Best Arts and Culture Places in El Cajon

"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."

"Italian Renaissance, Dutch, Spanish and baroque pieces are exhibited, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures. Works by Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Pisarro, van Gogh and Dufy are rotated in display on the ground floor. Shop, sculpture garden and cafe with outdoor seating."

"The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Man and the Museum of Art are three of the other most popular museums. (And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below)."

"The New Children's Museum re-opened in 2008 with a motto of think, play and create, which is exactly what kids do here. What is different about The New Children's Museum is that they specifically commission works of art with tactile features that appeal to kids rather than re-create existing art to suit a younger generation. There's hands-on art and exhibits to hold the attention of toddlers up through teen years."

"Not huge but one of the most interactive places for younger generation, the New Children’s Museum is worth a visit if you are in San Diego with kids and family. The museum was originally built in 1983. After that, it had time and again got renovated with the mission of restoring and vitalizing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through contemporary Art in kids and older generation."

"This one, you guessed it, is the epicenter of best activities for kids in San Diego. Balboa Park in Gaslamp Quarter has 17 museums that alone will keep the whole family busy for a whole day, at least. Activities like Sketch Aquarium and Reconnecting to Home have age restrictions."

"Even if you’re broke, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and if you have a Bank of America card, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photogenic Arts are free on certain days. If you love art, check out the Spanish village. These are historic buildings turned art galleries and stores which have a lot of their work for sale. Even just walking through this area is a fun experience."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts, also known as (MOPA) is also located in Balboa Park. Founded in 1974, this museum represents one of the three museums in the US whose main focus is only the preservation and collection of photography. The main mission of this museum is to educate and inspire its visitors."

"An independent institution devoted to photography, film, and video. Founded in 1983, MOPA consistently addresses cultural, historical, and social issues through its visual learning programs."

"Founded in 1978 by San Diego State University professor of art Martha Longenecker, Mingei International Museum collects, conserves and exhibits items of daily use, such as ceramics. With a collection of 17,500 objects from 141 countries, the museum contains folk art from the third century BC to the present day. Longenecker studied pottery-making under the tutelage of the founders of the Mingei Association of Japan, which inspired her to bring the vision of mingei to America."

"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."

"Adelman Fine Art is a modern boutique gallery in San Diego, California. They are a sister-owned and managed business, and they are pleased to represent some of the finest art in San Diego – in a no-pressure, comfortable upscale setting. They are there for you art lovers."

"Where: 2196 Logan Ave, San Diego CA 92113 Imperial Beach-native Chris Zertuche established this gallery in a formerly vacant Barrio Logan warehouse that was once home to the Bank of Italy. The space hosts art shows and workshops, and furnishes 30 local artists with studios, all in the name of supporting up-and-coming as well as established San Diego artists."

"Don’t miss Pigment, my favorite store in ALL of San Diego! If you’re more of the outdoorsy type, head over to Cabrillo National Monument. You can check out the vintage Point Loma lighthouse and take in gorgeous views of the city harbor. Try to time your visit with low tide, because you’ll be able to check out the tide pools for creatures."

"Not only is Pigment a great place to pick up some cute gifts for you and your friends, but it is also a very Instagrammable place in San Diego!. The store has ultra-cute backgrounds and a super chic three-toned pink mural outside the North Park location."

"Located in a renovated warehouse, this artsy gift shop is a dream for lovers of succulents and other cacti. In addition to pale-green air plants and coral-colored water bottles that match San Diego’s dusty color palette, merchandise runs the..."

"But it was clear that this gallery used some type of review management platform, as visitors had nothing but nice things to say. And although White Box Contemporary only dated back to 2011, it quickly became one of the best venues in and around the San Diego area. Opened and managed by artist and international art dealer Alexander Salazar, this was the place to be in the region for access to works from top new talent."

"Linda makes more than just donuts… she’ll bake anything your heart desires and will make it fun too!. Case in point: these seasonal kids cookie decorating kits she has available for Valentine’s Day. If you need a cookie fix in between seasons, she’s always got some cookies ready for you."

"Billed as the ‘world’s freshest doughnuts’, Sidecar makes their doughnuts fresh every hour, and they are damn good!. The combo of dense yet light batter that they somehow make happen, and their unique flavors (they have an eggs benedict doughnut that has an actual egg inside of it!) make this our weekend regular!. Address: Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 3435 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA 92130"

"Warm doughnuts are available for delivery through Postmates or takeout via online orders. Get a free doughnut of your choice is free with any order of a dozen."

"I bought 9 boxes for all my friends for a party & it was a hit!. Sidecar donuts are just delicious & the perfect donut flavors. Nothing was out of..."

"Situated in an unassuming strip mall in Sabre Springs (west of Poway), Nutmeg has racked up its healthy share of local fans. Serving Caffe Calabria coffee, seasonal foods (breakfast, brunch, and lunch), gluten-free and vegan menu items, and sweet delights from its vast pastry case, Nutmeg makes culinary and coffee magic happen in an industrial-like, open space with bar seating, booth areas, and tables situated next to outlets. If you’re looking for an office away from home, Nutmeg is it."

"Serving hungry locals for over 90 years, this café has been operating out of its current location since 1954!. Known for huge plates sure to fill any appetite, they serve breakfast all day and on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer months, they are open 24/7 for you to enjoy lunch and dinner too. The café still boasts its original diner décor, a 100-year old flat top grill and an iron hood that was salvaged from an old ship over 125 years ago!"

"Hob Nob Hill is located in the Bankers Hill Neighborhood of San Diego. The restaurant sits adjacent to popular Balboa Park and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and has been a staple of America’s Finest City since the 1940s, garnering the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It has regularly received accolades from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association."

"This Bankers Hill eatery has been feeding San Diegans since 1944. Their popular prime rib dinners mean homemade roast beef hass at breakfast-time."