Free Museums in San Elijo State Beach

"The USS Midway was the longest-serving naval aircraft carrier of the 20th century and played a part in both the Cold War and Vietnam War. Now a floating museum, the USS Midway is moored at downtown San Diego along the Embarcadero and attracts more than a million visitors each year. On the flight deck, you’ll find 26 aircraft ranging from fighter jets to helicopters, and more vintage aircraft on the hangar deck."

"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."

"This maritime museum is centered around the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that was in use from 1945 to ‘92. It opened in 2004, and allows visitors to take an audio tour of the ship. Inside, you’ll find the engine room, machine shops, the sick bay and even the jail."

"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."

"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)."

"Known for its Spanish baroque and Renaissance paintings, including works by El Greco, Goya, Rubens, and van Ruisdael, San Diego's most…"

"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."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive arts-based museum that commissions contemporary artists to create pieces with tactile, physical, and participatory elements to introduce kids to art and create an opportunity for them to observe, play, and create. Getting in: New Children's Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"

"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, 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."

"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."

"Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101Timings: 7pm - 10pmTickets: USD 14.95 - USD 19.95. Nothing compliments nightlife in San Diego like stargazing at Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, which hosts 2 planetarium shows on the first Wednesday of each month. One of Fleet’s astronomers narrates the program and both programs in a day feature different hour-long topics like black holes, neutron stars, tidal forces, planets, gravitational waves and often the Milky Way galaxy."

"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."

"Since it was founded more than nine decades ago, the Gemological Institute of America has been one of the world’s most prominent authorities on all things relating to diamonds, gems, precious stones, and pearls. The GIA’s headquarters is located on Armada Drive in Carlsbad. It features a popular museum chock-full of interesting exhibits and incredible works of craftsmanship."

"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 California Center for the Arts, Escondido is an ideal spot to attend a concert or show, as well as free community events. A cultural evening of the arts is just around the corner from our resort!"

"Downtown La Jolla is a lively hub ripe with music, museums, and art. The La Jolla Gallery collects contemporary art from mid-career artists, which is curated by co-owner Elisabeth King. By focusing on mid-career artists who have dedicated themselves to the practice of learning their craft, the gallery grows deeply in its ability to educate art students."

"Adelman Fine Art is a modern boutique gallery in San Diego, California. They are a sister-owned and managed business, and they are pleased to represent some of the finest art in San Diego – in a no-pressure, comfortable upscale setting. They are there for you art lovers."

"As a seaside town, you might be expecting to try out some seafood and there is no better place than Eddie V’s. The restaurant offers fine dining with a casual vibe. Their patio offers a terrific view of the ocean and it’s not the only thing that will make you smile."

"1270 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA Elegant fine-dining chain with a seafood & steak menu, plus a cocktail lounge featuring live jazz"

"Not just fine dining, but refined dining, Vivace consistently silences the critics of hotel restaurants with fearless, forward-thinking fare (campanelle pasta with braised whole pig, pine nuts, golden raisins and Calabrian chiles, anyone?). Vivace means alive; as is its cooking. At the Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad."

"Organic ingredients, freshly made pasta every day, an award-winning wine list. All these qualities add up to make Vivace a stellar Italian restaurant. The sophisticated and elegant atmosphere helps land it on the list of most romantic restaurants in San Diego."

"Chef de Cuisine Jesse Paul has crafted a menu that highlights the unique cuisine of each region in Italy. Enjoy a glass of Italian wine selected to perfectly complement your entree while taking in the beautifully-appointed dining room."

"Carlsbad’s oceanic atmosphere isn’t nearly complete without Batiquitos Lagoon!. Recognized by the state as an ecological reserve, this haven for endangered plants and animals is open to the public for your uninterrupted exploration!. Recognized as one of the few tidal wetlands remaining in Southern California, the Batiquitos Lagoon allows you to enjoy the company of perfect weather and non-profit marine preservation."

"Hikers at Batiquitos can look forward to a low-elevation, wetland walk on a 3.25-mile trail that winds through a park-like environment. If you go, you’ll encounter lots of families, dog walkers, and more than a few bird watchers. Owls, ducks, swans and other water-loving birds make Batiquitos their home in large numbers."

"With various parking areas on the northern side, Batiquitos Lagoon is a great stop for a two-mile hike. Just east of Interstate 5, the area is home to 610 acres of lagoon space and has been preserved for public enjoyment from oceanic silt buildup. Bicycles are not allowed, though pets are – provided they are on a leash."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."