San Diego Natural History Museum in San Diego, CA

1788 El PradoSan Diego, CA 92101
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$24.00
Total Price: $24.48 (USD)
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Overview

Step into the San Diego Natural History Museum and explore the natural wonders of SoCal and Baja. Dig into dinosaur fossils, marvel at rare gems, and see live animals up close. Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and giant-screen films. With family-friendly programs and special events, The Nat offers an unforgettable adventure for all ages.

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Good To Know

  • Home to fossils, minerals, preserved wildlife, and live animals from SoCal and Baja.
  • Features interactive displays and educational programs.
  • Hosts special events and rotating exhibitions.
  • Family-friendly with activities for all ages; children 2 and under enter free.
  • Located in Balboa Park, San Diego.
  • Parking available next to the museum, near the Balboa Park Carousel, or at Inspiration Point with a free tram.
  • Food and drinks available at The Craft Taco.
  • Fully wheelchair accessible.

Description

The San Diego Natural History Museum is a flagship institution in Balboa Park, showcasing the regional natural history and unique biodiversity of Southern California and Baja California. The Nat has four floors of exhibitions, a giant-screen theater, and San Diego’s only Foucault pendulum.

Expedition Baja:
The Baja California Peninsula: the neighbor in nature. Explore towering mountains, desert flats, and isolated islands, and follow along with researchers working to conserve the peninsula’s wild beauty.

Living Lab:
Meet more than 20 of your not-so-cuddly neighbors, from stinging scorpions to elusive nocturnal lizards.

Hidden Gems:
More than 100 stunning objects from our mineralogy department will be displayed on every level of the Museum in this "deconstructed," vertically aligned exhibition.

Fossil Mysteries:
From dinosaurs to mastodons, travel through 75 million years and dig into the rich fossil history of Southern California and Baja California. The fossils on display were discovered locally by our paleontology team during construction projects.

Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage:
The Nat has many fascinating specimens in storage that have never been on display—until now. Don’t miss this rare “backstage” glimpse of the Museum’s storage areas.

Coast to Cactus in Southern California;
Take a journey through this amazing place we call home. Explore the unique habitats of Southern California and celebrate the abundant variety of life found here.

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science:
Rare books, art, photographs, historical documents, and plant and animal specimens come together to prove you don’t need to be a scientist to participate in science.

Demonstration Lab:
See scientists at work and learn some of the ways they prepare, preserve, and study specimens.

Science Spotlight: Baleen Whale Evolution:
Baleen whales are the largest living animals on the planet, and their ability to filter and feed on small organisms in the ocean is an astounding adaptation. Scientists have new evidence for how and when the evolution from teeth to baleen occurred in the ancestors of today’s filter-feeding whales.

The Backyard:
Learn and explore the natural world through play. This new space invites our youngest visitors to play under a shade tree, search for hidden secrets along a wooden fence, or read their favorite book in a cozy potting shed.

Skulls:
Take a look at 200 of the weirdest, wildest, and most fascinating animal skulls from our research collection. Mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are on display, showcasing an eye-popping array of horns, beaks, bills, teeth, and more.

Megalodon:
This replica of an extinct megalodon shark was modeled from and inspired by teeth collected from Miocene sandstones in Oceanside, California, and near Ensenada, Baja California by Museum paleontology staff. It hangs in the Atrium as part of Fossil Mysteries and is one of the best selfie spots in the Museum.

Allosaurus:
Meet Al, a member of our skeleton crew. Allosaurus fragilis, a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Jurassic Period, is a relative of T. rex, which lived later. Al’s bones are casts made from original fossil bones collected in Utah.

Moreton Bay Fig Tree:
While not officially affiliated with The Nat, many people associate this remarkable Moreton Bay Fig Tree with the Museum. Planted in preparation for the 1915 exposition, this tree is a beloved San Diego icon and one of the largest Moreton Bay Fig trees in the state. With an observation deck, upon which you can rest under the immense shaded canopy of the tree.

Foucault Pendulum:
When visitors enter the Museum off of Prado walkway, they are greeted by the mesmerizing sight of the iconic Foucault Pendulum, which provides visual proof of the Earth's rotation.

San Diego Natural History Museum Reviews

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337jenniferz
San Diego, California
"Trip to the Nat"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed March 09, 2025 NEW
I visited the Natural History Museum and was truly impressed by the exhibits and the overall setup. Although I had limited time during my visit, it became clear that there was so much more to explore. I decided that purchasing a membership pass was the best choice. As a local in San Diego, I am excited to attend the upcoming events at the museum, including talks, rooftop gatherings, social hours, and many more engaging experiences.
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caligirlburb
San Francisco, California
"Wonderful museum, beautiful grounds, IMAX theater"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 05, 2025
This museum is gorgeous. It's in Balboa Park which is a wonderful location with all sorts of museums and things to do. The museum's grounds are so beautiful and well maintained. The IMAX fungi film in the museum is a must-see. There's a small cafe in the basement which has tasty drinks and some food items with a place to sit. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
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bevb316
Temecula, California
"AMAZING"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed June 16, 2024
I have been a member for years❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻! A GREAT museum.🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️!! It has been awhile since I have come here in person. BETTER than ever! The movie presentations & programs….EVERYTHING😍. Where else can you find in So CA 75 million year old fossils!
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TheLeongOhana
United States
"Not Much To See Inside"
TripAdvisor user rating 3.0 out of 5
Reviewed December 16, 2023
This was an expensive museum to visit but seemed to display just a limited number of exhibits. The Living Lab held display cases with spiders, snakes and other smaller animals that were popular with the younger kids. The Fossil Mysteries section showcased dinosaur era fossils, displays and recreations. Another popular spot for the kids. Hidden Gems, Unshelved and Hidden Cameras were other permanent exhibits. The Exhibition Baja was better with more details and interesting displays. It was surprising to find out the extent of weather changes which also included snow! We missed the last movie (three options - Titanosaur, Wings over Water and Ocean Oasis). Admission includes the movies. We wrapped up our visit in around one hour.
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668rebekaht
"Bring back the old museum!! You've got the specimens in the basement, hopefully!"
TripAdvisor user rating 1.0 out of 5
Reviewed September 10, 2023
Long ago you could wander the museum and spend hours looking thru the glass cases of creatures. Now you follow a painted pathway, with few interesting objects, and you're out on an hour . Total waste of money. Bring back the glass cases!!!
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Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego Natural History Museum

Where is Natural History Museum San Diego​ located?

The San Diego Natural History Museum is in Balboa Park at 1788 El Prado, near Park Blvd. and Village Pl., just south of the San Diego Zoo.

Is parking available on-site?

Parking is available in a lot next to its east side and in two Balboa Park Carousel lots on Village Place and Park Blvd. The San Diego Zoo lot offers additional nearby parking. For easy access to Balboa Park’s center, park at Inspiration Point Lot and take the free tram.

How long does it take to go through San Diego Natural History museum?

Allow approximately 60-90 minutes to fully immerse yourself in the 4 floors of exhibits and films in the giant screen theater.

Does the general admission ticket include the Giant Screen Theater?

Yes, films in the giant-screen theater are included with paid admission.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Yes, the museum is suitable for all ages. Children 2 and under enter for free, and guests 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I bring my stroller to the museum?

Yes, strollers are allowed inside the museum. However, on Resident Free Days, strollers are not permitted indoors and must be parked in the designated area outside the north entrance near the Moreton Bay Fig tree.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

The north fig tree entrance to the Museum is accessible. There are six accessible parking spaces in the Natural History Museum parking lot which is located on the east side of the Museum at Village Place and Park Boulevard (to your left off Village Place). There are also four accessible parking spaces in the South Carousel parking lot adjacent to the museum parking lot. The handicap access ramps are located at the northwest corner and the southwest corners of the Museum.

Are wheelchairs available for rent on-site?

Complimentary wheelchairs are available. Request one at the Visitor Services Desk upon entry for use during your visit.

Are pets allowed inside the museum?

No, only ADA-defined service dogs are allowed. They must be on a non-retractable physical leash, less than 6 feet in length. Each visitor may only have one service dog.

Does the museum offer assistive listening devices?

Yes, you can request the infrared listening device headsets at the north entrance Visitor Services Desk. The Assistive Listening System is available for lectures and films in the Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Theater.

Is there a place to buy food and drinks at the museum?

Yes, The Craft Taco, located in the main Atrium near the north entrance, offers made-to-order tacos, burritos, and bowls with signature blue corn tortillas. They also serve coffee, specialty drinks, and grab-and-go options like pollo asado bowls and torta sandwiches.