Japanese Friendship Garden Of San Diego
The Japanese Friendship Garden commemorates the connection between San Diego and its sister city of Yokohama, Japan. It offers visitors a wondrous experience through its bonsai exhibit, a moon-viewing deck, beautiful black pine trees, azaleas and ornamental plants such as camellias, magnolia, wisteria and cherry blossom trees.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Glimpse into the past by way of fossils, historic artifacts, and educational activities at one of the citys most iconic institutions.
| Museum Website | Cost: $X Adults, $X Children | Hours: 10 am 4 pm, Fri-Tues
Balboa Parks San Diego Natural History Museum is a celebration of the natural world and is where my love of nature was born! Visitors to The Nat have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the biodiversity of Southern California and Baja California through replicas of long-extinct species, fossils, gems, and minerals, and photographs of Southern Californias and Bajas natural beauty.
Besides The Nat, the best ways to experience the natural beauty of San Diego are to visit one of San Diegos beautiful beaches, go for a hike, or go camping!
The New Childrens Museum
This museum is designed specifically to inspire children to interact with, appreciate, and make art!
| Museum Website | Cost: $15 Adults & Children | Hours: 9 am 12 pm, 1 pm 4 pm Thurs-Mon
The Childrens museum, originally located in La Jolla, relocated to Downtown San Diego in 2008 and became The New Childrens Museum. The center is made specifically for kids and families and uses contemporary art to inspire imagination, creativity, and critical thinking.
Check the museums website to see what awesome activities, shows, and special exhibits are on display.
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Maritime Museum Of San Diego
Location: Downtown San Diego
See the largest preserved collection of historic ships in the United States at the . Of the various ships, steam-powered boats and submarines, museum highlights include the Star of India, an 1863 iron bark, a historically-accurate replica of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillos, San Salvador. Guests can even take a ride on board some of the museums ships. Tours include whale watching.
In addition to touring the ships, permanent and temporary exhibits convey important milestones in maritime history ranging from Swift Boats at War in Vietnam to Charting the Sea.
See the Maritime Museum of San Diego and USS Midway Museum on the same day as theyre only a short walk from each other. Get discounted tickets.
Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcala
It’s not for nothing that San Diego schoolkids do a study unit on the history of California’s missions, including this one: The missions played a major role in laying the groundwork of modern-day California. Founded in 1769, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was the first Franciscan mission in the area and is still active today as a church and cultural center. Tours are offered on weekdays, along with daily Catholic Mass services, but non-religious visitors have plenty of options to enjoy as well. Stroll through the mission’s magnificent gardens or admire ancient artifacts from the Kumeyaay peoples.
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San Diego Air And Space Museum
Learn about humanitys intriguing relationship to flight and space travel.
| Museum Website | Cost: $23 Adults, $13 Children | Hours: 10 am 4:30 pm, Mon-Sun
The San Diego Air and Space Museum celebrates the history and progress of air and space travel, from mans first attempts at flight to the advances in technology that have taken man to outer space.
The museum contains a huge collection of restored aircraft and replicas, including fighter planes, gliders, and the Montgolfier brothers hot air balloon of 1783, the first manned aircraft. Four flight simulators also allow guests to taste the exhilarating wonder of flight.
The Maritime Museum Of San Diego
DowntownExplore San Diegos long maritime history with a visit to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the largest preserved collection of historic ships in the U.S. Youll see steam-powered boats, submarines, a refurbished, historically-accurate replica of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillos ship, San Salvador, and the majestic Star of India. On-the-water adventures include the 90-minute interactive BOARDED! A New Pirate Adventure Swift Boat Naval History Tour and a Tall Ship Adventure Aboard Californian,a Gold Rush era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of the State of California. On-board exhibits deliver as well, with Sea Monsters: Delving Into The Deep Myth, a Model Gallery, and To The Brink Of War, a chilling depiction of the tense undersea story within the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, plus a half-dozen other permanent and rotating exhibits. The Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, last ticket sold and entry at 4 pm.Cost: General admission is $20.00 for adults 18+, $15 for seniors 62+ and students 13-17, $10 for children 3-12, under 3 is free. On-water adventure prices vary.
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is a San Diego-based freelance writer by way of Chicago and Los Angeles. Her hobbies include yoga, pickling and fermenting stuff, reading cookbooks and drinking fabulous gin. Keep up with her experiments .
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Uss Midway Museum San Diego
Location: 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego
Price: $10$26 for general admission, free for children ages 5 and younger as well as for active-duty military and first responders
The USS Midway Museum in San Diego is one-of-a-kind. The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century and now houses an extensive collection of aircraft. This historic San Diego museum features over 30 restored aircraft and around 10 acres of exhibits and displays.
Visitors are allowed to climb aboard real cockpits and experience the astonishing Battle of Midway Theater and other interactive displays. Here, you can also explore the places where the crew lived and workedexplore the mess halls, galleys, narrow bunks, a floating hospital ward, and the massive engine room that made it all happen. With two flight simulators making your experience even more exciting, the USS Midway Museum in San Diego is undoubtedly a must-visit whenever youre in the area.
Children Get In Free To Museums Throughout San Diego County During October
The concept is pretty simple.
Kids Free San Diego is about kids and families having fun at museums and saving money,” San Diego Museum Council Executive Director Bob Lehman said.
Lehman is charged up. This is the 11th year for the kids free event, but this year theres a lot more to do.
Were twice as big as we were last year, so they can go to over 50 museums all over San Diego County,” he said.
Generally speaking, kids 12 and under get in free. But each museum handles admission a little differently.
Some museums are free for the whole family. Others are you buy a ticket for one adult and two kids get to go in free,” Lehman said.
Several organizations are sponsoring the event, including First 5 San Diego. Alethea Arguilez is the group’s executive director.
First 5 San Diego is a local commission that funds a variety of programs and initiatives for pregnant women and young children first to five throughout the county,” she said.
Arguilez said the Kids Free event fits right into its core mission the healthy development of children.
90% of brain development occurs in the first five years of life. And so when children are experiencing hands on, tactile experiences, their brain is developing… And when children are really young, they learn through all their senses… So all of those experiences are really gonna help them learn and eventually just be ready for school,” she said.
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San Diego Museums To Add To Your List
San Diego County is home to more than 90 different museums and galleries, each offering visitors a completely unique and memorable experience. From model railroads and the history of art to military aircraft and music-making, its no wonder USA Today has called San Diego one of Americas most creative cities! Whether you want to take in the serene beauty of Balboa Park or you want to head downtown to explore San Diegos urban center, weve got you covered. Here are the best San Diego museums to add to your list!
*If youre planning to visit a San Diego museum anytime in February, remember that its San Diego Museum Month! You can get half-priced admission to over 40 museums in the County. Head here for details!
San Dieguito Heritage Museum
Located in Encinitas, the San Dieguito Heritage Museum was established to celebrate and preserve the rich history of the San Dieguito River region which includes the communities of Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia, Olivenhain Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar. There are museum exhibits, outdoor walkthroughs, and hands-on history experiences available to visitors young and old. There is even a replica of Als Barber Shop in Encinitas complete with the barber chair, various tools of the trade, and even a barber pole. Tours for schools and groups midweek are $4 per person, $3 for seniors. Weekends are free to the public.
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The Barona Cultural Center And Museum
Show your support and appreciation of San Diegos first inhabitants, the Kumeyaay.
| Museum Website | Cost: $X Adults, $X Children | Hours: 12 pm 5 pm, Thurs & Fri, 10 am 4 pm Sat
When the Spanish colonization of San Diego in 1769, the region was home to the Kumeyaay people. Barona Cultural Center was founded to preserve the culture and rich history of the Kumeyaay, and is the first museum on a San Diego reservation dedicated to this task.
This is an awesome way to both learn about San Diegos history, as well as support the Centers efforts to preserve and share the Kumeyaay culture!
San Diego is a hub of art, culture, history, and science which is best appreciated at one of its incredible museums!
Before you leave, check out this article to see what other awesome activities San Diego has to offer.
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The Uss Midway Museum
DowntownAttracting more than 1.4 million visitors each year, with almost 30% coming from outside the United States, the USS Midway is not only one of San Diegos most popular attractions, but its also the most visited historic naval ship museum in the world. This decommissioned carrierwhich was in operation for nearly 50 yearsis one of the best-preserved military attractions in the country, and offers visitors a chance to physically explore the history of America’s navy. There are more than sixty exhibit areas, including the flight deck, aircraft gallery, below decks, and hangar deck, plus activities including flight simulators, the Battle of Midway Theater, and a docent-led Guided Island Tour. The museum is open daily from 10 am5 pm, with the last admission at 4 pm. Purchase tickets online.Cost: $26 for adults 13+, $18 for children 4-13 and veterans . Free for children five and younger, active duty military , active sworn law enforcement , active sworn firefighter , including reservist.
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Since You Are Here We Would Like To Share Our Vision For The Future Of Travel And The Direction Culture Trip Is Moving In
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Epic Trips, Mini Trips and Sailing Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travellers and friends who want to explore the world together.
Epic Trips are deeply immersive 8 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and enough down time to really relax and soak it all in. Our Mini Trips are small and mighty – they squeeze all the excitement and authenticity of our longer Epic Trips into a manageable 3-5 day window. Our Sailing Trips invite you to spend a week experiencing the best of the sea and land in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
San Diego History Center
One of the oldest and largest historical organizations on the West Coast, the San Diego History Center is dedicated to the heritage of the region, and presents dynamic, engaging exhibitions that highlight what makes San Diego unique, as well as exploring the regions emerging role in the 21st century.
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Barona Cultural Center & Museum
Barona Indian ReservationThe Barona Cultural Center & Museum is dedicated to preserving the Native American culture and history of San Diego County. The countys only museum on an Indian reservation houses more than 3,000 various artifacts, along with listening nooks, photographs, and archives that inform the compelling stories of the Kumeyaay tribes. With some objects dating back 10,000 years, the exhibits demonstrate the creativity and proficiency of North Americas first inhabitants. In addition, the museums library houses over 1,000 books, including rare and out-of-print editions, an extensive archive of photos, and historical documents to help visitors discover more about how Indigenous groups lived. The newest exhibit, and one of the most important in the museums history is Nyawaap Illyuw UuchyuwpOur Way of Knowing, a short film documenting the Creation Story of the Kumeyaay People. Traditionally, the Kumeyaay people would gather in the fall for special ceremonies and, over four days and nights, young people would listen to oral histories of the Creation Story and learn the ways of their ancestors. The Barona Cultural Center & Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.Cost: Free
San Diego Firehouse Museum
If you’re going to visit the San Diego Police Museum, then you have to visit the San Diego Firehouse Museum, too, right?
Founded in 1962, the Firehouse Museum occupies the former home of San Diego Fire Station No. 6, which now resides at First Avenue and B Street, the City Operations Building.
The museums brick-and-mortar building in Little Italy features all manner of fire-fighting gear imaginable and pays tribute to fire marshals, chiefs, deputy chiefs, alarm dispatchers and battalions who have answered the call of duty.
Inside, you will see firefighting memorabilia dating back 100 years. Everything from fire buckets to early firefighting apparatus is on display.
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San Diego Museum Of Man
TripSavvy / Ana Alarcon
The San Diego Museum of Man is a cultural and physical anthropology museum. It was established to collect, preserve, interpret and communicate evidence of human development and creativity to advance understanding and respect for all cultures. The mission is to basically teach people about people. Set in the majestic California Tower Quadrangle in Balboa Park, the Museum of Man is a really interesting place to learn about civilization. Cool exhibit: kids will be mystified by seeing the mummies on display.
Balboa Park Explorer Passes
The Balboa Park Explorer Passes are San Diego’s best cultural value. The one-day, multi-day and annual explorer passes offer visitors the chance to experience up to 17 museums in the Park, with savings of more than 50% and the convenience of a one-time purchase. The Multi-Day Explorer/Zoo Combo includes the Balboa Park Multi-Day Explorer Pass plus a one-day admission ticket to the San Diego Zoo, all for one low price.
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The California Surf Museum
OceansideDid you know that Benjamin Franklin invented the swim fin when he was just 11 years old? Even if youre not a surfer, youll love the California Surf Museum, founded in 1986 and dedicated to surf culture worldwide. For the optimal experience, let the encyclopedic docents guide you around the galleries, but its equally fascinating if you prefer a self-guided tour. A rotation of exhibitscurrently theres at least nine different presentationstake you through the history and culture of wave riding, including a tribute to renowned surfboard shaper Donald Takayama, and a delightfully nerdy Wheres The Surf? Find Swell Direction With Wave Science, featuring The Coastal Data Information Programs near real-time network of monitoring sites for waves and beaches across the US. You can also take a deep dive into the history of boogie boarding, explore a timeline of surfboard development, and be amazed by the most popular exhibit, Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton, the compelling story of the then-thirteen year old surfer who lost her left arm when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark off the coast of Kauai in 2003. The museum is open daily from 10 am4 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door.Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 62+, military, and students, children 11 and under are free.
Centro Cultural De La Raza
This cultural arts center is dedicated to creating, promoting, preserving and raising awareness of Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino art and culture. Housed in a former water tower and painted with colorful murals, Centro features rotating exhibits and performances with theater, dance, music and film/video.
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