Best History Museum in Rancho San Diego

We've collected top 10 mentioned history museums in Rancho San Diego from other articles such as MyBaseGuide, The Crazy Tourist, Joy of Museums Virtual Tours.

Best History Museum in Rancho San Diego

Balboa Park
Balboa Park
4.8 (56270 ratings)4.5 (11675 ratings)
Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, 17 museums, gardens & more.
San Diego, CA, USA
ParkFun & GamesHistory museumPlaygroundsGardens
Mentioned by Sidecar Photo
Great Places to Take Pictures in San Diego
"For a complete change of scenery, Balboa Park is an unusual park right in the city center. It was actually built for one of those old-timey expositions but the city loved it so much they made it permanent. In addition to the museums, there’s also a Botanical Garden and several beautiful gardens, like this moorish styled one below."
Mentioned by San Diego 3 days itinerary
3 Days in San Diego
"Day 1: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Downtown & The Gaslamp District [Skip to Page] Day 2: Old Town, The Midway & Coronado [Skip to Page]"
Museum of Us
Museum of Us
4.3 (1657 ratings)4 (374 ratings)
Museum in an ornate 1915 building featuring eclectic anthropology exhibits & a panoramic tower.
1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
MuseumHistorical landmarkWedding venueHistory Museums
Mentioned by Leisure Pass Group
Top Museums in San Diego to Visit During Your Trip
"The San Diego Museum of Man is much more than a look at man's history; the museum is part history museum, part art institute, and all parts educational and fun. This anthropology museum is one of the most impressive presentations of human evolution in the nation. Explore the question "What makes us human?" through extensive artifact collections and exhibits like "Race: Are We So Different?" This unique museum will enchant and inspire visitors of all ages as they discover facets of humanity they never knew existed."
Mentioned by San Diego 5 days itinerary
5-Day Best of San Diego Itinerary
"Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building. Head up to North Park for happy hour at Polite Provisions; its beautiful cocktail lounge may hook you up with some small plates if you’re hungry. Save the appetite, though—North Park’s Restaurant Row is nearby."
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum
4.1 (97 ratings)4 (61 ratings)
Victorian-era edifice housing offices, a museum, garden & hosting ghost tours & other events.
410 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
History museumSights & LandmarksHistorical landmarkHistoric Sites
Mentioned by Sparks Gallery
The Best San Diego Museums [2021
"Throughout the year’s many historical figures have visited the William Heath Davis House. As visitors tour the house, they will see each room is dedicated to a different period in the house’s history, and most of it was restored to its 1850’s glory. Rumor also has it that this house hosts its own ghostly visitors as well."
Mentioned by Holidify
Best Museums in San Diego That Are Too Interesting to Miss
"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."
Whaley House Museum
Whaley House Museum
4.4 (1295 ratings)4 (311 ratings)
Supposedly haunted, highlights are a spinet piano from "Gone with the Wind" & Lincoln's life mask.
2476 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
History museumSights & LandmarksHaunted houseHistorical landmarkMuseumNon-profit organizationHistoric SitesMysterious Sites
Mentioned by Leisure Pass Group
Top Museums in San Diego to Visit During Your Trip
"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."
Mentioned by Holidify
Best Museums in San Diego That Are Too Interesting to Miss
"The Whaley House is a museum and California Historical Landmark, situated in the Old Town, San Diego, California. It is administered by the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO). The Whaley House was the home of Thomas Whaley and his family."
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
50 Best Things to Do in San Diego (California
"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."
Coronado Historical Association
Coronado Historical Association
4.5 (215 ratings)4 (8 ratings)
Nonprofit association with permanent & special exhibits of local history & art, plus vast archives.
1100 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Local history museumMuseumsSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Moke Experience
Top 10 Things To Do on Coronado Island
"Coronado’s rich and complex history is a fascinating subject even for those that don’t consider themselves history buffs. The Historic Walking Tour sponsored by the Coronado Historical Association is a great change of pace and something your whole family will enjoy. Stroll through historic Coronado while a knowledgeable guide spills all the details behind the architecture and adventure that makes Coronado so unique."
Mentioned by Holidify
Best Museums in San Diego That Are Too Interesting to Miss
"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."
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Complete List of Free Museums and Attractions in San Diego
"The Coronado Historical Museum’s collection includes art and ephemera from Coronado’s unique history. Check out a 22-minute video of Coronado that is shown every hour. *Small donation requested."
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
4.2 (101 ratings)4.5 (34 ratings)
Open since 1996, museum celebrating Chinese-American culture & art in a restored mission building.
404 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
History museumMuseums
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Literally The Only List of San Diego Attractions You Need 2020-21
"The San Diego Asian Pacific Historic District, San Diego’s historic Chinatown, is an eight-block district adjacent to and in part overlapping with the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District. The San Diego Chinatown is bounded by Market Street on the north, 2nd Ave. on the west, 6th ave. on the east and J st. on the south. 22 structures are considered historically contributing."
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Complete List of Free Museums and Attractions in San Diego
"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."
The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
4.7 (228 ratings)4 (27 ratings)
Center dedicated to increasing public awareness of the contributions made by U.S. veterans.
2115 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
MuseumHistory museum
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Complete List of Free Museums and Attractions in San Diego
"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."
Mentioned by sealtours.com
30+ Must See Attractions in San Diego | Top San Diego Attractions
"Located in the historic Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine. The collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from the Civil War to the present."
Museo de las Californias
Museo de las Californias
4.7 (354 ratings)
Museum since 2000 with guided tours & exhibits focusing on the history of Baja California.
Paseo de los Héroes 9350, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
History museum
Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Tijuana, Mexico
"The Museo de las Californias chronicles the history of Baja California from prehistoric times to the present. The exhibit kicks off with replica cave paintings, then covers important historical milestones, illustrated in many cases by realistic dioramas and scale models, including replicas of a 16th-century ship, several missions and even a freestone chapel."
House of Pacific Relations - Hall of Nations
House of Pacific Relations - Hall of Nations
4.6 (91 ratings)4 (22 ratings)
Hosts to outdoor concerts & food fairs, these cozy cottages share the traditions of diverse nations.
2191 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Cultural centerMuseumsHistory MuseumsSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by La Jolla Mom
100 FREE Things to Do in San Diego, CA: Fun Museums, Attractions, Tours & More
"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)"
Junípero Serra Museum
Junípero Serra Museum
4.4 (131 ratings)4 (33 ratings)
A Spanish Revival-style structure built to showcase the collection of the San Diego History Center.
2727 Presidio Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
History museumMuseumsSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by La Jolla Mom
100 FREE Things to Do in San Diego, CA: Fun Museums, Attractions, Tours & More
"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)"
Mentioned by San Diego 3 days itinerary
3 Days in San Diego Itinerary – What to See and Do
"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."

Best Gelato in Rancho San Diego

Iceskimo
Iceskimo
4.7 (519 ratings)
Sweet-treats shop serving up Taiwanese snow, plus an extensive toppings bar with mochi & red beans.
4609 Convoy St B, San Diego, CA 92111, USA
Dessert shopDessert restaurantIce cream shopTaiwanese restaurant
Mentioned by 10Best
10 Best San Diego Restaurants for Dessert and Coffee
"If you haven't tried Taiwanese shaved snow, put Iceskimo on your list. They have six core snows (original, strawberry, green tea, lychee, black sesame and salted caramel) in addition to special, seasonal flavors. After choosing a flavor and watching the machine shave it into melt-in-your-mouth, thinner-than-paper slices, customers can head to the DIY toppings bar with items ranging from fresh fruit to mochi to boba."
Mentioned by SD Entertainer Magazine | Your source for everything San Diego
Best Boba in San Diego
"Starting out as a pop-up shop back in the summer of 2014, ICESKIMO has since grown to become one of the best boba providers in San Diego. Here, you’ll find Asian-inspired desserts like Taiwanese shaved snow, a delectable dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. Their bubble tea is made fresh to order, with traditional flavors like black, green, Thai or Early Grey, as well as matcha and coffee."
Mentioned by Spoon University
25 Epic Desserts in San Diego to Eat Before You Die
"Imagine if ice cream and shaved ice had a baby—that's Iceskimo. The refreshingly light textures complement the creamy flavors and make something beautiful. You choose from a plethora of shaved ice flavors and then customize your creation with their selection of toppings."
Zero Gelato
Zero Gelato
4.7 (23 ratings)
3331 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116, USA
Ice cream shopCoffee shopDessert shop
Mentioned by Eater San Diego
17 Dessert Spots With Takeout and Delivery Options
"The April grand opening is postponed but pints of gelato are available for takeout Monday through Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Delivery is also available through GrubHub."
Figaro Dessert Cafe
Figaro Dessert Cafe
4.6 (618 ratings)
Low-key, late-night cafe offering cakes, pastries, desserts & gelato, plus coffee & espresso drinks.
3011 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, USA
Dessert shopBakeryCoffee shopCrêperieIce cream shopWedding bakery
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Sweets And Dessert Spots In San Diego, California - Updated 2021
"A post shared by Figaro Dessert Cafe (@figarodessertcafe) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:27pm PDT. While previous spots on this list featured fun and chill vibes, Figaro Dessert Café brings class and elegance in serving great coffee and desserts. They offer a large menu filled with intriguing flavors and an exciting display of gelato, cakes, macarons, and tarts."

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Rancho San Diego

Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach
4.7 (66 ratings)4.5 (75 ratings)
Protected beach in state park system popular with surfers with a state-run campground nearby.
Encinitas, CA 92007, USA
BeachNature & Parks
Lions Tigers & Bears
Lions Tigers & Bears
4.9 (271 ratings)5 (599 ratings)
24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901, USA
Non-profit organizationNature & ParksNature & Wildlife Areas
La Jolla Colony Park
La Jolla Colony Park
4.6 (126 ratings)
San Diego, CA 92122, USA
Park
Mentioned by LaJolla.com
The Top 5 Parks in La Jolla
"It is 3 miles of dog-friendly, running heaven and has over 20 fitness stations. These stations include everything from pull up bars for working your arms to plank stations for crunches. Because it isn’t well-known, this park is almost always uncrowded, rendering it quiet and peaceful."

Best Asian Food Restaurants in Rancho San Diego

P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang's
4.1 (1433 ratings)
Family-friendly chain offering creative takes on Asian fare in a striking space.
4540 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122, USA
Chinese restaurantAsian restaurantDelivery Chinese restaurantDim sum restaurantTakeout RestaurantSushi restaurant
Sushi Mori
Sushi Mori
4 (199 ratings)
Bustling sushi bar in a cozy, vine-covered space offering large rolls, teriyaki & noodles.
2161 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Sushi restaurantAsian restaurantJapanese restaurant
Mentioned by San Diego Tours - Food, Drink & History | So Diego Tours
Top 10 Restaurants in La Jolla Shores | So Diego Tours
"If you are craving Japanese or Sushi, this is a great place for you. They have a diverse menu serving up everything from traditional rolls and sushi to Ramen, Udon Noodle Soup, and Yakisoba. We recommend starting with their Hamachi Kama and Seaweed Salad."
Mentioned by Things To Do
Best Asian food near La Jolla, San Diego, California
"2161 Avenida de La Playa, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3215Japanese, Sushi, Asian, SeafoodLunch, DinnerTakeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Reservations, Table Service+1 858-551-8481http://www.lajollasushimori.com"
Sei Sushi
Sei Sushi
4.4 (353 ratings)
Modest eatery & bar turning out rolls, rice bowls, noodles, salads & sides, plus sake & beer.
8862 Navajo Rd, San Diego, CA 92119, USA
Sushi restaurantAsian fusion restaurantJapanese restaurantRamen restaurant

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Rancho San Diego

El Cajon! Non-stop fun! Relax, Recharge, Rejoice! California Baby!
Hotel · 4 Guests · 1 Bedroom
$165 /night*
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3.6 (184 reviews)
Motel 6-La Mesa, CA - San Diego
Motel
$69.99 /night
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4.9 (23 reviews)
Great NON-SMOKING, NO PETS ALLOWED..Easy to Get to, Short Drive To San Diego Fun
Condo · 2 Guests · 2 Bedrooms
$216 /night*
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* The displayed nightly rate may be estimated based on a future travel date. Narrow down your search with checkin and checkout dates to see the exact price.