Nice little place, about what you expect with a donation only entrance. I think that it felt a little more like an art museum where there was huge amounts of space not efficiently utilized. If the goal was history of San Diego, there were things that met that goal; however, a great deal more could have been added. A better diversification of information instead of micro focus on a few things would be much better.

Great museum at a great price [free]. Well not technically free but you pay what you want upon exiting. We ended up spending an hour here with the various exhibits and short film on San Diego and Balboa park. I've walked by this place dozens of times and never explored but I am glad that I finally went inside. Upon leaving a left $10 and it was definitely worth it.

One room focuses on history on an architect, one room on San Diego history, one room on Jewish history, another on the San Diego Zoo and finally a small alcove on Black history. All in all, everything is well laid out. You can start on the left as you enter and walk through everything except the zoo and the alcove. They are easy to get to though as you continue.

Amazing, educational, beautiful and definitely worth checking out. Found out so many things about the making and building of Balboa park and the city of san diego itself. Every last person who works here and or volunteers here were absolutely off the charts. Extremely helpful and courteous. There is so much to check out here. Just make sure you plan ahead of time because its alot to check out and take in.

They got one room which tells the history of the county, the rest were kind of random. There is a 30 minute video which was quite nice as well. Free attendance, at least on Sunday when I went.

The San Diego History Center tells the diverse story of our region – past, present and future – educates and enriches our community, preserves our history, and fosters civic pride. One of the oldest and largest historical organizations on the West Coast, the San Diego History Center is one of the only institutions dedicated to the heritage of a major American metropolitan region. The History Center was established in 1928 by noted philanthropist, businessman and civic leader George W. Marston, who built the Junípero Serra Museum to house the new institution on Presidio Hill, site of the founding of San Diego and California.  Marston gifted the Serra Museum and the adjacent land to the City of San Diego in 1929. For over sixty years, the Serra was the site of the Historical Society and Research Archives. In 1982, the Historical Society moved its collections and museum to Balboa Park, maintaining the Serra as an auxiliary museum and educational center. In 2010, San Diego History Center was formally adopted as the institution’s name. The History Center is the steward of our heritage and the principal resource for San Diego history – collecting, preserving and displaying unparalleled collections of regional history. No other institution is solely devoted to preserving San Diego’s collective history and enhancing community identity. A unique civic resource committed to public engagement and collaboration, the History Center partners with other museums, San Diego and regional school districts, other historical organizations, media, businesses and corporations to deliver programs to the broadest audience. The History Center presents dynamic, engaging exhibitions highlighting what makes San Diego unique and the region’s emerging role in the 21st century. We serve as a lifelong learning center for all members of our community, providing outstanding educational programs for school children and popular programs for families and adults. The Research Archives serves residents, scholars, students and researchers onsite and online. With its rich historical content, archived material and online photo gallery, our website is visited by more than 1,500 distinct visitors daily. Since 1955, in cooperation with the University of San Diego, the History Center has published the prestigious Journal of San Diego History, one of the only scholarly publications dedicated to a major American metropolitan region. Since 2013, the History Center has been a Smithsonian Affiliate.

The trophy ...defying the ocean...for victory.....Welcome travelers and tourist to beautiful San Diego...and Thank You for viewing ....D Third Eye

Stolen artifacts from India and other parts of Asia. Those artifacts are revered in India. Its very depressing to see it displayed like this.

One of my favorite places in the world!

What an interesting and varied free little history center! I really enjoyed the temporary LGBT exhibit and I thought it was both disheartening and inspirational. The tiny section on Japanese society in San Diego was really cool too (so funny to think of Japanese sushi and tacos being served together at family parties). There was some interesting facts on settlers in San Diego and some beautiful murals as well! Was disappointed in the gift shop - really boring generic stuff for sale in comparison to all the random interesting things to see in the museum itself. I think it would’ve been so cool to recreate and sell some of those vintage LGBT tshirts designs on display for example

The exhibits were great. They were informative and grabbed the attention of all ages. The staff was all friendly and helpful.

Really fun, I love walking through the time events the Hands-On ones Superfund to guess the smells and the sounds they even have an LGBT area

First, I really appreciate the staff and the volunteers who have created an incredible museum. Thank you! I came here a few years ago and it was basically the history of San Diego from the White American perspective. That's been condensed and moved to the back corner of the museum and the rest is devoted to BIPOC exhibits. While I appreciate this change, I think maybe it's swung too far in the other direction and just seems to really have jumped on the "woke" bandwagon. It might be worth trying to present a somewhat less politicized history.

Very nice small museum with excellent exhibits

Pretty interesting. Is free.

Amazing is small word for a garden.

Beautiful and educational.

(Translated by Google) Excellent option to learn about the history of the city and the San Diego region, suitable for children. Free admission. (Original) Excelente opción para conocer la historia de la ciudad y al región de San Diego, apto para niños. Entrada libre.

(Translated by Google) Nice place but not very impressive (Original) Bonito lugar pero no es muy impresionante

Very helpful staff.

Wonderful. Went for the GLBT Q exhibit,and,was NOT. 😞

I left San Diego formation about San Diego at the San Diego History Center. It was worth the trip.

Very interesting with an assortment of very old and new Chinese items. History of Chinese in San Diego. Terrific paintings by Chinese artist. Small but worthwhile museum.

Several exhibits are being redone

This place was great. My kids spent about an hour and a half going through the hands on exhibits and exploring the museum. Very clean and pleasant place.

Coolest animal science exhibit on Earth!! Highly recommend getting the family plus annual pass. It allows you full year access as well as free 2 adults and their kids per visit. You can't go wrong with learning science.

A great way to learn more about San Diego's rich cultural heritage and history

It is promited as free museum, but at least 10 USD donation is requested upon entry

Small but great museum and friendly staff. Good information for all ages

Free little museum. Couple of exhibits. About half a hour of information to tour. Was interesting to find out that none of the buildings in the park are at all historical even though they look it. It's all about the tourism. Pretty funny.

Do the Friday ghost tour with sandy, a historian who has done impress research into the people and places! Far above the televised, gimmicky ghost hunts. The tour rambles through the district, ending at the museum with time communicating with the willing in-house ghosts

It was alright... Nothing particularly stood out or caught my eye. We left after about 15 minutes. Not much to see here, to be honest.

Absolutely learned nothing about the history of San Diego. No mention of Spreckels, no coverage of the history of the port, no mention the history of the gaslamp, no mention of the military history. I learned more about the Indian history in the small, one room museum in Poway. Very little coverage of the Mexican ranchero history. Again, a different museam in Poway park is much more informative. Visit either of the missions or the Presidio to learn more history. Even hotel Del Coronado has better historical information.

This was a fun muesem to learn more about San Diego. It's not super big so it's quick to go through and see how the town came to be and what life was like. Also it had a small exhibit on the lesser known events of what happened to the Japanese immigrants after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it's nice to have some light shown on this. Great exhibit for the LBGQT community and lots of information about how the community grew and finally won the respect they deserved!

A little gem hiding in Balboa Park. The admission cost is pay-what-you-wish. They have a number of different exhibitions and they are well put together. Definitely going back.

Free or donation based. Nice collection with good diversity

A really great place to learn some of San Diego's history. It is very inclusive and the center knows that history is all kinds of people's stories. The staff is very friendly and the center is donation based.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I went for the Japanese cherry blossoms festival and it was just beautiful. We walked through the Japanese gardens got our grub on from the Patina Group's special catering for the event (bento boxes!! :D), then made our way to the boddy house which was a pleasant surprise. It's the house of the people who donated the land for the gardens and its a this amazingly modern and yet awesomely mod. Def check it out!! after that we wandered over through the rose garden and the californian vegetation. Don't miss all the beautiful magnolias and CHECK OUT THE LILAC GARDEN!! your nose will thank me!!

The new LGBT exhibit is worth a trip to the park. (But the park is always worth a trip!)

Nice place to visit!

Free admission, interesting and fun

Great museum

Great museum. We wanted to learn more about San Diego on a rainy day but learned more than we expected. I especially enjoyed the exhibit on the long history of lgbtq+ in San Diego and the stories of women who moved to the town when it was just beginning.

Enjoyed the short video presentation about San Diego and Balboa Park history.

It was very nice a nice to visit

Two terrific current exhibitions, one covering the work of San Diego conceptual artist Bill Matheny, which just opened today and a second about the LGBTQ+ community in San Diego and second the growth and a accomplishments of the LGBTW+ community in San Diego. Absolutely fascinating and so well done. Be sure to see them!

(Translated by Google) It is a very beautiful place where you can enjoy a walk (Original) Es un lugar muy bello donde se disfruta dar un paseo

nice

Great exhibits

Saw the LGBT exhibit. Very beautiful and informative.

Very well put together