Best Arts and Culture Places in Poway

"Balboa Park is home to several San Diegan museums, and the Museum of Art is another magnificence you can visit here. With hosting over half a million visitors every year, this oldest and largest art museum in the region is noted as one of the best museums in San Diego. It has been in operations from the year 1926, exhibiting the most comprehensive art collection anywhere in San Diego."

"The San Diego Museum of Art houses a broad art collection with particular strength in Spanish art. The Museum first opened as The Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego in 1926 and changed its name to its current form in 1978. The museum building was designed in a plateresque style to harmonize with existing structures, in Balboa Park, from the Panama–California Exposition of 1915."

"One of the best museums in San Diego to visit in 2019 is, without a doubt, the San Diego Museum of Art. Founded in 1926, this museum is located in Balboa Park. It has the reputation of being the oldest and largest art museum in the region."

"With immersive art studios, interactive art installations, and workshops and camps, The New Children’s Museum strives to stimulate creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through engaging experiences and contemporary art. The museum itself is housed in a dynamic space and is one of the first fully green museums in San Diego. It commissions artworks from local artists with which children can interact and engage and, as a result, always has something new to offer visitors."

"The New Children's Museum in San Diego is a great museum for families with children to visit. The museum's state of the art center is focused on creating a space where children can think, play and create through hands-on exhibitions, art creation, and educational opportunities. It has something for children of every age and parents will enjoy the learning nature of it as well."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive arts-based museum that commissions contemporary artists to create pieces with tactile, physical, and participatory elements to introduce kids to art and create an opportunity for them to observe, play, and create. Getting in: New Children's Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"This world-class museum features extensive collections of still photographs, videos and films. The history of the medium is illustrated, from the earliest Daguerreotypes and albumen prints to modern laser holograms. A variety of artists are represented, including Alfred Stieglitz, Ben Shahn, Alberto Korda, Ansel Adams and Margaret Bourke-White."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts showcases over 9 thousand images. These visual masterpieces range from the 19th century up until the current day. The museum offers a diverse view into different cultural events, historical moments and addresses social issues throughout its galleries."

"MOPA, one of the few museums devoted solely to photography, features works by both the famous and not so famous."

"This museum presents exhibits of folk art from around the world, including Indonesia and New Guinea (multicolored masks, dolls, fertility symbols and shadow puppets) and Japan (decorative bottles, bowls and jars). Children will delight in the displays of international toys and antique carousels. Don't forget to visit the Collectors' Gallery/Museum Store for a wide selection of modern and antique arts and crafts."

"The Mingei International museum in San Diego is a not-for-profit public art museum that collects, conserves, and manifests folk art, designs, and crafts. It is situated in the House of Charm, Balboa Park in San Diego, California. The word Mingei means 'Art of the people'."

"Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Mingei exhibits folk art, craft & design from all eras & cultures. Art of the world, art of the people."

"Where: 340 N Escondido Blvd.A vast array of performing and visual arts has drawn more than a million visitors to this 12-acre campus. With a 1,500-seat concert hall, a 406-seat theater, an art museum, and dance studios, the very full calendar has something for everyone."

"Performers and musicians from all over the world come to the center each year. From September through June, the Center of the Arts hosts a free concert every first Wednesday of the month. The concerts are a great way to expose kids to different genres of music."

"The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is an ideal spot to attend a concert or show, as well as free community events. A cultural evening of the arts is just around the corner from our resort!"

"Arredon Art has been committed to exhibiting local, regional, and international artists since 2013. Illustrating a solid stable of both established and emerging artists. They minister an energetic exhibition program that focuses on expressionism through paintings and sculpture as well as cutting-edge contemporary art."

"Where: 2070 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113 Designer and former restaurateur Paul Basile teamed up with artist C. Martino to launch BasileIE, a gallery in the culturally diverse, downtown-adjacent neighborhood of Barrio Logan. Smack between Chicano Park and a piñata store, the gallery focuses on highlighting contemporary art from undiscovered and under-appreciated artists."

"San Diego is the only Southern California location for this wildly popular Chinese hot pot chain that has more than 1,000 franchises worldwide. Sichuan peppercorns, chiles, and premium beef oil or tallow season the house spicy soup base, which comes in multiple heat levels, but several other broths are available, including wild mixed mushrooms with Chinese herbs, a house special with pork bone, and fish filet with pickled vegetables. Use the seasoned broth to dip and cook a nearly endless array of meat, seafood, and vegetables, offal of various types, seven varieties of mushrooms, and handmade balls made from beef, pork, and cuttlefish."

"This hole-in-the-wall City Heights restaurant proves that looks can be deceiving. The food, which includes an assortment of egg noodle soups, rice noodle soups and practically any other Chinese dish you could imagine, is highly recommended by regulars. There are so many menu options that you could try something different every time and never run out of options or combinations!"

"Paon Restaurant serves fine French cuisine with California influences in an elegant Art Deco-style setting. Soft lighting, tones of cream and gold and beautiful artworks set the scene for an intimate dining experience and knowledgeable and attentive staff caters to every need. Paon's menu features seasonal, locally grown, organic produce for the palates of gourmands and food lovers, with dishes such as Traditional French Escargot Bourguignon in garlic butter, Veal Sweet Breads in a black truffle sauce, Seared Rare Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna served with Truffle Vinaigrette and Sun Choke Purée, and Pan Roasted Pheasant served with Vegetable Truffle Risotto in a Madeira Sauce."

"Located in Carlsbad Village, Paon specializes in French cuisine served in an Art Deco-like setting. Enjoy cocktails in the lounge or the twinkly, lush patio. Sup on your dinner anywhere you like – Paon boasts a nice dining room, too."

"We requested a table out in the patio, and got one right next to fountain which was perfect. We took our two sons with us and it..."

"Hillcrest’s Voyou Wine Bar recently re-opened as La Bonne Table after a lovely makeover. Where Voyou aimed for a modern look, the new place looks to evoke a kind of French country ..."

"Café Chloe is the first European-inspired restaurant in San Diego. Located in the East Village, this cosy café features classic French food in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere where diners can linger over a tasty brunch seven days a week. Add on a coffee, tea, or cocktail for a full brunch experience at this delightful spot."

"Peaceful, aromatic, and oh so colorful, the San Diego Botanic Gardens are where we go when we just need some time to ourselves. Stroll through gardens in different stages of bloom, admiring the beauty that surrounds you as you feel your mind quiet down. Open every day from 9-5 (closed on Christmas!), you can’t have the same experience twice!"

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."

"Located in Balboa Park, this place deserves its own spot on my list of Instagrammable places in San Diego!. Cacti are super photo-worthy, and that San Diego sunshine will give you the perfect lighting for an epic photo. (PS. Check out this post on how to pose for Instagram photos!)"