Location: San Diego
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The 10 Best History Museums in San Diego, California (CA)
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. Seeley Stables
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Museum that consists of a reconstructed stable and barns that house a collection of horse-drawn buggies, wagons, carriages and other western memorabilia.
Reviewed By BonnieNimmo - Marble Falls, United States
We really enjoyed walking through and browsing the incredible information and evolution of horse-drawn transportation. I never knew there were tandem carriages! This was a very interesting excursion if you’re in Old Town. And it’s free!
2. San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Discover the best kept secret in downtown San Diego. The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing Chinese and Chinese American art, culture and history. Exhibits include a hand-carved bed that belonged to a Chinese warlord, a 1500-year-old limestone Buddha head, a tranquil Asian garden and koi pond, intricate miniature models of old Chinatown buildings, and there are always new exhibits in our new extension building.
Reviewed By GlobalGypsy_13 - San Diego, United States
This small museum on a downtown corner tells the story of the Chinese in San Diego through objects & a courtyard garden with sculptures and a koi pond; at 9 a.m. on Saturdays all are welcome to a free Tai Chi/Qi Gong class.. There's also an active monthly lecture program at a nearby building and a special exhibit in the annex across the street. The fun dragon show just closed (Jan. 2020) and next up is Chinese children paintings. Admission includes all 3 venues. There's a small gift counter in the annex and metered street parking. For a memorable cultural experience head to the Gaslamp area in downtown San Diego.
3. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
The grounds of the museum are closed to the public until further notice. Please check out our online tours, activities and programs on the website. See 31 historical aircraft from World War II to present up close at this family-friendly museum that showcases the legacy of U.S. Marine Corps aviators, crews and support personnel. Indoor galleries feature artifacts, artwork, uniforms and photographs from the earliest days of flight to present. There is a temporary exhibit on Military Working Dogs. The Museum is located at 4203 Anderson Ave, San Diego. The sentry-free entrance is located on Miramar Road, 3.9 miles east of I-805 or 1.3 miles west of I-15. (Look for the American and Marine Corps flags.) Admission and parking are free.
Reviewed By 4stevemandy - Seal Beach, United States
It’s a nice collection of Marine Corp. Aircraft and vehicles. The staff is super friendly too! Unfortunately this place may be closing soon. Sign the online petition by scanning the barcode in my pictures. Thanks!
4. Whaley House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 346 reviews
Now a museum and state historical landmark, this is one of only two California houses recognized by the U.S. Commerce Department as being haunted.
Reviewed By Z6605AOkarent
I had an afternoon to kill in San Diego so I decided to visit old town. While there I came across the Whaley House. I had heard this was one of the most haunted places in the US so I was curious to see if I could experience anything. Well the dining room is beyond creepy. It has a very negative presence. I also picked up an herbal smell in that room. A docent told me they don't use any air fresheners and that I wasn't the first to comment on an herbal smell. Upstairs I picked up a strong male presence in the master bedroom and a female presence in the back bedroom which I was told was Violets. All and all it was an interesting visit. I enjoyed talking to the docents.
5. Villa Montezuma Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3 reviews
Built by musician and spiritualist Jesse Shepard, this 1887 Victorian mansion is a museum that features lectures, special events and educational programs.
6. Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 76 reviews
The Gaslamp Museum is open for self-guided tours and audio tours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm. Housed in the Davis-Horton House, the museum educates guests about the rich history of both the Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego. Explore the 1850s salt-box style home and the rotating exhibit in the basement gallery. Walking Tours of the Gaslamp Quarter are also offered. Historical and Architectural Walking Tours are Thursdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 11am. Ghosts of the Gaslamp Walking Tours are held Fridays at 5pm. Paranormal Investigations are held in the Davis-Horton House on a monthly basis.
Reviewed By BetteWV - Charleston, United States
Stopped in with an hour or two to spare. Delightfully set up museum featuring history of San Diego. Audio self guided tour offered and i highly recommend it. Was done well and I spent an enjoyable hour exploring San Diego in the late 1800s. I don’t recommend it for small children as many items are fragile and cannot be touched.
7. Junipero Serra Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
You can learn about the history of the Missions in California here and while youre at it, ogle some lovely artifacts, like Spanish furniture dating back to the Renaissance.
Reviewed By QualityTravelBee
Settled on top of the hill in Presidio park right above the original site of the first Presidio and Mission in Alta California. Parking is always available, trees around are mature and beautiful. Yesterday I took photos of blooming Yukka trees. On several occasions I witnessed wedding and quinceañera photo sessions and even a military promotion ceremony on the museum grounds. During summer museum is open 4 days a week and there are two signs indicating days and hours of operation. One large sign is located at the museum parking right below the museum building and another sign is at the main entrance door. Historic significance of Presidio park and Junipero Serra museum makes this site unique in so many ways. I recommend first to visit Junipero Serra museum and original Presidio and Mission site and then Old Town San Diego to follow the correct historic timeline. I collected many photos of the museum grounds during seasonal trees bloom, but blooming Yukka trees are the most impressive of them all!
8. House of Pacific Relations International Cottages
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By erikad907
After studying world geography in our homeschool, I wondered if the cottages would be worth the time. They were! We visited on Sunday afternoon, and many offered snack/drink samples for a donation. Just a quick walk through, stepping inside each cottage was very enjoyable to us. A very gentle "attraction" but really neat and so happy we took our 3 boys. Loved the bagpipe concert from Scotland!
9. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
Step into a historical experience for the whole family. The museum is inside the painstakingly reconstructed Colorado House in the heart of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Inside San Diego's first two story hotel you'll discover an original Stagecoach offering visitors a glimpse into 19th Century travel. After sending a message via telegraph, explore the interior of an 1800s stagecoach station. Other popular exhibits include a solid gold pocket watch presented to San Diegan Thomas Davies in 1871, gold nuggets and coins, a rare Banjo clock and more. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel and admission is always free. A Wells Fargo ATM is conveniently located in the museum.
Reviewed By BonnieNimmo - Marble Falls, United States
Well worth the time to walk through, especially if you have children with you as there are some interactive displays like a telegram machine where you can tap out a message using Morse code. I loved the Wells Fargo stagecoach and had not realized how y’all they were. I also enjoyed the artifacts inside the area that was the old stage stop, and I enjoyed learning about the gold rush era! Rey interesting and highly recommended!
10. Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Cac1234 - Germantown, United States
One feels a sincere sense of pride when entering this former chapel. The stained glass windows are lovely. The displays contributed by many veterans are very informative. One cannot leave without a renewed awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.
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