Best Arts and Culture Places in San Diego

"Old Town State Park enables visitors to travel back in time and experience life during San Diego’s Mexican and early American period between 1821 and 1872. Visit restored and recreated historic buildings where you can view exhibits featuring a wide range of artifacts. Costumed interpreters relay fascinating stories and little-known facts about the rich culture of San Diego."

"A post shared by Klinge Realty Group @ Compass (@klingerealtygroup). It’s not a large museum — in fact, it’s one of the smallest in the area — but the Timken Museum of Art is home to art created by Anne and Amy Putnam. The two sisters are well-known throughout the world for creating a variety of American and European paintings during the early 20th century."

"The San Diego Museum of Art is one of Balboa Park's most popular attractions, drawing over a quarter-million visitors every year.[Learn more]"

"If you’re reading this, you probably have kids and know how valuable a good children’s museum can be. The New Children’s Museum in San Diego is no exception. This new model of museum was designed to stimulate imagination, creativity, and critical thinking in children and families — something all parents can agree is important."

"This museum is concerned with developing children’s creativity and imagination. It originally opened in 1983, and it has been one of the favorite places of the youngest visitors in San Diego ever since. The vision of this museum is to engage children in developing numerous skills through contemporary art."

"A new model of children’s museum whose mission is to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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'."

"A diverse collection of folk art, costumes, toys, jewelry, utensils and other handmade objects of traditional cultures from around the world, plus changing exhibitions covering beads to surfboards. Check the website to find out what's on."

"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."

"Sparks Gallery exhibits and sells original contemporary artwork primarily by Southern California artists who introduce and provide excellent craftsmanship in a multitude of mediums. They showcase combined exhibitions, curated exhibitions by the gallery owner Sonya Sparks, and solo exhibitions. With a focus on surreal and impressionistic artwork, the gallery ministers towards emotive works in themes ranging from portraiture and figurative to landscape and conceptual."

"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."

"Many people forgot about Quint One, as it shut its doors for four years. However, the former Quint Gallery recently returned under the name Quint One. Located in La Jolla, this is an appointment-only gallery."

"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."

"In 2011, Joshua Pavlick decided to turn a part of his home into an art exhibition space. And while that sounds like a wild idea, it’s paid off big time for Pavlick, local artists, and the community as a whole. Helmuth Projects was designed with the idea of helping lesser-known artists display their work to the masses."

"Time: Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specialsOcean View: Panoramic ocean viewWhy Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seatingNeighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSDAddress: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037"

"It's always good, but the drinks are pretty inconsistent in quality. It seems like they always have new employees making the drinks different ways."

"Jake's Del Mar has been popular with residents and visitors for many years. The restaurant is located right on the sand and open daily for lunch, happy hour, and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. Jake's also has a very large selection of gluten-free menu options (though thte kitchen itself is not gluten-free) available at all times."

"The restaurant is casual, but remains elegant for your romantic dinner out. Due to its location, parking can be difficult, but the restaurant does provide valet parking that we suggest to take advantage of. Jake’s Del Mar is built to highlight the floor to ceiling views of the ocean."

"Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion® Cuisine promises to make for one of the most unique fine dining experiences available. Open for dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 619-239-7697"

"If Rudford's had chrome instead of stucco, it would be a genuine diner, because it has the bay windows and mid-century signage. In any case, it's a landmark (and just down the street from the Chicken Pie Shop). Basic comfort fare here, which gets mixed reviews."

"Equally popular with the early bird special crowd and after-bar party goers; both sets agree that the biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak at this 24-hour diner are first rate."