Best History Museum in Mission Bay

"A sunken butterfly garden, the San Diego Zoo, museums, gardens, the California Tower – this 1,200-acre (486ha) park contains a slew of attractions. It was built in 1868 and hosted the Panama-California Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, in 1915. Key museums include the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man), the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Timken Art Museum and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum."

"A post shared by Daniel Deming (@grubyoface619) on May 10, 2016 at 9:44pm PDT. Wander through the attractions in Balboa Park before you make your way to The Prado. This full-service restaurant is perfect for a relaxing dinner where you can spend quality time together."

"As the only anthropology museum in the region, the San Diego Museum of Man offers a diverse program, including cannibalism, beer history and humans’ relationships with animals. Its mission is to inspire connections by helping to understand the human experience better, and it accomplishes this goal through its hundreds of thousands of documented ethnographic objects, archaeological items and photographic images. Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the museum was designed by the famous architect Bertram Goodhue – it has Plateresque, Baroque, Churrigueresque and Rococo details and a unique Spanish Colonial exterior that hints at a Gothic influence, with inspiration from Spanish churches in Mexico."

"The mission of this museum states, "Inspiring human connections by exploring the human experience." That is precisely what you'll find in this museum when you visit San Diego. There are exhibits on human history and sociology, including Ancient Egypt, BEERology, the Kumeyaay tribe, and race in America. You can also tour the California tower, where you can learn about the history of Balboa Park and catch 360 views of the city."

"For visitors who are interested in learning about early America, mummies, and the historical culture must visit the Museum of Man in San Diego. Located in Balboa Park, it is one of the top-rated museums in San Diego. Museum of Man is all about learning of all our experiences of relationships with animals, the truth about cannibalism, information about monsters, beer history and the power of secrets."

"The William Heath Davis Historic House Museum is the Gaslamp district’s oldest surviving structure, a saltbox style home shipped around Cape Horn and assembled in San Diego in 1850. The museum has been home to many fascinating people, including pre-civil war soldiers, a German Spy and Alonzo Horton, founder of San Diego. Each room represents a historic period of the home and is filled with fascinating and amusing stories about the former inhabitants."

"Throughout the year’s many historical figures have visited the William Heath Davis House. As visitors tour the house, they will see each room is dedicated to a different period in the house’s history, and most of it was restored to its 1850’s glory. Rumor also has it that this house hosts its own ghostly visitors as well."

"Visit the rumored 'most haunted house in America' located in Old Town San Diego and take a tour of the beautiful home. Explore the two-story Greek Revival-style mansion and see rooms that once served as a general store, San Diego's first commercial theater, a courthouse, and more. A tour of the Whaley House is a tour of San Diego's history."

"The Whaley House, rumored as one of the most haunted houses in America. In fact, Michigan houses a museum about the historic home. San Diego, however, offers tours for the beautiful two-story mansion."

"Coronado’s rich and complex history is a fascinating subject even for those that don’t consider themselves history buffs. The Historic Walking Tour sponsored by the Coronado Historical Association is a great change of pace and something your whole family will enjoy. Stroll through historic Coronado while a knowledgeable guide spills all the details behind the architecture and adventure that makes Coronado so unique."

"It is a not-for-profit organization with permanent and transitory exhibitions of local art & history and vast archives. It is a landmark Historical Association building that lies right in the center of the city. Also, there is a Museum Store that offers antique items for sale and a Museum Café in the Museum building."

"The Coronado Historical Museum’s collection includes art and ephemera from Coronado’s unique history. Check out a 22-minute video of Coronado that is shown every hour. *Small donation requested."

"If you're a fan of the annual Miramar Air Show, then the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a good place for you to visit. What sets this museum apart from all others is the fact that it is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the incredible contributions made by Marine Corps Aviators and their ground support personnel. Located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the museum is comprised of an outdoor area, displaying an average of at least twenty five vintage aircraft and an indoor display of memorabilia and artifacts dating to the earliest days of Marine Corps Aviation."

"The Flying Leatherneck Museum is the only museum in the world that primarily showcases the United States Marine Corps (USMC) aviation. You’ll be able to take an up-close look at 48 historical aircraft in their gallery. Check their event calendar to see what’s on tap during your visit."

"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)"

"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"

"The San Diego Union Museum enables visitors to see where the San Diego Union, the first newspaper in the city, got its start. Visitors can tour the recreated editor’s office and the original print room to see how they looked in 1868. The prefabricated wooden building was manufactured on the East Coast, shipped to California and reassembled in 1851."

"The museum showcases the region’s unique, colorful, and diverse history exhibiting artifacts, costumes, textiles, art, and photographs detailing life and development of the local area."

"Whether it’s a group of friends meeting for weekend brunch, a family looking for a fortifying breakfast before embarking on their San Diego adventure, or a local looking to snag a quick cup of coffee on their way to work, Harbor Breakfast is a charming and quaint café everyone will love. Their menu options include dishes like the roasted red bell pepper omelet made with asparagus, green onion, zucchini, and herbed cream cheese or the corned beef hash with two eggs any style. The tantalizing menu and upbeat urban diner vibe make them a must-visit breakfast spot for travelers."

"OceansideGet here early to snag a picnic table overlooking the Oceanside Harbor. Best for brunch, this reasonably priced spot is known for fresh-baked cinnamon coffee cake, enormous pancakes, and chicken-fried steak doused with homemade country gravy."

"Next to Burger Lounge, near the heart of the downtown La Jolla, sits Coffee Cup, an assuming storefront with an incredible menu. Many of their dishes are a magical fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine, utilizing unique ingredients for both their breakfast and lunch entrees. Top breakfast recommendations include: the Pesto Scramble, Soy Chorizo Scramble, Breakfast Enchiladas, and Coffee Cup French Toast."

"The Mexican Mocha is amazing as were all other entrees we tried. Highly recommend this place for breakfast in La Jolla."

"This La Jolla institution is renowned for their potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce but they've got everything from healthy egg white omelettes to throwbacks that include chipped beef on toast."

"A post shared by North Park Main Street (@northparkmainstreet). Punchy East Coast flavors meet sunny San Diego in this casual, family-oriented eatery in North Park. Tucked in a storefront in the Lynhurst building, with outdoor seating and charming gingham checkered tables inside, even the atmosphere of Pete’s has an East Coast beachy feel."

"The extensive menu covers all the bases including clam chowder and lobster rolls to the whole range of fried seafoods such as fish, lobster, shrimp, oysters and even Ipswich clams. Delivery and takeout is available as well as outdoor seating."

"Lobster West is a dog-friendly restaurant serving fresh Maine seafood in Coronado. Visitors to Lobster West can head to one of the seven outdoor tables on its two patios to enjoy a meal alongside their furry friend. Lobster West's menu includes gluten-free dishes, soups, salads, and specialty seafood rolls such as lobster, scallop, crab, shrimp, Lobster Grilled Cheese, and Dieter's Delight."

"Fans love this shop for the unique variety of flavors, including chai, ube taro coconut (which member Sarah Ordene proclaimed “are the stuff dreams are made of”) and the top-notch vegan options. In response to Henderson’s vote for Mary’s Maple Bacon Bar, fellow member Kari Helstern stated, “Find out when Nomad does their honey sesame ginger kimchi candied bacon donut!!!. I’d give BOTH kidneys for that one."

"Another motif you may notice as you peruse this list is the abundance of donuts. Donuts seem to be having their moment right now, but consider this a warning: nostalgic dessert trends tend to fade fast. Remember when cupcakes were big?"

"If you ate one plain, you'd still be able to tell there's something special about them. The bagels are the same way."

"Love bringing the office donuts from yum yum! Always such a wide variety in the mornings and no line to wait in!"