Category: art

San Diego’s Kids Free October promotion

🗓️ Special Free / Discount Days & Programs in October

San Diego’s Kids Free October promotion offers free admission for children 12 and under at over 70 attractions throughout the county during the month of October 2025. This initiative, organized by the San Diego Tourism Authority, aims to provide families with affordable opportunities to explore the region’s diverse cultural and recreational offerings.

🐾 Major Attractions

🎨 Balboa Park Museums

Many museums in Balboa Park participate in the promotion:

  • San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat): Up to two kids (12 & under) per adult. 
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum: Kids free with adult.
  • San Diego Museum of Art: Free general admission on the 2nd Thursday (“Access for All Day”).
  • Museum of Us: Free admission on the 4th Tuesday of the month for residents. 
  • Comic-Con Museum: Free admission on select days.
  • Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum: Free admission on select days. 
  • Timken Museum of Art: Always free admission. 

🧪 Science & Discovery

  • Fleet Science Center: One free child per adult.
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps: Free admission on select days.
  • Children’s Museum of Discovery (Escondido): Free admission on select days. t

🌿 Gardens & Nature

  • San Diego Botanic Garden: Free admission on select days. 
  • Water Conservation Garden: Free admission on select days. 
  • Japanese Friendship Garden: Free admission on select days. 

🏛️ Cultural & Historical Sites

  • Cabrillo National Monument: Free admission on select days. 
  • Mission San Luis Rey: Free admission on select days. 
  • California Surf Museum: Free admission on select days. 
  • Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum: Free admission on select days. 
  • Children’s Museum of Discovery (Escondido): Free admission on select days. 

Please note that many of these attractions require advance registration or a coupon to redeem the free admission. It’s advisable to check the specific requirements for each location before planning your visit.

These are “free days” or admission discounts that apply on specific days or under certain programs.

Museum / SiteFree / Discount OptionNotes / Conditions
San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, USS Midway, New Children’s Museum, etc.Kids Free October – free admission for children 12 & under with a paid adultOver 60+ museums, attractions participate countywide for the month. San Diego+4San Diego Museum Council+4San Diego+4
Residents Free Days (Balboa Park museums, etc.)Rotating free admission days for San Diego City/County residents (with ID)Many Balboa Park museums participate in this program. San Diego Magazine+5Balboa Park+5Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups+5
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)Free on Residents Free Days(first Tuesday of each month)Films and special exhibits may cost extra. The Nat
The Museum of UsFree admission on the 4th Tuesday of the month for residentsMust show proof of residency. Museum of Us
San Diego Air & Space MuseumFree to San Diego County residents on 2nd Tuesday(Special exhibitions, theater, simulators might still require separate pay) San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA)Free general admission on the 2nd Thursday (“Access for All Day”)Also free for county residents on the 3rd Tuesday. San Diego Museum of Art+2San Diego Museum of Art+2

Dinosaurs, Deserts, and Discoveries: Exploring The Nat in Balboa Park

For Current Exhibits, Events, Hours and Pricing visit https://www.sdnhm.org

Balboa Park is full of gems, but if you’re curious about the natural world, especially the unique environment right here in Southern California and down into Baja, there’s one place you absolutely have to visit: the San Diego Natural History Museum, affectionately known as The Nat.

Standing proudly on the east end of the El Prado walkway, The Nat isn’t just a building full of cool stuff (though it definitely has that!). It’s a gateway to understanding the incredible biodiversity and fascinating geological history of our region. Whether you’re a lifelong San Diegan or just visiting, a trip to The Nat offers fresh perspectives on the nature that surrounds us.

What Wonders Await Inside?

Step through the doors, and you’re in for a treat. The Nat packs a lot into its multiple floors:

  • Coast to Cactus in Southern California: This is a must-see signature exhibit! It takes you on an immersive journey through the diverse habitats of our region, from the tide pools and coastal sage scrub, through chaparral and woodlands, right up to the mountains and down into the desert. You’ll see familiar local critters and plants presented in fascinating ways, really connecting you to the place we call home.
  • Fossil Mysteries: Prepare for a trip back in time! This exhibit delves into 75 million years of regional history. Yes, that means dinosaurs that roamed this area, plus giant sloths, mammoths, and fearsome marine reptiles. See real fossils unearthed nearby and marvel at the massive creatures that preceded us. It’s a definite favorite for kids and adults alike.
  • Living Lab: Get up close with some of the smaller, often overlooked, residents of Southern California. This exhibit features live reptiles, amphibians, and insects, offering a chance to safely observe creatures you might (or might not!) encounter on local trails.
  • Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage: Ever wonder what museums keep behind the scenes? This rotating exhibit gives you a peek into The Nat’s vast research collections – millions of specimens that scientists use to study our natural world. You never know what unique artifact or creature might be on display!
  • The Loggia (California Tower Views!): Head upstairs for a bonus – the Canyoneer-led nature trail on the Museum’s 4th-floor terrace offers stunning views across Balboa Park, including a great perspective on the iconic California Tower.
  • Giant-Screen Theater: Immerse yourself in breathtaking nature documentaries! The theater showcases films that transport you from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, often complementing the museum’s themes. (Note: Theater admission is typically separate or an add-on).
  • Hidden Gems (Like, Actual Gems!): Don’t miss the dazzling collection of gems and minerals, showcasing the beauty hidden beneath the Earth’s surface.

More Than Just Exhibits

The Nat is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Southern California, founded way back in 1874. Beyond the public exhibits, it’s a hub of active research and conservation. Scientists at The Nat study and protect the biodiversity of our unique border region, contributing vital knowledge about our local ecosystems. Visiting the museum helps support this important work!

Planning Your Expedition to The Nat

  • Location: You can’t miss it at 1788 El Prado, right in the heart of Balboa Park.
  • Hours: The Nat is typically open daily, usually from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, it’s always best to check their official website (sdnhm.org) for the most current hours before you go, especially around holidays or for special events.
  • Tickets: You can buy tickets online in advance (recommended!) or at the door. The Nat is also often included in the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, which can be a great value if you plan on visiting multiple museums.
  • Who Should Go?: Everyone! It’s incredibly family-friendly with lots of engaging displays for kids, but adults will find plenty to appreciate, especially the deep dive into our local natural history.

Why Visit The Nat?

In a world constantly vying for our attention, The Nat offers a chance to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural environment. It reminds us of the rich, complex, and sometimes fragile ecosystems that exist right outside our doors here in San Diego County and Baja California. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the plants, animals, and geological forces that shape our beautiful corner of the world.

So next time you’re in Balboa Park, make sure to dedicate some time to exploring the San Diego Natural History Museum. You might just discover your new favorite dinosaur, gain a fresh perspective on your backyard Pinyon Jay, or simply be awestruck by the natural beauty of our region.

Have you been to The Nat recently? What’s your favorite exhibit? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Discover Balboa Park’s Resident Free Days: A Guide for San Diego Locals

Balboa Park, the cultural heart of San Diego, offers a unique opportunity for residents to explore its world-class museums without the usual admission fees. Through the Resident Free Days program, local residents and active-duty military personnel can enjoy complimentary access to select museums on designated Tuesdays each month. Here’s how you can make the most of this fantastic offering.​

First Tuesday:

  • Fleet Science Center (exhibits only; films not included)
  • San Diego Natural History Museum (exhibits only; films not included)
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Second Tuesday:

  • San Diego Air & Space Museum (exhibits only; special exhibitions not included)
  • Comic-Con Museum (excluding November and December)
  • The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park

Third Tuesday:

Note: Schedules are subject to change, and some museums may have exclusions or blackout dates. It’s advisable to check the official Balboa Park Resident Free Days schedule for the most current information.​

New South Bay Park Grand Opening

Discover Your New Favorite Park: Features Galore!

This isn’t just a patch of grass; Sweetwater Park is thoughtfully designed to blend recreation with the unique natural beauty of our bayfront environment. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Play Naturally: Kids (and the young at heart) will love the nature-themed playgrounds. These aren’t your average swings and slides; they incorporate educational elements about local wildlife, making playtime both fun and informative.
  • Walk, Bike, Explore: Lace-up your sneakers or grab your bike! The park boasts 2.5 miles of new pathways, some paved and some with softer surfaces, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a morning jog, or a family bike ride. Plus, it connects seamlessly with the existing Sweetwater Bicycle and Pedestrian Path.
  • Connect with Nature: True to its location next to the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, the park features sand dunes, meadows, mounded grasslands, and specialty gardens filled with native plants. It’s a fantastic spot for bird watching, enjoying stunning bay views from scenic overlooks, or simply finding a quiet moment. Keep an eye out for the Kumeyaay signage integrated throughout the park, honoring the area’s original inhabitants.
  • Art on the Bayfront: Look for the striking “Rigors of Flight” public art sculpture by Roberto Salas. This impressive 25-foot-tall piece, resembling a wishbone, pays tribute to the abundant birdlife of the region.
  • Relax and Gather: Plenty of seating areas and picnic spots are strategically placed for you to relax, enjoy a snack, and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

More Than Just a Park

Part of a Grand Vision (The Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan): Sweetwater Park wasn’t just a standalone idea. It’s a key piece of the massive 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment project. This ambitious plan, a joint effort between the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista, has been in the works for decades. The goal has always been to transform our underutilized industrial waterfront into a vibrant destination with resorts (like the adjacent Gaylord Pacific), convention space, housing, retail, and crucially, significant new public parks and improved access to the bay.

Why You Need to Visit ASAP!

  • It’s BRAND NEW! Be among the first to explore this fantastic addition to Chula Vista.
  • Something for Everyone: Whether you want active play, peaceful nature walks, or a spot for a picnic with a view, this park has it.
  • Beautiful Setting: The focus on native plants and natural design makes it a truly lovely place to spend time, with great views of the bay.
  • It’s FREE! Access to this amazing community resource costs absolutely nothing.
  • It’s Ours! This is a wonderful new asset for all Chula Vista residents to enjoy.

Planning Your Visit

Ready to check it out? Here’s the essential info:

  • Location: You’ll find it on the Chula Vista Bayfront, just north of the Gaylord Pacific Resort. The Port lists the address as 845 E St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (near the Gunpowder Point Drive area).
  • Hours: The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
  • Parking: Good news! There’s ample public parking available (around 219 spaces).
  • Cost: Free!

Go Explore Sweetwater Park!

Have you visited Sweetwater Park yet? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Desert X: Where Art Meets the Arid Landscape

Desert X isn’t your typical art exhibition. It’s a site-specific, recurring exhibition that transforms the Coachella Valley’s vast, arid landscape into an open-air art gallery. Imagine sculptures rising from the desert floor, installations playing with light and shadow against the mountains, and interactive pieces that invite you to engage with the environment in new ways. That’s Desert X.

To learn more about Desert X visit their website https://desertx.org

A Sanctuary in the Desert

Located in Desert Hot Springs, “Soul Service Station” is more than just a visual spectacle; it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and replenish. Saar reimagines the familiar image of a roadside gas station, transforming it into a spiritual oasis. Here’s what makes it so compelling:

  • Reclaiming and Reimagining:
    • Saar draws inspiration from the gas stations that dot the American West, including those within the Coachella Valley, but she infuses her creation with a profound sense of spiritual nourishment.
    • The station offers “fuel for the soul,” inviting visitors to “get their blues flushed, spirits inflated, hearts charged, and souls filled.”
  • A Space for Healing and Hope:
    • Inside the station, a carefully curated sculptural assemblage, handcrafted by Saar, features a collection of devotional objects.
    • Collaborating with Coachella Valley students, Saar has incorporated foil repoussé medallions, expressing prayers and wishes for healing and hope, adding a vital community element to the installation.
  • Powerful Symbolism:
    • A life-size, hand-carved female figure stands at the center, serving as the guardian and healer of the site, radiating strength and protection.
    • A repurposed gas pump dispenses poetry by Los Angeles–based poet Harryette Mullen, adding a rich layer of literary depth to the experience.
  • Material and Metaphor:
    • Saar’s use of found and salvaged materials is central to her practice. She imbues these objects with new meaning, honoring the histories and cultural memories they carry, particularly those related to Black female identity.

A Unique Artistic Experience

What makes Desert X so captivating is its profound connection to its location. The artists invited to participate are challenged to create works that respond to the unique geological, ecological, and social context of the Coachella Valley. This results in art that isn’t just placed in the desert, but rather, emerges from it.

Here are some key aspects that define Desert X:

  • Site-Specificity: The artworks are designed specifically for the desert environment, taking into account the landscape’s scale, light, and climate. This creates a dialogue between art and nature.
  • Environmental Awareness: Many installations address themes of climate change, water scarcity, and the delicate balance of the desert ecosystem.
  • Exploration and Discovery: Desert X encourages visitors to explore the vastness of the Coachella Valley, leading them on a journey of discovery and reflection.
  • Public Engagement: The exhibition is free and open to the public, making art accessible to a wide audience.

Past Installations: A Glimpse into the Extraordinary

Over the years, Desert X has featured a diverse range of captivating installations. Some notable examples include:

  • Doug Aitken’s “Mirage” (2017): A mirrored house that reflected the surrounding desert, creating a surreal and disorienting experience.
  • Jennifer Bolande’s “Visible Distance” (2019): Billboards displaying images of the mountains, strategically placed to align with the actual mountain range, blurring the lines between reality and representation.
  • Christopher Myers’ “The Art of Taming Horses” (2023): Sculptures and flags that explored the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in the area.
  • Alicja Kwade’s “ParaPivot (sempiternal clouds)” (2023): A sculpture that appeared to be made of large, displaced stones, which created a visually stunning contrast with the desert surroundings.

More Than Just Art

Desert X is more than just an art exhibition; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to:

  • Reconnect with nature in a profound way.
  • Challenge your perceptions of art and landscape.
  • Engage in meaningful conversations about the environment.
  • Discover the beauty and fragility of the desert ecosystem.

Planning Your Visit

If you’re planning a trip to the Coachella Valley, be sure to check the Desert X website for the latest information on upcoming exhibitions. Remember to:

  • Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking and exploring.
  • Plan your route carefully, as the installations are spread across a large area.
  • Respect the environment and leave no trace.

Desert X is a testament to the power of art to transform our perception of the world around us. It’s a reminder that even in the most seemingly barren landscapes, beauty and creativity can flourish.

Bayside Park: Chula Vista’s Waterfront Escape

Note: Due to construction activities in the area, street parking is limited and park permits for Bayside Park are unavailable at this time. The new Gaylord Resort across the street is scheduled to open on May 15th, 2025. Once the property is open the renewed Bayside Park with be expanded and have a few new features. I will return and report on all the improvements sometime in May 2025.

THE FISHERMAN description
Stephen Fairfield
metal sculpture
Chula Vista Bayside Park
2007

If you’re looking for a relaxing, scenic spot in the South Bay, look no further than Bayside Park in Chula Vista. Tucked away at the foot of J Street, this park is a true local gem offering a perfect blend of recreation and tranquility.

Sweeping Views and Salty Breezes

The first thing that strikes you at Bayside Park is the view. You get expansive, beautiful vistas across San Diego Bay. On a clear day, you can easily spot the iconic Coronado Bridge arching across the water, the shimmering downtown San Diego skyline, and the naval ships navigating the bay. It’s a fantastic spot to simply sit on a bench, feel the gentle bay breeze, and watch the world go by. Sunsets here? Absolutely spectacular.

Something for Everyone

Bayside Park isn’t just about passive enjoyment; there’s plenty to do:

  1. The Fishing Pier: A major draw is the popular fishing pier extending out into the entrance of the marina. You’ll often find locals casting a line, hoping for a bite. Even if you’re not fishing, a stroll out to the end of the pier offers even better panoramic views and a feeling of being right out on the water. (Remember to check California fishing license requirements if you plan to fish!).
  2. Walking & Biking Path: A paved path winds through the park and connects to the wider Bayshore Bikeway, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll, a brisk jog, or a scenic bike ride along the water’s edge.
  3. Playground Fun: Got kids? They’ll love the playground area, offering a safe and fun space for them to burn off some energy while you soak in the views nearby.
  4. Picnic Perfect: With plenty of grassy areas and picnic tables scattered throughout, Bayside Park is an excellent choice for an outdoor meal. Pack a lunch, spread out a blanket, and enjoy dining al fresco with an unbeatable backdrop.
  5. Relax and Unwind: Sometimes, the best activity is no activity at all. Find a comfortable bench or a spot on the grass, read a book, listen to music, or simply watch the sailboats and kayaks glide by.

Practical Matters

  • Location: Find it at 999 Bayside Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (at the western end of J Street).
  • Parking: There’s usually ample free parking available in the adjacent lot, though it can get busier on weekends and holidays.
  • Amenities: You’ll find public restrooms available for convenience.
  • Accessibility: The paved paths make large portions of the park accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Make a Day of It

Bayside Park is located near the Chula Vista Marina, so you can easily extend your visit by exploring the boats or grabbing a bite at one of the nearby waterfront restaurants. It’s also relatively close to the Living Coast Discovery Center, offering another great family-friendly activity focused on local wildlife.

Your Chula Vista Oasis Awaits

Whether you’re a long-time South Bay resident who hasn’t stopped by in a while or a visitor exploring the area, Bayside Park offers a refreshing escape. It’s a place to connect with the beauty of San Diego Bay, enjoy simple outdoor pleasures, and recharge your batteries.

So next time you’re looking for that perfect waterfront spot, head down J Street and discover the charm of Bayside Park. You won’t be disappointed!

Have you visited Bayside Park? Share your favorite memory or tip in the comments below!

Public Art around the Port of San Diego Waterfront

Immerse Yourself in Arts with Self-Guided Tours

The art around the Port of San Diego’s waterfront offers a singular experience, unique to each person who happens by. From monumental to intimate pieces…traditional bronze sculptures, vibrant murals, fountains, kinetic artworks, light projections, sound art, and conceptual artworks – we invite you to immerse yourself in the arts at the Port of San Diego.

 Coronado Bayside; Imperial Beach; Chula Vista Bayfront; National City Marina District; and San Diego’s Embarcadero and Shelter Island.

Click on the links to learn more about its location 

Art Around the Bay #1 Grand Caribe

Bayside Park: #2 Chula Vista’s Waterfront Escape