Visit | San Diego Automotive Museum
Source: https://sdautomuseum.org/visit
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:31
Visit | San Diego Automotive Museum
Visit San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum exhibits
showcase the evolution of automotive history through classic cars, motorcycles, and rotating themed displays. Visit Balboa Park and see the exhibits highlighting innovation, design, and cultural impact across decades of automotive excellence.
GET TICKETS
Visit
San Diego’s Premier Transportation Museum
The Museum is open daily, 10am-5pm. Last admission at 4:30pm.
See more Resident Tuesday information. We are located in beautiful Balboa Park.
Single Day Pass
Plan your visit ahead and purchase your tickets online. Tickets are valid for seven days from the date of purchase.
BUY TICKETS
Annual Pass
Pay one price and visit all year! Individual, family, seniors, and premium membership options are available.
BUY MEMBERSHIP
Group & Organizations
To ensure the best experience, groups and organizations must schedule their visit a minimum of two weeks in advance.
MAKE RESERVATIONS
PLAN YOUR VISIT
FAQ
Our museum is a 17,000 square-foot exhibit hall that showcases automobiles and motorcycles organized into several compelling exhibits. The exhibit floor includes a mix of our permanent collection, loaned vehicles, and thematic exhibits. Expect to spend about an hour seeing the entire space. However, avid fans have been known to visit and spend up to three hours enjoying the car collection!
Explore Answers to Common Questions
Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, the San Diego Automotive Museum can be accessed from most major freeways. Visit today!
Getting to the Museum by Car, Taxi, or Rideshare
The San Diego Automotive Museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101. Parking can be found in the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot, and adjacent lots.
Southbound from I-5
Take the 10th Avenue Exit off I-5. Turn left on "A" Street and left again on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Northbound from I-5
Take the Pershing Drive/B Street exit off I-5 to Pershing Drive. Take Pershing and then turn left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place to Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn right on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Southbound from Hwy 163
Take the Park Blvd. exit off Hwy 163. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Getting to the Museum using Public Transportation
Visit Balboa Park using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), with easy access from the downtown and Mission Valley areas.
Visit the MTS website or dial 511. Select transit routes that are the fastest, have the fewest transfers,; or have the least amount of walking.
Review the times for Route 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215. These are the main bus routes through Balboa Park.
Beginning January 5, 2026, parking will no longer be free in Balboa Park. Parking prices will vary depending on lot, duration and residency. Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Passes are also available. Please visit the
City of San Diego
for more information.
Balboa Park's free tram stops just in front of the Museum in Pan American Plaza.
We are free to San Diego County Residents on the 4th Tuesday of most months and last entry is at 3:30. Sorry-no entry after 3:30. No free Tuesday in September or December. Those purchasing tickets or have a reservation will have priority entry. All organizations must have a confirmed reservation:
reservation form
. Reservations are not required for individuals, but are strongly recommended.
Proof of residency is required for anyone 18 and up. Acceptable proofs of residency are:
Driver's License or State Id
School Id
Military Id
Bank statement or utility bill with all names printed plus picture ids.
Non-residents and those unable to provide proof of residency must still purchase admission tickets.
Sorry, no food, drinks, water bottles, pets or strollers are permitted. The Kids Corner is closed on Free Tuesdays. ADA recognized service animals only.
For the rotating schedule:
Resident Free Days - Balboa Park
While we understand your enthusiasm, there is absolutely no touching of exhibits.
Do not cross the barriers; remain on the main walkways within the Museum.
Guests 15 and younger must be accompanied and fully supervised by an adult.
No running within the Museum.
Guests seen not displaying proper behavior will be escorted out.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the Museum.
There are multiple shaded tables in the plaza just outside the Museum for dining, and several food options are located within Balboa Park.
Our gift shop does sell cold drinks, ice cream, and snacks for you to enjoy on the plaza.
The one-story floor plan of the San Diego Automotive Museum easily accommodates a smooth experience for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. If needed, wheelchairs are available for Museum guests to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
ADA recognized service animals only.
Restrooms are equipped with handicapped stalls and baby-changing stations. Sorry, our restrooms are not available to the public; ticketed visitors have access to the restrooms.
Strollers are permitted in the Museum during normal days.
Strollers are not permitted in the Museum on Resident Free Tuesday, Trunk or Treat and December Nights.
We encourage you to take photos for personal use, except where prohibited as marked.
Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.
For press and other special photography, including film and video projects, please contact us for special arrangements.
California State law prohibits smoking in Balboa Park. No tobacco, including smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices are allowed in the Museum or in the park.
The San Diego Automotive Museum is a weapons-free facility. Firearms, weapons, and explosives are strictly prohibited.
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS
Visit San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum exhibits
showcase the evolution of automotive history through classic cars, motorcycles, and rotating themed displays. Visit Balboa Park and see the exhibits highlighting innovation, design, and cultural impact across decades of automotive excellence.
GET TICKETS
Visit
San Diego’s Premier Transportation Museum
The Museum is open daily, 10am-5pm. Last admission at 4:30pm.
See more Resident Tuesday information. We are located in beautiful Balboa Park.
Single Day Pass
Plan your visit ahead and purchase your tickets online. Tickets are valid for seven days from the date of purchase.
BUY TICKETS
Annual Pass
Pay one price and visit all year! Individual, family, seniors, and premium membership options are available.
BUY MEMBERSHIP
Group & Organizations
To ensure the best experience, groups and organizations must schedule their visit a minimum of two weeks in advance.
MAKE RESERVATIONS
PLAN YOUR VISIT
FAQ
Our museum is a 17,000 square-foot exhibit hall that showcases automobiles and motorcycles organized into several compelling exhibits. The exhibit floor includes a mix of our permanent collection, loaned vehicles, and thematic exhibits. Expect to spend about an hour seeing the entire space. However, avid fans have been known to visit and spend up to three hours enjoying the car collection!
Explore Answers to Common Questions
Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, the San Diego Automotive Museum can be accessed from most major freeways. Visit today!
Getting to the Museum by Car, Taxi, or Rideshare
The San Diego Automotive Museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101. Parking can be found in the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot, and adjacent lots.
Southbound from I-5
Take the 10th Avenue Exit off I-5. Turn left on "A" Street and left again on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Northbound from I-5
Take the Pershing Drive/B Street exit off I-5 to Pershing Drive. Take Pershing and then turn left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place to Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn right on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Southbound from Hwy 163
Take the Park Blvd. exit off Hwy 163. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Getting to the Museum using Public Transportation
Visit Balboa Park using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), with easy access from the downtown and Mission Valley areas.
Visit the MTS website or dial 511. Select transit routes that are the fastest, have the fewest transfers,; or have the least amount of walking.
Review the times for Route 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215. These are the main bus routes through Balboa Park.
Beginning January 5, 2026, parking will no longer be free in Balboa Park. Parking prices will vary depending on lot, duration and residency. Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Passes are also available. Please visit the
City of San Diego
for more information.
Balboa Park's free tram stops just in front of the Museum in Pan American Plaza.
We are free to San Diego County Residents on the 4th Tuesday of most months and last entry is at 3:30. Sorry-no entry after 3:30. No free Tuesday in September or December. Those purchasing tickets or have a reservation will have priority entry. All organizations must have a confirmed reservation:
reservation form
. Reservations are not required for individuals, but are strongly recommended.
Proof of residency is required for anyone 18 and up. Acceptable proofs of residency are:
Driver's License or State Id
School Id
Military Id
Bank statement or utility bill with all names printed plus picture ids.
Non-residents and those unable to provide proof of residency must still purchase admission tickets.
Sorry, no food, drinks, water bottles, pets or strollers are permitted. The Kids Corner is closed on Free Tuesdays. ADA recognized service animals only.
For the rotating schedule:
Resident Free Days - Balboa Park
While we understand your enthusiasm, there is absolutely no touching of exhibits.
Do not cross the barriers; remain on the main walkways within the Museum.
Guests 15 and younger must be accompanied and fully supervised by an adult.
No running within the Museum.
Guests seen not displaying proper behavior will be escorted out.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the Museum.
There are multiple shaded tables in the plaza just outside the Museum for dining, and several food options are located within Balboa Park.
Our gift shop does sell cold drinks, ice cream, and snacks for you to enjoy on the plaza.
The one-story floor plan of the San Diego Automotive Museum easily accommodates a smooth experience for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. If needed, wheelchairs are available for Museum guests to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
ADA recognized service animals only.
Restrooms are equipped with handicapped stalls and baby-changing stations. Sorry, our restrooms are not available to the public; ticketed visitors have access to the restrooms.
Strollers are permitted in the Museum during normal days.
Strollers are not permitted in the Museum on Resident Free Tuesday, Trunk or Treat and December Nights.
We encourage you to take photos for personal use, except where prohibited as marked.
Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.
For press and other special photography, including film and video projects, please contact us for special arrangements.
California State law prohibits smoking in Balboa Park. No tobacco, including smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices are allowed in the Museum or in the park.
The San Diego Automotive Museum is a weapons-free facility. Firearms, weapons, and explosives are strictly prohibited.
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS
Visit
Explore
← Back
Exhibits
Collections
Galleries
Experiences
Events
← Back
Calendar
Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament
The Party in the Park
Venue Rental
Education
← Back
School Programs
Camps
IGNITE Academy
Donate
Store
GET TICKETS