10 Must-See San Diego Museums and Galleries

While San Diego is most famous for our year-round great weather, beautiful beaches, and awesome Mexican food you may not know that it is also the location of an amazing arts and entertainment district. La Playa Gallery shares our top 10 museum and gallery destinations perfect for anyone's artistic palette. 

10. National Geographic Fine Art Gallery

Located in beautiful Downtown La Jolla, this gallery highlights award-winning photographs by some of National Geographic's  finest photographers. 

1205 Prospect St. 
San Diego, CA 92037


Hours: 10-9:00PM Mon-Wed, 10-10:00PM Thurs- Sat, 12- 8:00PM Sun

9. Japanese Friendship Gardens

Nestled in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego is bound to its sister city, Yokohama to create a unique experience for visitors. The Japanese Friendship Garden is known for its koi pond, tree arrangements, and unique setting.  It also holds unique Japanese artifacts from all over the world. 

2215 Pan American Road. E,  
San Diego, CA 92101  

Hours: 10-6:30PM Monday- Friday, 10-4:30PM Saturday & Sunday.

Tickets:
Combo Ticket (Garden + current exhibition)

• General Admission $11
• Senior, Student, Military (must have ID) $10
• Children Under 6 FREE

Garden Only

• General Admission $8
• Senior, Student, Military (must have ID) $7
• Children Under 6 FREE

The Japanese Friendship Garden Participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every third Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

8. San Diego Art Institute

The San Diego Art Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing artists from the Southern California/Baja Norte region. Their exhibitions  often emphasize the growing art community in San Diego. 

1439 El Prado - Balboa Park - House of Charm
San Diego, CA 92101 

Tickets:

• General Admission $5
• Seniors, Military, Teachers, Students $3
• Children Under 12 and SDAI Members FREE

Hours: 10-5:00PM Tuesday- Saturday, 12-5:00PM Sunday 


The San Diego Art Institute Participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every third Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

7. Timken Museum of Art

The Timken Museum of Art is San Diego's #1 destination for viewing 19th century art from European Masters, Russian icons, and emerging American Art. Home to the Putnam Foundation's collection, the Timken also carries the only Rembrandt painting on display in San Diego. The best part? Everyday admission is free to everyone. 

1500 El Prado, Balboa Park 
San Diego, CA 92101


Tickets: FREE

Hours: 10-4:30PM Tuesday- Saturday, 12-4:30PM Sundays

6. Veterans Museum 

The Veterans Museum displays a unique collection of memorabilia and papers from countless veterans from different armed forces. It is located in the former chapel of the Naval Hospital in Balboa Park. The museum currently exhibits information on WWI, WWII, Pear Harbor, Korean and Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and much, much more. 

The Veterans Museum and Memorial Participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every second Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

2115 Park Boulevard  
San Diego, Ca 92101


Tickets: 

• General Admission $5
• Students (must have ID) $2
• Veterans and Seniors (65 or older) $4
• Active duty military, VMMC members, children FREE

Hours: 10-4:00PM Tuesday- Sunday

5. San Diego Natural History Museum

The San Diego Natural History Museum is your one stop location for developing an understanding of the evolution and diversity of Southern California and Baja California's environment. With many exhibits always rotating, you don't want to miss this museum. 

San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101


Tickets:

• General Admission $19
• Senior (62+), Student, Military (must have ID) $17
• Youth (7-17) $14
• Child (3-6) $11
• Child 2 and under FREE

Hours: 10-5:00PM Monday- Sunday


The SD Natural History Museum Participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every first Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

4. Museum of Photographic Arts

Looking to enhance your Instagram feed? Why not check out the various styles of photographic masters at the MOPA? The photographers on display at this museum perfected the art of white balance and saturation with #nofilter.

The MOPA participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every second Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101



Hours: 10- 5:00PM Tuesday - Sunday

Summer Hours: 10-8:00PM, June 4- Sept. 3

Tickets:

• General Admission $8
• Seniors, Retired Military and Dependents (must have ID) $7
• Students (must have ID) $6
• MOPA members, active military/ dependents, children 12 and under FREE

Pay What You Wish Admission Days: March 18- August 28: Wed-Fri. skip the general admission fees and pay what you desire to see the photographic collection at the MOPA.

3. Museum of Contemporary Art 

With our list finally starting to wind down, we had to mention the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The MCASD has two locations-- one in La Jolla and Downtown San Diego, each with their own exhibitions presenting contemporary art in various mediums. MCASD Downtown showcases site-specific installations by iconic 20th century artists Jenny Holzer and Richard Serra. The MCASD La Jolla holds the Edwards Sculpture Garden which is home to sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle, Marcos Ramirez ERRE, and much more. 

MCASD La Jolla
700 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037-4291

Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM daily. Closed Wednesday.

MCASD Downtown 
1100 & 1001 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101

Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM daily. Closed Wednesday.

Tickets: 

• General Admission $10
• Seniors $5
• Students 26 and over (with ID) $5
• 25 and under FREE (must show ID)
• Military and dependents FREE (must show ID)

Admission is valid for 7 days at both MCASD locations. 

The MCASD is free every third Thursday of the month from 5-7:00PM (San Diego Residents only)

2. Mingei Museum

The Mingei Museum holds an extensive collection of art of daily use. The term mingei derives from Japanese philosopher, Soetsu, who defines it as art of the people. The Mingei maintains a range of diverse art from pre-Columbian beads to large scale sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle. 

Plaza de Panama, Balboa Park
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101


Hours: 10-5:00PM Tuesday- Sunday

Tickets:

• General Admission $10
• Seniors, Youth, Students, Military (with ID) $7
• Members and Children under 6 FREE

The Mingei participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every third Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)

1. San Diego Museum of Art

We finally reached our #1 pick and of course it goes to the San Diego Museum of Art. The SDMA houses a renowned international collection of works from various regions. This encyclopedic museum caters to every palette. If you wanted to get a glimpse of the history of art, the SDMA should be your primary destination with pieces dating from 5000 BCE to the modern.

1450 El Prado
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Hours: 10-5:00PM Monday- Saturday. Closed on Wednesday. 12-5:00PM Sunday.

Tickets:

• General Admission $12
• Military, active duty, retired (with ID) $9
• Seniors, 65 and older (with ID) $9
• College Students (with ID) $8
• Youth (7-17) $4.50
• Youth (6 and under) FREE
• Family 4-pack (2 adults, 2 youth) $28

The SDMA participates in Free Museum Tuesdays every third Tuesday of the month (San Diego Residents only)