Best History Museum in North Pacific Beach

"In the heart of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is 1,400 gorgeous acres of green space. (By comparison, New York City’s Central Park is 842 acres.) In 1915, Balboa Park was the setting for the Panama-California Exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal and securing San Diego’s place as a port, which is why several of the city’s oldest and most ornate buildings can be found here. Many of those historic buildings now house robust museums such as the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art and family-friendly San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)."

"Packed with trails, gardens, museums, zoos, theaters, concert stages and recreational facilities, it’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in the entire state of California. Nature lovers can stroll through dozens of landscapes that include everything from lily ponds to zen gardens. History buffs can take tours through museums, memorials, art houses, science centers and cultural institutes."

"This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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 Whaley House is a museum and California Historical Landmark, situated in the Old Town, San Diego, California. It is administered by the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO). The Whaley House was the home of Thomas Whaley and his family."

"Take a trip out to Coronado Island right off the coast of San Diego and learn about the fascinating and rich history of this unique resort town and active Navy Base. You'll get to explore lots of topics, including art, architecture, history, preservation, and more Getting in: Coronado Museum of History & Art tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"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."

"Coronado Historical Society, an easy walk from Hotel del Coronado, connects people with the city’s interesting past through museum exhibits, historic photos, and walking tours. The latter I also recommend as one of the things to do in Coronado for tourists. (Location: Coronado)"

"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 Museo de las Californias chronicles the history of Baja California from prehistoric times to the present. The exhibit kicks off with replica cave paintings, then covers important historical milestones, illustrated in many cases by realistic dioramas and scale models, including replicas of a 16th-century ship, several missions and even a freestone chapel."

"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."

"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 Seeley Stable Museum is a reproduction of the Yuma to San Diego stage stop. It displays a wide collection of 19th-century transportation vehicles and equipment as well as other rare artifacts."

"At Whisknladle, you know you’re getting three things: Decadent comfort eats, local ingredients, and a plate of food your body will thank you for. Chef Ryan Johnston believes in a simple culinary philosophy: Food does not need to be overpowered, overmixed, or over-presented. Food, in its optimal form, is a culmination of the ingredients inside."

"This farm-to-table restaurant features happy hour specials daily from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Come from work, the beach or one of many San Diego adventures and unwind with specially priced happy hour menu that includes appetizers, salads, wines, beers, and cocktails. The restaurant features open-air windows and a small outdoor patio."

"With a farm-to-table approach, Whisknladle succeeds in making simple food taste extraordinary. The menu changes with the season and is void of fuss. Everything is made from scratch, including the tonics and purees for the artisanal cocktails."

"With owners committed to sourcing sustainable fish, the sushi here is top-notch. Catch San Diego skyline views from the patio will sipping micro-brewed sakes or try a tasting flight while digging into maki rolls, nigiri and other assorted bites including gyoza, steamed buns, and vegetable tempura from the kitchen. There’s a daily happy hour (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.) which runs all night on Mondays."

"Locals know this sushi spot for its sustainable seafood but you should head in because it’s all delicious. Traditionalists will enjoy nigiri and sashimi while diving into the restaurant’s new-style rolls incorporating ingredients like black garlic aioli and blood orange kosho. Insider tip: Sake plays a big part in the menu with the option to order flights paired with your meal."

"Bistro d'Asia provides Asian fusion and sushi in a family-friendly atmosphere with outdoor tables that welcome dogs. Popular menu choices include Siam lettuce wraps, Peking crispy duck breast, egg drop soup, Mandarin steak salad, dancing scallops, Mongolian style beef, and moo goo gai pan. Opens at 11:30am Monday thru Saturday and is closed on Sunday."

"Located in Coronado, California, Bistro D'Asia offers a menu full of Asian cuisine. The restaurant serves Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare. Each meal is made with the freshest ingredients available as well as bold flavors and spices."

"A post shared by LAB Dessert&Coffee (old Blush) (@lab_dessert_coffee) on Nov 10, 2017 at 7:41pm PST. It’s not a drill; a cotton candy burrito truly exists here at LAB Dessert & Coffee!. It’s ice cream wrapped in cotton candy and you get to combine flavors."

"Ice cream macaron sandwiches, churros, inventive Asian-inspired iced coffee drinks and cotton candy burritos - all of them wildly creative and eminently Instagram-able - are the name of the game at this Asian bakery with hints of a French patisserie."

"If you’ve been searching for an Instagram-worthy treat, this may just be a spot to add to your list. SomiSomi – 4640 Convoy Street"