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Employment:
For employment
opportunities contact the individual institutions. For employment opportunities
within the City of San Diego go to: http://www.sannet.gov/directories/information.shtml
Other
Attractions
Butterfly
Rides Carousel Lawn
Bowling Balboa
Park Minature Railroad
Centro
Cultural de la Raza
Established in 1970,
Centro is dedicated to creating, promoting, and preserving Chicano,
Mexican, and Indigenous art and culture. The colorful murals of the
Centro, located on Park Boulevard, provide a preview to the art gallery
which features rotating exhibits; and a performance space where theater,
dance, music, and film/video programs are presented year-round. Ballet
folklorico dancing classes and educational tours are also available.
Hours:
Tues.–Sun., noon–4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 235-6135, www.centroraza.com
 House
of Pacific Relations International Cottages
Housed in delightful
1935 Exposition cottages, 30 groups promote international peace and
understanding. Open Houses are held from noon–4:00 p.m. every Sunday,
showcasing cultural traditions of different groups each week. At 2:00
p.m. on Sundays from March through October, Lawn Programs feature music,
dance, traditional costumes, arts, crafts, and ethnic foods. On Memorial
Day Sunday, HPR presents the annual Ethnic Food Fair, and as part of
Balboa Park December Nights, HPR offers an International Christmas Festival.
Hours:
Sun. noon–4:00 p.m.; Lawn programs (March–October) 2:00 p.m.
Information:
(619) 234-0739, www.sdhpr.org
 Japanese
Friendship Garden
The Garden originated
as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now
lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Along the Garden’s
winding paths are a Zen garden for meditation, an exhibit house, koi
pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate, and a Fujidana (wisteria
arbor). Weekend classes are offered in sushi making, bonsai, calligraphy,
and conversational Japanese.
Hours:
Mon.–Fri. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 232-2721, www.niwa.org
Marie
Hitchcock Puppet Theater
Founded in the late
1940s, the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is a longtime San Diego tradition
for children. Puppet performances are presented throughout the year
by a variety of troupes. The theater also provides a venue for its resident
puppeteers, who work with marionettes, hand, rod, and shadow puppets.
Special programs and workshops are offered. The theater is sponsored
in part by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.
Hours:
Performances, Wed., Thurs. and Fri. at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. and Sat.
and Sun. at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. with extended hours during
summer months.
Public
information: (619) 544-9203, www.balboaparkpuppets.com
Marston
House (3525 Seventh Ave.)
This classic 1905
Arts and Crafts style museum home was built for noted civic leader and
merchant, George W. Marston and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Designed by renowned local architects William Hebbard
and Irving Gill, it sits on five acres of landscaped English and California
influenced gardens. It is furnished with original furniture and decorative
arts from the early American Arts and Crafts period including exquisite
pottery and Native American basket collections.
Hours:
Fri.–Sun., 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 298-3142, www.sandiegohistory.org
 Mingei
International Museum
Dedicated to furthering the understanding of art of the people, the
Mingei International Museum presents dynamic, changing exhibitions of
traditional and contemporary folk art, craft, and design in modern,
state-of-the-art gallery spaces. Whether drawn from its extensive holdings
or featured as part of a major touring exhibition, the museum showcases
the finest examples of creative expression from everyday artist craftsmen
from a wide diversity of world cultural traditions.
Hours:
Tues.–Sun. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 239-0003, www.mingei.org
Museum
of Photographic Arts
One of the few institutions
in the country devoted to the photographic arts, the Museum of Photographic
Arts houses more than 7,000 works, representing the entire history of
photography, its aesthetic movements, and technological advancements.
Illustrating the complex and varied history of the medium, the museum’s
collection is particularly strong in modern and contemporary work, specifically
social documentary photography and photojournalism. The museum is also
home to a state-of-the-art movie theater.
Hours:
Daily. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (until 9:00 p.m. on Thurs.)
Public
information: (619) 238-7559, www.mopa.org
Museum
of San Diego History
The museum showcases
the region’s unique, colorful history exhibiting artifacts, costumes,
textiles, art, furniture, photographs and periodic traveling exhibitions
detailing life and development of the local area. The Research Library
contains extensive local historical resources and houses documents,
maps, architectural drawings, books, oral history, as well as one of
the largest photograph collections in the western U.S. with over 2.5
million images documenting local history.
Hours:
Museum, Daily. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Research Library, Wed. –Sat. 10:00
a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 232-6203; www.sandiegohistory.org
 The
Old Globe
The internationally
acclaimed, Tony Award–winning Old Globe is one of the most esteemed
regional theaters in the country. The Globe boasts three unique venues:
the historic Old Globe Theatre; the intimate Cassius Carter Centre Stage;
and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Founded in 1935, the
Globe produces 15 plays and musicals annually -- from Shakespeare to
Sondheim including many world-premiere productions that have gone on
to Broadway.
Hours:
Performances, Sun. Tue. Wed. 7:00 p.m.; Thu. Fri. Sat. 8:00 p.m.;
Sat. and Sun. 2:00 p.m. (except Shakespeare Festival productions in
the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, which are Tue.–Sun. at 8:00
p.m.) Box Office hours: Mon. noon–6:00 p.m.; Tue.–Sun. noon–8:30 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 23-GLOBE, www.TheOldGlobe.org
Reuben
H. Fleet Science Center
The Fleet houses
the world’s first and San Diego’s only IMAX® Dome Theater
with engaging large-format films and stimulating planetarium shows.
There are over 100 interactive science exhibits that will appeal to
visitors of any age, a virtual reality attraction (Meteor Storm)
as well as Deep Sea: The Motion Simulator Ride. Visitors can
find healthful treats in Galileo’s Café and educational games
and more in the Science Store.
Hours:
Daily 9:30 a.m., closing times vary by season.
Public
information: (619) 238-1233, www.rhfleet.org
 San
Diego Aerospace Museum
A hit for kids of
all ages, the San Diego Aerospace Museum is where “dreams take flight,”
as guests journey from the dawn of flight to the space age. Experience
what it feels like to fly a 1903 Wright Flyer, a Sopwith Camel, a P-51
Mustang, or land an F-18 on the deck of the U.S.S. Constellation. Visitors
can even take a simulated walk in space, as well as see the actual Apollo
9 Command Module.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 234-8291 www.aerospacemuseum.org
San
Diego Art Institute (SDAI): Museum of the Living Artist
A new exhibition
of works by San Diego artists opens every four to six weeks in this
10,000-square-foot gallery, dedicated to the advancement of the visual
arts through outreach, education, and exhibition. Solo artist exhibitions
are also featured. The David Fleet Young Artists Gallery showcases youth
art from San Diego schools. The gallery store offers jewelry and gift
items made by local artists.
Hours:
Tue.–Sat. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sun. noon–4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 236-0011, www.sandiego-art.org
San
Diego Automotive Museum
The museum offers
a nostalgic look at the icon of the 20th-century–the automobile.
The permanent collection contains more than 80 historic autos and motorcycles
-- including Frank Sinatra’s 1967 Austin Petrol Hire Car and Russell
Crowe’s Harley-Davidson. Special exhibitions every two or three months
display other fine vehicles and famous autos. The museum store offers
one of the largest selections in San Diego of automotive-themed gift
items. A research library is open to museum members.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Public
Information: (619) 231-2886, www.sdautomuseum.org
San
Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
The nation’s largest
multi-sport museum boasts memorabilia reflecting San Diego’s sporting
legacy. Visitors can call play-by-play for Tony Gwynn and Ted Williams
in the state-of-the-art media center, follow the evolution of the surfboard,
or soar with skateboard legend Tony Hawk. More than an archive of San
Diego sports, this 70,000-square-foot facility on three levels is a
center that encourages visitors to be participants as well as observers.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 234-2544, www.sdhoc.com
San
Diego Junior Theatre
Established in 1948,
San Diego Junior Theatre is the oldest youth theatre program in the
United States. It boasts high-quality productions throughout the year
and offers numerous educational and community programs, including classes
in drama, voice, dance, and theatre production for children age three
to eighteen. With shows ranging from Our Town to Disney’s Beauty
and the Beast, Junior Theatre offers a memorable theatrical experience
for audiences of all ages.
Hours:
Classes, Mon.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Performances, Fri.,
7:00 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 239-1311, www.juniortheatre.com
 San
Diego Model Railroad Museum
At 28,000 square
feet, the museum is the world’s largest operating model railroad museum.
This unique museum contains four enormous scale and model layouts, built
by separate clubs, which depict railroads of the Southwest in O, HO,
and N scales. In addition, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum features
a Toy Train Gallery with an interactive Lionel layout for children and
state-of-the-art theater lighting.
Hours:
Tue. –Fri. 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 696-0199, www.sdmodelrailroadm.com
 San
Diego Museum of Art
As the region’s
oldest and largest art museum, the San Diego Museum of Art’s renowned
holdings include a fine selection of European old masters, 19th–20th
–century American art, an encyclopedic Asian collection, and growing
collections of contemporary and Latin American art. In addition, the
museum presents major art exhibitions from around the world, as well
as an extensive schedule of supporting cultural and educational programs.
Hours:
Tue.–Sun. 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday)
Public
information: (619) 232-7931, www.sdmart.org
San
Diego Museum of Man
Located beneath
the ornate 200-foot California Tower, the San Diego Museum of Man is
the city’s only museum devoted to anthropology. With its Spanish colonial
and mission style architecture, the landmark building was originally
constructed for the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition. Today, a key
focus of the museum is to create and display dynamic and educational
anthropological exhibits about people and places throughout the Americas
and around the world.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 239-2001, www.museumofman.org
 San
Diego Natural History Museum
Founded by a handful of citizen-naturalists in 1874, the museum is an
active research institution and is the oldest scientific institution
in Southern California. The museum is dedicated to interpreting the
natural world through research and education, offering local and international
exhibitions and promoting understanding of the evolution and diversity
of the Southern California-Baja California region. The museum also features
giant-screen films and offers a wide selection of public programs for
people of all ages.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Public
Information: (619) 232-3821, www.sdnhm.org
 San
Diego Zoo
Home to more than
4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species
and subspecies, the San Diego Zoo is a world famous conservation organization
where visitors view exotic animals in habitat environments. Guests may
view rare giant pandas, cuddly looking koalas, reptiles of various shapes
and sizes and many more interesting species.
Hours:
Daily 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. with extended summer hours
Public
information: (619) 231-1515, www.sandiegozoo.org
Spanish
Village Art Center
Built for the 1935–36 California-Pacific International Exposition, this
historic site houses 35 art studios in a charming setting that re-creates
the feeling of a town square in Spain. More than 50 artists and craftspeople
work on site in a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture,
photography, jewelry, woodcarving, glass blowing, and pottery. Regular
art shows, complete with food and entertainment, are presented on the
village’s flagstone patio.
Hours:
Mon.–Sun. 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 233-9050, www.spanishvillageart.com
 Spreckels
Organ Pavilion
John D. and Adolph
Spreckels donated the Spreckels Organ, one of the world’s largest outdoor
pipe organs, to the City of San Diego in 1914 for the Panama-California
Exposition. This unique organ contains 4,530 pipes ranging in length
from the size of a pencil to 32 feet and is housed in an ornate vaulted
structure with highly embellished gables. Since 1917, San Diego has
had a civic organist, who performs free weekly Sunday concerts.
Hours: Concerts, Sun. 2:00–3:00 p.m.; mid-June–Aug. International
Summer Organ Festival Mon. 7:30 p.m.
Public information: (619) 702-8138, www.sosorgan.com
Starlight
Theatre and Starlight Bowl
Constructed for
the 1935–1936 California-Pacific Exposition, Starlight Bowl is the home
of the Starlight Theatre (San Diego Civic Light Opera Association),
which performs during the months of July, August, and September. One
of the oldest continuously producing musical theater companies in the
United States, Starlight presented its first season in 1946 and has
featured more than 1,000 productions of 120 musicals.
Hours:
Box Office, Tue.–Fri. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sat. noon–4:00 p.m.;
Performances, 8:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 544-7800; www.starlighttheatre.org
 Timken
Museum of Art
Considered one of
the finest small museums in the United States, the Timken houses the
world-class Putnam Foundation Collection of European old master paintings,
American paintings, and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt,
Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Singleton
Copley, and Eastman Johnson. The Timken’s modern, white marble building
was designed by San Diego architect Frank Hope, Jr. The museum hosts
special exhibitions and admission is always free.
Hours:
Tues.–Sat. 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Closed month
of September and major holidays.
Public
information: (619) 239-5548 www.timkenmuseum.org
United
Nations Building
The United Nations
Building houses the United Nations Association of San Diego (UNA-SD),
the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom, and the International Gift Shop.
In 1956, Eleanor Roosevelt requested that the San Diego City Council
grant the newly formed UNA-SD the permanent use of the Park’s U.N. Building
for educational and administrative purposes. The International Gift
Shop provides financial support through the sale of unique world handicrafts
including jewelry, books, toys, world music, as well as UNICEF cards
and gifts.
Hours:
Daily 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 233-5044, www.unasd.org
 Veterans
Museum & Memorial Center
Located in the historic
Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and
women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine.
The collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia,
and artwork from the Civil War to the present. Changing exhibitions
highlight experiences of veterans in San Diego.
Hours:
Tue.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Public
information: (619) 239-2300, www.veteranmuseum.org
WorldBeat
Center
Housed in a colorfully
painted former water tower, WorldBeat Center opened in Balboa Park in
1996. The Center is dedicated to promoting and preserving African, African-American,
and other indigenous cultures of the world through art, music, dance,
education, and technology. Classes in international dance and drumming
are offered year round, along with concerts and lectures.
Hours:
Varies
Public
information: (619) 230-1190, www.worldbeatcenter.org
Other
Attractions
Butterfly
Rides. (Currently closed for re-tooling). Located just inside the
entrance of Zoo Place this airplane and butterfly ride for children
age five years and under is great entertainment. The tiny-tot ride is
in operation from the third week in June through Labor Day, running
daily, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Winter hours are Saturdays, Sundays, and
school holidays, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Carousel.
Built in 1910 by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda,
New York, the carousel has been in the Park since 1922. It is located
just inside the entrance to Zoo Place. The carousel is a menagerie of
animals and all but two pairs are original, hand-carved European craftsmanship.
Also original are the hand-painted murals surrounding the upper portion
of the carousel and the military band music. This carousel is one of
the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone
taking the 5-minute ride. From the third week in June through Labor
Day, the carousel runs daily, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Winter hours are
Saturdays, Sundays, and school holidays, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Information
619-460-9000.
Lawn
Bowling. Organized in 1931 with five founding members, the San Diego
Lawn Bowling Club is still going strong with more than 100 members.
Lawn bowling is a game of strategy and skill, with the object being
to roll the "bowls" so they will come as close to the jack (a small
white ball) as possible. The bowl has an elliptical shape which causes
it to curve as it rolls, in the direction of its smaller side. Competition
takes place between single players or teams of 2, 3 or 4 players. The
play of the game is divided into periods called "ends." The number of
ends played is decided on before the start of the game or tournament.
Members, who must dress in white, play on Tuesday and Saturday at 9:30am;
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday at 1:00pm; and Thursday at 10:00am. Lessons
are given by members of the club. Public information Howard Harris at
858-353-4333. www.sandiegolawnbowling.com/
 Balboa
Park Minature Railroad. This miniature locomotive holds 48 passengers
and takes a 3-minute, ½-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park.
The locomotive is one-fifth the scale of the General Motors F3 diesels,
which pull the Santa Fe’s Super Chief. The train is a model G16 – now
a rare antique with as few as fifty currently remaining. Since 1948,
when the locomotive was introduced in the Park with great pomp and ceremony,
over 5 million passengers have ridden on board. A conductor in a railroad
cap and overalls runs the miniature train on Saturdays, Sundays, and
daily during school vacations, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The train is located
adjacent to the carousel, opposite the entrance to the Zoo. Operated
by the San Diego Zoo Department of Transportation. Information (619)
231-1515 ext. 4219.
To find out about
arts and culture events and attractions throughout San Diego, you can
visit the web site of the San
Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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