Best Arts and Culture Places in Eastlake

"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."

"The San Diego Museum of Art houses a broad art collection with particular strength in Spanish art. The Museum first opened as The Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego in 1926 and changed its name to its current form in 1978. The museum building was designed in a plateresque style to harmonize with existing structures, in Balboa Park, from the Panama–California Exposition of 1915."

"This award-winning children’s museum encourages children to think, play, and create with over 50,000 square feet of child-centered art installations, studios, and interactive spaces. From free play to guided workshops, this modern museum has a wide range of activities and events for creative kids. Young visitors are free to interact with working artists, design something in the Innovators LAB under the guidance local professionals, or explore the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces with their families."

"The New Children's Museum re-opened in 2008 with a motto of think, play and create, which is exactly what kids do here. What is different about The New Children's Museum is that they specifically commission works of art with tactile features that appeal to kids rather than re-create existing art to suit a younger generation. There's hands-on art and exhibits to hold the attention of toddlers up through teen years."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive art museum that strives to deliver tactile interaction with its visitors. Children and adults alike will enjoy a more hands-on museum of art. So be ready to think, play and create your way through this enchanting art museum."

"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."

"Art is subjective and interpretive, and sometimes hard to decipher. Less so photographic arts, perhaps. And who doesn't like looking at amazing images of real things?"

"MOPA, one of the few museums devoted solely to photography, features works by both the famous and not so famous."

"This museum presents exhibits of folk art from around the world, including Indonesia and New Guinea (multicolored masks, dolls, fertility symbols and shadow puppets) and Japan (decorative bottles, bowls and jars). Children will delight in the displays of international toys and antique carousels. Don't forget to visit the Collectors' Gallery/Museum Store for a wide selection of modern and antique arts and crafts."

"A diverse collection of folk art, costumes, toys, jewelry, utensils and other handmade objects of traditional cultures from around the world, plus changing exhibitions covering beads to surfboards. Check the website to find out what's on."

"Dedicated to art of the people (mingei) from all eras and cultures of the world, Mingei International Museum features dynamic, changing exhibitions of historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design."

"The Chuck Jones Gallery honors the legendary animator, Chuck Jones with over 300 animated films behind his name, and some of the finest artists, animation, and entertainment art in the world. In a career ranging more than 60 years, Jones made more than 300 animated films, winning three Oscars as director and in 1996 an honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement."

"Sparks Gallery exhibits and sells original contemporary artwork primarily by Southern California artists who introduce and provide excellent craftsmanship in a multitude of mediums. They showcase combined exhibitions, curated exhibitions by the gallery owner Sonya Sparks, and solo exhibitions. With a focus on surreal and impressionistic artwork, the gallery ministers towards emotive works in themes ranging from portraiture and figurative to landscape and conceptual."

"One of San Diego’s only outlet centers, Viejas offers everyday bargains at popular stores such as Coach, Nike and Chico."

"A photo posted by Faith Leonard (@faithld77) on Nov 26, 2016 at 3:07pm PST. Cafe Bassam is a unique vintage coffee house in Bankers Hill and reviewers rave that it has the best coffee in San Diego!. Owner, Bassam Shamma claims it is the “first coffee house in San Diego,” saying, “Of course other places had coffee,” Bassam said."

"This is a cafe that is in the city for three generations now, which is great. It is now part of the community!. The story of how the cafe started is great."

"Hoppy days are ahead at Pacific Beach AleHouse, which will officially open for patio dining on Saturday, January 30th, ready to serve up toothsome bites and frothy brews on their scenic patios. Be sure to order their Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel paired with one of the location’s fresh house brews."

"This brewery/restaurant offers up brunch, lunch and dinner at its restaurant, which also gives its patrons a stellar glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. PB Alehouse serves a variety of different burgers, sandwiches, flat breads, salads and tacos. There’s really something for everyone."

"We waited nearly one hour in line on a Monday around 2 pm, and after all that we get seated take our order. We wait over an hour and the wa..."

"The living wall of succulents, hip warehouse interior, and wine bottle chandeliers suit this vibrant restaurant where good times and great eats...Read More"

"With rotating cocktails and seasonal sangria offerings starting at $5, the all important quality to price ratio during happy hour is hard to beat."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"Elephant Odyssey is one of the most well known parts of the park. It’s a huge area that’s dedicated solely to several beautiful African and Asian elephants. The Elephants are free to roam among large areas, and it also includes the Elephant Care Center where you may see a zookeeper caring for one of them."

"The Elephant Odyssey is home to the African and Asian elephant habitat. This area includes the majestic elephants along with the Elephant Care Center and Fossil Portal. Guests can also see lions, jaguars, California condor, camels, and the Malayan tapir."

"The world-renowned San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and houses more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals. Plan to spend at least a half-day at the zoo to get the full experience, which includes shows and animal presentations. During the summer, Nighttime Zoo event series allows visitors to stay later into the evening."

"The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is just as impressive as its more well-known sister property, the San Diego Zoo. It encompasses a whopping 1,800 acres, compared to the zoo’s 100. The African Tram is the park’s king attraction."

"The San Diego Zoo is a definite must-see, and you can ease into your adventure while loving on some four-legged friends. Photo credit: Thomas Hart / CC BY-NC 2.0"