The Best Museums in San Diego: From History to Art

Museums and Exhibits You Must Visit

When it comes to museums in San Diego, many people immediately think of Balboa Park because it houses so many of them. And that's fair, but San Diego also boasts fascinating and surprising museums all over the county. Some of these museums are well-known, while others are waiting to be discovered by you.

In our article, we've curated a list of the city’s most interesting museums that are worth visiting. To narrow it down to just 10 top museums was, frankly, quite a challenge. The range of topics and interests covered by each museum is incredibly diverse.

Museums for Children and Families

The New Children's Museum

This museum, which opened in 2008 with the slogan "Think, Play, Create," is all about what children do here. A distinguishing feature of the museum is that its exhibits and works of art are designed to be touched. For example, kids can climb on a Trojan horse or take part in a drawing class.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Even those who don't consider themselves train enthusiasts love this museum. But if you were a train fan in your youth or have a child who is, this museum is a must-visit.

On its 2,700 square meters of space, there are four miniature replicas of railroads from the southwestern part of the United States. There's also an interactive toy train gallery. Visitors highly praise the attention to detail in the dioramas as well as the knowledge the guides possess. The museum offers educational programs for children, where they can learn more about the physics of motion and train construction. For engineering and technology lovers, this place is a revelation.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The science center features five galleries with interactive exhibits. The museum also includes a planetarium and an IMAX theater. The museum’s motto is "Please Touch," and it offers more than 100 exhibits designed to be handled. This science museum is a must-see for families. It is located at the far eastern end of El Prado, in Plaza de Balboa.

Art and Culture

Museum of Contemporary Art

This beautiful museum opened in the former Ellen Scripps house in 1916. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the breathtaking seaside park are named after Mrs. Scripps. If you’re attracted to contemporary art, this museum will be your guide to a world of cutting-edge ideas. It offers exhibitions of works by well-known contemporary artists as well as local talents. The museum has several branches throughout the city, allowing you to visit different exhibitions in various parts of San Diego.

The museum’s impressive collection of contemporary art includes works created after the 1950s by famous California artists, as well as pieces by Warhol, Cornell, and Stella. The architecture of the building and its stunning view of the Pacific Ocean are equally impressive.

San Diego Museum of Art

Located in scenic Balboa Park, this museum is the largest and most prestigious fine arts museum in San Diego. It boasts the most extensive collection of works — pieces from the Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Spanish art, and modern paintings and sculptures. Works by Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Dufy are displayed on the first floor.

Each exhibition is accompanied by special events, including lectures and artist meet-and-greets, making a visit to the museum even more interesting and educational.

Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art

"Mingei" is a Japanese word meaning "art of the people." This museum presents exhibits of folk art from around the world, including pieces from Indonesia, New Guinea, and Japan. Children will delight in the international toy displays and antique carousels. Don’t forget to stop by the museum shop, where you’ll find a wide selection of modern and antique decorative arts.

Museum of Photographic Arts

This museum houses extensive collections of photography, video materials, and films. You’ll learn the history of photography, from the earliest daguerreotypes to modern laser holograms. The museum features various artists, including Alfred Stieglitz, Ben Shahn, and Margaret Bourke-White. The focus is on photojournalism, social documentary photography, and Soviet-Russian photography from the mid-20th century.

Military and Historical Themes

USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway, a mid-sized aircraft carrier in service from 1945 to 1992, offers a glimpse into life aboard this giant ship. Audio tours are included in the visit and are narrated by former Midway sailors, some of whom served on the ship while it was active. These sailors are available to answer questions daily, and sometimes they can be asked to share an interesting story. Tours of the carrier include visits to the sailors' quarters, the command bridge, and even participation in interactive flight simulations. This exhibit appeals not only to military history buffs but also to those interested in aviation and technology.

Onboard the ship, there are 29 restored aircraft, over 60 exhibits, and two simulators, as well as a café and gift shop.

San Diego Natural History Museum

This popular museum may not be very large, but its award-winning design team knows how to make the most of its space. Explore fossils, dinosaur exhibits, California’s geology, and geography. A massive pendulum hangs in the lobby, demonstrating Earth’s rotation. A new giant screen shows nature-focused films. There’s also a small café and gift shop filled with toys that children adore.

The museum’s unique feature is its educational programs, designed for both children and adults. Frequent lectures and special events deepen visitors' understanding of natural processes and the history of our planet.

Museum of Man

Located in Balboa Park, this museum focuses primarily on the culture of ancient America. Permanent exhibitions cover topics such as the Maya and Kumeyaay peoples, as well as the evolution of humanity. Temporary exhibits are dedicated to Haitian voodoo magic, Native American rock art, and the art of Hawaiian and Maori cultures. The Children’s Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits about ancient Egypt and archaeology.

San Diego Air & Space Museum

This museum invites you to explore the world of aviation and space travel, showcasing an impressive collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and aviation artifacts. Exhibits tell the story of flight, from early hot air balloons to modern space expeditions.

Special attention is given to the roles of women and people of diverse backgrounds in the development of aviation, making this exhibit engaging for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Useful Tips

We’ve also compiled a few tips to help you enjoy San Diego’s museums at a lower cost:

• On Tuesdays, residents with a valid San Diego County ID or an active military ID can visit certain Balboa Park museums for free.
• The Timken Museum of Art is always free.
• Balboa Park offers an Explorer Pass, which allows you to visit multiple exhibits at a discounted price over the course of a day, a week, or an entire year.
• February is Museum Month, during which many venues offer significant discounts or even host free open days.