Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Palo Verde Lake

"Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art is a must-see attraction when visiting the city. The exterior itself is a masterpiece, with an ornamented doorway consisting of life-sized sculptures of Spanish painters and heraldry. Inside you’ll find Spanish and Italian old masters, Asian paintings and sculptures, and a range of touring exhibits."

"Considered one of the great small museums in the world, the Timken houses a wonderful collection of European old master paintings, American paintings, and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Singleton Copley, and Eastman Johnson. Admission is always free."

"The Timken Museum of Art, established in 1965, displays a collection of European masters, notable American artists and Russian icons. Works of fine art include paintings by Rembrandt, John Singleton Copley and Peter Paul Rubens as well as sculptures and tapestries."

"New Children's Museum is an interactive museum in San Diego that is a not-for-profit organization. It is a novel model of the Children's Museum that operates with a mission to pique creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in children and families via inventive and captivating experiences with modern art. The museum encourages children to think, play, and create through engrossing exhibitions, art-oriented activities, artistic performances, and educational opportunities."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive arts-based museum that commissions contemporary artists to create pieces with tactile, physical, and participatory elements to introduce kids to art and create an opportunity for them to observe, play, and create. Getting in: New Children's Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"If you’re reading this, you probably have kids and know how valuable a good children’s museum can be. The New Children’s Museum in San Diego is no exception. This new model of museum was designed to stimulate imagination, creativity, and critical thinking in children and families — something all parents can agree is important."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts, also known as (MOPA) is also located in Balboa Park. Founded in 1974, this museum represents one of the three museums in the US whose main focus is only the preservation and collection of photography. The main mission of this museum is to educate and inspire its visitors."

"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."

"The Power of Photography MOPA is a center for visual learning, passionately dedicated to sharing and exploring the universal language of photography."

"Art is a powerful voice for people and helps us connect and express ourselves beyond language barriers. The Mingei International Museum showcases the “art of the people” across time and cultures. The exhibits are constantly changing to highlight new historical, contemporary folk art, crafts, and design and discover the finest examples of creative expression from underappreciated artists."

"Art speaks powerfully of the similarities and distinctions of individuals and cultures at this international museum for the "art of the people" (mingei). The museum has an 18,000-piece collection representing 140 countries around the world. Constantly changing exhibits enhanced by lectures, films, demonstrations, and other events make this a dynamic place for artistic enlightenment."

"Established in 1978, Mingei International Museum is a non-profit public institution that was established in 1978. Located in Balboa Park, the museum houses a variety of art forms from cultures all around the world, both past, and present. It includes nearly 20,000 artistic objects and artifacts from over 140 countries and focuses on folk art, craft, and design."

"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."

"San Diego Art Institute is a not-for-profit institution in San Diego, California, that is an experimental bi-national modern art center. It is situated in the historic building House of Charm in Balboa Park, El Prado. SDAI is the only contemporary culture association in Balboa Park that supports the creation of innovative art by providing exclusive space for artistic competencies of Southern California and Northern Baja to fraternize, exhibit, and bloom."

"When founded in 1941, the San Diego Art Institute was called the San Diego Business Men’s Art Club, only permitting male members. By the 1950s, women were allowed in and the name had been changed. The cultural institution now showcases experimental art from a diverse array of artists from the Southern California/Baja Norte region."

"A new exhibition of works by San Diego artists opens every four to six weeks in this 10,000-square-foot gallery, dedicated to the advancement of the visual arts through outreach, education, and exhibition."

"In 2011, Joshua Pavlick decided to turn a part of his home into an art exhibition space. And while that sounds like a wild idea, it’s paid off big time for Pavlick, local artists, and the community as a whole. Helmuth Projects was designed with the idea of helping lesser-known artists display their work to the masses."

"Spend some time on Coronado Beach, then grab lunch at Coronado Brewing Company before heading back on the ferry. Stroll up the Embarcadero and visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego and USS Midway Museum. After gazing at ships both antique and modern, walk north to Little Italy, where you can sample more local beers at Bottlecraft before dining at one of the neighborhood’s fantastic restaurants, such as Herb & Wood."

"This wide beach is one of San Diego's most picturesque thanks to its soft white sand and sparkly blue water. The historic Hotel Del Coronado…"

"Coronado Beach has been named the number one beach in the United States in the 2012 survey by Stephen P."

"Why go: You’re at the Children’s Pool and would like to step out on the sand to explore a different beach. South Casa Beach is located directly south of the Children’s Pool (which is also referred to as Casa Beach). In fact, it’s just on the other side of the Children’s Pool lifeguard station, which also services South Casa Beach."

"South Casa Beach is a small triangle-shaped cove just south of Children’s Pool Beach in La Jolla. Children’s Pool is also known as Casa Beach so this beach got the […]"

"It has wide sandy beaches for typical beach recreation and is also a favorite surfing spot. Lifeguards are on duty only during the summer months. Find public showers above the beach access, but there are no public restrooms."

"Only a few steps from the water in Solana Beach, Wild Note Cafe is a neighborhood bistro with a friendly vibe. It's one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. “Unrestrainable Cu..."

"The buzz:These innovative waffles and vibrant cocktails just might turn you into a morning person.The food: The Gaslamp Quarter is more famous for late nights than early mornings, but the Gaslamp Breakfast Company means to change that reputation. Their simple, but comprehensive menu has everything from yogurt bowls to mashed potato waffles, and there are several vegan options to accompany the various cocktails, as well as mocktails, cold brews, and kombuchas. The cost: Full breakfast plates are $8-$19, coffee drinks, tea, mocktails, and booch are $2.50-$7, most cocktails are $9.50, beer is $6, and a bottle of bubbly +OJ is $24.How to book: Indoor and patio dining is available on a first-come basis."

"Brunch like a champion again at Gaslamp Breakfast Company, where outdoor dining has officially reopened. Toast to the occasion with their Beet cocktail brimming with a blend of horchata vodka, Ancho Reyes, lemon and beet juice, or perk up with their Matcha Green Tea Latte. Cravings are born to be curbed so sink your teeth into their Orange thyme Waffle with whipped mascarpone, orange segments and thyme-infused honey, or delight in a plate of their Fried Rice Benedict, prepared with crispy ham, sambal hollandaise, pickled radish salad and two poached eggs served with house potatoes."

"Florence Ristorante Pizza North Park is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves a variety of pizzas and other Italian dishes. They commit to serve their dishes in the most professional and fastest way possible. Furthermore, they offer their products at affordable prices."

"Formerly known as Giulio's of Pacific Beach, Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant has been providing guests with authentic, high-quality Italian food since 1961. The specialty here is the shrimp scampi, but the menu also offers a good assortment of delectable appetizers, freshly made salads, meat entrees, and other seafood dishes. There are also a number of specialty pasta dishes that the restaurant makes from scratch; gluten-free substitutions are offered for some of these dishes."