Best History Museum in Mission Beach

"Watch the pandas cuddle and the polar bears swim, then go next door to Balboa Park for lunch at Panama 66, a sculpture garden-restaurant with hot sandwiches and a terrific tap list. 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."

"Balboa Park is more than just a green space in the city — it’s a cultural oasis — home to more than 17 museums, theaters, and the famous San Diego Zoo. There are several playgrounds and a miniature railroad to keep the kids entertained, and various restaurants and cafes to grab a bite to eat. The iconic botanical building is a lovely visit with thousands of plants and a lilypond."

"The San Diego Museum of Man is much more than a look at man's history; the museum is part history museum, part art institute, and all parts educational and fun. This anthropology museum is one of the most impressive presentations of human evolution in the nation. Explore the question "What makes us human?" through extensive artifact collections and exhibits like "Race: Are We So Different?" This unique museum will enchant and inspire visitors of all ages as they discover facets of humanity they never knew existed."

"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. Head up to North Park for happy hour at Polite Provisions; its beautiful cocktail lounge may hook you up with some small plates if you’re hungry. Save the appetite, though—North Park’s Restaurant Row is nearby."

"The San Diego Museum of Man is the right place for you if you are interested in anthropology. It is located in Balboa Park. This museum was founded in 1915, and it has about 220,000 visits per year."

"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."

"Built by William Heath Davis in 1850, many fascinating people, including Alonzo Horton, have called the William Heath Davis House 'home.' You'll get to tour the home, and its decorated rooms - each representing different eras in the life of the house and its various former (and rumored ghostly current) inhabitants. Getting in: William Heath Davis House tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"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."

"Whether you enjoy spotting ghosts and apparitions or have an interest in historic places, the Whaley House is a definite tourist pleaser. The lovely brick two-story structure was built in 1857 by the original owner Thomas Whaley. Its historical significance lies in the many different roles the home played for the community."

"San Diego’s first two-storey brick-built building, the Old Town’s Whaley House dates to 1857. What kindles fascination about the building is its spooky goings-on. This National Historic Landmark was designated “haunted” by the U.S."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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"

"Veterans Museum at Balboa Park honors the memories of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States as well as the Wartime Merchant Marine. The museum houses permanent, rotating and visiting collections of patriotic, military and war-related artifacts and memorabilia. *Small donation requested."

"On various Tuesdays each month, the museums in Balboa Park offer free general admission to residents of the County of San Diego and active military (and their dependents). Please check the calendar as things are subject to change, but this is the schedule at the time of this writing:"

"Located in the historic Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine. The collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from the Civil War to the present."

"Start your morning off at one of the oldest establishments on the Island. Clayton’s features the classic diner foods like saucer-sized pancakes, biscuits and gravy and milkshakes (yes for breakfast). It is one of my favorite places to go when I visit Coronado because it brings back childhood memories and you get the old school vibes with the on-table jukeboxes."

"If you love that vintage diner feel than you will love Clayton’s. This one is a hit and miss for people. They always have the doors open so it can get drafty and there is usually a long wait."

"This plant-based bakery and cafe based in San Diego’s Hillcrest offers an entirely vegan menu with a few gluten-free options. They serve coffee, pastries and cakes seven days a week. Order a custom cake for a special event, and you may collapse at the sight of its magnificence or the splendor of its taste."

"Built in 1967, the Coronado Bridge is an architectural marvel. It’s instantly recognizable as part of the San Diego skyline, and it winds and twists around the bay for a distance of more than 11,000 feet. It even lights up at night!"