railroad equipment.

San Luis Rey Mission
4050 Mission Ave., San Luis Rey 92068, 760-757-3651. "King of the Missions," founded 1798, historical landmark, museum, gift shop, retreat center, and gardens. Open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults: $5; 18 and under: $3; 5 and under: free.

San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 760-737-2201. Info on the native Americans inhabiting the San Pasqual Valley and the valley history through the Mexican-American War. Free admission. Open Sat-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Star of India and the Maritime Museum
1492 N. Harbor Dr. San Diego 92101, 619-234-9153. 3 centuries of historic ships. Exhibits and models on board. Special events throughout the year. Open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Open until 9 p.m. Memorial day, Labor day. Adults $12; Seniors 62+ $9; Active Military w/ ID $9; Children 6-17 $8; 5 and under free.

Stuart Collection
UCSD, 9500 Gilman Dr., Dept. 0010, La Jolla 92093, 858-534-2117, FAX 858-534-9713. Site-related sculptures by leading contemporary artists. The outdoor installations are available to the public daily. Free.

Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum
2300 Expedition Way, at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, 858-534-FISH. Part of the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Numerous saltwater tanks displaying more than 3,000 fish and fauna from the waters surrounding San Diego and Baja California. Kelp forest tank and tide pool, multimedia exhibits. Admission: Adults $11; Senior 60+ $9; Student w/ ID $8; Youth 3-17 $7.50; UCSD staff or student w/ ID $7.50. Parking: $2.50 per car. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day, 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Thomas Whaley Museum
2476 San Diego Ave., 619-298-2482. Southern California's first brick building and, at one time, San Diego County's seat of government. Admission: adults, $6; seniors 55+, $5; children 3-12, $4; children under 2, free. After hours admission (7pm on), Adults $10; children 3-12 $5. Open Mon-Tues 10-5, Wed. closed, Thurs-Sun 10-10.

Timken Museum of Art
1500 El Prado, Balboa Park 92101, 619-239-5548, FAX 619-233-6629. European Old Masters, 18th-and 19th-century American paintings, and Russian icons. Open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Free.

Villa Montezuma/Jesse Shepard House
1925 K St., San Diego 92102, 619239-2211.1887 Victorian house and museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Sat., Sun., noon 4:30 p.m. Adults: $3; under age 13: free.

William Heath Davis House
410 Island Ave., San Diego 92101, 233-5227. 1850 New England "salt-box"-style home in downtown San Diego. Oldest wooden structure in Downtown San Diego. Open for self-guided tours, Tues-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 9am-3pm.  $1 donation.