Location: Balboa Park
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The 9 Best Specialty Museums in Balboa Park, 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. Centro Cultural de la Raza
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. San Diego Air & Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 846 reviews
Museum's emphasis is on the history of flight, from the days of hot-air balloons to the Spirit of St. Louis to today's space shuttles.
Reviewed By JScotG - Fayetteville, United States
This place didn’t look like much on the outside but it was a gem inside. There was so much information about the history of flight from its origin with the Wright Brothers to the Space Shuttle and current Mars missions. I was shocked to see that they had on display the actual giggle that Charles Lindbergh wore on his historic flight across the Atlantic. There was also a piece of the fabric from the Hindenburg Zeppelin. There were actual airplanes from WWI and WWII and there were many interactive stations where you could dock with the space station or land a shuttle. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly and took the time to talk to my kid and explain certain features of the museum. Overall a great visit and I just wish that the outside of the building let people know how great the interior is.
6. San Diego Natural History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 442 reviews
Features fascinating exhibitions and a new giant-screen Dolby digital 3D theater showing films with a focus on the natural world. The Museum’s award-winning exhibit design team creates exhibitions that focus on the unique and biodiverse southern California region. In addition, the Museum hosts several traveling exhibitions each year which teach visitors about our natural world as it is today and as it was in the past.
Reviewed By Lyiaphd - Seattle, United States
In the month of February museums are half off when you pick up a free discount pass from the library. This dramatically reduced the cost. We really enjoyed the 3D movies (included with admission), the skulls exhibit, gems & precious stones, and the face to face with insects exhibit. The museum was clean and the staff was very friendly. Although it may not be the largest of the museums, it had a good amount of displays to meet various age groups and interests. They had everything from prehistoric bones to live exhibits. The explanations on the exhibits were informative and easy to read. It appears that the explainations on the exhibits were in English and Spanish. The gift shop offered really inexpensive and cool gifts! Thank you :)
7. San Diego Automotive Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 273 reviews
Magnificent display of vintage automobiles and motorcycles including a 1927 Bentley, 1931 Rolls Royce Phaeton and Steve McQueen's 1953 Allard.
Reviewed By mwbudd - Alameda, United States
We were visiting San Diego for the weekend and heard that there was a special exhibit featuring Lowrider cars and bikes so we swooped in and were pleasantly surprised by how close we were able to get to the many cars and motorcycles on display. The docents were very helpful and we had a great time.
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. San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 37 reviews
A multisport museum dedicated to commemorating excellence in over 40 professional and amateur sports.
