Location: San Diego
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10 Specialty Museums in San Diego That You Shouldn't Miss
San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.
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1. USS Midway Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24,873 reviews
Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway (Museum) was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater, included with admission. Admission also includes a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German. Visiting Midway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in San Diego, known around the world as "Navy Town, USA."
Reviewed By NewfiePupLover - Des Moines, United States
We visited the USS Midway on our way to the airport when heading out of San Diego from our Spring Break trip, and I'm glad that we did. Our young kids (8, 8 & 6) enjoyed the airplanes on display and walking through the various decks of the ships, including the internal warfare room, map rooms, etc. The individual audio tour packs (like an iPod) were excellent and allowed each person to listen and learn about all aspects of the ship, the aircraft, personal stories from soldiers who worked on the ship, war stories, etc. There is a great gift shop on the ship, and there is also food available as well as water & soda machines placed throughout the ship. I would highly recommend this site for anyone interested in history, but really for just about anyone of any age. It was a great experience. We were on the ship for about 2 hours, although if you had the time you could spend an entire day looking around and interacting with all of the staff/volunteers and exhibits.
2. J.A. Cooley Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Robert_Laquey
This is less of a review than a reminiscence. I lived in a small apartment that Jim Cooley owned. It was right around the corner from the J.A. Cooley Museum. This was almost a two decades ago. I would often walk around the corner to visit with Jim and Carmen. The museum was an example of how a wonderful man, who was skilled at making money, could spend it well. Jim was/is a remarkable man. Most people do not realize it but he had a Masters Degree from Cal Tech. He would walk me through the museum (I am an engineer/physicist with a PhD) and provide a brilliant explanation of why each vehicle was there. This is not a random collection of old things. Each car represents some major advance in automotive engineering. The old Benz is the first car that ever was. Then there is the first car with a steering wheel, the first car with hydraulic breaks, the first car ... Jim is a walking/talking encyclopedia of automotive history, engineering, economic ... you name it. I want to simply say "Thank you." to JIm and Carmen for many hours of pleasant and often enlightening company and for great kindness shown to me in difficult times. To anyone considering a visit. Just "Do it." I can hardly think of a better way for you to spend your time. Robert Eugene La Quey, PhD
3. Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
A private collection sampling 500 years of cartography. Over 200 items on display, many one of a kind. Free admission, no donations expected and we do not sell anything except the enjoyment of some of the rarest maps in the work and that is at a price of Zero dollars. In addition to our Wednesday and Thursday open days, we are also OPEN the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month 11-4
4. Women's Museum of California
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Our mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations about the experiences and contributions of women by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the evidence of that experience.
Reviewed By MN_Travel_Bug_1 - Bloomington, United States
This one-room museum is so well laid out and displayed. We learned not only about the women suffragists we think about such as Susan B. Anthony and the other abolitionists who convened at Seneca Hall, but also about women who were against getting rights to vote and the women that were for and against helping African-American women get the right to vote. There were also quite a few prominent displays of African-American women. I highly recommend this visit for anyone interested in the history of women in America. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 upon us, my guess is that this exhibit is already closed as it was due to close 3-29-20. During my visit I asked the curator if it was traveling anywhere and she advised that it wouldn't be and would go back into storage. Also, I had read somewhere that parking was a problem. We had no problem at all and parked on the street for free.
5. Maritime Museum of San Diego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,748 reviews
Welcome aboard our floating compilation of adventure and history! Admission to the "Maritime Museum of San Diego" grants you access to one of the world's finest collections of historic sea vessels. Once on board our museum ships, you will find that we offer something for people of all ages. You not only get to explore our ships and submarines, the museum displays permanent and temporary exhibits on art, maritime history, commerce and exploration. Historic bay cruises run daily and can be added on to the price of admission for an extra nominal fee. There is no better way to spend the day than on the bay!
Reviewed By robertcF7289TB
The San Diego Maritime Museum is a national treasure right here in America’s Finest City. Literally, the museum has been ranked as the best in the USA and among the top five in the world. One of the major reasons is that so many of the vessels are kept in sailing condition. You can take rides on a replica of a historic Spanish galleon (the San Salvador), California’s official state tall ship (the Californian), a hundred year old luxury yacht (Medea), or a vintage harbor pilot boat (the Pilot). You can tour the oldest actively sailed tall ship (the Star of India), and if you ate lucky, you might be able to sail on her. The Museum has educational exhibits including many ship models that have been made by expert craftsmen on board the historic Ferryboat Berkeley, which serves as the Museum’s headquarters. Become a member and all the ships are open to you and your family.
6. Casa del Rey Moro African Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
7. San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 534 reviews
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum was established in January of 1983. SDMRM has been a resource for model train aficionados, artist, architects, engineers, and families in San Diego for over 30 years. We spark curiosity in San Diego’s youth with educational programming that includes developmental milestones like critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving via our tailored school workshops and summer camps.
Reviewed By blw_at_longwood - Richmond, United States
Many of us have had some experience with model trains, but this takes it to a completely different level! The display, which is really that of a club and not a museum per se, has both quality and quantity. The modeling is top notch, with not one but MANY scenes from Southern California railroading faithfully reproduced. As anyone who's ever done this can attest, it can be tough to keep such things running smoothly, but trains - huge trains, ones that stretch completely out of sight - run perfectly. There's also mind-blowing quantity. A model railroad that fills a garage can be an amazing thing, but this is two full floors of railroading, on a scale that is unrivaled. Railroaders or model railroaders in the know about famous Southern California rail landmarks such as Tehachapi Loop or Chatsworth will recognize the sights instantly. It was like railfanning the real thing, but with a lot less walking! There are actually a number of railroads in the museum. During my visit there were quite a few young kids and they all seemed to be having a grand time. If you or your kids have any interest in trains at all, it's hard to go wrong here.
8. The Firehouse Museum
9. Timken Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Museum that celebrates the important role of art as a way of enriching lives by featuring American, Dutch and Flemish, French, Italian paintings and Russian Icons.
Reviewed By permia
European Old Masters are to the fore in this gem of a gallery. In the French segment can be seen Christ Healing the Blind by Philippe de Champaigne and more. Rembrandt's Saint Bartholomew is a fine study of human intensity, contemplating his imminent martyrdom, as the account goes, by flaying alive, using the implement in his right hand. Some engaging American works are also on display. The Cranberry Harvest by Eastman Johnson shows a large group of busy harvesters overseen by a lady in all her finery.
10. Mingei International Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
A museum of folk crafts with a variety of displays that run the gamut from textiles and toys to painting and sculpture.
