Free Museums in Rancho Bernardo

"The longest-serving aircraft carrier in the world has been permanently moored at San Diego’s Embarcadero since 2004. Commissioned in 1945, the USS Midway served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, before becoming the largest museum dedicated to aircraft carriers and naval aviation anywhere. GetYourGuide.com offers a self-guided audio tour of this humungous vessel, during which you’ll see over 30 restored aircraft, including 8 propeller planes, 14 jet aircraft and 8 helicopters."

"This 971-foot-long floating museum is the best way to learn about and honor San Diego's significant naval community. The decommissioned aircraft carrier is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. Visitors can get a taste of navy life by visiting the plane-packed flight deck, sprawling hangar bay, mess hall, and berthing."

"The USS Midway is one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. It is located in San Diego Bay. It’s a massive ship with more then 60 exhibits and 29 restored aircrafts."

"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."

"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."

"Originally in La Jolla, the New Children’s Museum opened in its current light-filled downtown space in 2008. Entering the multi-story, 50,000-square-foot space, it’s immediately evident that a lot of thought and imagination has gone into the museum’s design. Off the bat, a room lined entirely with mattresses invites kids to literally jump on the bed."

"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"

"The Museum of Photographic Arts is a museum and visual learning center, situated in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. It is an independent institution that collects, protects, and presents photography, films, and video graphics art. MOPA presents a broad range of rotating exhibitions from the solo photographer as well as group shows around the globe, across the year."

"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."

"Featuring eight galleries that hold more than 100 interactive science exhibits, the Fleet Science Center is the best place to go for hands-on learning. It’s also home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, which shows the biggest films on the planet. Since its opening in 1973, the Fleet has been one of San Diego’s most-visited museums, thanks to the theater and interactive exhibits like Kid City (an exhibition just for kids age five and under)."

"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."

"The Science Center is an interactive educational playground for the kids. These are the kind of places we look for to check off a few of our homeschooling boxes. The girls learned more about the water cycle, energy and motion, and different knots."

"The Wells Fargo Museum, located inside the Colorado House, features one of the company’s original 1867 Concord stagecoaches. The recreated and historically-furnished former hotel also houses actual historic telegraph machines and a variety of other memorabilia related to the banking and transportation company. Photo Courtesy of Historic Old Town Community Foundation"

"Therefore, it’s possible to walk into this museum to learn about California’s mission history (the museum sits on the first European settlement site in California) for free. If you did enjoy your visit and feel compelled to donated upon exit, this is possible. (Location: Presidio Park / Old Town)"

"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."

"The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages showcases the traditions of 34 national groups, some of which have their own cottages (build originally for the 1935 Exposition). The goal is to promote multicultural understanding through exhibits and programming. (Location: Balboa Park)"

"It comes complete with cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles, spatulas and decorations for you to decorate your own unique cupcake treats at home."

"The Cravory specializes in amazingly sweet and unique cookies. They have two shops in San Diego, one in Point Loma and the other in Carlsbad but they also sell at local farmer’s markets. Just some of their cookie flavors include “Pancakes and Bacon,” “Rosemary Balsamic” and “Chocolate Truffle.” Get some to-go for the perfect take-home dessert and enjoy with your date along with some warm, liquored-up coffee or a White Russian for a sweet night cap."

"Cravory Cookies has stolen many hearts around town not only for their fresh-baked creations and changing seasonal flavors, but for their eye-catching colors. These are practically the perfect cookie with a soft gooey center and a crisp surface, making for the most memorable bite you’ll ever have. You can often find these gourmet cookies all over town at many local restaurants and coffee shops that have partnered up to sell them."

"At least that’s the government’s position, despite the fear and misgivings of some in our citizenry. I’m not here to settle that discussion from any public policy standpoint. But I am here to say that cookies have been essential to my own well-being, while at home in isolation."

"Cookie magic is what you’ll find at NatSweets with her incredible design talent. She’ll create any kind of custom cookie that you can imagine. Plan ahead for your custom orders or stop by the shop to pick up seasonal or daily creations."

"Then there’s world-class shopping right here in La Jolla Village, a 30-block shopping bonanza on and around Prospect Street just above La Jolla’s beaches. Here you’ll find a paradise of apparel, accessories, jewelry, specialty stores, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. The world-famous University Towne Centre (UTC) in La Jolla’s Golden Triangle area on La Jolla Village Drive adds to the shopping fun."

"My shopping buddy checking out the clean beauty products on Girard Ave. Photo credit: Christy from Stained with Style. I really like to do a little shopping, or just take a walking tour of the shops (when I am on vacation), Girard and Prospect are my pics."

"Tide Beach Park is located approximately 1/2 mile north of Fletcher Cove at Solana Vista and Highway 101. The beach itself is primarily known for its large reef, or “Table Tops,” and its San Diego tide pools. Lifeguards are on duty there during the summer months."

"Torrey Pines has long stretches of serene sand ideal for family fun and laying out in the sun, but the real draw here is lush 300-foot sea cliffs that tower above it providing spectacular horizon views and nature walks through wildflowers and other native vegetation. The north section of the beach is geared toward families with calmer waters for swimming (there's also a lagoon for younger kids to safely swim). The south section has bigger waves and attracts surfers along with sunbathers who prefer to lay out nude."

"Parts of this three-mile stretch of beach located just south of Del Mar lie below beautiful bluffs and winding hiking trails. Lifeguards usually staff the north end of the beach, which is where the bathrooms and showers also sit. Nice swaths of sand mark the beach, which is a favorite with families, boogie boarders, and sunbathers."

"For a truly unique San Diego hiking experience you simply can’t get anywhere else, head to Torrey Pines State Beach. Torrey Pines offers a multitude of trails, and none is particularly challenging. However, the views are spectacular."