San Diego History Center

San Diego History Center San Diego History Center (SDHC) is dedicated to helping people of all ages learn about, and enjoy, t
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San Diego History Center (SDHC) is dedicated to helping people of all ages learn about, and enjoy, the history of San Diego, and to appreciate how our past, present, and future are interrelated. San Diego History Center encourages fans to leave comments, videos, photos, and links on this page. However, admins reserve the right to remove content that is construed to be inappropriate and/or

offensive. This includes, but is not limited to, content that is considered to be defamation, harassment, spam, or unauthorized proprietary solicitations. This page is not a venue to promote other pages or causes. Posts that contain incorrect or misleading project information will be deleted. Users who repeatedly violate this policy may be banned from the page.

Discover the women whose vision, determination, and leadership helped shape Balboa Park and San Diego’s history. 🌿✨Join ...
06/12/2026

Discover the women whose vision, determination, and leadership helped shape Balboa Park and San Diego’s history. 🌿✨

Join the San Diego History Center’s Center for Women’s History and Forever Balboa Park on June 20 for a guided walking tour celebrating the trailblazing women whose contributions continue to inspire our community today.

Beginning at the San Diego History Center in the Casa de Balboa, this engaging tour will take you through the park while sharing stories of remarkable women who helped create the cultural landmark we know and love. After the tour, continue your exploration inside the museum galleries at no additional cost.

🚶‍♀️ Tour begins at the San Diego History Center
📅 June 20
⏰ 10:30 a.m.
🎟️ Tickets: $5

Step into their stories and experience Balboa Park through a new lens.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/SDHC_WT_June

Join us for A Slice of History: Wish, Create, Celebrate 250, a free community event inspired by our newest exhibition, A...
06/12/2026

Join us for A Slice of History: Wish, Create, Celebrate 250, a free community event inspired by our newest exhibition, America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026.

Create a collage, add your voice to our Wish Wall, and share your hopes for the future while exploring 250 years of San Diego history. This drop-in experience is open to all ages, and all art supplies are provided—just bring your creativity.

And yes—there will be free pizza from Pizza to the Polls while supplies last! 🍕

📅 June 20
⏰ Drop in anytime from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📍 San Diego History Center

Part of Civic Season, a nationwide movement connecting history and civic engagement between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July.

Admission is free, but registration is required due to limited capacity. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/SDHC_SliceOfHistory

Calling all Girl Scouts! 🇺🇸✨This summer, explore history, discover inspiring stories, and earn a special America 250 pat...
06/12/2026

Calling all Girl Scouts! 🇺🇸✨

This summer, explore history, discover inspiring stories, and earn a special America 250 patch at the San Diego History Center.

As part of our new exhibition, America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026, Girl Scouts will enjoy:
⭐ A guided tour of the exhibition
⭐ An interactive San Diego suffrage lesson
⭐ Hands-on arts and crafts activities focused on civic engagement and community

Scouts will have the opportunity to reflect on the past, share their hopes for the future, and connect local history to the stories shaping our nation.

Sessions are available June 27, July 25, and August 29, with morning and afternoon options.

Space is limited, so register early and join us as we celebrate this historic milestone together!

RSVP Today: https://bit.ly/SDHC_America250_Scouts

Closing soon! Submit work for the Changing Terrains exhibition at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) and San Diego History Ce...
06/08/2026

Closing soon! Submit work for the Changing Terrains exhibition at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) and San Diego History Center (SDHC).

Submit by June 10, 2026 | 10:59pm

Calling all Southern California and Baja-based artists! Enter your submissions for a joint contemporary landscape exhibition exploring new interpretations of Southern California and Baja landscapes.

The exhibition will present a region in flux, reflecting its changing environment, communities, history, and evolving sense of place. This exhibition will take place concurrently at SDHC and OMA.

Submit your work now at bit.ly/OMAterrain

06/05/2026

There’s always something new to discover at the San Diego History Center.

From stories of innovation and community to exhibitions exploring food, culture, women’s history, science, and the people who shaped our region, our galleries bring San Diego’s past and present to life.

Take a look inside and see what’s on view in Balboa Park. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to explore something new, history is waiting for you.

📍 San Diego History Center, Balboa Park
🎟 Learn more and plan your visit at sandiegohistory.org

06/02/2026

☀️ Summer is here, and we’re extending our hours to give you more time to explore San Diego’s stories!

📍 San Diego History Center in Balboa Park
June 2 – September 1
Open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM

Step inside our Balboa Park museum to experience engaging exhibitions, including America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026, opening June 18, and discover the people, places, and moments that have shaped our region's past, present, and future.

📍 Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park
May 29 – August 30
Open Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM

Perched above Old Town, the Junípero Serra Museum offers breathtaking views and explores the early history of San Diego and the birthplace of California.

Whether you're a longtime local or visiting for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you this summer and sharing San Diego's stories with you. See you soon! 🌞🏛️

Learn more about both Museums: www.sandiegohistory.org

Create a collage, share your hopes for the future for the country on our Wish Wall, and explore our newest exhibition, "...
06/01/2026

Create a collage, share your hopes for the future for the country on our Wish Wall, and explore our newest exhibition, "America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026." All ages are welcome, and all art supplies are provided—just bring your imagination.

Plus, enjoy free pizza from Pizza to the Polls while supplies last! 🍕

📅 June 20
⏰ Drop in anytime from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📍 San Diego History Center

This special event is part of Civic Season, a nationwide movement connecting history to civic engagement between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July.

Admission is free, but registration is required due to limited capacity. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/SDHC_SliceOfHistory

Exhibition Call for Entry: Changing TerrainSubmit by June 10, 2026Calling all Southern California and Baja-based artists...
05/29/2026

Exhibition Call for Entry: Changing Terrain
Submit by June 10, 2026

Calling all Southern California and Baja-based artists! Submit your entries for Changing Terrain: Regional Artists Interpret Our Landscape, a joint contemporary landscape exhibition exploring new interpretations of Southern California and Baja landscapes.

The exhibition will present a region in flux, reflecting its changing environment, communities, history, and evolving sense of place. This exhibition will take place concurrently at San Diego History Center (SDHC) and Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA).

Submit your work now at bit.ly/OMAterrain

On May 30th, we’re teaming up with the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation for an afternoon of robotics, creativity, and hand...
05/28/2026

On May 30th, we’re teaming up with the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation for an afternoon of robotics, creativity, and hands-on STEAM. Families are invited to explore the San Diego Women in STEM exhibit, then jump into free RoboBattles workshops where kids design, build, and battle their own LEGO® robots.

Equipment provided! Xbox controllers for steering. No two bots are ever the same. It’s creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, all wrapped into one action-packed afternoon.

📍 San Diego History Center
🗓️ May 30th | 12:00–4:00 PM
🎉 Free for all ages

See you there!

As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we honor the individuals, families, and institutions that have helped sh...
05/26/2026

As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we honor the individuals, families, and institutions that have helped shape San Diego’s cultural and civic history—including Congregation Beth Israel, the city’s oldest Jewish congregation, founded in 1861.

Temple Beth Israel, originally dedicated in 1889, remains one of the oldest synagogue structures in the American West and stands today in Heritage Park as a lasting symbol of San Diego’s diverse heritage and community history.

Explore more through the Journal of San Diego History article regarding the Temple: https://bit.ly/SDHC_TempleBethIsrael

Find additional historic photographs documenting San Diego’s Jewish history through our Digital Collections website: https://collections.sandiegohistory.org/

Address

1649 El Prado, Ste 3
San Diego, CA
92101

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+16192326203

Website

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