Museums

CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM

Collection of surfing artifacts and memorabilia, plus exhibits about surfing legends. Rare surfing collectibles in museum gift shop. Daily 10 am–4 pm, Th 10 am-8 pm. Adults $3; seniors/military/students $1; kids under 12 free. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.721.6876.

 

MARITIME MUSEUM

Visit the 1863 barque Star of India (world’s oldest active ship), the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, the 1904 steam yacht Medea, a Soviet-era submarine and the HMS Surprise, the Royal Navy frigate featured in the film Master and Commander. Daily 9 am–8 pm. $14; seniors/military $11; kids 6-17 $8; children 5 and under free. The schooner Californian also offers half-day sailing trips ($31-42). 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.234.9153.

 

MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM

Exhibits celebrate folk art. Tu–Su 10 am–4 pm. $5–8; children 5 and under free. 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0003.

 

MISSION SAN DIEGO DE ALCALÁ

The first of 21 missions stretching north along the California coast, this one was established by Junípero Serra in 1769 on Presidio Hill and moved to this site in 1774. Daily mass in the chapel at 7 am and 5:30 pm and tools and artifacts on display. Visitor’s center open daily 9 am–4:45 pm. Adults $3; kids/seniors $2. 10818 San Diego Mission Road, Mission Valley, 619.281.8449.

 

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGOMUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO

Renowned for its vast collection and thought-provoking exhibits, this museum features post-1950s art spanning many genres and media. Both locations open Th–Tu 11 am–5 pm, third Th 11 am–7 pm. Closed W. $5-10 admission valid for 7 days; ages 25 and under free; free third Th 5-7 pm. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, Map W19;1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541. www.mcasd.org

 

MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC Museum-of-Making-Music

Vintage instruments, interactive audio and visual exhibits offer dynamic look into the history of American popular music. Tu–Su 10 am–5 pm. $5–8; kids 5 and under free. 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, 760.438.5996. www.museumofmakingmusic.org

 

MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS

Collection includes contemporary photography, social documentary and photojournalism. Film screenings, too. Tu-Su 10 am–5 pm., Th 10 am-9 pm. $5–8; kids 12 and under free. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.7559.

 

NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Downtown’s newest museum, designed just for kids, encourages visitors to touch and interact with exhibits. M-Sa 10 am–4 pm. (Th until 6 pm; closed W); Su noon-4 pm. $10; seniors $5; children under 1 free. Free second Su. 200 W. Island Ave., downtown, 619.233.8792.

 

OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART

Regional and international artists showcased in exhibits ranging from landscape painting to studio furniture, neon sculpture, art quilts and architectural glass. Tu–Sa 10 am–4 pm, Su 1-4 pm. $5–8 (students/military free). 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720.

 

Reuben H. Fleet Science CenterREUBEN H. FLEET SCIENCE CENTER

Interactive science galleries invite visitors to explore the wonders of astronomy and physics. Giant-screen films run in the IMAX Dome Theater. M-Th 10 am–5 pm (open later during holiday breaks), F till 8 pm, Sa till 7 pm, Su till 6 pm. $9.75-11.75 (IMAX films extra); kids 2 and under free. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.1233. www.rhfleet.org

 

SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUMSAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

Hot-air balloons, jets and historic aircraft from around the world. Daily 10 am–4:30 pm. $7-17.50 (Space
exhibition admission is $12-24), kids 2 and under free. 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.8291. www.sandiegoairandspace.org

SAN DIEGO HALL OF CHAMPIONS

Three levels and 68,000 square feet of sports exhibits and interactive displays form the largest multi-sports museum in the U.S. Daily 10 am–4:30 pm. $4–8; kids 6 and under free. 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.2544.

 

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART SDMART

Diverse collection includes Italian Renaissance and Spanish Baroque works, 19th–20th century American and European paintings and sculptures and a vast Asian collection. Tu–Sa 10 am–5 pm, Su noon-5 pm. $4.50–12; kids 6 and under free. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. www.sdmart.org

 

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN

Go on a journey of the human experience highlighting our physical and cultural development through permanent and changing exhibits. Daily 10 am–4:30 pm; $5–12.50; children 2 and under free. 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001.

 

SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMSAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Dinosaur displays, giant-screen films, photography exhibitions and more. Daily 10 am-5 pm. $11–17; children 2 and under free; free for active military first Tu. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.3821. www.sdnhm.org

 

STUART COLLECTION OF SCULPTURE

Scattered across the UCSD campus, outdoor art collection includes talking and singing trees, Sun God and more. Free. Gilman and La Jolla Village drives, La Jolla, 858.534.2230.

 

USS Midway Museum

The world’s largest floating naval-aviation museum has restored airplanes on the flight deck and interactive exhibits inside. Daily 10 am–5 pm. $10–18; military/kids 5 and under free. 910 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.544.9600.