Museums and galleries in San Diego

36 museums and galleries in San Diego, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeeLa Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography (of University of California, San Diego), this aquarium has many fantastic exhibits, with oceanic species from all over the Pacific Ocean displayed, as well as sharks, a tide pool, a large kelp tank, and a coral reef (with actual living coral). The museum also has some spectacular views of the ocean and La Jolla as well as some nifty tide pools where you can touch tide-pool animals.
Daily 9AM-5PM$17 adults, $14 teens, $13 seniors, $12.50 children, $12 students, free for children age 2 and under
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Centro Cultural de la Raza
A cultural arts center dedicated to promoting Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino art and culture. The gallery showcases rotating exhibits and performances regularly take place here.
Tue-Sun noon-4PMFree; donations accepted
SeeDowntown
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis Horton House
Previously called the William Heath Davis House, this museum is the headquarters of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. The visitor center here offers information for self-guided tours of the district as well as a guided walking tour of the district that leaves every Saturday at 11AM, and Thursday at 1PM. Hosts a festival every St. Patrick's Day.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun noon-3:30PMMuseum $5/adult, children free; $8 combo ticket with San Diego Chinese History Museum; Walking tours $20/adult, $15/senior/military, $10/student, children free
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Junipero Serra Museum
Take the time to visit the historic site of what used to be the first ever California Mission, located in Presidio Park on the hill above Old Town. The museum includes exhibits on the life of Old Town and a tower which offers magnificent views of the area.
Sat and Sun 10AM-4PMby donation
BuyPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Karen’s Consignment Gallery
The place to go for silver, crystal, china, oriental rugs and lamps, and has been highly rated since opening day.
SeePoint Loma-Ocean Beach
MCRD Museum Foundation
Museum exhibits the history of this installation and the history of the Marine Corps. They are open to the public outside of the Thursday and Friday graduation visits. They also have current and past yearbooks of San Diego graduates only. You must have the platoon number, month and year of graduation to be able to order yearbooks which may or may not be available. They do not have individual portraits available.
Mon-Sat 8:30AM-4PM; Foundation office closes at 3PM on Fridays and closed on weekends.
SeeDowntown
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Home to a number of historic sea vessels, including the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship, the Berkeley, an 1898 steam ferryboat, the Californian, a replica sailing ship, the Medea, a 1904 steam yacht, the HMS Surprise, another replica sailing ship, and a B-39 Soviet Attack Submarine.
Daily 9AM-8PM (open until 9PM in the summer)$16 adults, $13 seniors/military/students, $8 children, free for children under 4 (packages which include sailing excursions are available)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Mingei International Museum
A large folk art museum which is instantly recognizable from the outside by the large colorful mosaic sculptures out front, which are a delight for kids to climb on.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM$10 adults, $7 seniors/youth ages 6-17/students/military, free for children under 6
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of the first Christian burial and the first execution in California, saw bloodshed between the Spanish settlers and native peoples, and served as an armory in the years following U.S. annexation of California before being restored to an active church in 1941. Today, Mission San Diego is an active Catholic parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel.
Daily 9AM-4:30PM$3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children
SeeDowntown
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Just north of Santa Fe Depot, this museum holds a part of the museum's collection over 4,000 works.
Thu-Tue 11AM-5PM (closed Wednesdays)$10 adults, $5 seniors/students, military/25 and under free (free admission the third Thursday of the month)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Museum of Photographic Arts
Dedicated to the art and history of photographic arts, with works from famous photographers such as Ansel Adams. The museum also holds changing exhibitions and a theater that plays art and cult films.
Tue-Sun 10AM–5PM (open Thursdays until 9PM)$8 adults, $7 seniors/veterans, $6 students, free for children under 12/active military (theater admission separate)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
This popular science museum is filled with dozens of interactive exhibits of interest to children, young adults and grown-ups too. There's also an IMAX theater in the building, one of the world's first.
Mon-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-6PM$20 adults, $18 seniors, $17 children, free for children under 3 (theater admission separate)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Air and Space Museum
You may notice the museum as you fly into San Diego - the circular building is centered around a navy PBY flying boat and features exhibits detailing the history of manned flight, from the first planes to space travel, with lots of full-scale models of aerodynamic craft. Among the highlights is an exhibit on San Diego native Charles Lindberg, whose famous flight on his Spirit of St. Louis began in San Diego.
Daily 10AM-4PM (open until 5PM in the summer)$18 adults, $15 seniors/students/veterans, $9 children, free for children 2 and under/active military
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Art Institute
A large gallery with changing exhibitions of San Diego artists.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-4PM$5 adults, $3 seniors/military/students, free for children under 12
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Automotive Museum
This splendid museum showcases some of the finest, rarest, and most famous cars in the world.
Daily 10AM-5PM$20 adults, $17.47 seniors/students, $15.47 youth (ages 3-15), $17.47 military
SeeDowntown
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
A museum dedicated to Chinese history, culture and art. Includes exhibits on the Chinese experience in America.
Tue-Sat 10:30AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM$5/adult, children free, $8 combo ticket with Gaslamp Museum
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
This massive museum covers all sport-related things in the city, with large exhibits on the history of baseball and football in San Diego and special exhibits for the local athletic heroes.
Daily 10AM-4:30PM$8 adults, $5 ages 3-17, free for children under 3
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego History Center
This museum has a large collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the history of the city. If you don't want to pay to enter the museum itself, you can just walk into the building (which contains three separate museums) and look at some historical photographs on the walls of the atrium.
Daily 10AM-5PMFree, by donation
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
If you have kids or know a train buff, a visit to this fantastic museum should be high on your list. Just like the name suggests, this institution is dedicated to model railroading, with some of the largest model railroad layouts in the world. There are also some interactive exhibits and displays on the history of railroads in San Diego.
Tue-Fri 11AM-4PM, Sat Sun 11AM-5PM$10 adults, $7 seniors (65+), $5 military, $4.50 students, $2 children (6-14) free for ages 5 and under
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Museum of Art
The largest art museum in the region, with European, contemporary, and Latin American art, 19th and 20th century American art, and an Asian collection. There are also changing exhibitions, featuring show major art shows.
Thu-Sat, Mon-Tue 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM (closed Wednesdays)$12 adults, $9 seniors/military, $8 students, $4.50 children, free for children 6 and under
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Museum of US
It's beneath the majestic California Tower near the Cabrillo Bridge. The Museum of Man is an institution devoted entirely to anthropology. The museum's permanent collection includes exhibits on the Mayan, ancient Egypt, the Kumeyaay Indians of San Diego County, Human Evolution, and the Human Life Cycle, with some incredible displays such as mummies, ancient artifacts from prehistoric cultures, and replicas of ancient monuments.
Sun-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-8:30PM$12.50 adults, $10 seniors/military, $8 students, $6 children, free for children under 3
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Natural History Museum
Like any natural history museum, this one has a lot of big dinosaur skeletons. Exhibits on the local ecology and geology are also prevalent throughout the museum, as well as a massive Foucault pendulum in the entrance hall. There are also many changing exhibitions and a giant-screen theater.
Daily 10AM-5PM$19 adults, $17 seniors/students/military, $14 youth 7-17, $11 children 3-6, free for children 2 and under
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Seeley Stable Museum
A reconstructed stage coach stop with a collection of vintage carriages inside.
Daily 10AM-5PMFree
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Timken Museum of Art
A small art museum with collections of lesser-known pieces from famous European old masters, American, and Russian painters.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun noon-4:30PMFree
SeeDowntown
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Take a self-guided tour of the USS Midway (CV-41), a former aircraft carrier of the US Navy. The Midway is home to a collection of former naval aircraft housed on her expansive flight deck. Guided tours and displays offer a unique look into the life aboard and of a powerful old warhorse.
Daily 10AM-5PM$34 adults, $34 seniors, $34 students, $24 retired military/youth, children under 5 and active military free (discount if purchased online)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
Situated in the Old Navy Chapel, this museum contains artifacts and memorabilia honoring the men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM$5 adults, $4 veterans/seniors, $2 students, free for active military/children 12 and under
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Whaley House
The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displays. Come during the Halloween season for special night tours.
Winter: Sun-Tue 10AM-4:30PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-9:30PM. Summer: Daily 10AM-9:00PMDaytime admission $13.30 adults, $9.50 seniors/children, free for children 5 and under. Nighttime admission more
SeeMid-City Not mapped
Chicano Park
A park distinctive for being the site of a militant takeover like Berkeley Park in Berkeley CA, by individuals affiliated with the Chicano Movement resisting assimilation in the likes of Cesar Chavez, with the main attraction being extensive murals beneath the Coronado Bridge superstructure. There is also the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center on site and a statue of General Zapata.
Daily 6AM-10PMFree
See Not mapped
Go San Diego Card
Covers admission and express entry to over 40 attractions, including Sea World San Diego, Legoland California, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium, and all Balboa Park museums.
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley Not mapped
Presidio Park
Perched on the hill above Old Town, this large park is the site of the old presidio (fort) that once protected the Spanish settlement of San Diego. The park contains canyons, tall trees, flowering plants, and grassy hillsides as well several memorials and historic landmarks, including the Junipero Serra Museum (see below) and the partially excavated presidio. The grassy lawns and hilltop views make it a great place to bring a picnic.
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Adobe Chapel Museum
3950 Conde St
Sat Sun 10AM-5PM
SeeLa Jolla
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
Permanent and changing contemporary art exhibits.
Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri-Tue 11AM-5PM, closed Wednesdays$10 adults, $5 students/seniors, military/age 25 and under free
SeeDowntown
New Children's Museum
200 West Island Ave
Mon Wed-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM (closed Tuesdays)$12 adults/children, $8 seniors, $6 military
SeeDowntown
San Diego Firehouse Museum
Dedicated to the history of firefighting in San Diego.
Thu-Fri 10AM-2PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-4PM$3 adults, $2 seniors/children
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
San Diego Union Museum
The first office of the San Diego Union newspaper.
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Sheriff's Museum
Learn the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PMFree. Donations accepted

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Diego (CC BY-SA 4.0).