Free Museums in Ramona

"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."

"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."

"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."

"We recommend the Family Drop-In Day recommended for families with kids ages 6-12. As the focus changes, check the calendar for what interests you. On these days, kids usually make a craft that reflects the current theme, play games or explore art via a treasure hunt."

"Within Balboa Park stands the intricate facade of the San Diego Museum of Art, the region’s oldest and largest art museum visited by half a million people every year."

"With immersive art studios, interactive art installations, and workshops and camps, The New Children’s Museum strives to stimulate creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through engaging experiences and contemporary art. The museum itself is housed in a dynamic space and is one of the first fully green museums in San Diego. It commissions artworks from local artists with which children can interact and engage and, as a result, always has something new to offer visitors."

"New Children's Museum is an interactive museum in San Diego that is a not-for-profit organization. It is a novel model of the Children's Museum that operates with a mission to pique creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in children and families via inventive and captivating experiences with modern art. The museum encourages children to think, play, and create through engrossing exhibitions, art-oriented activities, artistic performances, and educational opportunities."

"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 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, 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 Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is home to five galleries with interactive exhibits. The motion simulator ride is a favorite as is About Face, in which you capture your image on freeze-frame video. The museum also includes a planetarium and dome IMAX theater."

"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."

"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"

"Nestled in the coastal hills of North County San Diego, Escondido is a “hidden” gem. Escondido is a combination of rural and city, that has parks, lakes and a vibrant center. The diversity of the area creates openings for interesting and fun things for families to do."

"Where: 320 North BroadwayThere’s no reason a vacation can’t include some education at the same time. Inspire your children through exploration and experimentation at this hands-on museum. Science, arts, and world cultures are presented in imaginative exhibitions."

"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."

"Yes, we’re talking about that Leo Carillo, who acted in nearly 100 movies between 1927 and 1950. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is a small part of his former working rancho and vacation retreat. Kids love the resident peacocks, but there are also multiple historic properties, including the visitors’ center, adobe buildings, a barn, and more."

"History meets adventure at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historical Park. This space, a fully functioning ranch named Rancho de Los Kiotes, is now a 27-acre (11-ha) manicured paradise, one that boasts aesthetic beauty and educational value. Much of the ranch is perfectly preserved history, amidst a mystifying natural landscape."

"Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park was opened nearly two decades ago and was once a working ranch owned by the actor it’s named after. The park is part historic attraction and part preserved natural area. It comprises nearly 30 acres that include original adobe outbuildings, windmills, cultivated gardens, and ponds."

"It has one of the best views of the San Diego Skyline and yet this small pocket park is seldom visited […]"

"While the peaceful, residential neighborhood of South Park has several gift shops worthy of a browse (Grafitti Beach Boutique and Make Good among them), Brake & Rumble is the only spot where you might actually find something you want to buy for yourself, for both men and women. Expect boots, jewelry, cool T-shirts, and more. Note: The shop is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays."

"Located inside Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art is one of the most popular indoor attractions in San Diego and plays host to a large collection of artwork. For those who enjoy viewing masterpieces created by European, American and Asian artists, the museum offers a broad selection of pieces including work from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as some from today’s most recognizable artists. The San Diego Museum of Art is the oldest and largest art museum in the region and welcomes guests from all over the world throughout the year."

"Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is an art museum that is engaged in the collection, preservation, exhibitions, evaluations of artworks from the 1950s to today so far. It is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. MCASD offers access to the finest art at two exemplary locations in San Diego, i.e., the La Jolla and downtown location of Santa Fe Depot."

"This museum has a few different exhibits rotating throughout the year and they make plenty of appearances on instagram. These exhibits have already left, but see the ones they have now here."

"Where: 1955 Julian Ave, San Diego, CA 92113 An expansive former bread factory in Logan Heights is the home of Bread & Salt. To make things simple, you could call it an art gallery, though owner James Brown, an architect by training, bills it as an “experimental center for the arts with strong community ties.” Bread & Salt hosts visual arts and performances, along with educational events and artists-in-residence. For a peek, check out their Facebook feed."

"Bread & Salt (all 45,000 square feet of it) is a unique gallery that currently operates by appointment only. Also known as the Barrio Logan gallery, it has displayed the works of artists such as Melissa Walter, Kaori Fukuyama, and Alanna Airitam. The focus is on international artists here, along with events that can only be described as “eclectic.” Even though you have to make an appointment to visit, it’s well worth the effort."

"A gallery and experimental center for the arts that hosts original works by local and international artists, eclectic events, and a curated assemblage of artisans, educational entities, and non-profit tenants - alongside a robust residency program and publishing house. breadandsaltsandiego.com. 1955 Julian Ave, San Diego, CA 92113"

"Then there’s world-class shopping right here in La Jolla Village, a 30-block shopping bonanza on and around Prospect Street just above La Jolla’s beaches. Here you’ll find a paradise of apparel, accessories, jewelry, specialty stores, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. The world-famous University Towne Centre (UTC) in La Jolla’s Golden Triangle area on La Jolla Village Drive adds to the shopping fun."

"My shopping buddy checking out the clean beauty products on Girard Ave. Photo credit: Christy from Stained with Style. I really like to do a little shopping, or just take a walking tour of the shops (when I am on vacation), Girard and Prospect are my pics."

"Family-owned and operated since 1958, Coral Tree Farm and Nursery specializes in organically produced vegetables and fruits including many varieties of heirlooms, avocados, cherimoyas and guavas. The farm also sells fresh eggs from happy chickens that roam their grounds!. The chicks are a free pasture flock of heritage breed chickens."