San Diego History Center

Pin Icon
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
|
Open:
Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get an in-depth look at the fascinating and rich history of your favorite city in Southern California when you visit San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
San Diego History Center
Delve Into the Past
What to Expect
Save on Tours
All About the Exhibits
Parking
Tips for Your Visit
Stay Nearby

Highlights

Exhibits / Attractions
Tickets
Parking
Tips
Exhibits / Attractions
Tickets
Parking
Tips

Delve Into the Past

Entrance to the San Diego History CenterAmericas Cup History and Tradition at the San Diego History Center

San Diego History Center is unlike any other museum in San Diego because its entire collection of documents and artifacts detail the origins, communities, struggles, and successes of the city. If you love San Diego, plan a visit to the museum to better understand where the city came from and where it is headed in the future. You’ll appreciate this fascinating look at the rich and varied incarnations of the birthplace of California as you explore the exhibits.

Found in historic Balboa Park, this San Diego history museum opened in 1981 and features rotating and permanent exhibits to explore as well as interactive experiences that appeal to the young and young at heart. It also offers educational programs and special events throughout the year.

Both the building and its contents highlight the embodiment of how San Diego has evolved; the museum collection is housed in Casa de Balboa, an historic building which was constructed in the 1910s as the Electric Building for the Panama-California Exposition and even used as military barracks during World War II. Presently, it is home to the museum and its archives, a valuable resource for educators and historians in the area.

What makes this museum worth your time? The ever-changing displays and exhibits about San Diego provide a snapshot of what life was like for different segments of the population or what events in the past changed the course of its history. You never know what you might learn during your visit, but chances are good it will leave a lasting impression on you.

Popular Hotels Nearby
Popular Hotels
Price
Gaslamp Plaza Suites
$109
Check Price
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
$129
Check Price
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
$176
Check Price
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
$134
Check Price

Know What to Expect When You Visit

Your experience at San Diego History Center begins before you enter the museum. Walk around the building and grounds for a sense of the opulence and vision that was meant to showcase the city in the early 1900s.

Once inside, plan to spend an hour or two strolling through the exhibits, or if you prefer, take a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent to lead the way. It is always a good idea to check the calendar before you go to see if anything special is scheduled during your trip. Any way you spend your time here, you can have an engrossing look at the people and events that shaped the city.

Go Hiking with Go Pass!
San Diego Hiking Tour
San Diego Hiking Tour
San Diego is not just sunny beaches, but home to some of the best hiking in the country. With Go Pass, choose from two trails for your hike. Mission Trails Regional Park and Tecolote Canyon Trails offer trails for beginners and experts!
Buy Now
Local Tips
What activities does the Go City San Diego pass include?

There’s a variety of activities included with the Go City San Diego pass such as: The San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, Hiking Tours, Whale Watching, Museum Tours, Speed Boat Adventures & more!

For the most popular attractions and water-sport rentals as well as the biggest discounts, consider the All-Inclusive Pass.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

All About the Exhibits

The displays at this San Diego history museum are not your typical chronological progression from by-gone days to the present. Instead, each exhibit focuses on a specific aspect of San Diego’s growth as told through the eyes of an individual or a community. It is a creative approach that can encourage children and adults to connect with the past. Check out these exhibits while you are there:

Balboa Park: The Jewel of San Diego

This 30-minute film serves as an introduction to this beloved city park and its many attractions that are frequented by both residents and visitors.

Inside|OUT

Located in the central atrium, this permanent exhibit presents items from the extensive archives of the museum. The artifacts, photos, and documents are rotated every quarter to share some of the over 17,000 curated pieces with the public.

Local Tips
Massive Collection
The Document Archives, the region’s largest collection of historical materials, holds over 45 million documents including public and architectural records, books, maps, scrapbooks, manuscripts, newspapers, ephemera, diaries and oral histories.

Her-Story: Pioneers of San Diego

Women can sometimes be overlooked by history, but not at this museum. This exhibit focuses on six women who documented their journey West and what life looked like in the early days of California.

I’m Not Like You: Notes from the San Diego Underground

Concentrating on the skate, punk, and hip-hop culture of the ‘70s through the ‘90s, this exhibition brings together three counter-culture movements through art and photographic images.

The Path of the Mystic: Art & Theosophy at Lomaland

Did you know that San Diego was home to a utopian society around the end of the 19th century? Learn all about this unusual slice of life through artifacts and documents preserved from the area.

LBGTQ+SD

Embrace the diversity in San Diego by observing at the struggles and victories of an often

persecuted and marginalized community.

Nathan Harrison: Born a Slave, Died a San Diego Legend

Focusing on a former slave and homesteader, this exhibit is a snapshot into hardships of the early African American settlement.

Marston’s History Emporium

This hands-on learning lab gives child visitors a glimpse at the city’s history in an experiential way.

Expanding Through Education

In addition to the seven stations of the History Emporium, the museum offers other informative programs to augment the education of students in the city.

Some of these enrichments include school field trips, Boy and Girl Scout activities, Bum the Dog’s Kids Club, private group tours, public lectures, an online at-home learning program, and resources and lesson plans for local educators.

These enlightening opportunities enhance and foster community engagement as well as visitors’ experiences in a meaningful way.

Featured Hotel
Solamar San Diego
Rooftop Bar at the Solamar San Diego
Balboa Park
Balboa Park
Conventions
Conventions
Couples
Couples
4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars
Exceptional beauty and service are what draw guests to Solamar San Diego. This boutique hotel has sumptuous amenities & a fabulous location in the heart of the city.
Prices Starting at $144
Check Availability

Parking

EV Charging
EV Charging
Free Parking
Free Parking
Lot Parking
Lot Parking
RV Parking
RV Parking
Discount Museum Tickets
Save up to 60% with Go San Diego

Tips for a Successful Visit

  • Parking is free in Balboa Park but not always easy to find close parking. Don’t forget the tram can take you from a parking lot to the museum.
  • Pets are not permitted. Only service animals are allowed in the building.
  • Photography is fine during your visit, if you do not set up a tripod or use your flash, the light from which can damage old documents.
  • Host your private event at the History Center. From weddings to work functions, the staff can assist with arrangements and budgeting.

Looking to Save on Tickets?
Save on Tickets
Explore all that San Diego has to offer & save up to 55% on attractions
This Month's Forecast
66°F / 82°F
Sunny in September
Oct
61°F / 81°F
Sunny in October
Nov
53°F / 75°F
Sunny in November
Dec
48°F / 69°F
Sunny in December
Discount Museum Tickets
Save up to 60% with Go San Diego

Stay Nearby

Gaslamp Plaza Suites
Near Petco Park
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Gaslamp Plaza Suites
from $109 / night
View Hotel
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Convention Center
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
from $129 / night
View Hotel
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Family Friendly
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
from $176 / night
View Hotel
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Boutique Hotel
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
from $134 / night
View Hotel
Show more San Diego Hotels >>
Tours & Adventures
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
Discounts Available
Learn More
Explore San Diego Bay
Explore San Diego Bay
$59 per person
Buy Now
Looking for Something Different?
More Balboa Park Museums