Crossroads at House of Blues features a tantalizing new menu inspired by celebrity chef, Aarón Sanchez. Open nightly for dinner and five days a week for lunch, guests can enjoy contemporary classics with a bold twist like Short Rib Meatball Sliders, Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, Shrimp & Grits, Burgers and Salads and irresistible Banana Bread… (read more)

What is unique about Deer Park Winery is that it caters to connoisseurs of both good wines and antique cars. Their collection of one-of-a-kind American convertibles includes over 100 models.
Equally as impressive as their vintage cars are their wines, which include zinfandel, Sangiovese, merlot, California champagne and petite syrah.
They also have a gourmet… (read more)

This is the only Command Museum dedicated to the history of Marine Corps aviation. The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum has more than two dozen vintage and historically important aircraft on display. They range from World War II “Warbirds” to present-day jet fighters and helicopters.
Inside the Flying Leatherneck Museum are artifacts, photos and displays that… (read more)

The Gaslamp Museum at the William Heath Davis House, built in 1850, is the oldest house in San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Because of the shortage of lumber in the area at the time, 8 to 10 pre-cut houses were purchased from a manufacturer in Portland, Maine and shipped to San Diego. After a long… (read more)

If you’re looking for a truly unique venue in the Gaslamp, the House of Blues on Fifth is sure to please. As San Diego’s premier restaurant and entertainment venue, the artistic environment celebrates African-American cultural contributions of blues music and folk art like never before. In the decorative music hall patrons can find a healthy… (read more)

Enjoy free Sunday programs of ethnic song and dance from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. on the outdoor stage of the International Cottages. While you are there, be sure to visit The International Cottages, open noon-4 p.m. Sundays, featuring international artifacts, history and international food samples. Call (619-239-0512) or (619-234-0739).… (read more)

It is an idyllic retreat, radiating serenity, simplicity and beauty. View a Zen Rock Garden from a meditation room in the Exhibit House, which also features Japanese art and crafts. Relax on the moon viewing deck next to a restful koi pond and its soothing waterfall. The garden is truly a treasure you’ll want to… (read more)

The Society was founded to collect, protect, preserve, display, and further the preservation of items and documents of historical value and significance from the Lake Elsinore Valley. The Society was conceived and organized in 1996 and the museum is located at 106 South Main Street in Lake Elsinore, California, and is open on Saturdays and… (read more)

The fascinating floating museum at the Embarcadero consists of six historic ships: the Star of India, which is the oldest active sailing ship in the world, the steam ferry Berkeley, the steam yacht Medea, the San Diego Harbor Pilot, also an actual Soviet-era diesel B-39 submarine… (read more) and the deepest-diving submarine ever,

This awesome, historically significant museum is dedicated to preserving the glorious history and rich tradition of the United States Marine Corps. This historical museum is visited by more than 100,000 people annually. “A Walking Tour of the MCRD Command Museum” features fourteen galleries, which encompass dozens of exhibits featuring everything from weapons, uniforms, equipment, paintings… (read more)

Southern California’s largest collection of art of the people from all eras and cultures of the world. Dynamic, changing exhibitions of historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design, and a popular museum store featuring handmade items from around the world.
Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed national holidays. Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 youth,… (read more)

Known as the King of the Missions, it is the largest of the 21 missions that flourished here in the 1700s and 1800s. Tucked away in a quiet north San Diego County valley, it is just 3.7 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Here you will find this majestic jewel of early California history called Mission… (read more)

The artistic heart of Carlsbad Village, the New Village Arts Theatre (1) at 2787 State St. (760-433-3245) is the most critically acclaimed theatre in North County. They present exciting, risk-taking live theatre and are currently in their tenth season. They have produced over 40 plays since 2001, and have a new, impressive line-up planned for… (read more)

NTC at Liberty Station, located at the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma, is San Diego’s flagship destination for arts, culture, science and technology. With 28 acres of beautifully renovated Spanish Revival architecture, NTC is a new landmark showcasing San Diego’s creative community, and offering state-of-the-art venues for indoor or outdoor weddings, events, parties,… (read more)

This large 93,505-sq. ft. science center showcases more than 100 interactive attractions. Plus, they offer several films on Southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater that surrounds visitors, creating a “you-are-there” experience. Admission ($10) for adults, seniors and children 3–12 years are ($8.75).
IMAX films are extra. They open daily at 9:30 a.m. and close Mon.–Thurs.… (read more)

The fascinating San Diego Air & Space Museum, which is located in the historic Ford Building (25)… (read more) is directly under the flight path of aircraft bound for nearby Lindbergh Field. You can hear these massive jetliners overhead as you browse this astounding collection of aircraft.
This huge museum displays famous aircrafts, engines, spacecraft and

The museum showcases an amazing permanent collection of classic & vintage cars, racers, motorcycles, and special one-of-a-kind cars like Louie Mattar’s Fabulous $75,000 Car (distance driving record set in the 1950′s) and a rare 1948 Tucker (pictured at right). Specialty exhibits rotate throughout the year and are included in the admission price.
There is also… (read more)

The San Diego Hall of Champions (29 on the map) is also a must-see Balboa Park attraction. It features San Diego’s sports history and memorabilia. This one-of-a-kind museum honors nationally known athletes with a San Diego connection, including athletes such as Ted Williams, Tony Gwynn, Bill Walton, Florence Chadwick and many more. It is is… (read more)

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum features interactive toy trains, Lionel-style electric trains and a 20-scale mile long rail crossing of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Plus, this museum is the only accredited railroad museum in the entire United States. It is the largest permanent operating model railroad exhibit in North America with 27,000 sq.… (read more)

The Museum of Man features fascinating exhibits on human evolution, Egyptian artifacts, Kumeyaay culture and Mayan monuments. Little ones can also enjoy the Children’s Discovery Center, which allows them to experience living in ancient Egyptian times. With its striking architecture and historic setting, the Museum of Man is a favorite for banquets, corporate functions and… (read more)

This huge Balboa Park treasure, which is the oldest museum in Southern California, is where you’ll find life-sized dinosaur models and hands-on natural history exhibits. The museum’s permanent exhibition is Fossil Mysteries, which takes you on a journey through 75 million years of Southern California’s rich history.
One of Balboa Park’s best-kept secrets is the… (read more)

The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is located in Old Town, at the corner of Harney and Juan Streets. Walk in the steps of The 500 men Mormon Battalion, Army of the West, as they left Winter Quarters, Iowa, and began their infantry march from Fort Leavenworth to the California Pueblo of San Diego. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., there are also guided tours and admission is free.

The focus of this impressive museum is to present a nostalgic walk through the past 100 years of American music and music-making. Featured are more than 500 vintage instruments. Plus, there are lots of interactive exhibits and hundreds of audio and video clips. This is an educational adventure for everyone!
General admission is ($8); seniors,… (read more)

Admission is free, plus if you mention their ad in the SAN DIEGAN and print this review, you’ll receive a free gift. Here you’ll find the The William B. Kolender San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum and Educational Center. The best part about this museum are the interactive exhibits. You can listen to live police calls, hop on a sheriff ’s motorcycle and turn on the sirens and lights.

This mission-style building sits 160 feet above Old Town on Presidio Hill. Local civic leader George Marston built it in 1929 as a tribute to Father Junipero Serra, the Spanish priest who founded the 21 missions in California. The Serra Museum in Presidio Park is open Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. It is… (read more)

Experience the magic aboard one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers in U.S. Naval history, the USS Midway (13).… (read more). It’s a must-see San Diego attraction. On board you’ll enjoy a self-guided audio tours for adults and families and more than 60 exhibits and displays throughout the ship. These include the galley, berthing spaces, sick bay,

A landmark that you’ll be able to identify is the large round building of the Tijuana Cultural Center (9) . It’s located at 9350 Paseo de los Heroes in Rio Tijuana. It’s a major attraction and an excellent way to learn about life in all regions of Mexico. The Cultural Center features the Museum of… (read more)

The Veterans Museum & Memorial Center (31)… (read more) houses military artifacts and memorabilia from the Civil War to the present. Impressive murals of Pearl Harbor and significant historical military events adorn the walls. The bold faced number in the text corresponds to it’s location on the Balboa Park Map.
A tour of Balboa Park would not