Visiting San Diego’s Automotive Museum

by | Jun 3, 2019

Today’s Post by Joe Farace

This classic Cord was photographed at the San Diego Automotive Museum located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. Some of the signature cars that can be found in the collection include: Louie Mattar’s Car, a 1947 Cadillac that was driven non-stop from Alaska to Mexico City; a 1948 Tucker (#19); and a 1969 Fiat 500 that’s referred to as “Luigi.” Exhibits are changed every three months to bring in cars of different types or eras and allowing you to see something different each time you visit.

Briggs Cunningham initially proposed creating an automotive museum in Balboa Park and in 1980 the San Diego City Council gave unanimous approval to the museum and granted a long term lease for one of the historic buildings in Balboa Park; a former California State Building built for the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition.

After spending  $1 million renovating and upgrading the building, the San Diego Automotive Museum opened in December of 1988.  Since then millions of auto enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world have visited this world-class collection. It a nice place full of great looking cars that’s staffed by welcoming people and is decidedly camera friendly.

Museum Hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday
  • 11am – 5pm
  • Last admission at 4:30pm
  • Saturday and Sunday
  • 10am – 5pm, Last admission at 4:30pm
  • CLOSED on Monday

Admission:

  • Adults                                   $14
  • Seniors 65 and older           $10
  • Military with ID                     $10
  • Students with ID                   $10
  • Youth 6 – 17 years old         $ 7
  • Children 5 and under          Free

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