San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) — San Diego, California

Address1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

HoursDaily 10am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Prices$24.95 adult · $16.95 youth (3–17) · free children 2 & under

Age notesTicket tiers: youth 3–17, adult; children 2 & under free.

BookingReservation requirement Not confirmed on the official pages fetched.

Suggested timeAbout 2.5 hours

AccessibilityFree wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Services Desk, and an escort accompanying a visitor with disabilities receives free admission (official accessibility page).

ParkingBalboa Park parking: meters $2.50/hr and lots $5–$16/day under the park's paid parking program (from Jan 5, 2026, per SDMA's FAQ)

Hours in detail10 AM-5 PM daily; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On select Fridays, Nat at Night keeps the museum open until 11 PM with half-price admission after 5 PM.

Tickets & bookingMuseums for All: present an EBT, SNAP or WIC card plus photo ID at the Admissions Desk for FREE general admission for up to 4 people per family. Residents Free Days run on the first Tuesday of each month for San Diego City & County residents, active military and dependents (films not included; film tickets $5; last entry 4:30 PM; entry not guaranteed). An adult must accompany youth 15 and under.

AccessibilityWheelchairs are free at the Visitor Services Desk. The north entrance (near the giant fig tree) is the accessible entrance; six accessible parking spaces are in the lot on the east side of the museum off Village Place. The escort of a visitor with disabilities receives free general admission. Two exhibitions (Coast to Cactus and Extraordinary Ideas) have wheelchair lifts that require a key, available at the Admissions Desk. Social stories are published to help autistic visitors prepare. Assistive listening devices for the Kaplan Theater are available from the theater attendant or Admissions Desk.

Sensory notesASD Mornings: one Sunday per month the museum opens early for guests on the autism spectrum and their families, with a private showing of Ocean Oasis at lower volume and higher light levels, plus a quiet room for decompression.

Official tipsStorytime "Nature and Me" (recommended ages 1-5 with an adult) runs every second Thursday at 10:15 AM, free with admission. Balboa Park parking fills up - the museum suggests arriving before 10 AM for a good spot.

Verified perk: Museums for All — FREE admission with EBT/SNAP/WICFree general admission for up to 4 people with an EBT/SNAP/WIC card and photo ID (museum's official accessibility page, 'Nature Is for Everyone').

Verified perk: Resident Free Days — free admission on the first TuesdayResident Free Days are typically held on the first Tuesday of each month; films are excluded (film tickets $5) and entry is not guaranteed (museum's official accessibility page).