Some say vacationers only come to San Diego for the beaches, but we know the real fun happens indoors. We’re talking pistons, cockpits and gleaming polished chrome in the heart of Balboa Park, where the San Diego Automotive Museum brings history’s snazziest cars together under one hood, and the Air and Space Museum heads skyward with legendary planes and spacecraft. Whether you dream of racetracks or the final frontier, these two crowd-pleasers offer up big thrills. Let’s break down what’s great and surprising about each, where to find the best eats, and which museum leaves its rival in the dust.
The scoop
San Diego Automotive Museum
- More than 80 classic cars, motorcycles and retro oddities of the road
- Vintage Harley-Davidsons and Ferraris, plus the world-famous dream machine that is Louie Mattar’s Fabulous Car
- Gorgeous Art Deco building in Balboa Park
- Rotating exhibits on auto history, pop culture and design
- Friendly, gearhead staff always eager to chat about engines
- Great for families, nostalgia-hunters, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of the open road
San Diego Air and Space Museum
- Full-size jets, gliders and spacecraft, plus acres of aviation history from the Wright Brothers to Mars missions
- Epic Apollo 9 Command Module, Blue Angels’ jet, and hands-on Space Zone
- Immersive flight simulators and VR experiences
- Eye-catching Art Deco dome with wide-open galleries
- Kid-friendly attractions, Hall of Fame, and rotating mega-exhibits (think Star Wars props and NASA gear)
- Best for families, science fanatics and wannabe pilots and astronauts everywhere
These sound ace, tell me more...
These sound ace, tell me more...
Cruising through the San Diego Automotive Museum
The second you walk into the Automotive Museum, you’re hit by the scent of leather, chrome, and pure nostalgia. Polished classics line the galleries—from hot rods to muscle cars, British racers to ‘40s fire trucks. The eye-popping centerpiece? Louie Mattar’s Fabulous Car: the 1940s road-trip legend once drove nonstop from Alaska to Mexico and is packed with every imaginable gadget of the era. Temporary exhibits dive into everything from Route 66 Americana to the artistry of custom motorcycles. It’s a love letter to the open road, and every display tells a story.
Jet-set at the Air and Space Museum
The San Diego Air and Space Museum is all about jaw-dropping scale. Stand beneath a sleek SR-71 Blackbird, peer into a real Apollo space capsule, and watch kids’ eyes widen at WWII fighter planes that look ready for takeoff. Interactive stations let you try flight simulators, build and test paper planes, or snap a selfie as you walk on the moon. Legendary aviation heroes fill the Hall of Fame, and themed exhibits bring out the kid in everyone—one visit could land you in a galaxy of Star Wars costumes, the next up close with Mars Rovers.
Okay, so which one is most impressive?
For pure wow factor, the San Diego Air and Space Museum is tough to beat. Step inside and you’re surrounded by the mega-machines that shaped the modern world. Massive planes hang overhead, a real Apollo space capsule gleams in the corner, and simulators let you feel the rush. No other San Diego museum captures the scale and excitement of breaking boundaries quite like this—and nothing prepares you for the thrill of standing eye-to-nose with a jet that’s touched the edge of space.
Which one is more fun?
Fun goes supersonic at the Air and Space Museum. Kids and adults alike get a real rush from the flight simulators, VR missions, and paper plane-building contests. There’s more to do, more to touch and more action here and, though classic car buffs will find plenty to love at the Automotive Museum, Air and Space is the ultimate playground for dreamers and adrenaline junkies.
Which is more beautiful?
This one’s for the aesthetes. The Art Deco building that houses the Automotive Museum is pure vintage glamour, and the car collection inside is a moving work of art—polished chrome, rich leathers, sculpted fenders and candy-apple reds everywhere you look. Each gallery is laid out with a photographer’s flair, and the rotating exhibits bring new beauty every season. The place is a love letter to design.
How do I get there?
How do I get there?
By car: head straight to Balboa Park—both museums are a quick walk from all main parking lots.
By public transit: the #7 bus drops you just outside the park entrances, and both museums are well-signed from there.
By trolley: get off at City College Station, then walk or grab a short bus ride.
On foot or bike: both museums are easily accessible from Balboa Park’s many trails.
Best choice for families, couples or friends
- For families: the Air and Space Museum, hands down. More for kids to do, touch, play with and explore.
- For couples: the Automotive Museum for stylish strolls, vintage romance and classic car daydreams.
- For friends: if your group loves high-energy, immersive fun, Air and Space is tops. If you’re more about relaxed browsing and photo ops, Auto Museum is the winner.
I’ve got fidgety kids to entertain – which has more ‘hands on’ activities?
Flight simulators, VR, paper plane contests, space zone crawl-throughs: the Air & Space Museum is built for fidgety, curious visitors (of any age). The Automotive Museum has some interactive displays, but the hands-on factor is much higher at Air and Space.
What’s the accessibility like?
Both museums are fully accessible, featuring ramps, elevators, wide galleries, family restrooms and wheelchair rentals. The Air and Space Museum can get crowded on weekends, but staff are proactive in making sure everyone can join the adventure.
Best lunch spots nearby?
Best lunch spots nearby?
Lucky for you, Balboa Park is full of gems…
- Panama 66: sit outside in the sculpture garden with a craft beer and a California BLT; ideal after museum-hopping and kid-friendly, too.
- The Prado at Balboa Park: try truffle fries or the Mahi Mahi tacos; high ceilings, leafy patios and a view of the Plaza make it feel special.
- Flight Path Grill (at the Air and Space Museum): aviation-themed—nothing fancy, but perfect for post-simulator hunger, and great fun for airplane-obsessed kids.
- Daniel’s Coffee: budget-friendly, right in the Spanish Village Arts Center courtyard; fresh cold brew, pastries and friendly local energy.
- Food trucks: on busy weekends, trucks line up near the museums for tacos, burgers and more global street food.
Where can I bag the best photos?
San Diego Automotive Museum
Snap classic selfies with Louie Mattar’s legendary car, line up your crew beside an apple-red roadster, or channel retro Hollywood glam at the Art Deco entrance. Great light, bright colors and plenty of gleaming chrome—all guaranteed to make your Insta feed pop.
San Diego Air and Space Museum
Beneath the wings of a B-24, beside the Apollo capsule, testing your courage in a simulator, or gazing up at a fighter jet dangling overhead—photos here really bring the drama. The mosaic-tiled rotunda entry and the soaring Art Deco dome make for impressive backgrounds. Early afternoon gives the best indoor glow for capturing shiny fuselages and that epic sense of scale.
We’re finished and fancy a drink – any bar recommendations?
Absolutely! Choose your style..
- Prado Lounge: this vibrant, Spanish-style lounge has a menu of local wines, San Diego craft beers, and signature cocktails like the Passion Fruit Mojito. Settle in with a drink after touring the park—the patio is leafy and peaceful, ideal for unwinding.
- Panama 66 Bar: tangy wheat beers and house sangria on tap, perfect for warm afternoons with a Balboa Park backdrop. Their rotating local breweries selection means you can always try something new.
- Station Tavern: just outside the park in South Park, Station specializes in solid burgers, chili cheese fries and local brews in a casual, picnic-table setting.
Any other good stuff nearby?
Any other good stuff nearby?
Next to the San Diego Automotive Museum
- Spanish Village Art Center: 200+ working artist studios, rainbow tiles and mosaics, spontaneous music—great for picking up a handmade gift or enjoying live painting sessions.
- Balboa Park Carousel: the 1910 hand-carved animals are manna for little ones or old-school romantics—grab your token for a breezy spin.
Next to the Air & Space Museum
- Fleet Science Center: just a couple minutes’ stroll away, this science playground is packed with hands-on experiments and a huge IMAX theater.
- San Diego Natural History Museum: Meet a T.rex and discover local fossils galore—a quick walk down the Prado, and fun for all ages.
In summary…
San Diego’s Automotive Museum and Air and Space Museum both rev up the imagination with speed, history and a little old-fashioned wonder. For pure hands-on thrills, futuristic tech, and that jaw-dropping sense of adventure, the Air and Space Museum is a winner. But the Automotive Museum, with its Art Deco style and gleaming classics, is a visual treat that slows things down in all the right ways. With Go City®, you can easily do both (and a dozen more local wonders) without breaking the bank. Wherever you start, your museum day in Balboa Park is guaranteed to go full throttle—so buckle up and make every minute count!
Looking for more things to do in and around San Diego? Check out our guide to some of the city’s best art museums and take a ride out of town to Legoland California and Knott’s Berry Farm.
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