Top 20 San Diego attractions

San Diego Natural History Museum

The San Diego Natural History Museum is a beautiful building in Balboa Park. 

It has four floors of exhibitions on the natural history of San Diego, with fossils, skulls, gems and more.

The first floor has a theater, store, cafe and kid’s play area. The kid’s play area is designed to resemble a backyard, and is conveniently located adjacent to the cafe.  Sip a coffee while watching your kids play!  

You can also view hourly shows in the giant, 3D movie theater.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park. Check hours & admission.

5 best things to see at San Diego Natural History Museum

1. The main floor exhibit "Water: A California Story" explains how San Diego sources it’s water from the Colorado River, and future conservation challenges in this region.

2. The second level has a "Coast to Cactus" exhibit on California’s incredibly bio-diverse region, with examples of flora, fauna and habitats across it’s beautiful beaches, mountains and deserts.

3. "Fossil Mysteries" has an impressive collection of 75 million year old prehistoric dinosaur fossils, from San Diego County.  There's lot’s of exhibits to touch and interact with on this exhibition on the second level.

4. The third floor has an animal skull collection, with snakes, rabbits, birds, lizards, rhinoceros and big horned sheep.

5. Every floor of the Natural History Museum has a stunning collection of Hidden Gems just near the elevators.  Be dazzled by the brilliant colors of azurite, topaz and emerald.

10 BEST Attractions at Natural History Museum San Diego

Know before you go

  • Address: 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101.
  • Hours and admission:  check here
  • Cafe: yes
  • Parking:  Free Organ Pavilion Lot (Presidents Way).

Other fun things to do at Balboa Park

Explore other attractions at Balboa Park, including the Museum of Us,  San Diego Museum of Art,  Botanical Buildingand San Diego Zoo.

More Museums in San Diego

Review this attraction