San Diego Museum Tickets: The 8 Best Entries

1.USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,165 reviews · 2 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $41Our pick

Board the USS Midway on San Diego’s Embarcadero and explore at your own pace with an included audio tour. Former Midway sailors and officers bring the carrier to life as you visit aircraft, living quarters, the bridge, engine room, flight deck, and interactive exhibits.

“It is an excellent facility to visit. Many helpful volunteers who are friendly and knowledgeable. Easy to navigate wheelchair friendly. Food and gift shop available.”

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2.Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $28

Spend one to two hours boarding historic ships and submarines at San Diego’s waterfront Maritime Museum. See Star of India, HMS Surprise, San Salvador, hands-on exhibits, below-deck galleries, and maritime models. General admission covers the fleet and exhibits, but not bay excursions.

“Lots to see, Great history lesson for all ages. Real hands on experience, great people working there to help with ticketing needs. A+ service!”

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3.San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · from $12Best value

Spend one day at The Nat, San Diego’s oldest museum, with access to four floors of exhibits, a giant-screen theater, live specimens, fossils, and Southern California science. See dinosaur and mastodon fossils, explore Baja, watch a daily film, and use the $12 ticket at your own pace.

“Very good I enjoy how it’s helping animals around the world while still informing the general public about what they’re doing”

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4.Museum of Illusions Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 24 reviews · 1 day · from $35

At the Museum of Illusions in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll explore more than 50 hands-on exhibits that bend light, scale, gravity, and perception. Expect illusion rooms, holograms, and visual puzzles for families, friends, dates, and group outings. Entry is $35 per person and wheelchair accessible.

“My experience was good but it was to much people maybe control better the amount of people”

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5.Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Spend a full day aboard historic vessels at San Diego’s Maritime Museum, from the 1898 Berkeley ferry and USS Dolphin submarine to Star of India and H.M.S. Surprise. English staff, below-deck exhibits, and optional narrated bay cruises make this a hands-on stop for maritime fans and curious families.

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6.San Diego Natural History Museum Nighttime Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $12

Visit San Diego Natural History Museum after 5 PM for four floors of exhibitions, films, activities, bars, and rooftop views across Balboa Park. Explore fossils, Baja California, Southern California wildlife, citizen science, and living animals. The $12 ticket is valid for one evening on the selected date.

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7.Californian Tall Ship Sailing and Maritime Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $119

You spend four hours at San Diego’s Maritime Museum and aboard the Californian, a Gold Rush era revenue cutter replica. The English-speaking crew lets you haul lines and take the helm, while museum admission adds the Star of India, H.M.S. Surprise, and exhibits on naval and sailing history.

“Wow what a day out first of all make sure you look round all the boats and take your time, but the trip on the California was amazing help out the crew in pulling up the sails get involved when ever you can you'll learn so much in the time you are there. Recommend this to everyone so much to see too and more than worth the price of the ticket thank you to all on board for making this a special day out.”

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8.San Salvador 16th Century Galleon Sail w/ Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $119

Spend four hours sailing San Diego Harbor aboard the San Salvador, a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s 16th-century galleon. A live English-speaking crew shares tales of the original voyage, and your ticket also covers the Maritime Museum’s historic ships and exhibits.

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