Another attractive feature of the garden is its educational programs. They offer classes and demonstrations where you’ll learn the secrets of bonsai or origami. It also hosts a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony every first Tuesday of each month. If you’d like to learn conversational Japanese, classes are available here too.

The garden is open Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Memorial Day to Labor Day, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is ($4) for adults; ($2.50) for students and military with ID. Free admission on the third Tuesday of each month.

Banquet information: With its serene setting and lush grounds, the garden has become a popular setting for weddings and other special events. The Fujidana (wisteria arbor) is a romantic outdoor reception area that can accommodate up to 200 people. Contact Lovelynn Hanson (619-232-2721).

The Lake Elsinore Historical Society is a nonprofit organization under Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)3.

This awe inspiring museum is one attraction that should not be missed. Be sure to use their discount coupon for 50 percent off historical art prints or 10 percent off your purchase of $35 or more at their extensive gift shop. Admission is free.”

Located at Building 26 on the Marine Base near Old Town San Diego. The entrance to the Marine base is via Gate 4, which is at the foot of Witherby Street. To get on the base you will need a valid ID, proof of insurance and current automobile registration. Once you’re on the base, the museum is directly in front of you just slightly to the right.

Building 26 is a two-story Spanish colonial building. Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more with advanced planning.

Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed national holidays. Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 youth, students/military with ID. Also visit Mingei International’s museum in downtown Escondido.

Other location: 155 W. Grand Ave., Escondido (760-735-3355).

Open Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed national holidays. Admission: $6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 youth, students/military with ID. (619-239-0003)

Also visit Mingei International Museum in Escondido, the cultural heart of San Diego North. A stunning example of contemporary adaptive re-use, the Museum has a Grand Plaza Gallery and a more intimate Mezzanine Gallery, both featuring dynamic, changing exhibitions of folk art, craft and design. The Escondido Museum also houses a multi-media education center, visitor kiosks for collection overview and The Collectors’ Gallery, and Mingei International’s popular museum store.

Open Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Admission ($5) for adults, ($4) for seniors, ($3) for youth 6-17, students and active military with ID, free for members and children under 6.

The museum is open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Prices are ($6) for adults, ($5) for seniors and military, ($4) for youth 6–18, and free for children 5 years of age and under. Admission for the whole family is only ($25). Don’t miss visiting this beautiful and fascinating old mission.

The outdoor museum is 1.3 miles west of I-15. Look for their own entrance gate marked with Marine Corps and American flags on the south side of Miramar Road. They also have a gift shop. Admission is free. The museum is open to the public Tues.–Sun., 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. except major holidays.

Propeller Plane	Korean Era Jet	Troop Carrying Helicopter

There are seven fascinating science exhibitions, each with a different scientific and technological theme. They also present major national traveling exhibitions several times a year. Available for private functions.

Two blocks south of the Zoo on Park Blvd., Balboa Park

Open daily 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m.; extended summer hours till 5:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is ($15) adults; ($12) seniors 65 and older and students with valid student ID; and ($6) for youth ages 3-11. Children 2 and under and active military with ID are free. Free admission on the fourth Tuesday of the month to San Diego residents. Special Birthday Party Packages, which include a tour, goody bags and activities, are available, call (619-234-8291 ext. 19).

Early Flight Exhibit	World War I Era Planes	Space Module & Helicopter

There is also an interactive children’s area and lots of displays of memorabilia to enjoy. The museum also offers an excellent museum store with a huge inventory of gifts and clothing for the auto lover in your life.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). Admission is ($8) for adults, ($6) for seniors and active military, ($5) for students with ID, and ($4) for children ages 6-15. Children under 6 are admitted free. See the discount coupon from the SAN DIEGAN for admission discounts<

Open Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed most Mondays. Admission is ($7) for adults, ($6) for seniors 65 and over, ($3) for students with ID, ($2.50) for active duty military with ID. Children under 15 are free. The first Tuesday of the month is free for San Diego county residents.

San Diego & Arizona Eastern	Tehachapi Pass	Cabrillo & Southwestern

Plus, weddings are a specialty at the historic Saint Francis Chapel, which is the only chapel in Balboa Park. Contact the museum at (619-239-2001) for more information. Admission is ($8) for adults; ($6) for students, seniors (65+) and active military with ID; ($4) for youth ages 6-17; and residents with ID are free on the third Tuesday of every month.

Do not miss a living history tour by their docents who have been there! See the first American flag to fall in the Philippines. Enjoy the Museum’s unique collections of memorabilia and artwork, dating from the Civil War to the present. This is the place to see and hear history.

The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center is one of the very few places you will find that covers all branches of the service and is indeed a home for all veteran groups. Take a moment to view a sampling of the Museum.

The Museum’s permanent exhibition is Fossil Mysteries, which takes you on a journey through 75 million years into Southern California’s rich history. View and touch fossils of dinosaurs, sharks, mastodons, and more at this interactive exhibition. The exhibit is presented before a backdrop of 12 massive murals depicting colorful prehistoric worlds by award-winning paleontological artist William Stout.

On the lower level is the Museum’s newest blockbuster exhibit All That Glitters which opens May 15th, The Splendor & Science of Gems and Minerals. See a stunning collection of priceless jewelry, natural minerals, and precious metals from around the world. Discover the science behind these seductive stones, and learn about how many are found right here in San Diego County!

One of Balboa Park’s best kept secrets is the Museum’s giant 3D theater. All films are included in the price of admission and play several times daily. Also in the Museum is one of Balboa Park’s best gift shops. Take home a unique souvenir from their selection of natural history literature, dinosaur T-shirts and Baltic amber jewelry.

The Museum is open daily at 10 a.m.–5 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is ($16) adults, ($14) seniors, ($11) military and students with ID, ($11) for children 3-12, children 2 and under are admitted free. In addition to educational and entertaining exhibitions and films, the Museum offers more than 300 nature-related experiences, from free hikes around the county to exotic excursions to the Galapagos Islands.

General admission is ($7), seniors/students ($5) and children under 5 are admitted free.

You can launch, fly dogfight missions and land aboard the carrier via optional flight simulators. Also available are educational programs including an award-winning children’s audio tour, group tours and limited wheelchair accessibility.

Be sure to stop by the gift shop and café before disembarking. Limited paid parking on Navy Pier ($7–$10). Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; ticket booth closes at 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is ($18) for adults; ($15) for seniors 62 and over; ($10) for retired military; ($10) for youth ages 6–17; and no charge for children 5 and under and active-duty personnel with ID. Be sure to use their discount coupon in this book for a free youth admittance with paid adult up to 4 persons. Save up to $36.

The Tijuana Cultural and Visitor Center is a major attraction and an excellent place to learn about the different regions of Mexico. The Cultural Center includes an exciting multi-image Omnimax theatre. Their museum, Museo of the Californias, presents the history of Baja and Southern California.