Top Art Museums in San Diego, CA
Art Museums in San Diego
- Traveller favouritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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11 places sorted by traveller favourites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Art Museums • Children's Museums
Downtown
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Marina
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Balboa Park
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Little Italy
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Open now
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Marina
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Open now
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
What travellers are saying
- GlobalGypsy_13San Diego, CA2Â 687 contributionsFor a dose of modern art before the La Jolla location reopens in 2021, head downtown for some cutting edge art. In a space adjacent to and across the stree from the Santa Fe train station your modern art sensibilities will be expanded. The challenge may be to find nearby parking. On a Saturday afternoon we did find metered parking about 2 blocks away; there are also paid lots in the area.Written 29 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- themurrayfamilySheffield, UK307 contributionsAn entertaining and education museum/gallery/play zone which our 4 and 2 year olds thoroughly enjoyed. We spent a good few hours here with a break for lunch. There was lots to do and some things you don't get to do everyday - like paint a car, clamber all over art installations etc. I'd recommend a visit if you have young children.Written 27 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Russ855Palm Springs, CA359 contributionsThey have a good cross-section of American and European art. Perhaps it is a little slimmer on contemporary art. It reminds me a lot of the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco. They get decent traveling exhibitions too. It is not a large museum and can be viewed in its entirety. Be sure to check out the contemporary photography museum next door.Written 26 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Russ855Palm Springs, CA359 contributionsThis is a small museum and brings more contemporary art to the San Diego Museum of Art next door. The admission is a donation only and worth the stop if you are visiting the park's cluster of museums.Written 26 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- permiaIreland37Â 627 contributionsHoused in a former part of the grand Santa Fe Depot, namely the baggage hall, with additional modern adjuncts, it hosts exhibitions of the latest in contemporary art.
We were looking forward to perusing at leisure their latest.
Unfortunately it was closed when we arrived. But we took the opportunity to admire the blend of older and modern architecture.Written 15 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - mgeorge987San Diego, CA78 contributionsI have heard great things about Wonderspaces over the years and decided that this summer I would take my teen son. From my point of view, I thought it was just okay. Not worth the price. There are 13 exhibits which seemed like a more abstract, artistic version of what I would find at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Some of the exhibits are interactive so that made it more engaging and unique. However, nothing wow'ed me. Even the Floor exhibit which people seemed to like was just okay. I would have rather sat in a back massage chair with the back rollers.
Just know that for all you young people out there who are looking for a photo op for your social media accounts, there aren't many. I think that's why my son was disappointed. He wanted to leave earlier when we were 10th in line for the Virtual Reality but I wanted to get my money's worth.
The wait for the VR was very long. When we were 10th in line, it took us another 40 minutes before we got to do the exhibit. And honestly, it was just okay. They ask you 3 questions that you can provide your answer to. For me I enjoyed the questions because they are life reflective and I liked to contribute. However, it was a little confusing how to use those devices to contribute your responses and move on to the next question. I answered two of the questions then was kicked out of the system. Maybe they didn't like my responses? The guy offered to put me back in so I could finish but I had enough by then and noticed that my son was done and had texted me to hurry. He didn't like the VR and said his device wasn't working well. I liked the format of the "Confessions"exhibit better. Same idea but you write your responses and can read what other people wrote. However, this VR format allows you to hear others' responses which brings a different experience. Not really worth the wait.
I know Wonderspaces is about engaging your senses and making interactive exhibits. Most of this year's exhibits relied on your auditory sense and a little on your tactile as well. I think what made Wonderspaces popular in the previous years is the visual stimulation which was not highlighted this year.Written 29 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Richard97008Beaverton, OR51 contributionsThis is a collection of very modern pieces, some entertaining, some silly, and some, well lets say I didn't care for them.
My adult son was bored to tears here, but I enjoyed myself as it was the only art museum in the park that I could actual interact with! There was a giant wind chime I could pound on to make noise and another item that displayed light patterns to the noises I made. Luckily no one else was there, or my son would have been very embarrassed by my singing, yelling and whistling!
But to be honest, I don't understand what constitutes art for them. The pieces above were the best. There were others there that I could have (and probably did) do in first grade. Tissue paper and push pins in cardboard? Rubber gloves with different colored webbing added to the fingers? Nah. Not art.
If you already have the park pass, and have an extra 20 minutes, go for it. Otherwise, skip it. This is not one of the expensive museums, but it is still over priced.Written 4 May 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Dana FFort Collins, CO19 contributionsThis is a very unique space! In addition to being a fine art gallery they have live performances and events plus a relaxing lounge environment. They have a raw juice bar with some incredible blends of organic ingredients. They have two types of Kombucha on tap and Kava too which I tried for the first time.
If you're in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood I highly recommend stopping in and checking this place out!
Almost forgot, they have a full coffee bar as well.Written 21 October 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego
- These places are best for art museums in San Diego:
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- The New Children's Museum
- San Diego Museum of Art
- Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA)
- Museum of Contemporary Art - Downtown
- These are the best places for budget-friendly art museums in San Diego:
- San Diego Museum of Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- The New Children's Museum
- Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA)
- Museum of Contemporary Art - Downtown