The beautiful weather in San Diego, California, is often too tempting for visitors to spend their day indoors, especially in a museum. However, you should think about sparing a few hours on this activity considering that the city has an abundance of amazing museums and a lot of them are completely free of charge. Check out some recommendations below.
Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego
Located in Balboa Park, the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego focuses on exhibiting works from artists native to Southern California and the Baja Norte region. In addition to a smaller permanent collection, you can enjoy rotating exhibitions, workshops, events, and more free of charge.
Craftsmanship Museum
Officially named Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum (MECM), San Diego’s Craftsmanship Museum is perfect if you enjoy engineering and/or scale models. Here you’ll find over 500 objects crafted from all sorts of materials, including unique items and scale models of engines, trains, ships, cars, and more.
Timken Museum of Fine Art
The founders of the Timken Museum of Fine Art believed everyone should have access to fine art, so they made it admission-free when they opened it in 1965. The same policy remains to date, meaning you will have a rare opportunity to enjoy works of European masters as well as a selection of American paintings. Its collection includes Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s “Parable of the Sower,” Eastman Johnson’s “The Cranberry Harvest, Island of Nantucket,” and Guercino’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son.”