San Diego Natural History Museum

San Diego Natural History Museum is at 1788 El Prado, at e. end of Balboa Park. The museum’s permanent exhibit galleries include The Backyard, a new exhibit where fun activities teach young visitors about nature. Hidden Gems displays the museum’s most spectacular objects. Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage offers a rare glimpse into the storage areas. Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science highlights naturalists and the impact their work has on science. Coast to Cactus in Southern California offers immersive multimedia experiences focusing on Southern California’s plants, animals and geology. Fossil Mysteries features species found in prehistoric San Diego including dinosaurs and mastodons. Skulls features almost 200 of the strangest skulls from the immense research collections.

In Living Lab visitors get an up-close look at their not-so-cuddly neighbors, from stinging scorpions to elusive nocturnal lizards. Also included in this showcase is Insects Face to Face featuring 30 large-scale photographs of animals ranging from honeybees to cockroaches.

The giant-screen theater shows 2 and 3D nature films covering such topics as the Arctic, the desert and the ocean as well as the animals and humans that survive in these habitats. Changing exhibits also are offered.

Food service is available daily.

Food is available.