What are the Museum hours?
How much time should I plan for my visit?
Does the Museum have wheelchairs?
Does the Museum have strollers?
What’s the rule on backpacks?
Is photography allowed?
Is there a diaper changing area?
What are the directions and is there parking at the Museum?
How can I get to the Museum using public transportation?
What’s Residents Free Tuesday?
Is there a place to eat at the Museum?
Can I bring food and drinks into the Museum?
Are service animals allowed into the Museum?
Does the Museum allow re-entry?
Is there a lost and found?
What is there to do for kids and families?
What’s the 3D/4D Zable Theater?
Does the Museum accommodate field trips and group tours?
Can I become a member of the Museum?
What is Balboa Park?
Are there day and multi-day passes to Balboa Park?

Answers

Hours & Days of Operation: We are open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m.). Closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas Day. Hours subject to change. Note: The Kid’s Aviation Action Hangar is closed on Resident Free Tuesdays (second Tuesday of each month).

How much time should I plan for my visit? There are many things to see and do at the Museumn - special exhibitions, our 3D/4D Zable Theater, flight simulators and all of the wonderful Museum galleries. Most guests spend one to two hours in the Museum but many spend much longer watching video presentations and reading the narratives of our outstanding collection.

Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are available at no cost on a first-come-first-served basis while in the Museum. Identification is held at the Admissions desk while wheelchair is in use. The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

Strollers: Strollers are welcome in the Museum. The Museum does not rent strollers.

Backpacks: Backpacks are welcome in the Museum. School groups may be asked to have children leave their backpacks in a central area.

Photography: Non-commercial photography and video recording are permitted in the Museum. Commercial photography is not allowed without the written consent of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. To arrange a commercial photo or video recording session please contact the Museum at 619.234.8291 ext. 140.

Diaper Changing Area: Both the Women’s & Men’s restrooms have fold-down diaper changing stations.

Driving Directions & Parking: Free parking is available in front of the Museum near the new Palisades Plaza. Parking often fills quickly on weekends, holidays and during summer months. Additional free parking is available behind the Comic Con Museum and behind the Air & Space Museum. For directions to the Museum visit our Direction’s page by clicking here.

Public Transportation: The Museum is easily accessed using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The two main bus routes through Balboa Park are:

• Route 120 - Downtown - Kearny Mesa Transit Center via Hillcrest, Fashion Valley & Linda Vista
• Route 7 - Downtown - La Mesa

Residents Free Day: The general Museum galleries are free to San Diego County Residents, Active Duty Military and their dependents, and San Diego County College Students on the Second Tuesday of each month except December (due to the annual "December Nights" event.) On Residents Free Day, a picture ID verifying SD County residency is required. Special Exhibitions are not included. The Museum is often at full capacity on Residents Free Day. Don’t want to fight the crowds? Consider a Museum membership that provides entry to the Museum 363 days a year.

When are residents free in December?: San Diego residents, and the public at large, are free on the evenings of the two-day Balboa Park-wide "December Nights" event. "December Nights" takes place on the evenings of the first Friday and Saturday in December.

Dining: The Flight Path Grill is open on the Museum’s Observation Deck on most weekends during the summer. The Museum also has in house prepared food available in the Museum gift shop.

Food & Beverage: There are many beautiful areas to picnic in Balboa Park. Food and beverages are not permitted in the Museum.

Service Animals: The Museum welcomes services dogs and their handlers. Pets are not allowed.

Re-entry: Same day re-entry is allowed with a valid ticket.

Lost & Found: Please contact us if you lost something while visiting. Provide a complete description and contact information in case your item is located. 619.234.8291 ext. 100 or click here.

Kids & Families: We offer a very kid-friendly environment. Many elements of our special exhibitions are specifically designed for our younger visitors. In addition, our 3D/4D Zable Theater, and flight simulators are favorites with kids.

3D/4D Zable Theater: Visitors of the Museum can now enjoy our new 3D/4D Zable Theater, the first of its kind in Balboa Park! The 3D/4D Zable Theater uses advanced 3D technologies but takes it to the next level of experience; employing interactive seats and unique special effects built into the theater itself. The 3D/4D Zable Theater seats 36 guests per show, and they are played continuously each day. The Zable Theater is a special exhibition and included with general admission. Click here for films currently showing in the Zable Theater.

Field trips/Group tours: To schedule a field trip or group tour call 619.234.8291 ext. 119 or click here. Group rates are available for pre-booked groups of 10 people or more arriving together.

Membership: The Museum offers several membership options. Click here for our Membership rates and benefits.

Balboa Park: Balboa Park is one of the nation’s largest cultural parks. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo, the Park has an ever-changing calendar of museum exhibitions, plays, musicals, concerts, and classes all in the beautiful and timeless setting of this must-see San Diego attraction. Most of the cultural attractions in Balboa Park are independently managed non-profit organizations. The admission prices vary by institution - with museum and performing arts memberships offering a chance to support these San Diego cultural treasures as well as gain special admission to them. Admittance to the Park itself is free, as is the Botanical Building and most of the gardens. The Balboa Park grounds are open 24 hours a day, the Visitors Center is open 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily, and museum hours vary by institution.

One-Day, Multi-Day & Annual Passes to Balboa Park: Balboa Park offers several options for purchasing admission to multiple museums in the park.

• Here for the day?

Visit 5 museums in one day, for one price, with the  One-Day Explorer .

• Here for several days?

Visit 16 museums and cultural institutions, over the span of 7 consecutive days, for one price with the  Multi-Day Explorer .

• Local?

Visit 16 museums and cultural institutions over and over again, for an entire year, for one low price with the Annual Explorer .

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a participant in all of these exciting programs. However, please note that while the Annual Balboa Park Explorer is an excellent value, it is not the same as a membership to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. One-Day, Multi-Day, and Annual Balboa Park Explorer holders are granted access to general admission only. Special exhibits are not included. Special exhibits are included in the San Diego Air & Space Museum membership.

To purchase One-Day, Multi-Day, or Annual Balboa Park Explorers - please visit the Balboa Park Explorer portal by clicking here.