Discover the Best Museums in San Diego

Visit the San Diego Natural History Museum in beautiful Balboa Park. Get ready for the most fun you’ve had in 75 million years.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is a flagship institution in Balboa Park, showcasing the regional natural history and unique biodiversity of Southern California and Baja California.

The museum has four floors of exhibitions, a 3D theater, and San Diego’s only Foucault pendulum. Through its permanent collection, special exhibitions, numerous educational programs, and the opportunity to see scientists at work, the Museum fosters a lifelong love of learning about nature and the environment for visitors of all ages.

Current exhibits include:

Hidden Gems
Get to know The Nat’s sparkly side with more than 100 of the best, brightest, and most spectacular selections from our gems and mineral collection. These hidden gems will be on every floor of the Museum.

The Backyard
Learn and explore the natural world through play. This new space invites our youngest visitors (ages 0-5) to play under a shade tree, search for hidden secrets along a wooden fence, or read their favorite book in a cozy potting shed.

Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage
This new exhibition gives visitors a rare “backstage” glimpse of the museum’s storage areas. Specimens arranged on shelves and in cases offer the opportunity to revel in the natural world in all its beauty and peculiarity.

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science
This new, permanent exhibition explores the past, present and future of citizen science through rare books, art, photographs, and historical documents.

Coast to Cactus in Southern California
This innovative, permanent exhibition tells the story of this amazing place called home. Take an immersive walk through the major regions of southern California’s coast, inland valleys, mountains, and deserts and celebrate the abundant variety of life found here.

Fossil Mysteries
From dinosaurs to mastodons, travel through 75 million years and dig into the rich fossil history of southern California and Baja California.

Skulls
Take a look at 200 of the weirdest, wildest, and most fascinating animal skulls from our research collection.

Giant-Screen Theater
The Subaru Giant Screen Experience is one-of-a-kind. Settle into the 300-seat, stadium-style theater and enjoy films on the massive screen.

The Fleet Science Center is all about making San Diego a place where everyone is united by the magic of science to shape a brighter tomorrow. With over 100 hands-on exhibits sparking your curiosity and a massive screen showcasing the marvels of our planet—and even beyond—in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, the science center invites you to dive into a world of exploration and discovery.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla is where ocean lovers can dive into a world of marine wonders. From colorful coral reefs to fascinating sea creatures, this aquarium offers interactive exhibits that bring the magic of the ocean to life. Perfect for families and science enthusiasts, Birch Aquarium combines education and adventure with breathtaking views of the Pacific.

At the Mingei Museum, you not only get to peek into the big world and see how people and cultures are both alike and different, but their permanent exhibition, featuring over 25,000 objects, makes it a truly wonderful museum. It’s a treasure trove that showcases the beauty of human expression. And here’s the cool part – it’s not a one-time deal! With ever-changing exhibits, there’s always a new reason to come back to this cultural archive, keeping the experience fresh and exciting every time.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) is a haven for art lovers, showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions that push creative boundaries. Featuring works from both established and emerging artists, the museum is all about exploring bold ideas and fresh perspectives. Whether it’s thought-provoking installations, striking sculptures, or immersive experiences, MCASD invites visitors to dive into the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Located in the heart of San Diego, this museum is where creativity comes to life—sparking inspiration with every visit!

Located in the heart of beautiful Balboa Park, the Museum of Us is a cultural anthropology museum that explores the human experience from multicultural perspectives to spark dialogue, self-reflection, and human connection.