San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

I recently celebrated the Lunar New Year at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and had a wonderful experience. The event featured vibrant street vendors and captivating entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere. The museum itself offers insightful exhibits about San Diego's historic Chinatown, providing a deeper understanding of the area's rich cultural heritage. The surrounding area is adorned with statues and historical markers, adding to the charm. I initially planned for a brief visit but ended up spending several hours immersed in the exhibits and festivities. It's a true gem in San Diego, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the city's diverse history.

I love learning about local history and my ancestral history so visiting this museum was a chance to do both. It's very small but worth a visit. The collection is lovingly curated, the building itself has history, the stories of local Chinese San Diegans are preserved here, and so is the memory of the Chinatown that once existed here. As such, my favorite items were the diorama models depicting scenes from early Chinese San Diego. The museum is a grassroots effort and it's obvious from some aspects including the size and presentation—I saw some typos on signage, some of the signage had faded lettering or font that was too small to read, and there's room to improve the physical arrangement of objects in the museum. There's a small garden at the back of the museum but I think it could also be improved with some landscaping and redesign. As is, it appeared both underutilized and haphazard to me, and I was kinda disappointed as I expected a more Zen-inducing meditation garden vibe. The staff were nice, but no one explained anything to me and I'm not sure if that's because I didn't explicitly ask? It was a little disappointing because I would have liked the professional insight, but I still enjoyed the exhibits and I wish I can come back to town someday in time to catch a walking tour!

Had this place on my to go list while my son was visiting as he loves anything Asian. Bonus for having a military discount on the admission fee. As other reviewers commented, the staff are extremely helpful and will give you a tour explaining the history and the exhibits. We even got to hold a pair of foot binding shoes from their collection. It's not a large building, and with the tour, it probably took us an hour to see everything. The museum also has an exhibit hall across the street that seems to stay locked. Staff escorts guests over and unlocks the door as needed. Dragon boat races are currently featured, though it's reading about and seeing video of a race rather than seeing the various boats themselves. I don't know why I expected more, but I was underwhelmed, though that's more of a reflection on me rather than the museum. If you're in the area check it out.

The 20-30 min tour is worth it. This is an amazing example of the historical preservation of Chinese culture in San Diego. Although SD is mostly known for their Spanish influence. The Chinese history here is remarkable! And well cared for by these curators and volunteers.

We stopped by to check out the museum and will be returning for a walking tour! The volunteers are very knowledgeable and very willing to share their information and experiences. In the short time we were there, I learned a lot. It's definitely worth a stop if you like history. The miniature replicas of businesses and houses are amazing!

Admission is $8 and there’s a moderate amount of stuff to see, all pretty interesting. The staff are also very eager to chat. There was an exhibit on the Chinese pioneers in San Diego, broad Chinese dynastic history, and a limited time exhibit featuring snuff bottles. The first puts a great context to the whole museum and the third was just amazing to see.

I have visited the gift shop before and asked (2x) to go in just to the shop and was told on Friday that I had to pay museum admission to go into the gift shop. I was going to buy something in the shop, but I didn't have time for a full visit. I think they could be more inviting.

This is an incredible local museum! I’ve walked by many times and it was well worth the $8 admission. I learned about the history of Chinese people who came to the US and to San Diego in particular. This provides a rich history of downtown San Diego. Love the miniature replicas of local Chinese businesses from the 1880s and 1940s! Lovely ancient Chinese relics as well! Enjoy!!

Amazing artifacts, although small. Bob S was a great docent and really enjoyed a brief mini tour.

Visited this museum during the downtown lunar new year event, it was so beautiful! Amazing sculptures of old Chinatown in San Diego. Loved that this museum was open to the public during this event!

This was a a great surprise for my Mandarin-speaking son and Asian-loving family. We were not expecting to find this experience in the Gaslamp District when planning for the conference we were attending. This is cool enough that you should check it out, just pay attention to the open hours and know there are two locations across the street from each other.

Amazing experience for me and my partner. My partners family history is from mainland Taiwan. The time they spend researching and preserving this luscious history is amazing. I recommend coming here as they periodically change out pieces. Such a one of a kind experience here in San Diego.

I never new that there is China town i San Diego. The museum is very informative. I enjoyed my visit

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum that is located downtown was very informative on the history of San Diego / Chinese history. The museum had great artifacts and model displays of what San Diego looked like in the past. The garden in the back was very tranquil and I recommend this visit if you're nearby.

Small but interesting museum featuring artifacts, models and a small garden. Well worth a visit to learn about Chinese culture as it relates to the San Diego area.

Amazing hidden gem! Docents were very knowledgeable and friendly! A lot of wonderful stuff to learn about. Definitely becoming a member, so I can return

Admission is $8 and there's a moderate amount of stuff to see, all pretty interesting. The staff are also very eager to chat. There was an exhibit on the Chinese pioneers in San Diego, broad Chinese dynastic history, and a limited time exhibit featuring snuff bottles. The first puts a great context to the whole museum and the third was just amazing to see.

This was my first time visiting the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and I was blown away with how detailed the paintings are as well as the dioramas. There was so much to look at and spend time learning about especially how the rich culture blends with San Diego's own history. I had a great experience and highly recommend visiting for anyone interested in learning more about Chinese history and its role in San Diego

Very informative museum. It was great learning about the history of Chinese in San Diego. The garden is nice and quiet.

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is a historical treasure in the heart of Gaslamp San Diego. There are numerous artifacts tied to the early history of Chinese settlers in the local area. From laundry businesses to ceramics to Chinese contributors of the military, there is so much to see and explore. We enjoyed the beautiful garden path and statues and artifacts. It is a real gem who want to know more about local Chinese history.

We went for a field trip. The museum staff was kind and there was a lot to see. It kept the kids interested.

I loved the outside garden, the dynasty timeline exhibit, the history of Chinese in San Diego, and the Chinese folk art.

Place is peaceful and quiet. Lots to see and doable in 15-20 minutes. Staff is super friendly and helpful.

This is a beautifully developed museum that shows how Chinese came to California and San Diego and then lived here and became successful. There are lovely models of the Chinese fishing village old Chinatown section, and some Chinese businesses, as well as authentic artifacts of Chinese laundries and apothecary. There are several other fascinating exhibits. The Executive Director, Jacinta Wong, has done a marvelous job in revitalizing this museum. I most highly recommend everyone visit this great museum!!

Best place in San Diego to see authentic Chinese stone carvings of Buddha's bodfhissttvas and other historical figures.

Such an important museum about San Diego's Chinatown and the people who lived here, a hugely important stop for anyone interested in Asian American history.

wonderful guides. choice artifacts. good history of Chinese in San Diego & in thr U.S. small museum but choice artifacts

A wonderful piece of Chinese and Chinese American history. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Small and intimate. The outside traditional Chinese garden was refreshing, and the wide variety of artifacts were intriguing.

The museum is a little gem in Downtown San Diego! It's a small museum that briefly goes into the history of Chinese immigrants in San Diego, as well as having a display of some Chinese artifacts and replicas. It's definitely worth checking out if you have the time.

Great atmosphere! Stuff is so helpful and sweet we were welcome to the moment we walked in with enough information to get us started. The artifacts are authentic and you're able to get close enough to look at detail. The location is in downtown so parking can sometimes be a bit tricky but give yourself time and you'll find one we went around 1:00 p.m. and it was not busy great place to spend some time on a Sunday.

We had a great time at the museum, everyone is so nice and helpful here! Every second Sunday it's free!!!

My son loved it . We live in San Diego and wanted to come here in a while. Super great for a short walk and affordable

was a very peaceful experience, a lot of old information you would never imagine of San Diego. attendant working was nice.

Please stroll at your leisure, or better yet enjoy the space with Vivian. I did both and plan to return for more events!

Cute cozy museum with really cool artifacts! Check out the miniature houses and the miniature treasures across the street. Student discount gives $2 off!

Loved this gem!! The museum is one floor and has a garden out back. They have cute little models of olden times SD and interesting art pieces. All the staff were really nice and our docent Chia-hui was amazing! She was very knowledgeable and was great story teller. We got here late and didn't have enough time to see everything. The staff still let us explore the building across the street even though they were closing up. Would definitely be coming back later!

I'm glad I finally visited after living here all these years. The museum has both ancient Chinese and modern Chinese American historical artifacts-- located in the historic "Chinatown" of downtown San Diego. The docents are really approachable and great at explaining things to children. I enjoyed the Anna May Wong Exhibit, and I look forward to coming back and checking out more with my children next time.

this was great learned a lot about Chinese history. Tour guide was very nice. The garden was p cool.

We came here for a field trip with our second grade class. The staff were kind and patient and the kids really enjoyed the experience.

Love that there is a space that exist for Chinese and Chinese Americans showcasing the valuable and forgone history. This place serves as a reminder for us to value where we come from and when opportunity arise, showcase our pride and history for our community.

Free admission on the second Sunday of every month. Nice little museum where you can find some history about the Chinese American history in San Diego. Professional staff and you can see and tell their passion about preserving the history Chinese American experience in the region. High recommended if you are in the area and for you to spend 30 mins.

First time visiting this museum in the 22 years I've been living in SD, and it gives so much insight into the Chinese culture and history. Recommend stopping by if you're in the downtown area!

Informative exhibit on San Diego's early Chinese American community. Great dioramas and excellent historical context for the Chinese Americans of San Diego.

A lot of amazing artifacts! Karen was a great tour guide! I especially liked the exhibit with the jade, the calligraphy, and the porcelain.

Cool museum, small but has some nice artifacts. The scale models are reason enough to come visit.

A fascinating and comprehensive museum that chronicles and details San Diego's Chinese American history! A hip and fresh but also classy well-put-together museum that is the exact opposite of a stuff old museum!

Wonderful hole in the wall museum highlighting the Chinese history and the Chinese American experience in San Diego. 100% recommend!

Amazing capsule of Chinese American history in San Diego, from the early immigrants to now. Love the garden and the second wing across the street. Cheers.

it was fun I was on a field trip for school They had a bunch of cool old antiques and I just had a great time

Very informative and the tour given was very nice. I'm glad I came in here to learn the history of Gaslamp.

Really beautiful museum. Educates about the dynasties and Chinese immigration to San Diego and a rotating exhibit in a separate building. Has a nice garden in the back as well. The staff was kind.

Highly recommend! The rotating exhibit these next few months is on dragon boating and I'm on the San Diego Team Survivor Sea Dragons! You might see us in some of the photos in the exhibit! A wonderful review of the history of dragon boating! The main building has wonderful exhibits and information with a lovely small garden in the back!

Beautiful artifacts and super helpful and kind docents. I loved Jack Meng's little history lesson on Chinese carpentry. They have a lot of artifacts on display. Beautiful garden as well.

I really enjoy the museum as a Chinese. Nice stuff to introduce the history and the exhibition is cool. Good place to learn about Chinese American history

Beautiful museum, learn a lot about the history of Chinese in San Diego, highly recommended!

The staff are very nice and shared a wealth of knowledge about the impact that early Chinese immigrants had on local history.