The Nat Celebrates 150 Years with a Gift to Nature Lovers: New Trail Opens Summer 2024!
San Diego Natural History Museum 1788 El Prado, San Diego
Week of Events
The Nat Celebrates 150 Years with a Gift to Nature Lovers: New Trail Opens Summer 2024!
San Diego—The Nat’s anniversary year kicked off last Friday with the official groundbreaking of a new, native plant garden—Nature Trail at The Nat. This project is a cornerstone of the Museum’s sesquicentennial—150 years of studying, protecting, and bringing people closer to nature. The 22,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit, scheduled to open in early summer, will introduce visitors to the beautiful and beneficial native plants that support the incredible diversity of life in our region. “The garden will be a gift to the community that has supported us for almost 150 years, and it also marks our 150 years of commitment to nature...
Balboa Park Explorer Pass – Play Your Way!
Make the most of your spring break with Balboa Park Explorer - One Pass to 16 epic museums in the Balboa Park Cultural District! Soar into the San Diego Air & Space Museum, grow in the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, dream in The San Diego Museum of Art, and more. Affordable fun for everyone awaits with a Balboa Park Explorer Pass! Start exploring today at BuyMyExplorer.org
Set Sail on an Adventure with Little Skippers at the USS Midway Museum!
Ahoy, mateys! Calling all young sailors! ⚓️ Meet Airman Sam Rodriguez, your friendly guide from the USS Midway Museum. Airman Rodriguez helps kids become junior pilots and shares fascinating stories on the museum's family audio tour. Now you can embark on a learning adventure with Airman Rodriguez, right at home! Download our fun activity sheets featuring Airman Rodriguez and explore the exciting world of the USS Midway Museum. Learn about naval history, delve into the ship's secrets, and complete engaging challenges! Little Skippers, prepare to be launched into a world of fun and discovery! Download your activity sheets here and...
Overnight Adventures at the USS Midway Museum!
Spend the night on the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century! Walk in the footsteps of a true Midway Sailor, sleeping in authentic Navy bunks, eating breakfast on board, and much more. They welcome youth groups, families, and individuals on board to experience the new Overnight Adventure Program. Reserve Your Spot!
Celebrate YOU All Month Long! Free Entry During Your Birthday Month At The Nat!
**Hey there, birthday people! Did you know you can celebrate all month long with us? That's right, during your birthday month, your entrance is FREE! ** It's the perfect excuse to grab your friends and family and enjoy the natural history of Southern California and Baja California!! Don't miss out on celebrating with us! <a href="http://Buy your tickets here!">Grab your ticket now at Here!
Maritime Museum of San Diego Will Float Your Boat!
Tour one of the city’s most endearing attractions, the floating Maritime Museum of San Diego, along downtown San Diego’s waterfront. The magnificent Star of India, an 1863 iron bark, and the world’s oldest active sailing ship, is the main draw. Guests can also experience firsthand the thrills and education of narrated bay and naval history bay tours and tall ship sailing on the decks of world-class vessels, including the galleon San Salvador, the state’s official tall ship schooner Californian, the Pilot and the Swift Boat. Book your special event at the museum, which includes museum admission. Event Venues Rental Information. The museum is open from 9 a.m.-8...
Natural History Museum Offers Stunning Venue Spaces!
Celebrate the season at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, offering multilevel exhibit and event spaces that invite guests to explore galleries that illustrate the science and beauty of nature. Venue spaces include the Sefton Atrium with a four-story translucent ceiling and granite floor; the Photographic Exhibition Gallery, the Charmaine, and Maurice Kaplan Theater, the El Mirador Rooftop Terrace (the only rooftop deck in Balboa Park); the J.W. Sefton Boardroom and the full museum. Learn more about planning an event at the NAT here. For regular visits to the museum, enjoy $4 off adult admission here: San Diego Natural...
Explore Science with Group and Private Events at the Fleet Science Center!
Enjoy interactive fun with your friends and family at the Fleet Science Center this holiday season! The Fleet features seven unique hands-on galleries, with more than 100 hands on science exhibits, 3 spacious meeting rooms, interactive team-building missions and a 300-seat Dome Theater showing breathtaking IMAX® films daily. The Fleet is perfect for groups from 10 - 1000+. With a multitude of ways to utilize the facility, every event at the Fleet can be uniquely customized to suit your needs. Galleries provide the perfect ambiance for an elaborate sit-down dinner, cocktail reception, corporate event or awards banquet. The Fleet is also...
EcoVivarium Living Museum Offers Education Programs & Field Trips
EcoVivarium Living Museum offers a wide variety of educational programs, from classroom visits and school assemblies to field studies, Science Nights, and more. Field trips to the Museum are available Tuesday through Friday mornings with the option to add a cultural studies/art lab or science lab. Virtual programs are also offered! The Museum also participates in collaborative grant programs that include multi-visit STEAM programs, animals in the classroom, and more. Learn more at https://ecovivarium.org/education/
Fun For the Whole Family At Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum!
Tour this wine and car lover's dream, blending fine wine with classic automobiles in San Diego's North County. Vintage vehicle buffs can check out the world's largest collection of American convertibles, Coca-Cola memorabilia, an array of early Barbie Dolls, vintage household appliances, and other blasts from the past. Approximately 100 showstoppers ranging from carriages of the 1800s to the muscle cars of the 1970s — each iconic model evoking reverence and nostalgia. Regular admission is $10; free for kids 9 and under. Visitors can toast to these era-defining cars with a glass, flight or bottle of Deer Park estate wine...
Book Your Party With EcoVivarium Living Museum!
EcoVivarium Living Museum has the Best Reptile Party Packages in town! They offer parties for all ages and all occasions – not just birthdays! Their Animal Ambassadors have entertained at parties for folks from 1 to 104 years old! Choose from packages like "Eek Ectotherms Party," "Leapin’ Lizards," "Super Slithering Snakes," "Giants Galore" and more! Party prices are all-inclusive for distances up to 25 miles from the Museum. Customized parties are available! Call (760) 975-9690 or visit https://ecovivarium.org/programs/parties/
Calling All Night Owls To The Nat The Third Friday Of The Month!
On the third Friday of every month, we'll be open until 10 PM so you can explore the museum after hours. Enjoy access to all exhibitions, programming and activities on select dates, and our rooftop deck for good views and great vibes. Admission is half-price after 5 PM (tickets are available at the door only). As always, members of The Nat and Explorer pass holders enjoy free general admission. Our rooftop patio offers one of the best views in Balboa Park. It’s open to all visitors and serves beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks including kids’ beverages. Sip a signature cocktail...
Join the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum For A Summer Serenade!
Join the San Diego Children's Discovery Museum for an exciting family jamboree to celebrate the spirit of summer 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8. The Summer Serenade will feature live performances, food trucks, crafts, and beer and wine for adults! $10/members, $15/non-members. Tickets This hands-on children’s museum in North San Diego County encourages young visitors to learn through play as they experiment with the forces of gravity, explore the lifecycle of butterflies and plants, engineer with giant blocks, and uncover a whole dinosaur fossil in the Base Camp dig site. The museum is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat and 12:30 p.m.-4:30...
Sssslither into Forever! Adopt a Reptilian Companion at EcoVivarium.
Are you considering welcoming a captivating creature into your life? Look no further than EcoVivarium! We're open daily and offer a variety of adoptable reptiles waiting for their forever homes. Discover Your Reptilian Match: Explore our selection of snakes, lizards, and turtles, each with their own unique personality and charm. Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect reptilian companion that fits your lifestyle. Learn about the joys and responsibilities of caring for these fascinating animals. Give a Reptile a Loving Home: Many of our adoptable reptiles come from various backgrounds, and by...
Scale Up Your Celebration at EcoVivarium: Parties, Encounters, & Reptile Fun!
Get up close and personal with amazing reptiles at EcoVivarium, your gateway to the fascinating world of scales! Experience on a guided walk-in tour: Explore our diverse exhibits, uncover captivating facts, and meet our incredible scaly residents. Book a private tour: Dive deeper with a personalized experience tailored to your interests, be it conservation, specific species, or hands-on interaction. Get personal with our animal ambassadors: Enjoy supervised petting and feeding experiences, creating lasting memories and fostering appreciation for these amazing creatures. Surprise your guests with a one-of-a-kind birthday party: Explore with a guided tour, encounter friendly reptiles, and enjoy themed...
Haunted Star Tales: A Spooky Adventure Aboard the Star of India!
Lost souls and mysterious sightings… Step aboard and uncover the truth for yourself! Explore the decks of the world’s oldest active sailing ship and immerse yourself in haunted tales rooted in her rich maritime history. Ghostly Legends of the Star of India. Book Now!
Tea & Tranquility at Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum!
Your mom would love a membership to the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum to enjoy its koi ponds, windy pathways and tranquil spots all year long. There's always something special going on with an Introduction to Japanese Tea at 10 a.m. (register here) and a musical Onyoku Session at 1 p.m.
Plans unfolding for sesquicentennial (150 years) celebration in 2024; Museum is inviting people to “be part of the biggest year in our history” at The Nat!
In 1874, the San Diego census recorded about 3,000 people—just a little larger than the enrollment of San Diego High School today. That was just 15 years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, and the telephone hadn’t been invented yet. In October of that year, a group of amateur naturalists came together to form the San Diego Society of Natural History to be a primary source of scientific culture: find new species, discuss technical innovations, serve a growing community eager for information, and make real contributions to the study of this region. Now, 150 years later, the...
Exhibitions and Events (Memorial Day weekend through late 2024) at The Nat!
Summer of Wonder—With new exhibits and extended hours, a new T. rex film roaring into the theater, Nat at Night every Friday, and hands-on activities on weekends, there will be whole lot of wonderful to fill up a busy, beautiful summer. 150th Anniversary Exhibit—A new exhibition opening Memorial Day weekend will showcase important moments in the organization's, and San Diego’s, history—particularly focused on how nature lovers have worked tirelessly to protect the wildlife and habitats that make this region so special. Nature Garden—A new, native plant garden will bloom to life in early summer 2024, surrounding the building with living...
Enjoy ‘Nat at Night’ On Select Friday Evenings at the San Diego Natural History Museum!
Sip a signature cocktail while exploring the San Diego Natural History Museum during "Nat at Night" on select Fridays (April 19 and May 17) in spring. The venue can be enjoyed 5-10 p.m. On May 24, 2024 — Memorial Day weekend — Nat at Night will return weekly for the summer. The venue showcases the natural history of Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula via fascinating exhibits spanning four floors, a giant screen theater, summer camp, free guided hikes, talks, lectures, community science projects and an expansive research collection. As a birthday present to San Diego, the museum will...