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The original inspiration for a permanent public museum, The San Diego Museum of Art, can be traced to the Panama-California International Exposition, held in Balboa Park during 1915–1916. The Exposition, which was organized to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal and to promote San Diego as a seaport, also showcased San Diego as a growing cultural center. Among its numerous displays representing various industries and products was a prominent exhibition of fine arts featuring European old masters, American art, and works by California and San Diego artists. The public response to the art exhibition convinced civic leaders and prominent local artists that San Diego needed its own fine arts gallery and collection.

In 2010 Roxana Velásquez Martinez del Campo assumed leadership of the Museum as its eighth executive director. Bringing a wealth of expertise and an international reputation earned as director of three major national museums in Mexico City, Velásquez has embarked on an ambitious program of building on the Museum’s traditional strengths to reach new levels of distinction in regional, national, and international spheres. Since her appointment, many high-level acquisitions have significantly increased the Museum’s art collection holdings. A notable milestone was accomplished in February 2016 with the installation of seven large-scale sculptures in the Plaza de Panama. Under the “Free the Art” campaign, these sculptures from the Museum’s permanent collection are on public display as Art of the Open Air, granting greater public prominence to the Museum and its collection.

The San Diego Museum of Art
4.6
Based on 2251 reviews
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Gerundio Reoyo
Gerundio Reoyo
21:17 13 Mar 24
Excellent museum. Great exhibits. Don't worry if parking lots are full. Don't waste your time going in circles waiting... for a spot to open, like I did! Just keep on going down the road. There are plenty of parking lots all free. There's a free tram that picks you up and takes you through out the entire complex.read more
Ashley P
Ashley P
01:05 07 Feb 24
I liked the variation of art through the ages. Religious, paintings, sculptures, Korean, jewelry, etc. Something for... everyone. The garden was closed so we didn’t get to see some of the museum. Interesting little gift shop tooWe bought our tickets with the 1day multi pass. Saved a lot of moneyread more
E Sebastian
E Sebastian
00:46 31 Jan 24
A Beautiful Collection of Art and History:The San Diego Museum of Art is a true gem nestled in the heart of the city.... Upon stepping inside, you are transported into a world of artistic wonders and historical treasures. The museum boasts a vast collection of paintings, ancient artifacts, and statues that will captivate any art enthusiast or history.The interior of the museum is simply beautiful, with its old-world charm adding to the overall experience. The carefully curated exhibits showcase a diverse range of artistic styles and periods, providing visitors with a comprehensive journey through the world of art and culture.Whether you're drawn to classical paintings, ancient artifacts, or intricate statues, this museum has something to offer for everyone. The attention to detail in the curation of the exhibits is truly commendable, and it's evident that the museum staff have a deep passion for preserving and showcasing these important pieces of history.Visiting the San Diego Museum of Art is not only an educational experience but also a visually stunning one. I highly recommend a visit to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and significance of art and history.read more
Chris Aguilar
Chris Aguilar
22:20 27 Jan 24
My wife and I loved our visit to the museum. It only takes an hour or two to walk the entirety of the art museum.... Depending on the current exhibits it can be a great or at least a good experience for most. A great place to go for quiet contemplation and a look at a rich history of art.read more
Inda Reid
Inda Reid
17:15 10 Jan 24
We Always enjoy seeing the art and special collections at the San Diego Museum of Art. . A stunning building houses... all these masterpieces. We try to go once a month. The fact that all these museums are in Balboa park makes it extra special. What a gift San Diego has to offer.read more
Melissa Lopez
Melissa Lopez
05:38 27 Dec 23
This is one of my favorite museums in San Diego! They have a large art collection there is so much to look at. There is... currently a collection called Korea in Color.read more
Patrick Conlan
Patrick Conlan
05:04 26 Nov 23
Not the largest art museum but very well curated and presented, we spent an enjoyable time here and loved the Korean... art exhibit.read more
Sterling Bobbitt
Sterling Bobbitt
16:39 06 Nov 23
The latest Korean exhibit was fabulous. Color bursts on the scene. The rest of the collection is widely varied and... interesting. A research area is especially great for looking behind the artwork. Easy wheelchair access.read more
Keleen Howell
Keleen Howell
16:08 07 Sep 23
The artwork gets rotated every once in a while. The staff are friendly, and the pace is very clean and quiet. I... understand there’s expensive art, but the security guards constantly follow you, get really close to you, and stares at you, which makes it feel weird since it’s so quiet and you have some person staring at you. Overall, it’s a good place.read more
Greater Nethland
Greater Nethland
20:09 04 Sep 23
As with all art museums, the San Diego Museum of Art contains many different exhibits, artifacts, and--of... course--artworks! Overall the museum seems like a good standard art museum, but has unique architecture which characterizes the art museum more in relation to art museums in different cities. Definitely would recommend if you have a Balboa Park pass!read more
Scottye “Délíoh”
Scottye “Délíoh”
20:33 11 Aug 23
Now who doesn't love a good museum. They are so educational and Informative as well. Loved the museum so fresh and... clean. People there were very nice and helpful. Would definitely recommend anyone visiting or in San Diego to go. It's very nice.read more
Aurélia Blankenship
Aurélia Blankenship
20:09 14 Jul 23
Worth to visit. Interior is just as impressive as the front of this beautiful building. They have beautiful collections... of art, including Dali and Kupka.read more
Lori Taylor
Lori Taylor
01:27 04 Jul 23
Breath taking art you will never see anywhere else. Crazy amazing 👏 opportunity to be inspired. Managed well, staff was... always present, everyone was quiet and respectful. Recommend highly!read more
Ioana Villatoro
Ioana Villatoro
06:26 20 Jun 23
Good museum to see a nice variety of art. $20 entry seems high, though. The security guy at the main entry was very... welcoming and kind.read more
Greg Cobb
Greg Cobb
03:02 04 Jun 23
Great exhibit location with wonderful pieces. The app needs a slightly friendlier interface. I would like to see... discounts for teachers, city, and state workers. This would allow those who enjoy are not to break the bank and attend on a regular basis.read more
Colleen Fay
Colleen Fay
14:57 31 May 23
While the art collection at the San Diego Museum of Art is certainly impressive, my recent visit left a lot to be... desired. The staff were unfriendly and condescending, which made for an unwelcoming atmosphere. Additionally, the lighting in the museum was poor, which made it difficult to appreciate the artwork fully. The font size of the descriptions next to the art pieces was also disappointingly small, requiring visitors to get uncomfortably close to the artwork in order to read them.Comparing this museum to others in Southern California, such as the Getty in LA, it's clear that there is room for improvement in terms of lighting and font size. While the art collection is nice, I don't think it's worth the price of admission unless you have a free ticket or are particularly interested in a specific exhibit.Overall, I think the San Diego Museum of Art has potential, but they need to focus on improving their lighting and font size, as well as their customer service and organizational structure, in order to create a more enjoyable experience for visitors.read more
Neal
Neal
05:45 17 May 23
This is a beautiful museum with detailed information, in a building with wonderful architecture.Admission is $19.95... for 18+, $16.95 for seniors, youth, military, and students, and free for children 5 and under and for Native Americans. Admission also includes the Cannibal Museum across the street, which has a lot of interesting things. Also, I highly recommend going on the tower tour for $10. The view is pretty nice. All of the galleries and rooms had nice layouts and there were places to sit throughout the museum. You could easily spend a few hours here.read more
Carole H
Carole H
05:18 12 Mar 23
This is a great place to bring your entire family. There is an endless amount of art, history and culture. Very... educational experience that demonstrates the world below the surface that we rarely think about. We were easily able to see the amazing amount of Art on display!read more
Michael Gettle
Michael Gettle
16:24 27 Dec 22
Very cool but small. Definitely try their augmented reality feature on the free app. It's a little tricky but once you... get it, it's pretty awesome. It brings the painting to life and adds movement. It's really cool. If you're a San Diego resident go on the free day.read more
Teresa Di Matteo
Teresa Di Matteo
07:27 13 Nov 22
Really not the best museum I have ever visited but it was decent. It had a good size collection and the Buddhist... collect was very good. The Picasso section was super small and tight, it was also not very appropriate for children so please don’t bring small children to that section. I really liked the broken glass collection and they had many drawings in roll out cubbies, I really wished they weren’t all stacked on together and were actually out of the cubbies and more on display. The museum also had a lot of work of Spanish artist on display. Not bad but not the greatest, I would rate it a 3.8.read more
A J
A J
18:00 17 Sep 22
Really enjoyed this museum. There’s a lot more than I expected. They have additional exhibitions occasionally and have... a surprisingly extensive selection of Art. Anything from East Asian Tomb art or Renaissance and a little Picasso print. It’s a great little museum and well worth a visit if staying in San Diego and visiting Balboa Park. Afterwards you can stroll through the whole park.read more
Alexandra
Alexandra
21:09 04 Sep 22
If you like trains or know someone who does, this is the place to be! The whole place is full of model trains of every... kind, and most of them are moving on model tracks! There are tiny people, signs, lights, cars, buildings, and everything to make these models really resemble train tracks and the cities around them. There are also models of real bridges, and facts all around to tell you about things. It's a cool place for adults and kids.read more
LB Colorado
LB Colorado
00:16 08 Aug 22
Get out of your zone and visit Art that isn't what you hear /see/ think about. This photographic exhibit from an... Iranian artist was amazing! The joy and love of film, in its most basic form was....just lovely.Unfortunately, its position is not conducive to an area allowing for free thought. Still...try to get a glimpse.read more
Azul Bonito
Azul Bonito
12:56 08 Jul 22
For the price (about $20 a person)I was not impressed with the art collection that they had available. We also didn't... realize that our ticket didn't include access to see certain galleries. Particularly, didn't like that they roped off the area by the sculpture garden (which is four blob statues) because there only seemed to be one exit which didn't make me feel very safe. Other than that if you don't feel like paying for the museum walking around the rest of Balboa Park is just as nice ❤️🌻read more
Jess Easley
Jess Easley
16:17 01 May 22
The San Diego Museum of Art has something to offer everyone. It’s an amazing building, that even has large art pieces... outside as you walk in. There’s plenty to see inside too, but as you can see from my pictures, it was the architecture for me.read more
Ben Hills-Jones
Ben Hills-Jones
20:37 26 Apr 22
Fantastic perm collection. Also saw an impressive Impressionist/pointillism exhibition. Steep at $25 but worth it.... Fabulous Asian art collection particularly their collection of bodhisattvas. Security guards a little too prominent.read more
Mhar A
Mhar A
05:45 25 Apr 22
I can’t believe I haven’t visited this one. A very pleasant experience since it’s a manageable size and got to really... appreciate and admire the current impressionist exhibit especially Monet, Picasso and Bonnard to name a few. It’s organized from entry to the actual exhibits. The building facade is very pretty and right next to Prado. The extra 5 dollars for the special exhibit is really worth it.The outside premises is nice to just walk about.read more
Laura Izquierdo
Laura Izquierdo
14:44 11 Apr 22
This museum is small but the experience was great. They have a temporary exposition of impressionism which I really... liked.Tickets are 20usd but it's totally worth it, you can aso get a discount if you are a student.And the gift shop it's also pretty cool, with a lot of art books and some other souvenirs.read more
Mathieu Bussche
Mathieu Bussche
16:15 22 Mar 22
Wishing the staff was more professional and inviting. Though their position is to keep the art well managed, the... disappointment lies in the fact that they snap at children rather than bring them in and introduce them into the realm of past great art. There are however, older staff members, one older lady who went above and beyond for myself and my children. I would not recommend bringing children in, younger than 7. The younger staff seem lost in space rather than entertaining the thought of welcoming art enthusiasts in. Space gets a lot of people coming in around noon but it was a treat to see such beautiful original art from the many great periods of the past. Come see Monet while it's on display.read more
Colleen Oliver
Colleen Oliver
08:39 15 Mar 22
When you're looking for this place, it's kind of hidden and doesn't look like much from the outside but it was amazing!... My partner and I had a really great time taking pictures and exploring each room! Even a worker there named Charlie was SUPER AMAZING AND NICE! He helped my partner and I with a picture! Definitely recommend others to check this place out!read more
Sean
Sean
06:30 22 Feb 22
The kayaking experience was quite based. It felt like a little college tour when they talked about the lore behind the... cove caves and rocks. We even got to go inside a cave, though it's not guaranteed and depends on negotiating with the other kayaking vendors.I foolishly did not put sunscreen on and got lightly sunburned on my legs. Also, a lot of seawater splashes on your legs, so prepare to get wet. If you're foolish and decide to stand on the boat, or you get too close to the cliffs, you might tip over and capsize, which is somewhat inconvenient because you get soaking wet. But they make your wear life vests so it's fine if you can't swim. You should bring a waterproof phone caseThe day we went, both us and them were quite delayed by some San Diego half marathon (which blocked off many roads), so we had to wait a bit, but none of us knew that was happening, so I don't blame them.read more
Katherine Zimmerman
Katherine Zimmerman
04:32 01 Feb 22
I like contemporary art and this art museum is pretty cool. I will say that some of the art may be a bit too "modern"... for me because it looked like my 5-year old can do it or I would ask myself "that took no time at all!" However, I did enjoy most of the art, overall.read more
Sal talks
Sal talks
05:38 25 Jan 22
It's a captivating experience from the moment you walk in. The entrance is grand in ornate wood and marble. The... galleries are laid out smart for an easy flow through the museum. I went on 1/22/22 for the disestablishment exhibit. It was set an intense reminder my love to save mother earth.read more
Yasin Esmail
Yasin Esmail
15:08 22 Jan 22
This is a no excellent learning opportunity for kids about art. The top gallery is all the art work presented from the... eras of Renaissance, Realism and Impressionism. Also artwork from various different cultures as Buddhist, Hinduism, Persian, Islamic, Japanese and Chinese. Finally the bottom floors had all the abstract and modern art and photography.read more
Jazmine Chavez
Jazmine Chavez
19:25 31 Dec 21
My absolute favorite museum at Balboa Park. I loved every single art piece and the experience of it all was amazing. I... was stunned to see Frida's corset for display, it was absolutely wonderful. Will be back.read more
Christina Paquette
Christina Paquette
23:29 26 Dec 21
One of my favorite museums. I highly recommend following them on social media and checking out their events page. They... are always doing some very very cool things and incorporating other art forms and cultures to the art viewing experience. And it's a MUST to download the app and viewing all the AR art pieces they have and listening in on the audio tour.read more
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