MUSEUMS
USS Midway Museum
Since June 2004, the USS Midway Museum has preserved the historic USS Midway and the legacy of those who serve, while inspiring and educating future generations. Capture a glimpse of life at sea aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. With over 60 exhibits, a collection of 29 restored aircraft, and a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors, you can spend an entire day filled with fun at this museum.
San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum got its start from the San Diego Society of Natural History, the oldest scientific institution in southern California and the third oldest west of the Mississippi. Fascinating exhibitions on the unique and biodiverse southern California region and a giant-screen Dolby digital 3D theater that shows films with a focus on the natural world, as well as several traveling exhibitions each year that teach visitors about the natural world as it is today and as it was in the past make the NAT a thriving and dynamic learning environment and exciting experience.
San Diego Museum of Man
As the only anthropology museum in the region, the San Diego Museum of Man is the place to go to learn about people, to reflect on the place of humans in the world, and to build a better community. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the museum was designed by the famous architect Bertram Goodhue as a design hybrid – it has Plateresque, Baroque, Churrigueresque, and Rococo details and a unique Spanish-Colonial exterior that hints at Gothic influence with inspiration from Mexican Spanish churches.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, you’ll experience aviation history and learn about the historical and social significance of air and space technology as well as its promise for the future. There, you can walk beneath a model of the Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon of 1783, the first manned vehicle in recorded history to break the bonds of gravity and lift humans above the earth. You can also view rare specimens of aircrafts in the World War I Gallery and marvel at the antics of the barnstormers of the 1920s in the Golden Age of Flight Gallery.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
With more than 100 interactive science exhibits in eight galleries as well as major traveling exhibitions, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is the best place to go if you want to create colored shadows, touch a tornado, examine the vibration of guitar strings, and get your hands on a variety of intriguing scientific phenomena. Home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, the science center presents the biggest films on the planet, its unique configuration wrapping audiences in images and providing the illusion of being suspended in space.
Museum of Photographic Arts
Exhibiting work from a collection of over 7,000 images as well as new artists, the Museum of Photographic Arts is one of only three museums in the United States that is devoted entirely to the collection and preservation of photography, film, and video. Since it was founded in 1983, the museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical, and social issues through its exhibitions and educational programs. Its exhibits represent the entire history of photography, its aesthetic movements, and technological advancements. The museum’s collection illustrates the complex and varied history of the medium, focusing largely on modern and contemporary work, social documentary photography and photojournalism in particular.
Mingei International Museum
Founded in 1978 by San Diego State University Professor of Art Martha Longenecker, Mingei International Museum collects, conserves, and exhibits arts of daily use by anonymous craftsmen of ancient times, from traditional cultures of past and present, and by historical and contemporary designers. Longenecker studied the art of pottery-making in Japan, becoming acquainted with and learning from the founders of the Mingei Association of Japan, which inspired her to bring the vision of mingei to America. Mingei means “art of the people,” and was coined by Japanese philosopher Soetsu Yanagi when he discovered the beauty of the Korean Yi dynasty pottery, which was largely taken for granted due to its abundance. Yanagi started collecting lots of Korean and Japanese pots and crafts, writing about them and displaying them in the first mingei museums, so that people could see truth and beauty in these anonymous objects. The Mingei International Museum has shared over 183 exhibitions in its years, covering a diverse range of cultures, themes, and media.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is the only American Alliance of Museums accredited model railroad museum in North America, and with 27,000 square feet of property, it is also one of the largest. Its mission is to preserve the heritage of railroading through a series of miniature representations of California railroads, as well as research and preserve the history of model railroading. The museum also strives to educate the public about the history and aspects of railroading while actively engaging all kinds of people in learning about the art of model railroading and the history of railroads.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Sitting on a bluff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. It features over 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates, from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico. The oceanographic museum also includes five dozen interactive elements and exhibits research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth, and ocean science.
Museum of Making Music
The National Association of Music Merchants founded the Museum of Making Music in 1998 to showcase and celebrate the music products industry. It was opened to the public in March 2000, and has since provided the community with many opportunities for cultural enrichment while preserving musical heritage through special exhibitions, innovative concerts, and educational programs. Hundreds of vintage instruments, audio and video clips, and a vibrant interactive area are permanent exhibits in the museum. Each gallery features historic milestones and the popular music and instruments of the eras, all organized chronologically, giving visitors a nostalgic glimpse into the music products industry.
PARKS
Waterfront Park
The newly constructed Waterfront Park is the most significant waterfront open space park in downtown San Diego. The historical landscape and landmark county building forms the park’s center, while an interactive fountain extends from the building and into the park, defining a large civic green. The park also features intimate garden rooms with distinct themes, a children’s play zone, and several picnic areas.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego, California. In addition to open-space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There are also many recreational facilities, several gift shops and restaurants within the boundaries of the park.
Mission Bay Park
Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country. The park offers a wide range of recreational activities including paths for walking and jogging, and playgrounds for children. It is one of San Diego’s most popular locations to fly a kite, picnic or sail a model yacht. Fire rings make it possible to cook outside and stay warm. Annual attendance in the park is estimated at 15 million visitors. It’s the ideal setting for a day with the family.
Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park
Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park is a dog-friendly recreational area boasting sweeping hillside views, sports fields and a playground. A park with a beautiful view, the area overlooks Pacific Beach, Point Loma, downtown San Diego, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and more. This is a great open space for events and for dogs and kids to roam around. The tranquility of the area makes the setting perfect for a picnic with your family or a loved one.
Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs is a neighborhood in the Point Loma community of San Diego. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Ocean Beach on the north, Catalina Boulevard and Santa Barbara on the east, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park on the south. There are also surfing spots below the cliffs. The cliffside trails are popular for walking and for watching the sunset.
MARKETS
Little Italy Mercato
This longstanding market pops up every Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on W Cedar Street between Kettner Boulevard and Front Street. Shoppers can peruse produce, cheese, eggs, bread, fish, spices, nuts, flowers, gifts, crafts and more. It’s also a decent place to get lunch, as select vendors offer prepared foods and drinks.
Hillcrest Farmers’ Market
The Hillcrest Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find it on Normal Street between University Avenue and Lincoln Street for produce, flowers, nuts, cheese, sauces, bread, oils, art, clothes, and more. Stick around for live music and a diverse array of prepared foods.
Ocean Beach Farmers’ Market
Smaller than the other markets but with the added bonus of being near the beach, the Ocean Beach Farmers’ Market takes place every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (or 4 pm. to 7 p.m. in the winter). Find it on Newport Avenue, between Cable and Bacon Streets. Vendors sell produce, arts, crafts and hot meals, while musicians entertain the crowd.
Harney Street Market
The Harney Street Market offers a variety of artisan goods, including jewelry, paintings, photography, hand-blown glass, woodwork, clothing, and accessories. It takes place in Old Town San Diego on Harney Street every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shopping here is a great way to support local artists, and can be followed by a visit to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market occurs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Port of San Diego. The popular seafood market has six booths, offering about 20 varieties of seasonal, sustainably caught fish from local fishermen and aqua-farmers. The goal of the market is to “provide a framework to reconnect the fishing and aquaculture communities to the public” and to “raise awareness and understanding of a locally caught seafood source.”
Liberty Public Market
Guests go to Liberty Public Market for meals, drinks, and pop-up dinners, as well as to buy fresh produce, fish, art, crafts, sundries and pastries. It’s open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., though some individual vendors may have different hours. Vendors include Wicked Maine Lobster, Venissimo Cheese, Pasta Design, Mastiff Sausage Company, Liberty Meat Shop, Lolli San Diego Sweets, Allen’s Flowers and more. Many vendors also do an afternoon happy hour.
