I walked in unexpectedly and were immediately welcomed by very friendly staff. So I decided to take a look. It is a small museum but exhibits many outstanding photos. I am fascinated by the method of photographing animals and humans from the same spot; and see how they turn out as a combination.

A+ museum. It’s small and you can go through it in 20-30 minutes if you’re going fast. Free admission but they take donations.

This photography gallery has free admission, but donations are highly recommended. I was amazed by the exhibition of the children's photography. Ther is a great future ahead of them. In addition, more interesting exhibits are on display. The museum also has a bookstore. Highly recommend visiting.

A great photography museum. The Sony World Photo Awards were on display here when I visited but I can tell that this is the kind of museum I'd visit over and over again, to take in each new event.

Great museum with exceptional exhibitions. This museum changed my life. I had never liked jazz music. Now I love it. All because this museum had an exhibition The Jazz Loft Project. Get the book and you'll see why. There have been many other excellent exhibitions. Photography is a fantastic art form and this museum represents the best, and in detail.

Whether you are a amateur or pro photographer, this is a must see. It celebrates the best of photography. When I was there, there was an entire section on Pride and how photography has captured the pivot moments in the movement's history. Absolute masterpiece. This is one of my favorite museums in Balboa Park. And it's free for entry, but I would highly recommend that you donate to keep the place open for everyone to continue enjoying this place. Great for small kids, families, individuals.

Children's Park is no longer Children's Park it is the hangout for the homeless people to sit and congregate with nowhere to go #Sandiegoca #Childrenspark #DowntownSD #Marina #SDOutReach

Beautiful pieces of art from all over the world of different subjects. Some were done during lockdown so that made the photographers look outside the box on how to take photos. And you can take photos of the mounted pictures.

I enjoy stopping by this little museum. Right now they have some interesting artwork from local high school students as well as James Balog. I liked Balog's endangered species works, especially, "Man and Ape" as well as the Panda photo shoot. Follow me for more reviews!

While the exhibits and activities themselves were very enjoyable, the highlight was talking to Gabriela, who worked at the museum and encouraged us to examine the photos more closely and engage in discussion about finer details of each work. As someone who usually goes through museums fairly quickly and doesn't give most exhibits more than a cursory glance, it was refreshing to look at the artwork longer and reflect on what the artist was trying to convey. Highly recommend!

One of my favorite museums at Balboa Park. It hosts smaller but very unusual photography exhibits that I've spent hours enjoying. The exhibits do change frequently and range from a wide variety of landscape to portrait exhibits to specific topics. It's a small location compared to other Balboa park museums but always worth stopping in. They also host special events such as fashion and entertainment industry cocktail hours and exhibits. I suggest getting on their email list for personal invites and advance notice of events.

Not a child’s park at all. Downtown San Diego and homeless people everywhere. I read previous reviews and hoped for the best. I was extremely disappointed and left within 5 minutes.

Ugliest park in America. Barren dirt and homeless abound. Worst possible excuse known to man to call this place a "children's park."

My son had a blast here. Not only is it a beautiful place to walk around with all the beautiful trees, flowers, etc but there is a huge children's park and a carousel that is only $1 for the little ones. There was so much more that we could've done (botanical gardens, museum, aquarium) but it was a nice day to just be outside.

This is almost like homeless people central. You will rarely see people here actually enjoying the park.

Not far from public transportation and it sits right on The Harbor. It's just simply Nice.

This was an amazing show. I was glad to view it with my 16 year old niece. We had some good discussions about the photographs, as well as the ages of the photographers. The insights were thought provoking and the photographic techniques were very impressive!

We went here for a homework assignment and brought the kiddos. The museum was great and had a fun activity for the little ones to do while we looked through the photos. Their exhibits were very interesting and we spent about an hour there. Definitely entertaining and the staff was great!

Nice floor flow. Wonderful experience Great having the Sony World Photography Awards for the first time in the USA, and in this venue. Hoped for more promotion.

Enjoy the photographs and learning about the photographers and their work. My only gripe is I wish the displays would change more often so I could see more photographic work. Cute gift shop with some nice books and items.

Fantastic Irving Penn exhibit and Deborah provided great information on his work. Discovering the Brain exhibit is fascinating how art and science come together.

Cool place....some awesome galleries. Any place that displays Ansel Adams works gets my vote...the silouette display by Erica Deeman was interesting..

Exhibiting work from a collection of over 7,000 images as well as new artists, the Museum of Photographic Arts is one of only three museums in the United States that is devoted entirely to the collection and preservation of photography, film, and video. Since it was founded in 1983, the museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical, and social issues through its exhibitions and educational programs. Its exhibits represent the entire history of photography, its aesthetic movements, and technological advancements. The museum’s collection illustrates the complex and varied history of the medium, focusing largely on modern and contemporary work, social documentary photography and photojournalism in particular. In addition, the museum houses a state-of-the-art movie theater that often holds international film festivals.

Really awesome donation based museum with very interesting rotating exhibits. Would recommend to people trying to find motivation or creative ideas to help inspire them to go out and get photographs just as fantastic as the ones found here.

Lived in San Diego 25 years, first time at the MOPA...great experience, lovely museum...amazing exhibit of Irving Penn...

We premiered the movie "Brian Banks" at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The theater held around 200 people. Following the film, we had a Q&A and then moved into the main room of the museum for a reception. It was a great place for an event. Highly recommend!

It was a very enlightening experience and an interactive adventure. The staff were very kind and it has a very calming atmosphere. It was a great experience during my visit in San Diego and I would love to have the opportunity to go again.

My favorite museum ever! Love the pics and original arts of work. I always learn something new.

Well done exhibit and interesting interactive active photo images

Disappointing as a museum. It should be called a gallery dedicated to a single Artist. There is almost no history here, just a showcase of pictures for a so he person and almost all of it very recent. That aside, the photos were good and we'll laid out. More information about the trip and or processing would have been welcomed.

Love this place

Wonderful museum. Very inspiring photography

Small but great exhibitions

One of the most unique presentations of this medium I have ever experienced! As a photographer, I appreciate the range of what can be presented and MOPA goes way above what you might expect. They did have one of the three galleries closed, but the other two had amazing displays of photography that really made an impact. Please take the time to see this small, but intense museum while visiting Balboa Park & you will not be disappointed!

Lot of great exhibits

The staff are nice and their exhibits change every now and then so your experience is different every time.

(Translated by Google) Human Rights Watch Film Festival (Original) HRW Film Festival

Loved it alot of interactive things to do

Well worth admissions

We really enjoyed this museum. We will definitely go back the next time we are in town. Highly recommended!

Amazing art

I come to this museum every time I visit San Diego. The exhibits are always professionally displayed (framing,matting?, lighting). I've been afforded the luxury of seeing some of their more unique pieces, such as Moonrise, Hernandez by Ansel Adams. The layout is a simple loop, with a nice entrance that has a synopsis or introduction to what you will be seeing. The last time I was there they had an international exhibit for young teens. Definitely recommend this place if you happen to be in the area, it never dissapoints ***Please check as they donchange shows and you don't want to be caught while they change*** if they are in between shows, the other museums offer excellent alternatives.

The pictures are very beautiful in person. They have a few unexpected things but overall if you are into photography of any sort it is a must see!

This place is truly amazing, and free to enter if you don't wish to donate.

It was ok if you like obscure pics its for you

The art is free with donations.

Nice place

(Translated by Google) You do not need a lot of time, but very interesting (Original) Man benötigt nicht viel Zeit, aber sehr interessant

I love this place, always new exhibitions

A fascinating lecture series about performances done at public sites to create a shared culture among all of our diverse communities!

The only place in San Diego with a Camera Lens Mug!!! If you need a gift for a photographer their gift store is the perfect place to go!!!

Awesomeness.

Great place to view pictures and designs. Love this place.

Great youth art display!

We caught the last 30 minutes on a free Tuesday afternoon, but we still were able to see the famous and varied paintings, sculptures and exhibits. Worth a second look as you could sit there all day checking everything out.

Great movie as part of the Italian Festival.

Kind of too less covered , but loved the live photo booth, you can print the photos as well(size of strips)

The second Tuesday of each month MOPA is free for San Diego county residents. Always well-curated. Some exhibits are not for young children.

Very interesting

We visit MOPA often. It regularly has new exciting exhibits. It is not an all day experience, but it is in Balboa Park which offers many other great places to visit. They are all in walking distance of each other. We usually do two and then walk the park.

Excellent small museum!

Great experience !

It was a pretty good spot for a 15 minute break

As far as a scenic children friendly places downtown goes this is the place to visit

Super clean place. Nice place for kids to play.

Wonderful photo shoot there.

There is too much to do here! I can't possibly see everything and yet I still make an attempt to do so =) Whether you are a local or a tourist, this park is not to be missed!

I love coming to the children's playground. It is small but it has the basics any child would need to expend any extra energy. There are a pair of swings, four bounce boards and an enclosed climbing frame. The ground beneath all the play equipment has a bouncy rubber layer should there be any falls. The grass area is perfect for sitting and enjoying the sun or rolling around in and there is a 'Bubble Lounge' daily from 10am to 3:30pm. There is also a concrete floor shaded area that is great for skating or biking. Across the street, however, is a very different story. Unless you're looking for pine cones (and even then I would try looking somewhere else) I wouldn't go near this side of the children's park. There is nothing there to attract children. Only dirt, cement blocks, a thicket of pine trees and a whole lot of homeless people. That side really should not be called a children's park.

Good park to relax collect yourself and take in the view of the convention center.

Quiet, not crowded.

It's a beautiful park but the day we were there, there were too many homeless people everywhere

Relaxing

Great place to hangout and get away from it all!

(Translated by Google) It is a beautiful place! I fell in love with him. Such a Beautiful place <3 (Original) Es un lugar hermoso! Me enamoré de él. Such a Beautiful place <3

Waterfalls, buffalo, ultimate frisbee, Radio head in less than 10 days - GGP is the largest park in the United States (they added the panhandle to the park so it would surpass Central Park in CA). From hippie hill, where you can find nature's unique trees, to the Dutch Windmill and Ocean Beach- it's always sunny to be in the park.

One of the coolest places I saw in CA . Lots of people there, the flora & fauna are incredible, wish I'd had more time to spend there walking around!

Nice place to relax.

Best views of San Diego and the Golden Gate Bridge. Great for biking, hiking or just hanging out for an outdoor picnic. A must for visitors new to San Diego. The road gets narrower as you drive up so be wary of cyclists who are sharing the road. There are a couple places to park on near the top.

Beautiful envelope

In the scenic gaslamp area

It's a very cute park but all the homeless people camped out make it feel a little less safe.

This place was awesome. Shallow fountains was wonderful.

(Translated by Google) It is a small park for the smallest of the house and in front of it is the museum and you can go on the trolly and rest from handling the public transport does not charge the kids on weekends if it is a good obtion to take them and you do not forget about lunch (Original) Es un pequeño parque para los mas chiquitos de la casa y enfrente esta el museo y puedes ir en el trolly ydescansar de manejar el trasporte publico no les cobra a los chicos los fines de semana a si que es una buena obcion para lleverlos y no te olvides del lonche.

Peaceful and very pretty

At first it’s beautiful water features make it fascinating, however this area gets quit a few homeless around.

Beautiful place at lunch there on Sunday

Very clean

Gorgeous and peaceful

Its ok, I guess.

We had ffg ood delivered here, that's pretty coool

My girlfriend and I love going to dat part best one in San Diego

Nice little park in the middle of down town.

Very quaint, and lots of fun, when visiting friends. Very visually pleasing!

It looked like it could or might have been really nice at one point. Theres a lovely foundtain that's unfortunately just surrounded by dirt.

The city has allegedly been fixing this place for years but nothing has happened yet. The water feature needs fixing or replacing. Replacement with a more water friendly alternative like the one at the county building waterfront park would make sense. Homeless folk and drug dealers gather here because all of the pine trees hide the activities. Nothing in this park is appealing to children or to neighbors.

(Translated by Google) Good (Original) Bien

No children, just homeless. There is a plan in the making to redo the entire park. However, it's been a couple of years in the making and zero progress. The mayor and the city council needs to get their act together, in reference to the park and the homeless issue!

(Translated by Google) Very nice (Original) Muy bonitos

ist scape. name of food art in leipzig. we keep god bless . love and peace

World-class museum, covering the photographic gamut. I enjoy the variety of exhibitions and the staff is very knowledgable. Terrific bookstore as well.

This is a great museum in Balboa Park. The variety of the exhibits is inspiring, and I learn something about photography from each exhibit. The Video Mirror in the lobby fascinates me - this device reflect your image back, but is is made up of pixel that are portraits of individuals.

Love all of the great exhibitions here. Definitely recommend checking out the current artists' works on display before they're gone in a couple weeks, and don't forget to go into the interactive section! I'll be going back, I just wish it were open until 5 and perhaps on Wednesdays and Thursdays; Friday-Sunday, 11-4 is a small window to get there.

What a fantastic museum and staff. You guys put on the best exhibitions!

I've been a regular attendee of MOPA openings because I find them very welcoming, enjoyable and interesting. I look forward to the youth exhibition each year. What can I say about the work of these young people? Exciting, Inspiring, rekindles my interest in photography. Beginnings Forever was fascinating, and I will need to visit it several times. Thanks for a great evening!

A nice museum. It was clean, organized and the displays were excellent. While I’m not really into photography it was definitely worth a visit.

Wonderful donation based museum, exhibits change frequently. Clean bathrooms. We visit frequently!

Very interesting photographic museum. It is basically free. You can always donate or pay what you desire. Nice exhibits.

Pay what you want admission and very unique exhibits. Awesome museum gallery, will come back again!

Where young photographers can get publicity ? Inside their own school ? Hardly. Publications, with circulation within their own community ? Hardly. This is the place where future lens-meisters are presented to the general public and might get the deserved attention. This is in addition to the establishment's main exhibit (which at the time of our visit was Norman Seeff). Run by enthusiasts on the main avenue of the Balboa Park it is easy to find: it shares the entrance with the Model Railroad Museum. Come and appreciate their effort. BTW, it is free: pay whatever you feel the work of the organizers is worth to you. Photographers of the World - unite!

Small museum with very good photography exhibits, admission is free, donations encouraged

This has become one of my favorite museums. It is small with only a few (or fewer) exhibits at any given time. Their pay what you want policy makes it accessible to everyone. MOPA has introduced me to many wonderful photographers and given me an opportunity to experience their art in ways books and computer screens can't reproduce.

A brilliant museum with pooh both photojournalism and creative photography. At least in June 2022.

My husband and I took our two grown daughters to the museum and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits, particularly the student competition entries. So much talk et right here in our hometown! I recommend checking out this little hidden gem of a museum next time you’re in Balboa Park.

Full disclosure, I’m an analog photographer who not only teaches and exhibits my personal work regularly, but still prints exclusively by hand, in a darkroom (across the country in NYC). And is a huge photo history nerd. Thus, I always visit MoPA when I’m in town (was in the area after teaching a brief experimental photograms workshop in Escondido last week). So glad they’re still around (#filmisnotdead) ❤️🙏 Here are a couple unedited cell shots I took while there.

Small but good donation-based museum. Well-worth a pop in considering it's "pay as you can". When I visited, there were two primary exhibition spaces: one showing various collections from James Balog on humans and their relationship to the natural world (interesting and definitely has some moving pieces) and another from local High Schoolers which were REALLY impressive - quite surprised at the concepts and execution by these young artists! I spent a little over an hour here and unless you're scrutinizing every piece in detail, I'd say that's sufficient.

Excellent visit with my 8 yr old granddaughter. Loved all of the exhibitions.