Best History Museum in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

"You’ll keep returning to this 1,200-acre urban park for its world-class zoo, restful cultivated areas, museums in refined Spanish Revival buildings and live shows. There’s a tapestry of gardens around the park, planted with more than 350 plant species hand-selected at the turn of the 20th century by the botanist Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park”. An emblem for the park and San Diego is the Botanical Building, one of many splendid holdovers from the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition."

"It has plenty of green space, flora and fauna, naturally, but it also contain 15 museums, a carousel, miniature railroad, the renowned San Diego Zoo and the historic Old Globe Theatre, among other attractions. The list of museums include a couple of art museums while others are devoted to natural history, air and space, science and the famous Museum of Man. Numerous gardens are devoted to native plants, roses, cactus, a veterans memorial and a children’s garden."

"As the only anthropology museum in the region, the San Diego Museum of Man offers a diverse program, including cannibalism, beer history and humans’ relationships with animals. Its mission is to inspire connections by helping to understand the human experience better, and it accomplishes this goal through its hundreds of thousands of documented ethnographic objects, archaeological items and photographic images. Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the museum was designed by the famous architect Bertram Goodhue – it has Plateresque, Baroque, Churrigueresque and Rococo details and a unique Spanish Colonial exterior that hints at a Gothic influence, with inspiration from Spanish churches in Mexico."

"Located in the historic California Quadrangle at Balboa Park, this museum focuses primarily on the cultures of the ancient Americas. Permanent exhibit topics include the Maya, the Kumeyaay Indians, and human evolution. Changing special exhibits have featured subjects such as Haitian Voodoo, American Indian rock art, and the art of Abenaki, Hawaiian and Maori cultures."

"The Museum of US is an anthropology museum in San Diego, California. It is situated amid iconic buildings of the California Quadrangle in Balboa Park, El Prado, San Diego. The museum was inaugurated in 1915."

"This unique and cool museum is found in the North County San Diego city of Carlsbad. Since its opening to the public in 2000 and renovation in 2011, the Museum of Making Music has become a cultural destination with interactive and educational programs and exhibits. Founded by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) the Museum of Making Music showcases the evolution of musical instruments from the late 19th century to the present day in five galleries."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user doryfour used under CC BY-SA 2.0. This unique museum allows you to play new instruments while also educating you about the origin of the instruments, where they are made, and how they are used. Founded in 2000, this is a relatively recent museum that is perfect for all music-lovers and anyone who has tried to learn to play a musical instrument before."

"This small museum is devoted to the history of music from the 1800s to the current day. If you appreciate music, the history of music and musical instruments this is a great way to spend a few hours. Make sure to talk to the docents, they are a treasure trove of information and can turn your visit from fun to fantastic."

"The William Heath Davis Historic House Museum is the Gaslamp district’s oldest surviving structure, a saltbox style home shipped around Cape Horn and assembled in San Diego in 1850. The museum has been home to many fascinating people, including pre-civil war soldiers, a German Spy and Alonzo Horton, founder of San Diego. Each room represents a historic period of the home and is filled with fascinating and amusing stories about the former inhabitants."

"The William Heath Davis House, also known as the David Horton House and Gaslamp museum in San Diego, is an antique building situated in the Gaslamp Quarter. The museum offers house tours to preserve the heritage. It is the oldest wooden structure in San Diego and is known as the most haunted house in Gaslamp."

"Visit the rumored 'most haunted house in America' located in Old Town San Diego and take a tour of the beautiful home. Explore the two-story Greek Revival-style mansion and see rooms that once served as a general store, San Diego's first commercial theater, a courthouse, and more. A tour of the Whaley House is a tour of San Diego's history."

"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."

"San Diego’s first two-storey brick-built building, the Old Town’s Whaley House dates to 1857. What kindles fascination about the building is its spooky goings-on. This National Historic Landmark was designated “haunted” by the U.S."

"Veterans Museum at Balboa Park honors the memories of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States as well as the Wartime Merchant Marine. The museum houses permanent, rotating and visiting collections of patriotic, military and war-related artifacts and memorabilia. *Small donation requested."

"On various Tuesdays each month, the museums in Balboa Park offer free general admission to residents of the County of San Diego and active military (and their dependents). Please check the calendar as things are subject to change, but this is the schedule at the time of this writing:"

"A family-friendly mini-museum dedicated to the American Revolution and continental cuisine meet at this two-story venue located right off Interstate-5. Dishes like New England chowder, Maryland crab cakes and Connecticut lobster rolls remind diners of the space’s New England leanings while other items like sesame seared ahi tuna salad and fish tacos bring a contemporary edge to the menu. Insider tip: Admission to the museum is free."

"The Green Dragon Tavern and Museum brings a little bit of East Coast U.S. colonial history to San Diego museum. The fact that it’s a tavern means that you can tour the free museum with a glass of wine or beer in-hand (that you’d need to purchase, of course). Exhibits include significant, original documents signed by John Hancock, Sam Adams and others."

"In 2014, the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum opened its doors with a mission to honor America’s heritage and connect its visitors with the contributions and life stories of its founders. Displaying authentic documents from previous eras, the community centric museum and restaurant is a must visit stop in Carlsbad."

"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)"

"If you're a fan of the annual Miramar Air Show, then the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a good place for you to visit. What sets this museum apart from all others is the fact that it is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the incredible contributions made by Marine Corps Aviators and their ground support personnel. Located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the museum is comprised of an outdoor area, displaying an average of at least twenty five vintage aircraft and an indoor display of memorabilia and artifacts dating to the earliest days of Marine Corps Aviation."

"The Flying Leatherneck Museum is the only museum in the world that primarily showcases the United States Marine Corps (USMC) aviation. You’ll be able to take an up-close look at 48 historical aircraft in their gallery. Check their event calendar to see what’s on tap during your visit."

"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"

"You can get everything from Boba tea to sandwiches to Greek yogurt here – in addition to their yummy smoothies and juice options. Great for a quick, healthy lunch. Perhaps you’re interesting in smoothies and juices for detoxing."

"At Gyu-Kaku San Diego, diners can cook various meats and vegetables at a grill in the middle of their table. For those with a hankering for sushi, Gyu-Kaku offers other Japanese op..."

"For some decently priced Fast Food takeout, check out the Fast Food spots tagged with one “$” in Escondido."