Free Museums in Soledad Mountain

"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."

"Kids enjoy pretending they are pirates on the high seas while touring unique sailing vessels at the floating Maritime Museum. Steam-powered boats, sailing ships, and submarines make up the museum’s fleet of nine boats. Families can even spend a night aboard the Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship, during a special Family Overnight Adventure in the summer."

"The USS Midway Museum, located on the Embarcadero’s Navy Pier, offers visitors a chance to explore, from stem to stern, one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers in the U.S."

"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."

"Your first stop for an afternoon of museum-hopping is to peruse the minor masterpieces at the San Diego Museum of Art. Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building."

"This award-winning children’s museum encourages children to think, play, and create with over 50,000 square feet of child-centered art installations, studios, and interactive spaces. From free play to guided workshops, this modern museum has a wide range of activities and events for creative kids. Young visitors are free to interact with working artists, design something in the Innovators LAB under the guidance local professionals, or explore the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces with their families."

"The Children’s Museum provides a dynamic, playful public space and community center for children and families—a place to experience exciting art exhibitions, hands-on studio projects, performances, birthday parties, in-depth classes, camps and educational programs. Across the street from the new building is a beautiful park, extending the museum visit outdoors with space for running, climbing, family picnics and a view of the trains and trolley going by."

"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."

"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."

"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 Fleet Science Center is an interactive museum that highlights how we are connected through science. All ages tend to love the over 100 interactive exhibits that simplify and allow you to test various theories you may have learned at school. Kids under the age of 5 spend quite a bit of time in Kid City."

"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."

"And maybe you and the husband would like to try out a couple of things yourself. There are weight galleries that have about 100 hands-on exhibits for children and grown ups to navigate. You can explore the concept of gravity and how it works."

"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)"

"The First San Diego Courthouse, rebuilt in 1992, was originally the town hall. Constructed by the Mormon Battalion, the first brick building in San Diego became the courthouse when the city was incorporated in 1850. It also served as a school, church and polling place."

"Get your stomach rollercoaster-ready or if you’re still feeling the heat of your Ocean Beach tacos, just take a nice long stroll along the Boardwalk. Looking for a SIM Card in the USA?. If you’re visiting from overseas and want to pick up a SIM Card for calls and data while you’re away, I highly recommend TelAway. The number of SIM companies to choose from is baffling but Telaway arranged my SIM card very quickly, the set up was non-existent (put it into your unlocked phone and you’re up and running) and included so much data (UNLIMITED!) I could even stream Netflix on long train journeys."

"The cement pathway lining the sand from the southern end of Mission Beach north to Pacific Beach is always bustling with activity. Cyclists…"

"Sometimes mom and dad want a bloody Mary or mimosa with breakfast. While on vacation, indulge in a greasy, calorie-laden breakfast with a cocktail at MaryJane’s Diner in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Even their omelets seem imbued with some sort of magic potion (cream, I suspect)."

"They have daily deals for checking in on Facebook which allow you to get their specials. Mini-Mondays is my favorite."