List of museums in San Diego County, California facts for kids

San Diego County is home to many amazing museums! These special places collect and take care of interesting objects. They show us cool things about art, science, history, and different cultures. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with stories and wonders from the past and present.

This list will help you discover some of the best museums in San Diego County, California. Get ready to explore!

Awesome Museums to Explore

Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum

Located in Vista, this museum is like stepping back in time! You can see old gas and steam engines that people used long ago. There's also a blacksmith shop, where people used to shape metal, and a weaving house. You can even explore an old farmhouse.

Bancroft Ranch House Museum

In Spring Valley, this historic house shows what life was like in the late 1800s. It's an old adobe ranch house, cared for by the Spring Valley Historical Society.

Barona Cultural Center & Museum

This museum in Lakeside teaches you about the rich history and culture of Native American people in San Diego County. It's a great place to learn about the first people who lived here.

Bonita Museum & Cultural Center

Found in Bonita, this museum shares the local history of the area. It also features art and culture from the Rancho de la Nación region.

Cabrillo National Monument

This monument in San Diego celebrates the first European explorer to reach California. It has a museum and the famous Old Point Loma lighthouse. You can learn about history and enjoy amazing ocean views.

California Surf Museum

If you love the ocean, head to Oceanside for the California Surf Museum! It's all about the history of surfing, from cool boards to famous surfers.

Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

In Carlsbad, this park is also known as Rancho de Los Kiotes. It was the ranch and home of a famous actor named Leo Carrillo. You can explore his historic ranch house.

Casa de Estudillo

Located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, this is a 19th-century adobe house in San Diego. It shows how people lived in early California.

Casa de Machado y Stewart

Also in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, this is another 19th-century adobe house in San Diego. It offers a peek into the past.

Centro Cultural de la Raza

This cultural arts center in Balboa Park, San Diego, celebrates Mexican-American and Latino cultures. It's a vibrant place for art and community.

Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center

Found in Barrio Logan, San Diego, this center is located within the famous Chicano Park. It highlights Chicano culture and history.

Chula Vista Heritage Museum

In Chula Vista, this museum is a branch of the public library. It focuses on the local history of Chula Vista.

Comic-Con Museum

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum is for all fans of comics, movies, and pop culture. It's a fun place to explore the world of Comic-Con.

Craftsmanship Museum

Visit Carlsbad to see amazing, finely crafted models, engines, and technology. It's incredible to see the detail in these tiny creations.

Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum

In Escondido, this museum has a cool collection of vintage cars. It also features Americana items like Barbie dolls, Coca-Cola memorabilia, old radios, and bicycles.

Encinitas Historical Society Schoolhouse

This restored 1883 schoolhouse in Encinitas lets you imagine what school was like over a hundred years ago.

Escondido History Center

In Escondido's Grape Day Park, this open-air museum has six historic buildings. You can learn about the history of Escondido.

Fallbrook Art Center

Fallbrook is home to this art center. It showcases various art pieces and exhibitions.

Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society Museum

Also in Fallbrook, this museum displays beautiful minerals and gems from all over the world. It's like a treasure hunt!

Fallbrook Historical Society

This society in Fallbrook runs a main museum and the Pittenger House. They share the local history of the area.

Fleet Science Center

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this is a super fun place for science lovers. It has lots of hands-on exhibits to explore.

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

In San Diego, this museum tells the story of United States Marine Corps Aviation. You can see aircraft and learn about their history.

Gaskill Brothers' Stone Store Museum

This museum in Campo shares the history of Native Americans, pioneers, and military in the area. It's run by the Mountain Empire Historical Society.

Guy B. Woodward Museum

In Ramona, this museum is operated by the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society. It includes the Verlaque House, old shops, and antique exhibits.

Gaslamp Museum at the William Heath Davis House

This historic house in San Diego is a mid-19th-century Victorian home. It belonged to William Heath Davis and is run by the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation.

Heritage County Park

This park in San Diego has seven historic buildings that were moved here. The Senlis Cottage is open to show what a working-class home looked like in the late 1800s.

Heritage of the Americas Museum

In Rancho San Diego, this museum is part of Cuyamaca College. It displays prehistoric and historic art, culture, and natural history from North and South America.

Heritage Park Village Museum

This open-air museum in Oceanside features historic and replica buildings. You can see a general store, blacksmith shop, jail, and an old school.

J.A. Cooley Automotive Museum

In San Diego, this museum has antique cars, old music machines called nickelodeons, phonographs, and vintage cameras. It also has electric trains and other cool collections.

John DeWitt Museum and Library

Operated by the Alpine Historical Society, this historic house in Alpine shares local history.

Julian Pioneer Museum

In Julian, this museum has Native American artifacts, antique furniture, tools, and clothing. It shows what life was like for pioneers.

Junipero Serra Museum

Located in Presidio Park in San Diego, this museum tells the story of how the city was founded. It's run by the San Diego Historical Society.

Knox House Museum

This historic house in El Cajon is operated by the El Cajon Historical Society. It's part of Cuyamaca College.

Kruglak Art Gallery

In Oceanside, this is a contemporary art gallery of MiraCosta College. It showcases modern art.

Lakeside Museum

Operated by the Lakeside Historical Society, this museum in Lakeside shares the local history of the area.

Lawrence Welk Museum

Part of the Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido, this museum honors the famous bandleader Lawrence Welk.

Lux Art Institute

In Encinitas, the Lux Art Institute focuses on art.

Magee House Museum

This Victorian-era house in Carlsbad is run by the Carlsbad Historical Society. It displays local history and agriculture.

Maritime Museum of San Diego

In San Diego, this museum has several amazing museum ships, including the Star of India. It's an old iron sailing ship from 1863!

George W. Marston House

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this historic house is cared for by Save Our Heritage Organisation.

Mason Street School

Found in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, this was the very first public schoolhouse in San Diego County.

MCRD San Diego Command Museum

In San Diego, this military museum tells the history of the Marines in the 20th and 21st centuries. It also covers the history of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

McKinney House and Museum

This early 20th-century house in La Mesa is operated by the La Mesa Historical Society.

Mingei International Museum

In Balboa Park, San Diego, this art museum displays folk art, crafts, and designs from cultures all over the world.

Mission San Diego de Alcalá

This historic Franciscan mission church in San Diego was founded in 1769. It's a very important part of California's history.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

In Oceanside, this is another historic Spanish mission. It has a church, cemetery, and a museum.

Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego, this site tells the story of the Mormon Battalion.

Motor Transport Museum

In Campo, this museum has a collection of old trucks, engines, and other transportation equipment.

Museum of American Treasures

This museum in National City focuses on local history.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

In San Diego, this art museum has over 4,000 works created after 1950. It features art in many different styles.

Museum of Coronado History and Art

In Coronado, this museum explores the history and art of the island. It's run by the Coronado Historical Association.

Museum of Creation and Earth History

This museum in Santee focuses on religious and scientific topics related to creation and earth history.

Museum of Making Music

In Carlsbad, this museum explores the history of American popular music. It also shows how musical instruments are made.

Museum of Photographic Arts

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum showcases photography, film, and video art.

Museum of Us

In Balboa Park, San Diego, this anthropology museum explores the history of the Americas before Columbus. It also features Native American art and culture.

National City Depot

This restored 1880s train station in National City is operated by the San Diego Electric Railway Association. You can learn about railroad history.

Oceanside Historical Museum

Run by the Oceanside Historical Society, this museum in Oceanside shares the local history of the area.

Oceanside Museum of Art

In Oceanside, this art museum focuses on contemporary art from Southern California.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

This open-air park in San Diego has five original adobe buildings and many museums. You can see exhibits on law enforcement, old carriages, a newspaper print shop, and a blacksmith shop.

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

In Campo, this museum has a 1916 railroad depot and historic train cars. You can see steam and diesel locomotives.

Parsonage Museum

This historic house in Lemon Grove is operated by the Lemon Grove Historical Society. It has displays like a general store and period rooms.

Poway Historical Society Museum

Run by the Poway Historical and Memorial Society, this museum in Poway shares local history.

Rancho Buena Vista Adobe

This mid-19th-century adobe house in Vista tells the history of Rancho Buena Vista (Felipe).

Rancho Guajome Adobe

In Vista, this is a large, historic 20-room adobe house from the mid-19th century.

Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos

Located in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, San Diego, this is a historic 1823 adobe ranch home.

Roynon Museum of Earth Science & Paleontology

In Escondido, this museum teaches about paleontology (the study of fossils) and earth sciences. It's a great place to learn about dinosaurs and ancient life!

San Diego Air & Space Museum

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum explores the history of aviation and space travel. You can see amazing aircraft and spacecraft.

San Diego Archaeological Center

In Escondido, this center focuses on the archaeology of the San Diego region. It covers history from 10,000 years ago to today.

San Diego Art Institute Museum of the Living Artist

This art museum is located in Balboa Park, San Diego.

San Diego Automotive Museum

Also in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum showcases a collection of cool cars and vehicles.

San Diego Children's Discovery Museum

In Escondido, this museum is designed for children. It has lots of hands-on activities for young explorers.

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

This museum in San Diego shares the Chinese American experience and Chinese history, culture, and art.

San Diego Firehouse Museum

In Little Italy, San Diego, this museum has firefighting items from over 100 years ago.

San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum celebrates sports heroes and history.

San Diego History Center

Also in Balboa Park, San Diego, this center tells the story of San Diego's history. It's operated by the San Diego Historical Society.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

In Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum has amazing indoor model railroad exhibits. You can see tiny trains running through detailed landscapes.

San Diego Museum of Art

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum has a wonderful collection of art from different periods and cultures.

San Diego Natural History Museum

In Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum explores the natural world. You can learn about animals, plants, and geology.

San Diego Sheriff's Museum and Educational Center

This museum in San Diego teaches about law enforcement and the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

San Dieguito Heritage Museum

In Encinitas, this museum covers the history of the San Dieguito area.

San Marcos Historical Museum

Run by the San Marcos Historical Society, this museum in San Marcos shares local history.

San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park

In Escondido, this park tells the story of the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual. This was a very important battle during the Mexican–American War.

Santa Ysabel Asistencia

In Santa Ysabel, this is a 19th-century Spanish mission and church.

Santee Historical Society Museum

Located in a historic former dairy barn in Santee, this museum shares local history.

Stein Family Farm

In National City, this farm is also known as the National City Living History Farm Preserve. It's a great place to learn about farm life.

Stuart Collection

This art collection is part of the University of California, San Diego in San Diego. It features unique outdoor art installations.

Timken Museum of Art

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum has European old master paintings, sculptures, and Russian icons.

The New Children's Museum

In downtown San Diego, this museum has interactive art installations for children and families. It's a place where kids can create and explore art.

University of California, San Diego Art Galleries

In San Diego, these galleries include the University Art Gallery, Visual Arts Gallery, and Gallery@Calit2. They showcase various art exhibits.

USS Midway Museum

In San Diego, you can explore a real aircraft carrier and restored aircraft! The USS Midway Museum is an amazing experience.

Valley Center History Museum

Run by the Valley Center Historical Society, this museum in Valley Center shares local history.

Veterans Museum and Memorial Center

Located in historic Balboa Park, San Diego, this museum tells the story of San Diego and U.S. military history.

Vista Historical Society Museum

In Vista, this museum shares the local history of the area.

Wells Fargo History Museum

Located in Colorado House in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego, this museum shows what an 1850s stage stop and telegraph office looked like.

Whaley House

This mid-19th-century period house in San Diego is known for its history.

WNDR Museum San Diego

In San Diego, this art museum offers a multi-sensory and interactive art experience. It's a unique way to enjoy art!

Women's Museum of California

This museum in San Diego celebrates the history and achievements of women. It was formerly known as the Women's History Museum.

WWII/Korea LVT Museum

Located at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, this museum has exhibits on Landing Vehicles Tracked (LVTs). These were important vehicles used in World War II and the Korean War.

Defunct Museums

• Villa Montezuma, San Diego, was a beautiful late 19th-century mansion. It was located in Sherman Heights and closed in 2006.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Imperial County, California
• National Register of Historic Places listings in San Diego County, California