Free Museums in Lake Jennings

"Since June 2004, the USS Midway Museum has preserved the historic USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Aboard, you get access to areas not often granted to civilians, including the crew’s sleeping quarters, the engine room, the ship’s jail and the primary flight control room. Midway sailors narrate the self-guided audio tour, and you can learn even more by engaging the volunteer docents, many of whom are military veterans and are among the 225,000 sailors who were active during the ship’s historical span."

"This 971-foot-long floating museum is the best way to learn about and honor San Diego's significant naval community. The decommissioned aircraft carrier is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. Visitors can get a taste of navy life by visiting the plane-packed flight deck, sprawling hangar bay, mess hall, and berthing."

"Walking along the San Diego waterfront on the Embarcadero, you might be surprised when you come across one of the US military's largest ships. The decommissioned USS Midway is permanently berthed at Navy Pier. The highlights of a visit to the USS Midway Museum include more than 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft."

"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."

"A post shared by Klinge Realty Group @ Compass (@klingerealtygroup). It’s not a large museum — in fact, it’s one of the smallest in the area — but the Timken Museum of Art is home to art created by Anne and Amy Putnam. The two sisters are well-known throughout the world for creating a variety of American and European paintings during the early 20th century."

"The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Man and the Museum of Art are three of the other most popular museums. (And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below)."

"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."

"Originally in La Jolla, the New Children’s Museum opened in its current light-filled downtown space in 2008. Entering the multi-story, 50,000-square-foot space, it’s immediately evident that a lot of thought and imagination has gone into the museum’s design. Off the bat, a room lined entirely with mattresses invites kids to literally jump on the bed."

"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."

"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 is a museum and visual learning center, situated in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. It is an independent institution that collects, protects, and presents photography, films, and video graphics art. MOPA presents a broad range of rotating exhibitions from the solo photographer as well as group shows around the globe, across the year."

"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."

"Featuring eight galleries that hold more than 100 interactive science exhibits, the Fleet Science Center is the best place to go for hands-on learning. It’s also home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, which shows the biggest films on the planet. Since its opening in 1973, the Fleet has been one of San Diego’s most-visited museums, thanks to the theater and interactive exhibits like Kid City (an exhibition just for kids age five and under)."

"The Fleet Science Center, also known as “The Fleet,” is a science museum and planetarium located in the popular Balboa Park in San Diego. With over 100 interactive exhibits with something for all ages, a visit to The Fleet will give your kids a better understanding of science and how it impacts the world around us. Spend your time exploring space, electricity, water, and virtual reality, or play around in Kid City."

"The Fleet Science Center is always a crowd-pleaser for the crew. Get the fam in free the first Tuesday of the month. (Go early and avoid large crowds)."

"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."

"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"

"Globe-trotting chef Junya Watanabe fuses food and art with a westernized take on Japanese classics at his Kearny Mesa and more recently opened Little Italy sushi restaurants. Here you’ll find Instagrammers charmed by intricately constructed vegan sushi while hungry patrons slurp up silky, handmade ramen noodles floating in a creamy dashi. Celebrate seasonality with a chef’s selection bento box available for take-out exclusively at The Yasai’s Little Italy location."

"Sushi might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a family restaurant. However, if you were to ask my daughter and her friends what their favorite spot is right now they would say Kura. It’s a gamified revolving sushi restaurant where the more plates you empty, the happier the “ninja” is."

"What to know: Prior to the pandemic, wait times were very long for Kura. Now, lines are very short if any as they have a large outdoor dining area!. Also, spaces between tables actually allow for a 6 foot distance between parties."

"Time: Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specialsOcean View: Panoramic ocean viewWhy Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seatingNeighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSDAddress: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037"

"It's always good, but the drinks are pretty inconsistent in quality. It seems like they always have new employees making the drinks different ways."