Free Museums in La Jolla Cove

"Maritime Museum, Star of Indian and U.S.S. Midway Once you’re high on sugar and caffeine, head to a few streets west to the Harbour (North Harbour Drive) for a day along the sea front. This is one of my favourite suggestions for your San Diego itinerary."

"USS Midway is an aircraft carrier, formerly of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. USS Midway is situated 2 km north of Coronado Ferry Landing Shopping Center. Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain."

"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."

"An almost overwhelming medley of Spanish Renaissance and Baroque painting awaits at this museum in Balboa Park. El Greco, Murillo, Goya and Zurbarán are all here, together with Italian and Dutch Masters like Veronese, Canaletto, van Dyck, Rubens and Frans Hals. In the last few years, the museum was donated a raft of paintings from the Symbolist, Expressionist and New Objectivity movements, by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Robert Delaunay, Otto Dix and Alexej von Jawlensky."

"One of the best museums in San Diego to visit in 2019 is, without a doubt, the San Diego Museum of Art. Founded in 1926, this museum is located in Balboa Park. It has the reputation of being the oldest and largest art museum in the region."

"The renowned permanent collection includes Spanish and Italian old masters, Asian paintings, and 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures. In addition, the Museum regularly features major exhibitions from around the world."

"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."

"This interactive children’s museum offers interactive art meant for kids. Installations are designed by artists, so tykes can learn principles of movement and physics while simultaneously being exposed to art and working out the ants in their pants. Exhibits change every 18 months or so, so there's always something new."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The Science Center is an interactive educational playground for the kids. These are the kind of places we look for to check off a few of our homeschooling boxes. The girls learned more about the water cycle, energy and motion, and different knots."

"Fleet Science Center is a Science Museum in San Diego, California. It is situated in the Balboa park at the eastern end of the El Prado Drive walkway. It was established in 1973."

"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 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."

"Take a trip out to Coronado Island right off the coast of San Diego and learn about the fascinating and rich history of this unique resort town and active Navy Base. You'll get to explore lots of topics, including art, architecture, history, preservation, and more Getting in: Coronado Museum of History & Art tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"It is a not-for-profit organization with permanent and transitory exhibitions of local art & history and vast archives. It is a landmark Historical Association building that lies right in the center of the city. Also, there is a Museum Store that offers antique items for sale and a Museum Café in the Museum building."

"Coronado Historical Society, an easy walk from Hotel del Coronado, connects people with the city’s interesting past through museum exhibits, historic photos, and walking tours. The latter I also recommend as one of the things to do in Coronado for tourists. (Location: Coronado)"

"The original of three locations, this Fig Tree Café is located in the laidback, surfer-friendly neighborhood of North Pacific Beach. It’s situated in an aging cottage located just a couple of blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Diners can expect a dog-friendly patio under a canopy of trees that provide ample shade and a plethora of fragrant and colorful tropical plants and vines that provide a country/beach ambiance."

"As Southern California's only triple five star resort, Fairmont Grand Del Mar oozes opulence. Nestled in a secluded canyon east of Del Mar, the sprawling property boasts an equestrian center, luxury spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, 5-star dining, golf, tennis and four heated pools. If the beach is calling, Fairmont Grand Del Mar can chauffeur you there and back with chairs, umbrellas and bottled water in tow."

"The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is the ultimate in San Diego luxury. This Mediterranean-style golf resort is situated in a coastal canyon 5 miles from Del Mar’s best beaches. It features a Tom Fazio designed 18-hole golf course, four pools, a luxury spa, yoga and fitness classes, tennis courts, a kids’ club, and their five-star signature restaurant – Addison."

"This elegant 400-acre luxury resort is only 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego in Del Mar. The Fairmont, which includes a championship golf course, is about five miles from the ocean. Guests have four swimming pools to choose from, and there's a large fitness center and a whole wellness program (classes, yoga, special menu, etc.)."

"Partake in the traditional Churrasco without boarding a plane to Brazil. Skewers of meat are slow-roasted over a mesquite flame after being marinated in simple seasonings. The meat waiter will slice it freshly off the skewer until you throw in the towel."

"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!"

"Finally, over in Hillcrest, check out Chocolat Hillcrest, which has earned four stars out of 1,217 reviews on Yelp. You can find the breakfast and brunch spot, which also offers gelato and other desserts, at 3896 Fifth Ave. (between Robinson and University avenues). This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor."

"They serve up lots of treats on their breakfast and lunch menus including one of the best french toasts in the city. By all means eat from the menu but saving lots of space in your stomach for their gelato is essential. It is piled high with deep, rich and creamy flavours that will blow your mind as soon as you taste them."