Free Museums in Fletcher Cove Beach Park

"The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier museum in downtown San Diego, California, at Navy Pier. You can experience the adventure and glory of the USS Midway offering great activities and fun for the entire family aboard. The museum encompasses the aircraft carrier midway."

"Now operating as a museum located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway used to be an aircraft carrier in the 1900s. It was the United States’ longest-serving naval aircraft carrier, having served from 1945 to 1992, and has seen over 200,000 sailors aboard during its time."

"This maritime museum on the USS Midway celebrates the history of America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier. Docked at Navy Pier on San Diego Bay, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m."

"The San Diego Museum of Art is a fine arts museum located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. SDMA houses a wide collection of curated exhibitions that shouldn’t be missed!. Current exhibits range from the beautiful “Art of the Open Air” (excellent for those with concerns over social distancing) to the Modern and Contemporary Art gala."

"Italian Renaissance, Dutch, Spanish and baroque pieces are exhibited, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures. Works by Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Pisarro, van Gogh and Dufy are rotated in display on the ground floor. Shop, sculpture garden and cafe with outdoor seating."

"The San Diego Museum of Art is one of Balboa Park's most popular attractions, drawing over a quarter-million visitors every year.[Learn more]"

"Not huge but one of the most interactive places for younger generation, the New Children’s Museum is worth a visit if you are in San Diego with kids and family. The museum was originally built in 1983. After that, it had time and again got renovated with the mission of restoring and vitalizing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through contemporary Art in kids and older generation."

"The New Children's Museum in San Diego is a great museum for families with children to visit. The museum's state of the art center is focused on creating a space where children can think, play and create through hands-on exhibitions, art creation, and educational opportunities. It has something for children of every age and parents will enjoy the learning nature of it as well."

"This museum is concerned with developing children’s creativity and imagination. It originally opened in 1983, and it has been one of the favorite places of the youngest visitors in San Diego ever since. The vision of this museum is to engage children in developing numerous skills through contemporary art."

"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 Museum of Photographic Arts has a long history, as it first opened in 1983. It’s well known for being one of the first museums in the United States to exclusively exhibit photographic images. With such a rich history, you won’t be disappointed by what you see."

"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."

"We had a great time visiting the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and actually ended up going twice while we were in San Diego. (Our reciprocal membership made this possible.) It wasn’t the largest Science Center we have been in, but it had a great collection of hands on activities for the kids – including a Lego section. Our favorite part was the Tinker Lab where the kids eyes lit up when they saw tons of cardboard and other fun materials they could use to build whatever they wanted."

"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."

"The Fleet is home to Southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Dome Theatre and experience seven galleries of fun, interactive exhibits at this popular San Diego attraction."

"Some people may have a grand piano in the living room or a guitar lying around, but what actually goes into making these instruments the vibrant playable pieces of art that they are?. The National Association of Music Merchants, which founded the Museum of Making Music in 1998 “to showcase and celebrate the music products industry,” answers that question. Through the museum’s various exhibits, you will learn about the people who make the instruments and what they sound like when played by an expert."

"The Museum of Making Music is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the music products industry. The museum was established in 2000 and features an array of special exhibitions and it hosts innovative concerts and educational programs, features that focus on providing cultural enrichment as well as preserving musical heritage. Music is definitely one of the 15 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad with kids.5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, California, Phone: 760-438-5996"

"Opened in 2000, this museum aims to inform and educate the public about the perks and heritage of creating music."

"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)"

"The California Center for the Arts in Escondido, brings world class entertainment to the area. The Center’s unique campus includes a 1,500-seat concert hall, a 400-seat theater, a contemporary art museum, art and dance studios, and a full-service conference center with meeting and banquet facilities ready to host corporate gatherings, weddings and other special life events. The Center also runs an extensive education program and produces free community events, such as the Jazz Jam Sessions, Musica En La Plaza, 4th of July Celebration, Day of the Dead Festival, Holiday Tree Lighting and WOW First Wednesdays performances."

"A stunning theater, the California Center for the Arts is absolutely beautiful, with a sound system that will amaze you. The California Center for the Arts has many events to consider, from theater to a plethora of concerts. There is also, a multimedia art gallery, where you will have the opportunity to roam around this lovely building and enjoy various international art exhibits, from paintings to sculptures and everything between!"

"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."

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."

"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)"

"640 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101(619) 450-5880Book Your Table for the Best Steak in Town Here$$$ | Steakhouse | Butcher Shop. For every person that says eating meat is inhumane, there are amazing places like Cowboy Star. Their entire concept revolves around serving humanely treated livestock and the freshest seafood with locally grown crops."

"The East Village steakhouse, which recently underwent an expansion and remodel, is doing takeout through its adjacent butcher shop, offering take-home cocktails and specials including its famous fried chicken on Fridays."

"Cowboy Star is a modern, sophisticated chophouse that takes its steaks and other weighty meat cuts seriously. For its lunch service, the La Jolla restaurant turns its focus to sand..."

"Casa de Bandini is home to some of the best Mexican food in Carlsbad, especially if you’re in the mood for a healthy serving of enchiladas filled chicken and cheese. The restaurant is also known for its delicious ceviche topped with avocado and black olives, and the award-winning San German with creamy shrimp stffed in a pineapple is popular as well. The fish tacos served with black beans and yellow rice are a favorite with Carlsbad diners as well, and the “wet” bean and cheese burrito drenched in savory red sauce will make this Mexican eatery one of your favorites."

"We have created a new, second-generation Casa de Bandini reminiscent of Mexico's beautiful and festive haciendas with overtones of our original restaurants. Enjoy fresh, delicious cuisine and the lively sound of mariachis, in an environment showcasing many beautiful facets of Mexican culture. Location: 1901 Calle Barcelona Carlsbad, CA 92009(760) 634-3443"