Explore the San Diego Automotive Museum

Discover the history, innovation, and culture of the automobile at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park.

From rotating, world-class exhibits and historic vehicles to hands-on experiences, education programs, and special events, the museum offers something for every level of enthusiast.

Plan your visit, explore current exhibits, and learn everything you need to know before you arrive—all in one place.

GET TICKETS

EXHIBITS

Current San Diego Automotive Museum Exhibits

The current San Diego Automotive Museum exhibits feature rotating, time-limited displays that explore specific themes in automotive history, design, and performance. These exhibits change several times a year, giving returning visitors a new experience with each visit. Recent and upcoming exhibitions spotlight motorsports, luxury engineering, and cultural movements that have shaped the automotive world.

Each exhibit is supported by interpretive signage, historical context, and real vehicles that allow visitors to connect innovation with storytelling. Whether the focus is racing heritage, cutting-edge technology, or design evolution, current exhibits are curated to appeal to both enthusiasts and casual visitors.

EXPLORE EXHIBITS

COLLECTION

The Heart of the Museum

With more than 80 stunning vehicles on display, our collection showcases the artistry, engineering, and legacy of the automobile. Each car tells a story—come to Balboa Park and find your favorite.

VIEW THE COLLECTION

COLLECTION

The Heart of the Museum

With more than 80 stunning vehicles on display, our collection showcases the artistry, engineering, and legacy of the automobile. Each car tells a story—come find your favorite.

VIEW THE COLLECTION

San Diego Automotive Museum's The Highwayman permanent gallery

PERMANENT GALLERIES

Discover Year-Round Galleries

Discover our year-round galleries showcasing the icons, innovations, and culture that shaped life on wheels, including the historic Plank Road, San Diego's iconic Highwayman, and the car that defined road travel: Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car.

SEE GALLERIES

EXPERIENCES

Go Beyond the Displays

From guided tours to interactive workshops, our experiences put you in the driver’s seat of discovery. Through the museum’s San Diego Automotive Museum exhibits are supported by hands-on learning opportunities designed to inspire curiosity in engineering, design, and innovation. These programs are ideal for families, students, enthusiasts, and anyone ready to explore automotive history in a more engaging way.

SEE EXPERIENCES

San Diego Automotive Museum's kids corner where kids can play and learn

EXPERIENCES

Go Beyond the Displays

From guided tours to interactive workshops, our experiences put you in the driver’s seat of discovery. Through the museum’s San Diego Automotive Museum exhibits are supported by hands-on learning opportunities designed to inspire curiosity in engineering, design, and innovation. These programs are ideal for families, students, enthusiasts, and anyone ready to explore automotive history in a more engaging way.

SEE EXPERIENCES

Plan Your Visit

To San Diego’s Premier Transportation Museum

Whether you are someone just curious about cars, an automobile enthusiast, or a serious car collector, we invite you to the San Diego Automotive Museum.

Single Day Pass

Plan 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

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 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.

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.

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

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 bathrooms are not available to the public; tickets must be purchased to use our bathrooms.

A collage of photos from San Diego Automotive Museum's exhibits and collections