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San Diego Museum of Art
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Museum · San Diego, CA

San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art is the region’s largest and most-visited art museum, located in the heart of Balboa Park.

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Overview

About San Diego Museum of Art

It houses an internationally renowned collection of over 32,000 works dating from 3000 BC to the present day. Visitors can explore major exhibitions, cultural experiences, and the Museum of Photographic Arts, which features photography exhibitions and film festivals. The museum also offers daily guided tours and includes Panama 66, a restaurant with views of the sculpture garden.

Made for

  • The museum presents major international exhibitions plus cultural and community experiences exploring art through music, dance, film and food.
  • Monthly Storytime sessions take a new theme drawn from the permanent collection, special exhibitions and elements of art.
  • MOPA@SDMA hosts exhibitions, film festivals and ongoing learning opportunities.
  • Docents lead a family-friendly tour designed for young learners and caregivers.
  • Docent tours run regularly in Spanish and Mandarin.
  • Tours in French, Russian, Tagalog and Ukrainian need advance registration.

The packages

Art + Wellbeing Experience Tour

A small group gathers on the fourth Sunday monthly to move gently through selected artworks.

Family Tours

Family tour topics cover highlights, portraits and landscapes.

Group Tours

Private tours for groups can be arranged by appointment.

Memories at the Museum | Alzheimer Tour

Tours are offered for people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's.

Event experiences

  • Panama 66 in the Sculpture Court serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with live music.

How it works

  1. Guided Tour Schedule

    Visitors meet the guide at the Docent desk in the Rotunda before the posted tour.

Good to know

  • Tours need no pre-registration, though space can be limited.
  • Each guided tour lasts about 40-50 minutes.
  • Children 14 and under need a parent or legal guardian aged 18 or older with them throughout.
  • Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed inside the museum.
  • Every area is accessible to wheelchair and mobility equipment users.
  • Gallery sketching is welcome with pencil, colored pencils or crayons on boards up to 15 x 17 inches.
  • Flash photography, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and video recording are prohibited.
  • Strollers may be used in every gallery space.
  • No formal dress code applies; casual sportswear and comfortable walking shoes are suggested.
  • Visitors should not run, touch artworks or speak loudly in the museum.
  • Class cancellations need at least 72 hours' notice before class time for a full refund.
  • Coat check holds food, drink, backpacks, oversized bags beyond 16x16x8 inches and umbrellas.
  • Exhibition information comes in English and Spanish; other languages arranged with advance notice.
  • The family storytime tour suits children ages 3–8, though all ages are welcome.
  • The museum is closed every Wednesday.
  • MOPA@SDMA is open Thursday through Sunday and closed Monday through Wednesday.
  • MOPA@SDMA closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day plus some listed dates.
  • Spanish tours are offered monthly, on the second Thursday and third Tuesday.
  • Mandarin tours are offered once a month, on the fourth Thursday.

Details from sdmart.org

Plan your visit

Hours
Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-17:00

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