The San Diego Natural History Museum is fantastic and a great place to visit with the family. We enjoyed the beautiful building with all the wonderful displays and also grabbed a bit to eat at the Flying Squirrel Cafe on the first floor. Overall, I definitely recommend the natural history museum to anyone looking for something to do outside of the house or to anyone visiting Balboa Park.
Amazing selection of variety of things to explore. With the pass, it s included.
At almost $20 per adult ($17 for college and military), I did enjoy walking around the second and third floors. The fourth floor was very hot and humid with a very limited exhibit. I hope the COVID restrictions there are lifted soon because the living exhibit on the first floor could definitely hold more people in that room than what was allowed.
The second floor had the best exhibits imo, so definitely plan to spend some time exploring that section!!
Did not meet my expectations but the movie theatre enhances the experience
I expected much more from the NAT, maybe because I had high hopes, I was disappointed, anyway I didn t really enjoy it that much.
The IMAX movie theatre is a nice feature of the museum, make sure to check out the schedule when you enter the museum so you can catch the next show, or you might miss a good one.
It is included in the San Diego Go-Card.
Such an a amazing museum! Great for adults and children. They have some really amazing exhibits.
Big building, not a lot of exhibits or artifacts to view like other natural history museums I've been to.
Amazing place, great for kids and adults. Loads of active learning and cool stuff.
My daughter got tickets to the museum through the public library for completing the summer reading program so we used the tickets for her and I and then bought a ticket for my military husband. Right when we got there a movie was showing so we ran right in and sat down. Great show on the oceans, if a bit long. Really good museum with a lot of hands on exhibits for the kids. As a new resident to San Diego/California, I learned a lot about the animals that are indigenous to this area. We will definitely be back!
Great museum, but definitely more focused for a younger audience. Adults can still enjoy it, but it is best if you have kids.
Arrived at Balboa Park intending to spend a day of exploring but our first stop was the Natural History Museum and we spent much of the day there. So much to see and while not as big as the Chicago or New York Museums the displays were very accessible and they had "picture cards" at many of the exhibits that explained what we were seeing. A neat room that was open to the public had the feel of a storeroom that allowed my touching. Several of their exhibits had similar animals so that we could compare sizes.
There was a small refreshment area that had tasty salads, chicken tenders and fries and sandwiches. Although we were there on a school day with "field trips" the kids were all well behaved. There was a entrance fee about $18 per person with a few discounts for seniors etc.
The San Diego Natural History Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the natural history of Southern California and Baja California. Located in the heart of Balboa Park, this museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the region's rich biodiversity, geology, and cultural heritage.
One of the main attractions at the San Diego Natural History Museum is its permanent exhibition, "Coast to Cactus in Southern California." This exhibit takes visitors on a journey through various habitats found in Southern California—from coastal wetlands to inland deserts. Along the way, visitors can see live animals such as snakes and lizards, as well as interactive displays that showcase different ecosystems.
Another popular exhibit at the museum is "Fossil Mysteries," which explores the prehistoric past of Southern California. Visitors can see fossils from extinct animals such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats, as well as learn about how these creatures lived millions of years ago.
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the San Diego Natural History Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibits cover a wide range of topics related to natural history and science, from climate change to marine biology.
For those interested in learning more about local flora and fauna, the museum's Nature To You program offers guided hikes led by expert naturalists. These hikes take visitors into nearby wilderness areas where they can observe plants and animals up close while learning about their ecological significance.
The San Diego Natural History Museum also has a strong commitment to education. Its Education Department offers programs for students ranging from preschoolers to college students. These programs include field trips, classroom visits by museum educators, and hands-on workshops that allow students to explore scientific concepts in depth.
Finally, no visit to the San Diego Natural History Museum would be complete without stopping by its gift shop. Here you'll find a wide selection of books on natural history topics ranging from geology to botany; toys and games that encourage children's curiosity about science; jewelry made from local gemstones; and much more.
Overall, if you're looking for an engaging way to learn about Southern California's rich natural history—and have fun doing it—the San Diego Natural History Museum is definitely worth checking out!
sdnat.org
