San Diego Natural History Museum | San Diego

Here is a detailed overview of the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat), one of the most important cultural and scientific institutions in Southern California:

San Diego Natural History Museum – Detailed Overview

1. Historical Background

Founded: 1874, as the San Diego Society of Natural History, by a group of naturalists and scientists.

Significance:

Oldest scientific institution in Southern California.

Third oldest natural history museum west of the Mississippi River.

Current Building: The museum has occupied its current location in Balboa Park since 1933. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions, most notably in 2001, when a significant new wing was added.

2. Permanent Exhibits

The Nat specializes in the natural history of Southern California and Baja California. Its exhibits are rooted in the museum’s scientific collections and regional field research.

Fossil Mysteries

Covers 75 million years of prehistory.

Includes:

Life-sized dinosaur skeletons and models.

Fossil displays of marine reptiles, mosasaurs, and mammoths.

Dioramas of prehistoric habitats.

Interactive features for all ages.

Coast to Cactus in Southern California

Immersive exhibit showcasing Southern California’s incredibly diverse ecosystems.

Environments include:

Ocean, chaparral, mountain forests, and desert.

Features:

Taxidermy animals, living reptiles, and multimedia displays.

Emphasizes conservation and biodiversity.

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People

Highlights contributions of amateur naturalists.

Displays:

Rare books, historical artifacts, and handwritten field notes.

Celebrates the intersection of science and public participation.

Hidden Gems

Displays rarely seen specimens from the museum’s mineralogy and gem collection.

Includes exotic crystals, fluorescent minerals, and meteorite fragments.

Cerutti Mastodon Discovery

Features 130,000-year-old mastodon bones discovered in San Diego County.

These remains may represent the oldest evidence of human activity in North America.

The exhibit presents the controversial nature of the discovery and invites critical thinking.

3. Research and Collections

Over 8 million specimens in the museum’s scientific collections.

Fields of study include:

Paleontology (fossils)

Entomology (insects)

Herpetology (reptiles and amphibians)

Ornithology (birds)

Botany (plants)

Mammalogy (mammals)

Active research in San Diego, Imperial County, and Baja California.

The museum publishes field guides, scientific papers, and runs citizen science projects.

4. Giant Screen Theater

A full-size digital theater showing educational films on natural history topics.

Films often focus on dinosaurs, ocean life, and ice age megafauna.

Typically included in the price of admission.

5. Education and Programs

Extensive school programs including guided tours, field trips, and workshops.

Community outreach through lectures, summer camps, and nature clubs.

Offers citizen science opportunities in local conservation and biodiversity monitoring.

Museum educators lead science-based programming for children and adults year-round.

6. Amenities

The Flying Squirrel Café:

Serves sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks.

Family-friendly with indoor and outdoor seating.

Museum Store:

Offers educational toys, natural science books, jewelry, and souvenirs.

Accessibility:

Fully ADA-compliant with elevators and ramps.

Offers sensory-friendly materials for visitors with autism or sensory processing differences.

7. Visiting Information

Location: 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101

Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Parking: Free throughout Balboa Park

Public Transit: Accessible via San Diego MTS bus routes

Admission (as of 2025):

Adults: $24

Seniors (62+), Students, Military: $20

Youth (3–17): $14

Children under 3: Free

Discount Programs:

Resident Free Tuesdays (First Tuesday of the month for San Diego County residents)

Museums for All: Free admission with EBT/WIC card

San Diego Museum Month (February): Half-price entry with a Museum Month pass

8. Location within Balboa Park

The Nat is one of over a dozen museums in Balboa Park, a major cultural complex in San Diego. It is centrally located, within walking distance of:

Fleet Science Center

San Diego Air & Space Museum

San Diego Museum of Art

Botanical Building and gardens

The San Diego Natural History Museum is ideal for families, students, tourists, and anyone interested in the natural sciences, especially the unique ecosystems and ancient history of Southern California and Baja California.