General Admission

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:

Tickets for Kids Free October are only available in person.  Learn more here.

Tickets are typically available for purchase online up to one month in advance and until 4:30 PM for same day tickets. The Museum closes promptly at the end of the day. 

General Admission includes all open exhibitions and films. PLEASE SELECT THE DATE YOU PLAN TO VISIT BY CLICKING THE "Click here for additional dates" LINK ABOVE.

HOURS
10 AM to 5 PM  Saturday - Thursday
10 AM to 11 PM Fridays from May 15 - December 18

The Museum is typically open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 

Please see our website for additional closures or changes to hours.

San Diego Natural History Museum members receive General Admission year-round. To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above. Tickets for Museum members, other pass holders, and all other discounts are only available at the Admissions desk at the Museum on the day of the visit.

There are no refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.

 

 

Nat Talks

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:


San Diego Natural History Museum members receive a discount on this program. 

Non-Members: $15
SDNHM Members: $12

In order to receive this discount, please click "Sign In" at the top of the screen to log into your member account. The discount will not apply until you've added the item to your basket.

To add additional lectures to your basket, click "Program & Event Tickets" above.

To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above.

NOTE: There are no refunds.

 

Adult Programming - After Hours


San Diego Natural History Museum members receive a discount on this program. 

Non-Members: $35
SDNHM Members: $25

In order to receive this discount, please click "Sign In" at the top of the screen to log into your member account. The discount will not apply until you've added the item to your basket.

Attendees must be at least 21 years old to attend this event. IDs will be checked at the door. There are no refunds for this event.

To add additional programs to your basket, click "Program & Event Tickets" above.

To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above.

PLEASE NOTE: Online sales end at 6:30 PM on the date of the event. If tickets are still available, they may be purchased at the door.

Canyoneer-Led Nature Hikes

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:


These hikes are free. However, if you can, please consider adding a donation of any amount during checkout to support the Museum's mission.

Advance registration is required for all hikes. The registration period ends 48 hours before the hike. Canyoneer hikes are quite popular and capacity is limited. If you'll be unable to attend, please contact the Museum as soon as possible to release your spot.

Adult: $0
Senior/Military/Student: $0 
Youth (ages 3-17): $0

Children under three do not need a ticket.

You will need to complete contact information at the time of registration.

Hikes are available for RSVPs for Museum members five weeks prior to the hike date. To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above. To sign up as a member, please click "Sign In" above.

Hikes are available to the public for RSVPs one month prior to the hike date.

After registering for the nature hike, you will receive an acknowledgment email. This email should arrive immediately upon successful registration, but may take up to an hour. In the event that you don’t receive it, please contact us at customerservice@sdnhm.org.

Participation in Canyoneer-led nature hikes is at YOUR OWN RISK.

The Canyoneers hike from the ocean, to the mountains, and to the desert. Each area has its own potential hazards: including changes in elevation, varying trail conditions, and possibly animals or plants that can cause injury. By going on the walk, you are representing to us that the walk is within your physical capabilities, you are properly attired for the weather conditions, and have adequate water. By participating, you agree to release the Museum, its Board of Directors, employees and Canyoneers of any liability for injury you may suffer, and you indemnify and hold them harmless for any loss or damages you may experience.

All participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver when they sign in on the day of the hike. 




Adult Programming - Workshops

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:

San Diego Natural History Museum members receive a discount on this program. 

Non-Members: $35
SDNHM Members: $25

In order to receive this discount, please click "Sign In" at the top of the screen to log into your member account. The discount will not apply until you've added the item to your basket.

To add additional programs to your basket, click "Program & Event Tickets" above.

To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above.

PLEASE NOTE: Online sales end at 6:30 PM on the date of the event. If tickets are still available, they may be purchased at the door.

Nat at Night

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:

General Admission includes all open exhibitions and films.

PLEASE SELECT THE DATE YOU PLAN TO VISIT BY CLICKING THE "Click here for additional dates" LINK ABOVE.

This ticket is for entry at or after 5 PM on the date selected.

San Diego Natural History Museum members receive General Admission year-round. To become a Museum member, click "Membership" above. Tickets for Museum members, other pass holders, and all other discounts are only available at the Admissions desk at the Museum on the day of the visit.

NOTE: Tickets are typically available for purchase online up to one month in advance and until 7:00 PM for same day tickets. Tickets may be purchased in person beginning at 5 PM day of and throughout the evening. There are no refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.

 

 

Trail Buds

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:


Trail Buds: Growing Curiosity Outdoors is free courtesy of the generous funding of the Dr. Seuss Foundation.
This family-friendly program is designed for the earliest explorers (0 to 5 years old). 

Advance registration is highly recommended. The registration period ends at 2 PM the day before the program. Capacity is limited. 

Adult: $0
Senior: $0
Youth (6 to 17 years): $0 
Child (0 to 5 years): $0

You will need to complete contact information at the time of registration.

After registering for the program, you will receive an acknowledgment email. This email should arrive immediately upon successful registration, but may take up to an hour. In the event that you don’t receive it, please contact us at customerservice@sdnhm.org. 

While locations have been selected with young children in mind, participation in is at your own risk. Each area has its own potential hazards: including varying trail conditions and possibly animals or plants that can cause injury. By going on the walk, you are representing to us that the walk is within your physical capabilities, you are properly attired for the weather conditions, and have adequate water. By participating, you agree to release the Museum, its Board of Directors, and employees of any liability for injury you may suffer, and you indemnify and hold them harmless for any loss or damages you may experience. 

All participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver when they sign in on the day of the program. 

Subplan Writing Workshops

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:

Sub Plan Writing Workshops: Dune and Canyon Conservation for Resilient Communities    

San Diego Natural History Museum 

(1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101) 

 

Writing Workshops Overview: 

The Subplan Writing Workshops: Dune and Canyon Conservation for Resilient Communities will introduce the resources teams need to start writing their restoration plans. This includes a physical copy of the NbS Guidelines, site maps, a Subplan template, and Community Feedback packets. The workshop will also provide teams time to discuss strategies and workload for the coming months. The events are intended to strengthen long-term relationships, shared stewardship, and community capacity for climate resilience across the region. 

These workshops will be hosted at the San Diego Natural History Museum from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 24th, November 14th, and December 12th. Coffee and lunch will be provided to support a welcoming and accessible experience for all participants. Additionally, if you think you will need Child Care to participate in the workshop, please email Kayla Gorman at kgorman@sdnhm.org. 

Writing Workshop Outcomes: 

The key Outcomes of these Writing Workshops are as follows:  

  1. Introduce key resources for the site restoration plan, including (1) NbS Guidelines, (2) map of the site, (3) Subplan Template, and (4) site-specific Community Feedback Packets.  

  1. Provide Subplan Writing Team Members with an official timeline for drafts, revisions, and a final plan.

  1. Discuss team and community needs through review of canyon and dune survey results. 

  1. Strengthen long-term relationships, shared stewardship, and community capacity for climate and coastal resilience across the region. 

Registering: 

Each Subplan Team member is required to attend at least ONE Writing Workshop. We are encouraging teams to coordinate to attend the same event. Once initial registration closes, we will offer remaining spots to Subplan Team Members interested in attending more than one workshop. This event is free. Please add to cart and complete your information prior to checkout.

After Registration: 

You will receive an email confirming your spot at the Writing Workshop. You will also receive an email with your e-tickets. You will not need your e-tickets and can ignore the second email. If you have any additional questions or trouble registering, please reach out to Kayla Gorman at kgorman@sdnhm.org

Parking:

Earlier this year, the City of San Diego introduced paid parking throughout the Park from 8 AM-6 PM.

If you are a registered San Diego City Resident, you can go to the online portal, and register your vehicle for a fee of $5. This must be done 48 hours in advance. Once verified, San Diego City residents can then park for free in all of the Level 2 Lots, including: Pepper Grove (near the Fleet Science Center), Upper Inspiration Point, Marston Point, Federal, Palisades, and Bea Evenson.

If you are not a San Diego City Resident or are not able to register your vehicle in time, the first three hours at the Lower Inspiration Point lot are free. Or parking payments can be made at kiosks located throughout Balboa Park or through the ParkSmarter app. Thank you for your patience with us as we attempt to navigate this new system. The parking is a changing situation and we are getting new guidance daily.

Here is more information about public transit options to reach Balboa Park.