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Best Museums in San Diego

By Stuart Bak

San Diego’s exhilarating cocktail of Spanish, Mexican and American influences make for some eye-poppingly wonderful cultural experiences across the city. Not least in Balboa Park, a vast green space just north of Downtown, where the heady mix of architecturally surprising buildings house several of the region's finest museums and art galleries. There’s more than enough here and around town to keep everyone – from excitable toddlers to the most jaded culture seeker – entertained for days. Maybe even weeks! Here’s our countdown of the 10 best museums in San Diego.

San Diego Museum of Art

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The cathedral-like facade of the region’s largest art museum cuts a striking dash even on Balboa Park’s El Prado boulevard, where nearly every building is an architectural masterclass. A grandly ornamented door leads you beneath imposing statues of Velázquez, Murillo, and Zurbarán and into this huge, well-lit space, where works by these Spanish masters and others including Goya and El Greco dominate. The collection is supported by pieces from America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Browse Japanese woodblock art, Buddhist sculpture and an impressive collection of German Expressionist works as well as big names including Canaletto, Monet, O’Keeffe and Tamayo. And be sure not to miss Bosch’s typically disturbing The Arrest of Christ and Renoir’s beguiling Woman Combing Her Hair while you’re here.

USS Midway Museum

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The United States' longest-serving 20th-century aircraft carrier is honored at the USS Midway Museum. You can’t miss this vast vessel: now permanently docked downtown at Navy Pier, it was once the largest ship in the world. The museum is a thrill-a-minute for Top Gun fans, with oodles of flying machines to ogle, including an F9F-P Cougar from the Korean War and a WWII SDB Dauntless dive bomber. You can even play captain up on the bridge and do your best Tom Cruise impression inside an airplane cockpit. But if it’s boats that, um, float your boat then there’s no reason you can’t fit the USS Midway Museum and the nearby Maritime Museum of San Diego on the same day, with a bit of military precision. Grab lunch at nearby Seaport Village or Little Italy to keep your sightseeing strength up.

Fleet Science Center

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All terracotta roof tiles, ornate balconies and arches running the length of its sand-colored facade, the Fleet Science Center looks like for all the world like a royal Spanish villa has been air-dropped into Balboa Park, extravagant water fountain and all. Inside, there are stacks of interactive exhibits designed to entertain both kids and grown-ups. Find out why toast always seems to land butter-side down, become a human battery, experience a thrilling virtual reality spacewalk at the International Space Station and take an immersive journey through the natural world in the IMAX cinema. Little ones will love Kid City, where cranes, carts and conveyor belts make for hours of hands-on fun.

Gaslamp Museum

Built in the traditional ‘saltbox’ style – traditional, that is, to Portland, Maine – downtown San Diego’s oldest surviving structure was actually built hundreds of miles away before being dismantled and shipped here way back in the mid 18th Century. Step inside the (reassembled) timber-framed building to enter a frozen-in-time snapshot of the Victorian era. Wander rooms filled with period furniture and other ephemera of the time and learn about former inhabitants including ‘father of San Diego’ Alonzo Horton. You may even, if you’re lucky, run into the Gaslamp Museum’s resident ghost. Boo!

Air and Space Museum

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The supersonic Lockheed A-12 and Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart airplanes that flank the entrance to Balboa Park’s Air and Space Museum will give you some idea of what to expect inside. Aircraft enthusiasts will once again be in seventh heaven: here’s where to see exhibits from the great and good of air and space exploration, including artifacts from the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart and Buzz Aldrin. Check out the faithful replica of Charles Lindbergh’s tiny Spirit of St. Louis plane, which he flew solo from Long Island to Paris in 1927. And see Gumdrop, one of only 13 Apollo command modules on display anywhere in the world. The museum also boasts interactive exhibits galore, including an immersive 4D cinema, flight simulators and a Kids’ Aviation Action Hangar with cute little pedal planes.

New Children’s Museum

Kids will have their tiny minds blown by this excellent downtown museum that’s chock-full of entertaining activities and interactive exhibits. Each little room here is themed, with ever-changing installations keeping things fresh year-round. Expect colorful murals, mind-bending puzzles and a mini theater with dress-up materials for budding young thespians. There’s even a giant woven hammock that kids can climb into and explore, as well as workshops where little hands are kept busy with clay, paints, stencils and other artistic bits and bobs.

Museum of Us

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As if Balboa Park’s highly decorative California Quadrangle buildings aren’t testament enough to humanity’s skills, ingenuity and artistry alone, inside is where you’ll find the Museum of Us. Exhibits in this fascinating anthropological journey through human evolution explore everything from cannibalism to the ancient (and somewhat more palatable) art of beer-making, a nod to San Diego’s status as the capital of US craft brewing. Learn about what makes people unique as well as the ties that bind us all together. And, while you’re here, be sure to climb the iconic California Tower for sweeping views across the park and beyond.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

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Perched on a hilltop in the delightful La Jolla district around 12 miles north of downtown, the Birch Aquarium is an excellent low-key alternative to SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay; we recommend visiting on a day trip to La Jolla’s fine sandy beaches. See if you can spot the elusive giant Pacific octopus and rescued loggerhead turtle in the Hall of Fishes, and come face to face with spotted leopard sharks at Shark Shores. Kids will love exploring Tidepool Plaza and getting hands-on with the sea anemones, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters and various other critters in the living tidepools here.

San Diego Natural History Museum

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This fab family attraction in Balboa Park features all manner of prehistoric monsters and other wild beasts across four floors. Meet the museum’s giant replica mastodon, examine dozens of dinosaur fossils and check out the bizarre collection of animal skulls – many from the San Diego region – from tiny reptiles to towering pachyderms. Kids can study fossils up close using real archaeological equipment and get answers to their most burning questions about the natural world from scientists in the Demonstration Lab.

Museum of Photographic Arts

This collection of fascinating images spans the entire history of photography. Its thousands of photographic and filmed images allow for a wide range of rotating exhibitions, and are supplemented by touring shows by photographers from around the world. There's also a range of events and workshops available to help bring out the best in your selfie skills and really make your Instagram sparkle. Why not start by snapping the museum building, another visually stunning Spanish Colonial Revival confection in (where else) Balboa Park?

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Stuart Bak

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Best Cruises in San Diego

San Diego Bay is second to none when it comes to world-class beaches, shops, restaurants and entertainment, not to mention those swoonsome sunsets so typical of the SoCal coastline. You might find yourself hiking the pine-scented bluffs of La Jolla, diving kelp forests at Point Loma, fishing for herring from the historic Ocean Beach Pier, sipping craft beer on the Mission Bay boardwalk, or toasting s’mores at sundown on lively Pacific Beach. But there’s just as much fun to be had on the water, with sport and snorkeling activities aplenty as well as plenty of opportunities to go exploring and whale-watching by boat. Read on for our guide to making the best of the Bay (and beyond) with our pick of the best cruises in San Diego… The Harbor Cruise The classic harbor cruise is a must-do for newbies, as essential a San Diego activity as experiencing the Gaslamp Quarter nightlife, saying hey to the La Jolla seals, or ogling Monet masterpieces in the San Diego Museum of Art. Here’s your chance to kick back, relax and let the crew do the sightseeing for you. Landmarks you’ll spot along the way include Seaport Village (pictured), Coronado Island, the Cabrillo National Monument, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula. Crew will also be on hand to serve drinks and point out any native marine life along the way. The San Diego Harbor cruise can be booked via a variety of different operators – the 90-minute City Cruises experience is one of the best and is available as part of the money-saving San Diego attraction pass from Go City. Get more info on pass options here. The Whale-Watching Cruise If viewing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat is on your bucket list, you’ve come to the right place. San Diego’s balmy waters are prime territory for marine mammals: gray whales cruise through the bay en route to and from Mexico’s calving lagoons in winter and spring, while blues cruise the same aquatic highway in summer. Pods of dolphins and colonies of harbor seals mean you rarely have to wait long before some sort of sighting.  Boat tours depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund in the unlikely event you do fail to set eyes on any of our splendid sea-faring friends. The Speed Boat Cruise Take it up a notch (or seven) on a speed boat adventure across San Diego Bay. Ok, so this one is less a cruise and more of a white-knuckle ride (depending on who’s doing the driving, of course). Just pick up your 13-foot, two-person cruiser and, well, the Bay is your oyster. Maybe you’ll cruise over for close-up views of the USS Midway aircraft museum, or meander down to admire the curvaceous Coronado Bridge, a 200-meter engineering masterpiece in concrete and steel that links Coronado Island to the mainland. Or, y’know, you can just spend the whole time doing donuts in the harbor. The choice is yours. Speed boat hire is also available as part of the Go City San Diego pass. The Coronado Ferry Cruise The cute old-fashioned ferry that chugs across the bay from San Diego to Coronado Island is hands-down the most romantic way to travel between the two. Hop aboard at Broadway Pier (every hour) or San Diego Convention Center (every half-hour) to reach the island in just a few short minutes. There’s plenty to do once on the island, too, from selfies at the iconic Hotel del Coronado (pictured) to farmers’ markets, coastal cycling adventures, and firepit s’mores on the beach. Check out our guide to all things Coronado here. The Amphibious Cruise San Diego SEAL Tours offers the best of both sightseeing worlds thanks to its amphibious ‘boats with wheels’. Board at Seaport Village or the Embarcadero for a 100-minute narrated tour that takes you on one of San Diego’s best ‘cruises’ first through the scenic streets of downtown San Diego then into the water. Transformation from bus to boat complete, the tour continues to sights including the millionaire mansions at Point Loma, Shelter Island, and the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Foodie Cruise Everybody knows serious sightseeing can be hungry work. What better way to acknowledge this than by booking one of San Diego’s top brunch or dinner cruises? Again, there are loads of different operators to pick from, but City Cruises are among the most reputable locally. Get your sea legs on for a two-hour brunch/sightseeing experience that includes pastries, eggs, smoked salmon and more, plus unlimited mimosas during the two-hour cruise. Or, if you prefer to wait until the sun’s over the yardarm, opt for a dinner cruise that promises cocktails, a la carte dining, live DJs and swoonsome views of the San Diego skyline at sunset. The Gondola Cruise Like your cruise experiences a little more… quirky? San Diego Gondola Cruises has just the thing for you! As the name suggests, this experience brings a little slice of Venice to Southern California, with your choice of daytime or sunset cruises of the Coronado Cays aboard a Venetian-style gondola. The ride comes complete with stripy-shirted gondolier, traditional Italian music, and (for an extra charge) a real-life mandolin player. You can even add wine and truffles to the 50-minute experience. Who said romance is dead? The Fishing Cruise The waters around San Diego are rich in sea bass, rock fish, halibut, yellowtail and more. Why else did you think so many dolphins, seals and gulls hang out along the coastline here? There’s a wide range of fishing charters available, from half-day local forays into the harbor and kelp fields to epic voyages into Mexican waters for prized game including dorado and bluefin tuna. Check out the plethora of local operators to find the trip that best suits your skill level and preferred catches. Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
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San Diego Zoo vs. SeaWorld

Trying to decide whether to visit San Diego Zoo vs SeaWorld? Both are iconic San Diego attractions, but both offer different experiences. Our guide has all you need to know about admission, thrill rides, practical details, and more.
Casey Makovich
Museum of Contemporary Art - La Jolla
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Things to do in La Jolla San Diego

Sun, sea, and miles and miles of golden Californian sands... San Diego’s picturesque La Jolla neighborhood is famed for its wild, verdant hills and epic 11-kilometer stretch of Pacific coastline that’s perfect for surfing, sunbathing and seal-spotting. Add to that some fine boutique shopping and gourmet dining and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect sunshine break. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in La Jolla San Diego. Fun in the Sun There’s much to enjoy in La Jolla, especially if you’re the outdoor type. This coastal neighborhood is set in pine-scented hills around 20 kilometers north of San Diego’s downtown, and is chock-full of great walks, sandy beaches and hidden coves. Hit the hiking trails through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of wild plateau and rugged cliffs named for its incredibly rare Torrey pine, a species you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Pop to the visitor center for guided hikes of the reserve or pick up a map and go it alone: there are a number of unchallenging walks along marked trails. In the best tradition of American nature reserves, you can expect colorful wildflowers, giant rock and sandstone formations and viewpoints with sensational panoramic views of the coastal bluffs and beach below. Head up to Yucca Point Overlook for what are generally considered the best in the park. If you’re lucky you may even spot whales and dolphins breaking surface out at sea and native bobcats, lizards and raccoons skulking among the cacti. La Jolla’s mild climate makes time spent on the beaches here an absolute joy. Seasoned surfers can show off their board skills at the aptly named Windansea and Wipeout beaches, while beginners should head to the calmer waters of La Jolla Shores beach. The palm-fringed crescent of soft golden sand here is also great for family days out. There’s a huge grassy park bordering the beach and plenty of waterfront restaurants and snack bars; bikes, kayaks, surfboards and snorkeling gear are also all available to rent nearby. Don’t forget to grab a snap or two gazing out to sea from between the giant struts under Scripps Pier: it’s one of the most popular selfie spots in the area, and not without good reason. Visit at sunset for the very best views and Instagram-friendly shots like this one. Under the Sea Budding marine biologists can search for sea urchins, anemones and hermit crabs in the tide pools at Dike Rock, while the nearby Birch Aquarium at Scripps has residents including leopard sharks, a loggerhead Sea Turtle and the world’s biggest octopus species. Don’t miss the two-story kelp forest here, where bright orange Garibaldi fish dart among the enormous green tendrils. Or get even closer to some of the planet’s most amazing critters on a scuba diving tour to the kelp forests at La Jolla Cove and Point Loma, where you might come face to face with moray eels, blue sharks, sea lions and California spiny lobsters. Just round the coast, Children’s Pool is one of La Jolla’s best beaches for seal-spotting. You shouldn’t have to look too hard: a colony of around 200 harbor seals call this particular stretch of coast home. Art and Culture If there’s a better spot for a contemporary art museum than high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific, we’ve yet to find it. Reopened in 2022 after a $105m renovation and expansion, La Jolla’s branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego runs the full gamut of Pop Art, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism, with a special focus on the city’s connection to Tijuana and Latin America in general. The museum boasts the world’s biggest collection of works by American installation artist Robert Irwin, while other highlights include Earth Bolts, a masterclass in dark abstraction by Dorothy Hood, Miriam Schapiro’s boldly feminist Big Ox #2 and a satanic marionette by Tijuanan Benjamín Serrano. Outdoors, the Stuart Collection comprises over 20 astounding works of public art dotted around the La Jolla campus of the University of California in San Diego. Try to spot them all on the relatively short walking trail. Here, a 23-foot-tall teddy bear made from boulders looms into view as you come round the bed, there a tiny cottage teeters precariously on top of a university building. This astonishing collection also features trees that recite poetry and play music as you pass, as well as important works by the likes of Ian Hamilton Finlay, Kiki Smith and Robert Irwin. Also on campus, La Jolla Playhouse is the place to take in a show. This multi-award-winning theater has birthed many plays and musicals that went on to find success on Broadway, including Jersey Boys, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Who’s Tommy. Shopping and Leisure Head down to La Jolla Village for some of the best independent boutique shopping in the neighborhood. No faceless department stores here: for those you’ll need to head out to the sprawling Westfield UTC complex, home to stores galore including the likes of Macy’s, LEGO and Apple, plus dozens of bars and restaurants and a whopping 14 (count ‘em) cinema screens. Meanwhile, back in La Jolla Village it’s all about up-and-coming designers and one-off vintage thrift-store discoveries. Get your fashion fix on Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, pick up books and gifts on Ivanhoe Street and pause to recharge your batteries and people-watch over coffee and homemade cake at any one of the several laidback cafés here. Golfers will be in seventh heaven at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Here, a pair of courses unfold across undulating landscapes atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The challenging South Course has hosted the US Open Championships twice (most recently in 2021) and will test even the most seasoned swinger. The slightly more forgiving North Course has the better views although, up here in the clean California sea air, such observations are perhaps all relative. Save on things to do in La Jolla San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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