Fleet Science Center

Its free for San Diego residents! Lots to do for kiddos with hands on experiments. Learn about the Solar System, cause and effect, world terrains are form...how tornadoes form as well. They can spin, build and watch things work....great for learning and inspiring young minds on Science and Physics. Your entry comes with a free Imax showing in the Planetarium! Today we watched the Blue Angels Soar! Last time we watched Deep Sky ...about space shuttles, planets and galaxies. Gorgeous Imax presentations! You can stroll Balboa park afterwards, parking is no longer free, but if you have a SD Zoo membership itll be Free! Customer service very friendly and inviting.... fun for the whole family!

Excellent science center for kids from 3 years old up to 12 for my opinion. Interesting exhibitions, need to plan 3 hours at least here

One of the most unique experiences ever. It was absolutely wonderful! The musicians were outstanding and loved loved loved the music. Such a beautiful ambience, truly outstanding! Worth every penny!

Great place to take kids. Lots of fun activities and great way to have fun and learn how things work at the same time. They have a really cool ball pit pool. It's huge! They have a kids zone area for the younger kids 5 and under. There is a snack zone where you can buy some snacks and little bits to eat. Loved it so much, we became members! Will definitely be back again. If your going to Balboa Park, this is a must. Parking can be challenging, so keep that in mind.

There’s just something magical about this place. I’ve been twice .. once with my little one and once as a chaperone for a school field trip — and both times, I left grinning ear to ear. Kids ages 3–9 will absolutely light up here! Everything is hands-on from the weather and electricity exhibits to space exploration. The Dome Theater is pure delight as it feels like stepping into a cozy, mini Las Vegas Sphere. You just lean back, look up, and let the world swirl around you. There’s even a special play zone for littles under 5, and a ball pit for the older ones (which is basically the definition of “fun meets learning”). It’s the kind of place that reminds you science is, at its heart, a grand adventure and that curiosity is contagious.

We love going to Fleet Science Center! Kid City is a favorite stop for our three year old. Even our teenager still enjoys family visits to the museum.

GREAT place for a few hours. My daughter is four so this is a GREAT place for her due to the Kid City on the first floor. She spent 2 out of the 3 hours here alone. It’s a 5 yr old and younger space and very interactive. I saw an earlier review state that this place is slightly worn but I didn’t think so. Well maintained and I appreciate all the sanitation stations considering everything here you touch!!

Fun place to spend a few hours with kids of all ages. Everything here is hands on and interactive. A great way to pique their interest on science! There is an area designated for children under 5 that was nice to let them explore freely. 4 stars because the exhibits were somewhat worn and could use a refresh. Great place overall and great staff!

I grew up visiting the Fleet Science Center regularly as a kid--both through class field trips and family outings. This summer, I had the chance to take both my kids and my parents to the Fleet to enjoy some cool AC and science, take in a film and enjoy some quality family time. Before this summer, it has been decades since my last visit. The Fleet, located near the San Diego Zoo and Natural History Museum in San Diego's historic Balboa Park, continues to be one of the highlights of San Diego's museum community. The gem of the Fleet is probably the spherical IMAX screen on which they show mostly nature and science themed films. At this visit, we watched an amazing film about blue whales. The spherical property of the screen really made us feel as if we were immersed in the water with the whales. Please note that if you or your companions are sensitive to loud noise, or if motion makes you disoriented, please take precautions, such as sitting higher up--so you're looking down at the film, or wearing ear protection. I was glad I brought headphones for my kids. Along with the IMAX theater, the rest of the center has interactive science exhibits for the whole family to enjoy. Some of the exhibits are staples that I remember from my childhood. Many others are new or are out on a rotating basis. It is easy to get lost if you become separated from your family, so please think of selecting a meeting spot in case you do get lost. There is a cafe at the entrance with breakfast, lunch, and snack options. They have a delicious soft-serve ice cream with a variety of flavor syrups, and also pretty good coffee. As you exit, there is a charming gift shop that will likely entice you to give a little bit of money over in exchange for a trinket. It is hard for me to walk through without purchasing something. Overall, this museum/theater/science center is well worth the visit...and as a former local and a long time visitor, I can say that the Fleet Science Center is definitely part of what makes San Diego Classy.

There's just something magical about this place. I've been twice .. once with my little one and once as a chaperone for a school field trip -- and both times, I left grinning ear to ear. Kids ages 3-9 will absolutely light up here! Everything is hands-on from the weather and electricity exhibits to space exploration. The Dome Theater is pure delight as it feels like stepping into a cozy, mini Las Vegas Sphere. You just lean back, look up, and let the world swirl around you. There's even a special play zone for littles under 5, and a ball pit for the older ones (which is basically the definition of "fun meets learning"). It's the kind of place that reminds you science is, at its heart, a grand adventure and that curiosity is contagious.

Definitely geared towards younger children! If you're planning on visiting check the website beforehand to see if there is a traveling exhibit stationed in! In the few times I've been here over the years, these were always the most interesting parts of the museum. It seems like the home exhibit are just leftover activities scattered throughout the show floor kind of lacking cohesion or planning. They play various documentaries on the IMAX dome theatre and that continues to be a highlight of this museum. There's a snack stand and plenty of seats in the theatre and the films they show are educational but still very interesting!

We have a yearly pass to Balboa Park Museums. We were intrigued by Fleet Science Center even though it seemed more like a kid's fun place. We enjoyed reminiscing being back in school and learning how things were invented. There's always volunteers helping out and showing how some things work. We absolutely loved the gentleman with the magnetic field stuff. We all had a great conversation. We had a blast with all of his magic show!! We felt like a kid again. We probably spent about forty five minutes reading and playing with everything. You could probably spend longer if you have kids to entertain.

Joined the theatre this month with an individual membership for $89 that gives me two guest tickets and discounts on any further shows that I bring guests to. I can go to as many films as I want all year. We saw the new Blue Angels film and it was very well done. It brought a tear to my eyes when I saw how disciplined and dedicated these pilots are and the courage it takes to be a naval pilot in the blue angel squadron that trains in El Centro. They have a super fun adult play exhibit upstairs in the science center and we ended up playing for an hour in there. The ball out and the infrared dance studio and the twirling chairs and the giant lite bright were just some of the great stations and on a Friday noontime it was quite quiet. Such a gem of a place in our own Balboa Park.

We regularly come to the fleet and my toddler absolutely loves it! There's so many interactive exhibits and the kids town is her favorite. If you haven't been I def recommend they also have movie showings and concession stand we grab popcorn every time we visit. Love balboa park and the area.

I have been here multiple times but haven't been here in a while. I was very excited because I remember how fun this place is. It is located in Balboa Park next to the fountain. This is such a great spot to learn and explore. I learned and got hands on experience. Lots of people said it's a kids museum but I think it is for everyone. Such an awesome spot. The museum is constantly changing. When I went they had animals and got to see some cool and cute animals including a sloth! I had a lot of fun here. They had a place you can make things I'm not sure if it's just for children but it looked like alot of fun. The projects people have made look amazing.

I've been here a couple times. Once for a candle light concert and another for free resident day. Both experiences were great. The candle light concert was held inside the dome where you can watch films. There was no bad seat in the house. Employees are friendly and helpful. If you ever get a chance to go to a candle light concert -- I totally recommend it! My husband and I went to the Coldplay edition for date night. It was so cool and worth every penny. The fleet and science center is such a fun space for kids and adults! There's so much to do, learn and experience. You can't beat free entry either. See balboa park's website for resident free days.

Update: They removed 1/3 of their interactive fun exhibits for a depressing zoo of mostly reptiles and a sloth in a wildly unsuitable enclosure. I can't fathom what leadership was thinking to replace exploratory science exhibits for these cages, especially with the zoo a short walk away.

I came here over 20 years ago. It has changed a bit but for the better! Only sad part is the gift shop is smaller than I remember. My son and I came in even for just 30 minutes but it's ok cause we got the year pass. I love going out with my boy and spending time with him. Stuff like this makes it so wonderful. We went towards the end then saw the Blue Angle IMAX documentary. It was so worth it. I love how they added they added that to the place. Made me want to become one. It looked so fun & glorious. Even though our time was cut short this time, I eagerly await to take my boy next week. I'm all about value now. They do have a sufficient amount of workers. Cleaning the place. Manning each station with moving parts, snack bar and cashier. The IMAX experience was awesome. Super job well done everyone!

Is there a bad science center out there anywhere? No, no there is not. All science centers are good. A center to inspire and stir the imagination of what is and what is possible. The Fleet Science Center accomplishes this and more. The staff is excellent and many will appear out of nowhere at the exact moment you have a question, like how does this contraption work? Poof! There's someone right there to answer and maybe give you more information than you hoped for. This visit is a good value especially if you get the Balboa Park multi-museum visit package. The IMAX dome is excellent as well.

We had a day with no activities planned when we were at San Diego. Our kids love science and thought this would be a good place to take them. It's located close to balboa park in front of a huge fountain. The tickets are expensive and when u are done with the experience you will it's not worth it. The amphitheater domed show is great and is a good one for entire family. There are some fun activities for the kids but not something over the top which will take them by surprise. Overall it was a nice place to take the kids but wasn't the best, we have experienced better science centers.

I haven't been here in yearssssss... When I say years, I mean at least over a decade. The last time I've been here was for an elementary school field trip that I was attending as a student! Time flies. I have been wanting to come here with my kiddo for quite some time. But in all honesty, I held off for so long because from what I remembered as a kid - it just didn't seem appealing to me. We spontaneously came here on a random Friday. There was a field trip scheduled that day so there were a lot of kids. But once the kids from the school left, everything was calm. We were able to enjoy our time freely without needing to wait or without someone waiting on us. We were able to explore every level & each exhibit. We spent 3hrs there total. & honestly, we could've gone on longer. But I was tired. Although my son wanted to stay longer, he was also in need of a nap. There was so much to do & so much to see. If you had doubts like me, I would definitely urge you to go! PARKING - I was able to find parking in the back lot. I just walked through the side of the building & voila. PRICE - It is a little bit on the pricier side, but I would definitely go again. ACTIVITIES - So many exhibits that you can spend an endless amount of time on. Very kid/family friendly. For reference, I have a 4yr old. I really enjoyed spending time there with my son. In fact, I want to take my husband with us the second time around! Lol.

This museum spans two floors and features a Tesla coil demonstration, an electricity exhibit, an illusion room, historical flashbacks, a children's playroom on the upper level, theaters, and more. I visited on the first Tuesday, which offers free admission for San Diego residents. As an adult, I found the experience a bit overwhelming, with many children running around and some activities causing sensory overload. However, it seems like a fantastic place for kids, as the space was lively and filled with young visitors.

Pretty awesome place for children and adults alike! So much learning to be had for children's growing brains. We went with a group of kids and they all learned so much, they were able to create things and they all definitely enjoyed the giant ball pit. Parking can be challenging but worth it. They have an imax theater inside and a gift store as well.

A fun little place in Balboa park for kids of all ages! Our cruise got delayed in San Diego and we got to wander around Balboa park and stumbled upon this place! Lots of fun and hands on activities for the kids! Fair price and helped kill time!

I took my 13 and 10 year old to this museum. The prices seemed fair. The tickets allow you in and out access all day if you'd like to leave and return. The ticket also included one IMAX showing. There were a couple summer camps at the same time we were there so some of the exhibits got crowded, but it wasn't too bad overall. The whole museum isn't super big, but we spent almost 3 hours there. Everything is hands on and the kids can explore. Even my 13 year old didn't seem to get bored. She was engaged the full time. The live animals exhibit was a pleasant surprise and seeing a sloth (even though it was sleeping) made it completely worthwhile for me! I also appreciated the concessions stand they have for the movie. We had been at the museum awhile and my kids were ready for a snack, so it was perfect to be able to get something for the show! We didn't have time to explore anything else in Balboa park, but this was worth the visit! My kids had a lot of fun!

Science museum in Balboa Park. Free parking in nearby lot. We were able to enter the Science Center for free with our ASTC reciprocal membership, but given the dated and limited exhibits, I would have been disappointed if we paid full price ($25 adults/$20 children) for admission. While there were some interesting exhibits...but not to justify the addmission price(s). If you are looking into visiting a few museums in Balboa Park, the Explorer Pass may be a good option for you. We completed the visit in about 1.5 hours while completed most (if not all) of the exhibits.

This was a very memorable part of my vacation with my daughter. There were so many fun interactive activities and exhibits here. One of our favorites was the telegraph machine where we could send messages to each other in Morse Code. My only disappointment was that it was not as big as the Exploratorium in San Francisco. We were done fairly quickly in comparison. Regardless, it's a very awesome place to enjoy learning. There was a concession stand to get some snacks. I'm a sucker for popcorn. Outsides there's a beautiful fountain and plenty of places to sit and relax and enjoy the San Diego weather. Great place for photos.

This museum has changed since my last visit. It's now more kid oriented and lacks the observatory feeling that I remember. It would have been great for a family with elementary school age kids. Not great for adults. I might return with grandchildren some day.

Toddler moms- this is a great place to bring your child! They have a play area for kids 5 and younger, as well as lots of child-friendly learning activities throughout the museum. Kids are free under 3

Love this place so much used to go a ton as a kid and recently went to the imax dome theatre which is truly an incredible experience!

Twas actually a pretty fun & engaging place. It's kind of small but you could spend hours here. List one star because I wasn't aware the kids area had a age limit & the ball out Exhibit closes before the entire place shuts down. I'd be comfortable stating that if traveling here this place is a must for families with small children

The Fleet Science Center is located in Balboa Park, right across from the Natural History Museum. It has many interactive exhibits, and a dedicated toddler play area (under age 5 maybe) in the upper level. A great place for kids and adults who live, breathe and love STEM like myself. During our visit, not all of the exhibits were active, so they offered deals like discounted fares or free future tickets with 1-yr expiration. Our 3yo son had a blast here, and he seemed more engaged than the science museums in the Bay Area (California Academy of Sciences, Lawrence Hall of Science). Favorite areas: * The Kid Play City on the second floor. Computer stations and a play grocery/mercado with giant plastic fruits and vegetables to sort, place in shopping carts, and even conveyor belts. They even have signs with parenting tips. Kids don't develop strong empathy and learn to share toys until age 7 for example, LOL! * I enjoyed the section on Energy, Climate Change, and Water treatment. It's basically describes my job for the past 23 years and the exhibits do a fine job of explaining the facts of the complex issues. * The indoor tornado was cool - I'm sure you can get some selfies here. The museum also offers in and out privileges, which was awesome since we took a lunch break offsite. They have a small cafe onsite with limited food options.

We had our 7 y/o grandson with us for a few days. Decided on either the USS Midway or Fleet Science Center because of his likes. Decided on Fleet and was very disappointed. Should have chosen the Midway! The Fleet was expensive (so is the Midway) and rundown. It seemed like half the exhibits were broken or malfunctioning with not if any instructions. Our 7 y/o was bored. The plus was the reptile exhibits on top floor. It's always fun seeing life. Do better Fleet.

Fun trip to the Reuben H Fleet Science Center. We spend the time checking out all the fun science type exhibits and the Hubble Pictures! How exciting it was to see all the cool pictures the pin-ultimate space telescope. We are in hopes to see an updated exhibit with JWST! A comparison at RHF would be cool. The different light exhibits were really cool to see. We played with the different types of lights and how they affect visual stimulation. I really do recommend people to go and check out this place! Oh come and go check out the cool IMAX theatre within! We watched Caves and how scientists can collect climate change information from past to present!

While in Balboa Park we came across this science museum and decided to check it out .Coming in there was a small line but went by fast front staff was friendly and started our way thru the museum. Right as we passed where they checked our tickets there was a staff member with a laptop not even sure what it was that she was showing but the colors attracted my sons attention ( hes 2 almost 3 ) but first thing she said was your too small she didnt even greet us or say he might be too small this is so and so , so a little annoyed I just told my son lets go look over here and we enjoyed the electricity exhibit and then heard the movie of was going to start so we made our way over and there i asked the staff member if he would be to small and was friendly no no im sure he will love it we went in and sure did. The screen was huge definitely a cool experience for anyone and they have areas if you ask for parents with infants or little toddlers . The area for 5 and under was very cool too we spent a good time there and he had fun. Its a cool place and interactive most staff was nice but definitely note even tho he may be small we were expecting to do whatever on the laptop he was just looking at the colors and a Hello would of been better then just being dismissed. If your from out of town and want to get some fresh ac with fun check it out .

I've been to this place over the many years and with many visitors and I'm always so happy to be here because it really is a great place for kids. It helps open their mind to view the world in different ways and to look at science as something fun. It really is a special place. if you're coming to San Diego with children. you can spend 2-4 hours here having a great time

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by the Fleet Science Center. We took our kid there on Monday this week and overall it wasn't what we thought it was going to be. We had heard a lot of really good things about this place and walking inside your expectations begin to rise. The prices are a little spendy with it being 25 for adults and 20 for kids but with all the exhibits and things to do it didn't seem that bad. Especially compared with prices of admission for other places. However, while there are a lot of cool interactive things for kids and adults to do, it seemed like a lot of the sections on the first level were broken or not working properly. The electricity exhibit had a lot of interesting hands on things for kids to do but it was hit or miss on whether or not they were working as they should be. With that being said there is a lot that will capture the attention of even the most distracted or uninterested person. There are a lot of different options to keep them intrigued. Up stairs was definitely a lot better maintained and serviced it didn't have as many things not working as the down stairs did. This is a really cool museum and has a lot of things for kids to do and learn about. The only thing I was hoping for was for things to be better maintained. I understand that with the amount of people going through each day stuff does happen and it does get broken. I would like to come back and check it out again because there is so much there and I am sure we didn't get to a lot of it.

Called and set up a homeschool fields trip to the Fleet Science Center. From my very first phone calls to the day of the event and every where in between I experienced nothing but professionalism and kindness. Our homeschool group range was from K - 4th grade and everyone enjoyed it. It was well worth the hour and a half drive from Murrieta. I really want to harp on the amazing staff here, they all were great. The exhibit is HUGE there is sooo much to do and explore. It was non-stop hands on learning and fun. The movie in the dome was so fun and a one of a kind experience. We watch a film on Antartica and there was a part that the kids couldn't stop laughing through. A field trip for the books and one we hope to make again next year

Came here for a Reader's best of San Diego event. Had such a wonderful time with so many awesome savory foods, desserts, and Kombucha. Found many restaurants that I hadn't been to and known about. Added them to my Yelp collection to try them out. My only complaint was that the live music was on the loud spectrum end and couldn't carry on a nice conversation. Had a fun time seeing the "It's Electric" with the Tesla Coil, different types and uses of electricity. Also was fun to see the "kid city" and I bet my nieces and nephews would have a blast if they were able to visit. Lots of cool exhibitions to spark a child's imagination and have fun learning at the same time! If Reader hosts another event here I will for sure be in attendance.

Sunday, August 13, 2023. We (hubby and me, son-in-law, daughter, grandson and my brother) took an excursion here mainly for the benefit of our grandson. We all enjoyed all the exhibits and reading all the interesting facts in every themed section. Unfortunately, our grandson, who is 5 years old became bored and hungry. We were able to visit very exhibit before leaving. Definitely thought provoking and lots of facts to stimulate the young mind. Highly recommend!

We decided to come here since they offer a promo for San Diego Resident for free once a month on a Tuesday. We took our kids after 1pm since they closed around 5pm. We thought we came at a good time before the summer crowds, but with it being free SD resident days, there's no such thing as no crowds! Balboa Park was so busy that we circled for parking a few times in the neighboring lots. We finally found parking and it was a short walk to both the NAT and Fleet. They're actually right across from each other and the nice fountain is in the middle. If you time it right, you can hit both the NAT and Fleet on the same visit like we did. Both free on the same Tuesday. We decided to go to Fleet later and spent a good couple hours with the kids. It was super busy when we went that it was truly hard to enjoy the space. So many kids were running around so if you have very little ones like we do please keep on the look out because some kids are older and can be pushy. We definitely enjoyed the space. My kids enjoyed some of the sciency interactive games. They also enjoyed the upstairs play area where there is a play shopping area and blocks. There's a small area for wee little ones but we held onto our baby or else he would've been trampled. The toddlers enjoyed themselves by pushing shopping carts around and playing and stacking blocks. It was super hot in the area because of all the people which made it a bit uncomfortable. However when it's slower I'm sure the kids would have gotten a better experience. Def worth checking out with your kids. If you do decide to come during free resident days, then expect crowds. Not sure if I'd be worth the admission price if you only plan to spend a couple hours especially if you have multiple kids.

I went here then experience when fun but then I gave money to my daughter to use the Hurricane Simulator Experience I added 5 dollar bills then I waited but then nothing happened so basically I got ripped off and then I asked for a refund but they said the company deals with it so I called it then they said I can't get my refund back because I didn't use card. I went here to have fun, not to get ripped off. People stay out of these games!

The fleet has a cool dome theater, they recently replaced the seats they are way worse. This museum is cool. They don't change exhibits often enough to make the pass worth it. The dome theater has limited showtimes and only plays films in the morning.

The museum has some cool parts like the electricity area but the space seems small and a lot of the attractions are outdated. I'd rather have my kid learn cooler science than just basic energy and biology. It seemed very expensive for how short the experience was.

This is nothing like I remember this museum being. Aside from being overcrowded, I didn't think it was very young kid friendly. They did have a kids play area upstairs but I found it to be overcrowded. Otherwise, the experiments and stations weren't very you g kid friendly. Lots of language and reading required. The theatre is always fun for a short film and snacks and beverages are allowed. They have a little stand right before entering but the line can get long. I guess if you haven't been here it's okay to do, just not my favorite. I wish we had spent our money at one of the other museums instead.

Great place for the whole family. Toddler area. Big ball pit. Lots of hands on activities. So much to do for all the little ones. This was our first time here and won't be our last.

We had SO much fun and my kids was super happy to lean how things works. I highly recommend recommending this place for age 6 +

My five year old had a great time at this museum. It was raining, so it was packed. It is packed with interactive and educational stations. Places to sit to have a snack are limited and food selection is limited.

Great hands on activity. It was pretty busy. Good for all ages and good information. Kinda pricey but doable.

I Went on Tuesday for residents day and my girls had a lot of fun. To get free admission, you need to show your ID. The IMAX movies are also discounted, I believe like $9-10 bucks. The little kid area was PACKED. But there are plenty of things for the little ones to do. They also have an area for the little ones who don't walk yet. Overall we all had a great time!

I had never been here and came for my kid's field trip. Luckily I was one of the chaperones that did not have to pay. First thing they led us to the IMAX where we saw a movie about Antartica. I get that Antartica is a harsh place and this is meant to be educational but some of the things in it are not appropriate for a 7 year old. My child remarked "that was so sad" and I agreed. Went into the museum to explore. The museum is spread out over 2 levels. It is divided ip into rooms (like all museums are) but some of the spaces are very narrow, dark and made it hard to supervise active children. Many elements of the displays did not work or did not have signage explaining how to complete the activity. The second floor had more exhibits that were interactive, seemed newer and mostly worked. They had people at 2 different places in the museum asking for child participants for a science experiment. Activity station in the back that had stamp making using foam sheets (like the squishy foam not stryo) card board and water bottle caps or wine corks. That was a hit. We were allowed to go outside for lunch and ate by the fountain which was scenic and refreshing after being inside. This is also where you can go to their cafe. They also have a stand in the center outside IMAX that sells popcorn, candy, sodas etc. The full price is $24.95 persons 13-64 $19.95 kids 3-12 $22.95 65+ Ticket prices include IMAX and can be purchased online or at the museum. Parking in the lot behind there was plentiful at 9:30am, lot looked much fuller when left after 1pm. An experience I am happy to have had but don't need to repeat.

Meh. The IMAX movie about the Antartic was good. The other exhibits were so-so compared to the Tech Museum in San Jose. Better for kids aged 5-10.

We came here on a rainy Saturday. For 2 adults and 1 child, admission price was over $65 - that's a lot for a single visit! While the exhibits are engaging, they are geared towards kids in lower elementary school. The exhibits haven't changed much since our last visit from over a year ago. The museum was super crowded - are the health safety protocols still being observed? While our admission included a movie, we couldn't get in to see either Ancient Caves at 3pm nor Deep Space at 4pm because the line to the theater was so incredibly long and we didn't feel that standing so close to others in a small space is either healthy or a good use of our time. The escape the quick sand experience wasn't great either. The pit was really deep - much deeper than the height of a little kid. Inside the pit were numerous balls, representing bubbles.. It was easy for our LO to lose balance in the pit and to feel anxious with fear. After finally finding a way above the surface in the pit, our LO helped another little kid who couldn't get out from underneath the balls. It wasn't a good experience for kids. Our LO enjoyed the Morse code exhibit best. Our LO even taught some other kids how to send Morse code messages. Overall, this experience could have been infinitely better. Lots of opportunities for improvement!

Came during museum month (Feb) with our daughter as we like mixing fun and education/enrichment on our vacations. Thankfully there was a discount as I felt it was a bit pricey! It's located in Balboa Park, very close to a lot of the other museums. Make sure you get there early to park, it's not easy to find parking around the museum area! The exhibits were fun but I wished there was more signage and/or staff to be able to give instruction on what the exhibits are trying to show. Lots of kids running around and a bit chaotic inside at times, even on a school day- I can't imagine what a summer weekend is like! Admission comes with the ability to see one IMAX movie. Our kid chose the train one, which was wonderful and informative for me but definitely ran a bit long for the attention span of a kid under 10. Overall, a decent experience but I've enjoyed other similar museums (such as the Exploratorium in San Francisco) better.

I've never been here even though I'm a San Diego native (grew up in Carlsbad/Oceanside) - we have a 3-year family membership at a reciprocating museum so we figured we would take advantage of free admission during our SoCal trip with the kids. We split our day at Balboa Park between here and the Natural History Museum just down the street. My son had a super fun time hanging out with his dad while I napped my daughter for basically the whole afternoon, LOL...there's definitely more than plenty to keep kids entertained for the entire afternoon, so I'm glad we decided to visit!

Great place to take the kiddos if you're trying to kill time on a rainy day. Arrived as they opened (10 AM) and didn't leave until 2 PM, we could have easily stretched it to a 5 or 6 hour trip though! Pricing is great for what you get. Adults: $21.95 Juniors: $18.95 They also have senior discounts. The price includes entry and one documentary of your choice in their iMax dome theater. Definitely take advantage of the free documentary! Today we saw "Into America's Wild," which was about 40-45 minutes long. Soooo many fun things to do! Sometimes I was having more fun than the kiddo I was babysitting today, haha. My favorite was the derby race, we made our own cars and raced other people. My car wasn't heavy enough to even cross, but that's what science is all about. Definitely recommend!!

The experience was okay. Everything is separated by walls instead of having the usual open floor plan downstairs which made it feel claustrophobic. Almost as if you are in a rat maze. Half of the hands-on activities actually worked and some of the English-Spanish translations are off. This museum is fun for little ones, but parents and older children may find the experience to be claustrophobic and nauseating. And if you're sensitive to smells, stay away from the bathrooms in the downstairs area. The area outside smells of strong urine.