The San Diego Automotive Museum

2080 Pan American Plaza

San Diego, CA 92101

The San Diego Automobile was first conceived by Briggs Cunningham, and embraced by the San Diego City Council in 1979 and 1980. The City Council presented the San Diego Automobile Museum a long term lease in San Diego's legendary Balboa Park. The Museum is located a structure that was created as a temporary structure in 1935 as part of the California Pacific International Exposition. In World War II, this structure was used to house US Navy Corpsmen who were training at the old Navy Hospital. Next door to the Automobile Museum is the world famous San Diego Air & Space Museum. Across the street is San Diego's Starlight Bowl.

The San Diego Automotive Museum Events

The San Diego Automobile Museum provides the public with exhibits designed to enlighten the public about automotive subjects of the past present and future. The Museum has their own automobiles and motorcycles on display in addition to those that are borrowed from other collectors. The Museum runs exhibits on a rotating basis, each exhibit lasting for a couple of months. The Museum conducts several programs for children, including summer camps. Annually the Museum and the Car Club Council of Greater San Diego hold the Annual Greatest Show on Turf. The event is sponsored in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. The event is held in Balboa Park and is free to the public. On display will be modified automobiles, motorcycles, and classic automobiles. Registration for exhibitors is normally scheduled to end about a month before the event begings.

The San Diego Automotive Museum Admission

Balboa Park has a "Free Tuesday" program for citizens of San Diego County. Each Tuesday offers free admission to a Balboa Park Attraction. The fourth Tuesday of each month is set aside for free admission to the San Diego Automobile Museum. Otherwise, admission is offered by prices for adults, seniors, military with id, student id, youth, and preschool prices. Also visitors may wish to purchase a "Passport to Balboa Park" to obtain admission.

The San Diego Automotive Museum Schedules and Membership

The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It also is open on a reduced schedule for Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. All other days the Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry occurring at 4:30 PM. Various Membership packages are offered for membership in the museum that entitles the member to unlimited admission for themselves and guests, discounts at the Museum store, and special privileges. The membership packages are: Individual, Family, Car Club, Friend of the Museum, and Patron.

The San Diego Automobile Museum is located in San Diego's famed Balboa Park at 2080 Pan American Plaza. Their phone number is (619) 231-2886.