museums & galleries

aquariums

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Featuring panoramic ocean views, the facility offers a rare glimpse of unique Pacific Ocean life from Alaska through the tropical seas. Beautiful enclosures showcase rare and exotic specimens. (Transit bus #30 or #34). 858-534-FISH www.aquarium.ucsd.edu. For discount admission, download coupon here.

balboa park museums

House of Pacific Relations
International Cottages and Hall of Nations Films. 619-234-0739

Japanese Friendship Garden
2125 Park Blvd. This beautiful, peaceful garden is named "San-Kei-En" meaning "Three Scene Garden"- Water, Pastoral and Mountain. San-Kei-En is an expression of the ties between the people of San Diego and Yokohama, blending the two cultures to create a unique experience. Near Organ Pavilion. 619-232-2721 www.niwa.org

THE MARSTON HOUSE
3525 7th Ave. 619-298-3142

Mingei International Museum
1439 El Prado. 619-239-0003

Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado. 619-238-7559

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
1875 El Prado. The larger-than-life IMAX film format takes you on a tour to outer space, the rainforests, under the ocean or another era in time. At the Science Center, the hands-on exhibits are entertaining and instructive. Fridays at the Fleet: every Friday from 6 pm-9pm watch $6 IMAX films. 619-238-1233

San Diego Aerospace Museum and Int'l Hall of Fame 
2001 Pan American Plaza. Aviation history, authentic items and replicas. 619-234-8291

San Diego Art Institute
1439 El Prado. 619-236-0011

San Diego Automotive Museum
2080 Pan American Plaza. www.sdautomuseum.org. Showcases the history of the automobile featuring over 80 antique, classic and exotic models. 619-231-2886

San Diego Hall of Champions and Sports Museum
2131 Pan American Plaza. 619-234-2544

San Diego Historical Society  619-232-6203

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado. The museum celebrates American railroads with the largest permanent operating model railroad and toy train exhibit. 619-696-0199

San Diego Museum of Art
Balboa Park. The museum’s renowned permanent collections include Italian Renaissance, Old Masters, Asian, American, 19th century European and contemporary Californian art.  619-232-7931. www.sdmart.org

San Diego Museum of Man
Body Ornamentation: Artistic Realization of Self – focusing on various types of body decoration including, painting, tattooing, piercing, and scarification. The museum also offers a wide array of exhibits and artifacts that document the artistic achievements of humankind. View local Kumeyaay Indian baskets and pottery, life-sized casts of Maya monuments, Egyptian mummies and get hands on with the Footsteps Through Time exhibit – an interactive journey through four million years of human evolution. 619-239-2001

San Diego Natural History Museum
Balboa Park; www.sdnhm.org. (Transit Bus #7 or #25). Visit the new 90,000-square foot wing, view the giant-screen film "Ocean Oasis" and enjoy new traveling exhibitions. Great museum store. 619-232-3821

Timken Museum of Art
1500 El Prado. 619-239-5548

old town museums

JUNIPERO SERRA MUSEUM 
2727 Presidio Dr. Artifacts from the days of the Spanish missionaries. 619-297-3258

Wells Fargo History Museum
2733 San Diego Ave. 619-238-3929

Whaley House Museum 
2476 San Diego Ave. 619-297-7511

San Diego Union Museum
First office of the local newspaper. See the original print room from 1868. 619-297-7511

SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S MUSEUM 
2348 San Diego Ave., just 100 feet from the first cobblestone jail. Features a real jail cell, courtroom, motorcycle and more. 619-260-1850. www.sheriffmuseum.org

other museums

Athenaeum Music and Art Library
1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Collection of records and rare art and music books. Music performances, including Mozart Festival. Call for lunchtime mini-concerts. 858-454-5872

Black Historical Society
501 7th Ave. 619-685-7215

California Surf Museum
223 North Coast Hwy., Oceanside. 760-721-MUSM

Children's Museum of San Diego
200 W. Island Ave. 619-233-8792

Firehouse Museum
1572 Columbia. 619-232-3473

MCRD Command Museum
Pacific Coast Hwy. & Barnett. Highlights the history and mission of the U.S. Marine Corps. Free. 619-524-4426

Museum of Contemporary Art
1001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. 619-234-1001
700 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858-454-3541

Museum of History and Art Coronado Historical Association
1100 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-7242

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
31123-1/2 Hwy. 94, Campo. 619-465-PSRM; Weekends: 619-478-9937

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
404 3rd Ave. 619-338-9888

San Diego Maritime Museum
1492 N. Harbor Dr.

STAR OF INDIA
World's oldest floating merchant craft. 1400 N. Harbor Dr.  619-234-9153.

USS MIDWAY 
America's longest-serving aircraft carrier is the nation's newest aviation museum. 1001 feet in length and 74,000 tons, the museum is a fascinating historical record of the ship's life from 1945 to 1992. The USS Midway offers a unique glimpse of a "city at sea" with more than 35 exhibits and displays including the Captain's Bridge, Flight Deck, Crew's Mess, Sick Bay and Engineering. Twenty restored aircraft, a variety of simulators, cafe and gift shop complete the experience. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour. 910 N. Harbor Dr. (downtown San Diego). 619-544-9600. www.midway.org