Best Arts and Culture Places in North Pacific Beach

"San Diego Museum of Art is known for its collection of renowned Spanish and Italian masters, collections of Indian paintings, 19th- and 20th-century American sculptures and paintings, and new and changing exhibits from across the globe. Famous names include El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco Goya. The museum restaurant, Panama 66, is one of our favorite places to eat in Balboa Park."

"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."

"Within Balboa Park stands the intricate facade of the San Diego Museum of Art, the region’s oldest and largest art museum visited by half a million people every year."

"New Children's Museum is an interactive museum in San Diego that is a not-for-profit organization. It is a novel model of the Children's Museum that operates with a mission to pique creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in children and families via inventive and captivating experiences with modern art. The museum encourages children to think, play, and create through engrossing exhibitions, art-oriented activities, artistic performances, and educational opportunities."

"This interactive children’s museum offers interactive art meant for kids. Installations are designed by artists, so tykes can learn principles of movement and physics while simultaneously being exposed to art and working out the ants in their pants. Exhibits change every 18 months or so, so there's always something new."

"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 (MOPA) is one of a few private institutions dedicated to showcasing photography, film, and video. They also offer various workshops for photography enthusiasts (and I love stopping into the gift shop on my way out). Admission is free but based on a pay as you wish philosophy because one of their goals is to make their exhibitions accessible to all."

"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."

"Art speaks powerfully of the similarities and distinctions of individuals and cultures at this international museum for the "art of the people" (mingei). The museum has an 18,000-piece collection representing 140 countries around the world. Constantly changing exhibits enhanced by lectures, films, demonstrations, and other events make this a dynamic place for artistic enlightenment."

"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'."

"Dedicated to art of the people (mingei) from all eras and cultures of the world, Mingei International Museum features dynamic, changing exhibitions of historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design."

"Peter Lik’s photography lines the walls of this ambient gallery. With 35 years of experience, this self-taught Australian photographer has explored the earth's natural beauty from behind the lens. Lik's focus on landscapes is matched by the gallery's prime location two streets from La Jolla Cave, where Pacific waves meet the West Coast."

"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."

"Where: 530 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 After studying art at the University of San Diego, Sonya Sparks started a career in the art business because she felt that, in the early 2000s, San Diego’s art world was very closed off to young upstarts. If the art world wouldn’t bring her in, she’d have to start her own gallery. Which is exactly why she launched Sparks Gallery in 2013."

"One of San Diego’s only outlet centers, Viejas offers everyday bargains at popular stores such as Coach, Nike and Chico."

"You can take a break here on a layover or if staying at one of the San Diego Airport hotels because this fun area is across the street from the airport. You’ll find a small sandy beach (the only along the bay), picnic tables, public art, a play structure, and panoramic views. (Location: Downtown)"

"Spanish Landing Park is a long narrow park along busy North Harbor Drive in San Diego. This park is near San Diego International Airport and the Harbor Island Marina."

"Whether your little splasher likes to get totally drenched by a bucket of water or just play in the spray zone, the Sweetwater Summit County Park's splash pad is tons of fun. For just three bucks kids can soak up the fun. Even more, there's a campground, so if you plan ahead you can make a night of s'more activities!"

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"Both Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens locations have massive outdoor spaces filled with towering shade trees, winding stone paths, still ponds filled with koi, babbling brooks, waterfalls, and plenty of gargoyles to go with your Scorpion Bowl IPA. How to order: Reservations for Escondido or Liberty Station can be made via OpenTable."

"Sitting outside in the gardens and letting the kids run around while drinking an ice cold craft brew is simply the best!. If you order at the bar, you can bring your food out to the gardens, so there is no waiting for a table!. View this post on Instagram"

"A short trip away from the San Diego Airport, Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is an excellent spot for food and brews. Grab one of Stone's famous IPAs or stouts to go along ..."

"What’s unique about Ballast Point Brewing is that they’re always creating a twist on classic brews. Founded by two college roommates in 1992, what initially started out as a keg dream for better beer turned into an award winning brewery. Try their California Amber Ale or the Sculpin IPA. These are a few of the brews that have received medals for their incredible flavors."

"Their beers can be found in most stores like BevMo across the US. The brewery is huge, can accommodate many people and is a blast to visit!. My favorite is the grapefruit Sculpin’."

"When you come to this brewery, you’re not just getting a tasting room — you’re also getting an incredible beer garden that you’ll want to stay in all afternoon. Established in 1989, this beer brewing company exemplifies the Southern California lifestyle with its refreshing brews and laid-back atmosphere. It’s also credited as being one of the first breweries to kick off the craft beer scene in San Diego."

"The downtown, Sorrento Mesa, Carlsbad, and 4S Ranch locations of Karl Strauss brewpubs are open and offerer their full menus along with barre, wine,and hard seltzer for pickup (order online) or delivery through Door Dash,GrubHub,and Uber Eats."

"Their red trolley ale is my favorite and a great pick for first time visitors. Many convenient locations across San Diego (even inside airport terminal!) makes it a great option to try."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"This justifiably famous zoo is one of SoCal’s biggest attractions, showing more than 3000 animals representing more than 650 species in a beautifully landscaped setting, typically in enclosures that replicate their natural habitats. Its sister park is San Diego Zoo Safari Park in northern San Diego County.Arrive early, as many of the animals are most active in the morning – though many perk up again in the afternoon. Pick up a map at the zoo entrance to find your favorite exhibits."

"One of the world’s most famous zoos, the San Diego Zoo offers hours of fascinating entertainment for people of all ages. Of the several thousand animals that live in the zoo, you’ll have an opportunity to see everything from Polar Bears to the Tasmanian Devil and African Wild Dogs—and so much more. The many hundreds of species include rare amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles and insects that come from all over the world and are cared for in their natural habitats."

"The San Diego Zoo, which is on 10 acres, is better known but this is just as good. In terms of children’s activities, the African Tram is the hot favorite. Visitors go from an open landscape to a place that looks like an African Savannah."