RealtorPeg: February Is 1/2 Off Admission At 40 San Diego Museums

February Is San Diego Museum Month

Half off 40 museums throughout the county

By Tony Cooper • Tue, Feb 1st, 2011

Read More: Museum Month , Barno Cultural Center and Museum , USS Midway , San Diego Automotive Musuem , San Diego Hall of Champions , San Diego , Museum

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Courtesy Photo

Being entertained and learning a few things is an enticing combination. It's even better if executed at half the regular price.

For the 22nd year, February means Museum Month in San Diego County. Simply stroll into any Macy's in the county, as well as Temecula and El Centro, to score a Museum Month pass, which entitles you to a 50 percent discount at 40 San Diego Museums. Pass holders can bring up to three others along, and they'll get the markdown as well. All the museums are members of the San Diego Museum Council. Museum Council executive director Theresa Kosen said some 23,000 people took advantage of the passes last year, and this time around it should be even larger.

"The growth the last three years has been off the charts," Kosen said. "I attribute (some of) that to our economy. Budget conscious people and families are looking to save money.

"It's a great deal. (Museum Month) raises the profile of museums and brings visitors who might not otherwise visit."

Kosen said Museum Month has become so popular that not only do area Macy's stores get phone inquiries about the availability of the passes, but non-locals contact the Museum Council to ask about getting passes.

"With the advent of the Internet, the word is out about Museum Month," Kosen said. "I get calls beyond the region from people telling me, 'We're coming. We want to make sure we get passes to go to museums.' It has been a regional promotion for San Diego. It's a tradition in San Diego."

Here is a list of some of the top attractions. However, keep in mind that one would be hard-pressed to go wrong with any museum on the full roster. Admission prices don't take the discount into account:

San Diego Hall of Champions, 2131 Pan America Plaza, Balboa Park: When it comes to athletes, San Diego had a rich tradition long before the Chargers, Padres and Clippers got here. Exhibits include the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and Surfing Legends. $8 adults, $6 seniors and military, $4 children 7-17. Six and under free. 619-234-2544.

Barona Cultural Center and Museum, 1095 Barona Rd., Lakeside: The county's only museum on an Indian Reservation is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of local Native culture. Free admission. 619-443-7003.

Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside: OMA shows the work of regional and international artists in a wide range of genres. General admission $8. Seniors 65 and up $5. Students, military (and their dependents) free with ID. 760-435-3720.

USS Midway, 910 North Harbor Dr., Downtown: This San Diego favorite, the longest serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century, features a flight simulator for visitors. Don't miss it. $18 adults, $15 seniors (62+) and students, $10 retired military (with ID), youth (6-17) $10. 619-544-9600.

San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan America Plaza, Balboa Park: Numerous events and exhibits for any car fanatic. $8 adults (16-64), $6 seniors (over 64), $6 military, $5 students, $4 youth (6-15), under 6 free. 619-231-2886.

San Diego Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park: A cultural and anthropology museum, MOM visitors come away not only entertained, but highly informed about cultural issues. Adults $12, youth (13-17) $7.50, children (3-12), $5, seniors (62+) $7.50. Active military ($7.50), children under 3 free. 619-239-2001.

The New Children's Museum, 200 W. Island Avenue, Downtown: Opened in 2008, the NCW has tons of activities for kids and was built in an environmentally friendly building. Adults and children $10. Seniors (65+) and military, $5. Children under a year old free. 619-233-8792.

Women's History Museum and Education Center, 2323 Broadway, suite 107, Golden Hill: The center opened in 1983 as the Women's Historic Reclamation Project by Mary B. Maschal, who didn't think women were well represented by mainstream historical accounts. Free, but donations welcome. 619-233-7963.

Escondido Children's Museum, 380 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido: It's kid stuff, in a good way, teaching kids about the world and stimulating their young minds. $5 (12 months and older, including adults), under 12 months free. 760-233-7755.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park: Choo-choo and all aboard in a miniature kind of way. Since it opened in 1982, more than 3 million model train buffs have visited the museum. $7 adults, children under 15 free. 619-696-0199.

Other participating museums:

Adobe Chapel Museum

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Bonita Museum & Cultural Center

California Center for the Arts, Museum

Coronado Museum of History & Art

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

Heritage of the Americas Museum

La Jolla Historical Society

LUX Art Institute

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Marston House

MCRD Command Museum

Mingei International Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - La Jolla

Museum of Making Music

Museum of Photographic Arts

Old Town San Diego Historic Park

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

San Diego Air & Space Museum

San Diego Archaeological Center

San Diego Botanic Gardens

San Diego Historical Society Museum & Research Archives

Library & Junipero Serra Museum

San Diego Natural History Museum

The San Diego Museum of Art

Tijuana Estuary Visitors Center

Timken Museum of Art

Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

Water Conservation Garden

Whaley House