Natural History Museum San Diego: 6 Ways to Save Up to 18% Off
Dinosaur fossils, rhino skulls, flesh-eating beetles, and true hidden gems await you at San Diego’s Natural History Museum. Take a journey back in time through 75 million years of history, exploring the wiles of Southern California terrain.
Follow along to uncover the best San Diego Natural History Museum discount tickets and deals! The San Diego Natural History Museum, or the Nat as it’s affectionally called, is a flagship Balboa Park institution featuring the unique history and biodiversity of Baja and San Diego, California.
With dozens of interactive displays, historical archives, and intriguing films spanning four floors of exhibitions—there are more things to see than you can shake a prehistoric stick at. Most impressively, the Museum has the Foucault pendulum that proves the Earth is actually spinning.
Now that you know this extraordinary institution is worth your time, you’d better hurry and nab some Natural History Museum San Diego discount tickets!
Don’t feel like reading the whole article? Jump to one of these helpful sections:
- Where can I stay near the San Diego Natural History Museum?
- What should I bring when I visit the San Diego Natural History Museum?
- Where do I park at the San Diego Natural History Museum?
- What other attractions should I visit near San Diego Natural History Museum?
- What are others saying about the San Diego Natural History Museum?
San Diego Natural History Museum Discount Tickets
Before exploring ancient fossil mysteries and brilliant gemstones, you’ll need to secure your San Diego History Museum discount tickets.
We have special savings on the general admission ticket price, including access to core exhibitions and films in the giant screen theater. Moreover, when you buy your advance tickets with us, you’ll save money, beat the heat, and save time waiting in long lines.
San Diego Natural History Museum Coupon and Discounts
Savvy shoppers are thrifty shoppers who know where to go for significant savings. We have the scoop on Natural History Museum San Diego discount coupon and promo codes right here.
Avoid paying the full cost for tickets by all means! Don’t miss out on these amazing discounts and San Diego Museum of Natural History coupon specials.
Related Post: Upcoming San Diego Events and Festivals
There are also many opportunities to receive discounted admission with San Diego Museum Month, Kids Free San Diego, and Nat at Night. Read on, as we’ve captured several ways to save some dollars.
San Diego Natural History Museum Military Discount
Looking for a Museum of Natural History military discount? Nat appreciates and honors veterans and the active military with exclusive discounts. Make sure to notify the box office when purchasing your San Diego Natural History Museum tickets.
San Diego Natural History Museum for All Discount
San Diego History Museum encourages families of all backgrounds to visit regularly. This program offers visitors the opportunity to present their Electronic Benefits Transfer card, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program card, or Women, Infants & Children card, and photo ID to receive free general admission for up to four people per family.
San Diego Natural History Museum AAA Discount
It’s no secret AAA members get all the perks. Before purchasing, check out the plethora of special rates and discounts on events, hotels, and, yes, Nat museum tickets! You might just score an AAA discount at the Natural History Museum.
San Diego Natural History Museum Senior Discount
The Natural History Museum respects its elders by offering discounted costs for admission. Make sure to bring a photo ID. And nope, no need for Balboa Park coupons!
Related Post: How to Save Big With City Pass San Diego
Pro Tip: The escort for a visitor with disabilities is entitled to free admission.
San Diego Natural History Museum Local Discount
Have you heard about the San Diego Natural History Museum free days? The Nat offers Residents Free Days on the first Tuesday of each month.
In addition, film tickets can be purchased for $5 per person at the admission desk. However, films are not included in this discount.
San Diego Natural History Museum Group Travel Deals
Save in bulk! The Nat offers group discounts for ten or more people, school field trips, and other programs. Nat is perfect for tourist groups, senior groups, and youth groups.
Hotels Near San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego is jammed with old-town glamour, vibrant locales, and fabulous hotels and resorts. You can book a seaside dig at Mission Beach or La Jolla for spectacular ocean views or a trendy downtown resort in the Gaslamp District.
Wherever you choose to stay, know you’re guaranteed the best online rates through Tripster!
- Moxy San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter
- The Sofia Hotel
- Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
- Hotel Indigo Gaslamp Quarter
- Hilton San Diego Bayfront
- Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
Fun Fact: Nat is the oldest scientific institution in Southern California and the second oldest west of the Mississippi.
Other San Diego Attractions Worth Your Time
SeaWorld® San Diego
This marine haven is a San Diego staple vacation destination where guests enjoy shows, rides, and countless aquatic exhibits.
Buy your SeaWorld San Diego tickets through Tripster and experience real-life Shark encounters, playtime with bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point, and ride the Manta®, SeaWorld‘s high-speed double launch roller coaster.
San Diego Zoo
The 100-year-old San Diego Zoo hosts over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species.
Beyond the animals, the zoo showcases live performances, interactive play areas, and a Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. So don’t delay; buy your San Diego Zoo tickets and save with advance purchasing.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
This impressive seafaring Museum in downtown San Diego is home to the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India.
Related Post: SeaWorld or San Diego Zoo – Which is Better?
With educational programs, cultural events, and one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, history lovers need to stop here!
Go Car San Diego
For a rip-roaring jaunt with the sea breeze in your face, zip inside some of the world’s first-ever GPS-guided tour cars. This tour experience takes visitors to top San Diego landmarks, restaurants, and fab attractions. Buy your Go Car tickets now.
San Diego Natural History Museum Insider Tips
San Diego Museum Natural History Hours
Museum Natural History San Diego’s hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Check out Nat at Night for late hours on Fridays all summer and receive half-off admission after 4:00 p.m. and access to the rooftop bar.
Fun Fact: Did you know that San Diego Natural History Museum grew out of the San Diego Historical Society? In 1917, the Society acquired the Nevada Building in Balboa Park, transforming it into the San Diego Natural History Museum.
What to Bring
You might want to bring a light layer in case it’s cold and a camera to snap mysterious finds. Only service dogs and their handlers are allowed to accompany adults and children with disabilities.
Service dogs must be on a non-retractable physical leash less than six feet in length. Each visitor may only have one service dog.
Related Post: Pet-Friendly San Diego – Hotels, Restaurants, and Beaches
Guests can bring strollers and park them in the designated area outside the north entrance near the Moreton Bay Fig tree.
Note: Strollers are not allowed inside the Museum on a Resident Free Day.
Food & Beverages at the Nat
Suggested items to help make the most of your day at the Museum include water in a closed container and wrapped snacks for breaks.
Though food and beverages aren’t allowed near the exhibits, the Museum has designated areas and concessions. For example, the Flying Squirrel Cafe serves an assortment of coffees, teas, wraps, salads, and snacks.
Handicap Accessibility at the Nat
Guests can find the handicapped access ramps at the northwest corner and the southwest corners of the Museum. The north fig tree entrance to the Museum is also accessible.
Related Post: 17 Free Things to Do in San Diego
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), and four accessible parking spaces in the South Carousel parking lot adjacent to the museum parking lot.
Pro Tip: Wheelchairs are available for free rent. Request one at the Visitor Services Desk at either entrance.
San Diego Natural History Museum Address
Located in the heart of Balboa Park in San Diego, California, the scientific institute resides at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA. Balboa Park is home to more than 16 museums, event centers, and performing art venues.
San Diego Natural History Museum Balboa Park Parking
Museum visitors can park in the Inspiration Point parking lot on the east side of Park Blvd. between Presidents Way and the Balboa Park Activity Center.
Related Post: How to Spend 3 Days in San Diego
There’s also easy access via the free tram. Other accessible lots near the Park also provide parking, such as the North Carousel Lot and the South Carousel Lot on Village Place.
Valet parking is offered in front of the House of Hospitality in the Plaza de Panama. However, there is no valet parking on Mondays.
San Diego Natural History Museum Exhibits
The San Diego Natural History Museum Dinosaur exhibit is widely celebrated for its rich fossil collection. The Museum’s permanent displays consist of Fossil Mysteries, Living Lab, Skulls, Extraordinary Ideas, and Coast to Cactus in California.
San Diego Natural History Museum Events consist of Nat at Night and the State of Biodiversity, which studies economic and social differences across urban neighborhoods.
In addition, the Museum’s Backyard exhibit allows children five and under to explore the natural world through play.
Other museum highlights include the giant screen theater with daily showings and rotating displays. In addition, the San Diego Natural History Museum gift shop, “TheNat Shop,” features designs from museum collections, apparel, toys, and home goods.
The San Diego Natural History Museum rooftop bar and terrace offer spectacular views of Balboa Park, the downtown skyline, and the San Diego Bay. Visitors should plan to spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring the museum.
San Diego Natural History Museum Reviews
Want to find out what other readers think of the San Diego Natural History Museum? Check out the most recent Tripster reviews here.
Book Your Day at the San Diego Natural History Museum
If the Museum of Natural History San Diego sounds like a plan, don’t delay! With engaging, kid-friendly exhibits and interactive displays, it’s entertainment for the whole family.
Enjoy happy hour by sipping a specialty cocktail on the rooftop bar and check out the stunning Southern California vistas. The Museum is also perfect for a date night with your main squeeze.
Related Post: 10 Free Things to Do in San Diego at Night
Check out other can’t-miss San Diego attractions like the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld® San Diego, and LEGOLAND® California.
Lastly, Tripster offers all your vacation needs, from accommodations to shows and attraction packages. With our convenient e-tickets, you can book with ease and head straight to the box office.
Buy your San Diego Natural History Museum discount tickets through Tripster today and experience the enchantment of San Diego!
San Diego Natural History Museum FAQs
Is the San Diego Natural History Museum Free?
The San Diego Natural History Museum is not free for general admission. However, they do offer discounted rates for seniors, students, military personnel, and children. Additionally, they have free admission days throughout the year, so check their website for the schedule.
Are There Kids Activities in San Diego Natural History Museum?
Yes, the San Diego Natural History Museum offers various activities specifically designed for kids. They have interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special events throughout the year.
The museum's Discovery Lab is a dedicated space for families with hands-on activities that encourage exploration and learning about the natural world.
Have You Ever Explored The San Diego Natural History Museum?
Leave us a comment below!
