Free Museums in Central Beach

"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."

"The USS Midway Museum is a historic naval aircraft carrier museum that houses an extensive collection of aircraft and military history. The USS Midway was the United States’ longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992. It was the only carrier to serve the entire length of the Cold War and beyond."

"With over sixty exhibits, this historic aircraft carrier also houses twenty-seven restored aircraft. The USS Midway, named after the Battle of Midway in 1942, was constructed only 17 months. While it didn’t see World War II’s action, its armored flight decks give visitors an at-sea experience without having to leave port."

"San Diego Museum of Art is known for its collection of renowned Spanish and Italian masters, collections of Indian paintings, 19th- and 20th-century American sculptures and paintings, and new and changing exhibits from across the globe. Famous names include El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco Goya. The museum restaurant, Panama 66, is one of our favorite places to eat in Balboa Park."

"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."

"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."

"The Children’s Museum is an environmentally sustainable building that 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 trolleys going by."

"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 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."

"Another Balboa park museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, is a world-class site with an extensive collection of films, photographs, and videos. The museum was opened in 1983 and is one of the three museums which are specifically dedicated to the collection and preservation of photography in the United States. It is home to spacious galleries and state-of-the-art 228 seat theatre exhibiting work from some of the world-renowned photographers and cinematographers, including work by Yosuke Yamahata, the entire Nagasaki Journey: The Photographs of Yosuke Yamahata and an extensive collection from filmmaker Lou Stoumen’s estate."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) is one of a few private institutions dedicated to showcasing photography, film, and video. They also offer various workshops for photography enthusiasts (and I love stopping into the gift shop on my way out). Admission is free but based on a pay as you wish philosophy because one of their goals is to make their exhibitions accessible to all."

"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?"

"The Fleet Science Center has over one hundred hands-on exhibits for curious kids and their parents. Kid City was designed for children up to five years of age and features a block corner for budding architects, the Little Learner’s Lab and its Young Explorer computer stations, a Fire Truck exhibit that teaches street safety, and the colorful and exciting Ball Wall that demonstrates the properties of physics. Older kids will gravitate to the Studio X maker space where they can participate in regularly scheduled workshops or create something on their own using the studio’s tools and materials."

"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."

"And maybe you and the husband would like to try out a couple of things yourself. There are weight galleries that have about 100 hands-on exhibits for children and grown ups to navigate. You can explore the concept of gravity and how it works."

"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 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."

"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."

"Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Mingei exhibits folk art, craft & design from all eras & cultures. Art of the world, art of the people."

"This Mexican-inspired restaurant sits at the tip of Harbor Island and offers one of the best views of the San Diego skyline anywhere in the city. Modern decor inside and out, with a full menu of cocktails and special margaritas ensure your evening gets off to the right start. For dinner, start with Ceviche Clasico, featuring local seafood, or oysters on the half shell."

"This Cohn Family restaurant specializing seafood and Mexican cuisine is a restaurant, lounge and floating event center combined into one impressive harborside location. The outside eating areas showcase panoramic views of the harbor, Coronado and beyond in one sweeping glance."

"The only Italian restaurant I regularly single out as my favorite, chef/owner Francesco Basile serves freshly made fare with a Sicilian’s flair. This perennially packed trattoria, located in a nondescript strip mall, is the kind of neighborhood gem we all want in our neighborhood. In the 12 years I’ve been going there, I’ve never had a disappointing dish."

"In-season vegetables and high quality products are the star at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria, which has a menu consisting of appetizers, main dishes and pasta dishes."

"Juniper and Ivy boasts a modern American kitchen and while their dinner and drink menu is on point, it’s their desserts that take the cake!. From their “Yodel” (devil’s cake, white chocolate, hazelnut brittle and hot chocolate) to their “Milk & Honey” (grilled fig, honey ice cream, vanilla panna cotta and poppy seed tuille), they put a swanky, upscale spin on their sweet dishes. Any of their desserts would go very nicely with their “Barreled Cocktail #4” (Scotch, Amaretto, Sweet Vermouth and coffee liqueur)."

"Accomplished chef Richard Blais has whipped up a whimsical menu of innovative yet refined West Coast fare. Exquisite plating, colorful ingredients, and sumptuous flavors all come together in Juniper & Ivy’s relaxing, spacious dining room. The smoked veal bratwurst is beautifully presented and the chorizo clams will put some spice in your life (and your Instagram feed)."

"What is it: This lively upscale restaurant is the centerpiece of San Diego’s food and drink-obsessed Little Italy. Why go: The airy dining room here continues to be packed out by locals, thanks to chef Anthony Wells' continually shifting, inventive menu. We're talking delicious small plates and culinary-inspired cocktails."

"Bobboi Gelato offers outstanding housemade, authentic Italian gelato. It’s an easy stop to make after visiting La Jolla Cove or shopping on Prospect Street. Some of the flavors are artisanal mixes of herbs and fruits but I like charcoal vanilla (they also have plain flavors)."

"Bobboi is rated of the best dessert places in San Diego (and is top-rated by Yelp!), and rightfully so. The shop offers the best natural gelato made with organic ingredients. You’ll find tons of gelato flavors in addition to ocean views!"

"Visit the Convoy or Mira Mesa location for picture-worthy ice cream served in a ah-boong, Korea’s version of a waffle cone but in the shape of a fish. Cones come with a choice of fillings, including red bean and Nutella, before being topped off with a swirl of creamy soft-serve in flavors ranging from ube and black sesame to milk tea."

"Somi Somi offer irresistible Korean-inspired soft serve in ornate fish-shaped cones that are as pretty on the eye as they are tasty. You’ll find their locations all across Southern California, but nothing beats walking down a sunny San Diego street with one of their creations in your hand."

"Head to Somi Somi for popular Korean desserts like Ah-Boong, a goldfish-shaped waffle cone filled with your choice of filling and topped with soft serve. The Taiyaki is a warm fish-shaped waffle stuffed with a choice of fillings including custard, taro, red beans and more."

"Mission HillsIt’s a bold move, opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic, but Trust Restaurant Group and their Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville did just that, launching Mr. Trustee, an ice creamery with a street-side, walk up window adjacent to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Mr. Trustee offers rotating, seasonal flavors of soft serve and handcrafted ice cream available in cups or house-made waffle cones, and by the pint. Scoops include Cookies and Cream, Malted Chocolate Brownie, Honey-Vanilla, Berry Sorbet, and more, with soft serve options in Captain Crunch, Malted Milk, and the like."

"The Trust Group’s venture into ice cream is this walkup window found next to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Lead by Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville, the shop serves chef-centric flavors like malted chocolate brownie, kiwi cucumber sorbet with Tajin and Captain Crunch or malted milk soft serve."

"1105 8th St, Coronado, CA 92118-2217+1 619-522-0026[email protected]http://TheBungalowSpa.com. The Bungalow Spa is a boutique massage and skincare business in the center of beautiful Coronado. Clients are seen one on one in our intimate setting without having any other clients in space with them."

"We asked our waiter at South Draft in Mission Beach, where is the best Mexican food in San Diego?. He immediately recommended Oscars Mexican Seafood as a great local, hole in the wall place to grab fish tacos in San Diego. He warned us there may be lines, and we avoided them by visiting the shack near La Jolla at lunch time."