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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.

Address: 1649 El Prado
Getting there: in Casa de Balboa
Hours: Daily 10AM-5PM
Price: Free, by donation
Website: sandiegohistory.org (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: San Diego/Balboa Park-Hillcrest, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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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)
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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
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San Diego Junior Theatre
One of the oldest youth theater programs in the country, the Junior Theatre holds many live performances.
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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)