Best Museums in Pacific Beach

"Since June 2004, the USS Midway Museum has preserved the historic USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Aboard, you get access to areas not often granted to civilians, including the crew’s sleeping quarters, the engine room, the ship’s jail and the primary flight control room. Midway sailors narrate the self-guided audio tour, and you can learn even more by engaging the volunteer docents, many of whom are military veterans and are among the 225,000 sailors who were active during the ship’s historical span."

"Talking about the most popular museum in San Diego, the USS Midway Museum is the only fine name that is topping the chart for years. USS Midway Museum is the longest-serving aircraft carrier that is now floating at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. The aircraft carrier has originally served between 1945 to 1992 but is now home to 29 restored aircraft, two flight simulators, over 60 war and military exhibits, a gift shop and a café proudly in name of a museum."

"This 971-foot-long floating museum is the best way to learn about and honor San Diego's significant naval community. The decommissioned aircraft carrier is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. Visitors can get a taste of navy life by visiting the plane-packed flight deck, sprawling hangar bay, mess hall, and berthing."

"A post shared by Klinge Realty Group @ Compass (@klingerealtygroup). It’s not a large museum — in fact, it’s one of the smallest in the area — but the Timken Museum of Art is home to art created by Anne and Amy Putnam. The two sisters are well-known throughout the world for creating a variety of American and European paintings during the early 20th century."

"Art lovers looking for a dose of culture should head to the San Diego Museum of Art. Its distinctive facade is a copy of the 17th-century University of Salamanca, in the so-called plateresque style, with finely-chiseled terra-cotta work. Busts of Spanish painters adorn the entrance, and their artworks are among the many eclectic exhibits displayed here."

"Known for its Spanish baroque and Renaissance paintings, including works by El Greco, Goya, Rubens, and van Ruisdael, San Diego's most…"

"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."

"This unique museum collaborates with contemporary artists to create one-of-a-kind art installations. The exhibits include playhouses, clubhouses, and climbable towers. Kids can interact with the exhibits and engage in active play as they would at home."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts was founded in 1974 and opened in 1983. It is one of three museums in the US dedicated to the collection and preservation of photography. The museum’s mission is to inspire, educate, and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film, and video."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts showcases over 9 thousand images. These visual masterpieces range from the 19th century up until the current day. The museum offers a diverse view into different cultural events, historical moments and addresses social issues throughout its galleries."

"An independent institution devoted to photography, film, and video. Founded in 1983, MOPA consistently addresses cultural, historical, and social issues through its visual learning programs."

"A planetarium and interactive science museum, the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park was a trailblazer when it opened in 1973. Younger children will get the most out of the self-guided permanent exhibitions where they can explore outer space, learn the ins and outs of San Diego’s water system and discover the unseen world of nanotechnology. For toddlers the Little Learners’ Lab is a play zone with varying shapes and textures, while the Ball Wall has a little world of shoots, tracks and moving objects."

"Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101Timings: 7pm - 10pmTickets: USD 14.95 - USD 19.95. Nothing compliments nightlife in San Diego like stargazing at Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, which hosts 2 planetarium shows on the first Wednesday of each month. One of Fleet’s astronomers narrates the program and both programs in a day feature different hour-long topics like black holes, neutron stars, tidal forces, planets, gravitational waves and often the Milky Way galaxy."

"The Fleet Science Center, also known as “The Fleet,” is a science museum and planetarium located in the popular Balboa Park in San Diego. With over 100 interactive exhibits with something for all ages, a visit to The Fleet will give your kids a better understanding of science and how it impacts the world around us. Spend your time exploring space, electricity, water, and virtual reality, or play around in Kid City."

"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 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."

"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."

"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)"

"A post shared by Steph Mernagh (@stephmernagh) on Apr 26, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT. Chocolat Cremerie arguably ranks at the top when it comes to mouthwatering gelato displays. This photo alone gives each of us an intense desire to try out all flavors behind the glass!"

"Famous for gelato, exquisite chocolate and tasty crepes, this bistro is a local favorite. It's even open late-night for those who need to satisfy a sweet tooth. Try cream-stuffed croissants and eggs for breakfast."

"After over three decades, they seem to be getting tastier by the day. The ice cream itself is lush, packed full of flavour and creamier than anything you will ever taste. Three (or more!) scoops?"

"The key to a good donut is using the best toppings to dress it up. Image courtesy of Lucky Donuts House Instagram. Serving the San Diego area for over fifteen years now, Lucky Donuts House has established itself as a favorite amongst the residents there."

"If you’ve ever wished you could order a donut with whatever combination of toppings you want, no matter how odd that combination might be, then we may have just found your new favorite place in all of San Diego. Sometimes you get weird cravings, and there’s not really anything you can do to satisfy them unless you go out of your way to combine them. Pickles and peanut butter anyone?"

"Linda makes more than just donuts… she’ll bake anything your heart desires and will make it fun too!. Case in point: these seasonal kids cookie decorating kits she has available for Valentine’s Day. If you need a cookie fix in between seasons, she’s always got some cookies ready for you."

"This homegrown San Diego mini-chain, which also has outposts in Imperial Beach and Liberty Station, serves up fresh, healthy, and flavorful Hawaiian style proteins from seafood and free-range chicken to vegan tofu in classic bowl format alongside “norittos” (a nori seaweed burrito of sorts), and “waves” (small U-shaped taco-like creations in seaweed wrappers)."

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