Free Museums in San Diego Bay

"As one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers of the 20th century, the USS Midway boasts an extensive and incredible history. Built-in only 17 months and named after the climactic Battle of the Midway in 1942, the USS Midway served the nation honorably during its 50 years in commission. It continues to serve the public as a museum by reminding it of world history and of the U.S. military’s impressive power."

"The USS Midway Museum is a historic naval aircraft carrier museum that houses an extensive collection of aircraft and military history. The USS Midway was the United States’ longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992. It was the only carrier to serve the entire length of the Cold War and beyond."

"Walking along the San Diego waterfront on the Embarcadero, you might be surprised when you come across one of the US military's largest ships. The decommissioned USS Midway is permanently berthed at Navy Pier. The highlights of a visit to the USS Midway Museum include more than 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft."

"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."

"Considered one of the great small museums in the world, the Timken houses a wonderful collection of European old master paintings, American paintings, and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Singleton Copley, and Eastman Johnson. Admission is always free."

"Its front doors are located in a gigantic, cathedral-style facade that took a full two years to build, and they can be seen from every direction if you’re in the neighborhood."

"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."

"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…"

"© Craig Lovell / Eagle Visions Photography / Alamy Stock Photo. With a collection of more than 7,000 photographs by 850 photographers, including Margaret Bourke-White, Alfred Stieglitz and Ruth Bernhard, the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) devotes itself entirely to the collection and preservation of photography, film and video, including its aesthetic movements and technological advancements. In particular, MOPA’s collection features a large selection of mid-20th-century Soviet Russian photography, social documentary photography and photojournalism."

"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."

"The Power of Photography MOPA is a center for visual learning, passionately dedicated to sharing and exploring the universal language of photography."

"The Fleet Science Center has over one hundred hands-on exhibits for curious kids and their parents. Kid City was designed for children up to five years of age and features a block corner for budding architects, the Little Learner’s Lab and its Young Explorer computer stations, a Fire Truck exhibit that teaches street safety, and the colorful and exciting Ball Wall that demonstrates the properties of physics. Older kids will gravitate to the Studio X maker space where they can participate in regularly scheduled workshops or create something on their own using the studio’s tools and materials."

"The Fleet is home to Southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Dome Theatre and experience seven galleries of fun, interactive exhibits at this popular San Diego attraction."

"The Fleet Science Center is always a crowd-pleaser for the crew. Get the fam in free the first Tuesday of the month. (Go early and avoid large crowds)."

"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 San Diego Asian Pacific Historic District, San Diego’s historic Chinatown, is an eight-block district adjacent to and in part overlapping with the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District. The San Diego Chinatown is bounded by Market Street on the north, 2nd Ave. on the west, 6th ave. on the east and J st. on the south. 22 structures are considered historically contributing."

"The Chinese Historical Museum displays Chinese-American art, culture and history. Housed in a restored mission-style building, exhibits include miniature models, historic photographs and rare artifacts related to the heritage of San Diego’s Chinese community. *Small donation requested."

"Sibling co-owners Napatr Chayodom and Katiya Hendricks borrowed inspiration from the brewery-centric University Heights and North Park neighborhood when planning out their business. Grains’ craft beer selection complements a versatile menu of Asian-meets-bar food. Think fried shiitake mushroom appetizers served with plum sauce; sesame balls filled with red bean paste; pepper-glazed chicken strips with scallions; and a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich thrown in for good measure."

"What we found: We chose Grains for our first dinner in San Diego on Friday night. We arrived early, and found a cozy, roomy area with lots of seating. The menu was quite extensive, and included salads, sandwiches, pastas, soups, etc."

"Sugar and Scribe is a bakery and restaurant in one, the brainchild of chef-owner Maeve Rochford, winner of the Food Network's “Holiday Baking Championship.” The restaurant has an a..."

"Imperial BeachConveniently located right at the entrance to the Imperial Beach Pier, Cow-A Bunga Ice Cream has been serving its handcrafted ice cream to locals since 2000. Grab a cone, ice cream sandwich, or sundae and go for a stroll on the pier or along the beach. They also serve huge shave ice treats, delicious coffee drinks, and smoothies.How to:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."

"This Imperial Beach spot has been owned by French Chef Fabrice Gaunin for 17 years. With prime views of the pier, Cow-A-Bunga serves equally impressive ice cream. Along with his wife, Nelly, each flavor is handmade in the shop one bucket at a time, sourcing farmers markets for local ingredients, like raspberries and strawberries for special batches."

"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."

"The style is a mix between French desserts and Asian flavor. Serve yourself in this Korean café with a choice of donuts, pastries, sweet breads, and more. The bakers create chiffon cakes that are perfect for just about any occasion."

"Started by owner operator Justin Esselstrom in 2016, Genteel Coffee has grown from a six-foot mobile espresso bar to a full-service specialty coffee and tea shop. Their commitment to high-quality coffee draws people in from all walks of life but its the amazing atmosphere that keeps them there. Spacious, well-designed, and welcoming, this venue is the ultimate haven for creatives."

"Genteel Coffee aims to use the age-old ritual of coffee as a catalyst in sparking cultural conversation in a community setting. Started in 2016 by Justin Esselstrom, Genteel has grown from a six-foot mobile espresso bar to a full-service specialty coffee and tea shop. Esselstrom personally designed and outfitted the bar himself with help from his grandfather."

"Genteel is a spacious warehouse that has been converted into a coffee shop with a little boutique inside. This coffee shop is definitely a good place to go if you need a quiet place to get work done downtown. One of my favorite things about Genteel is that the owners are working the front line."