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  • Science Never Stops
    Museum closed, but our work continues
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    This is winter in San Diego
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The Nat is closed until further notice. Learn more.

Exhibitions

California Blooming
Opening spring 2021

More than 35 photographs that celebrate the universal symbol of the Golden State’s beauty: the wildflower. This visual survey of California’s diverse and delicately-balanced ecosystems reveals the effects of climate change and other human impacts on our native plants.


Living Lab
Now open

The Nat has a Vivarium—a facility in which we care for our live animals—in the basement of the Museum. We’re bringing these animals out and into the public gallery as part of our brand-new exhibition located on Level 1 just off the Atrium. 



Events

Member Meetup: Michael Field, Director of Experience Design.
March 5, 2021, 9 AM

Join us for a casual 30-minute Zoom conversation with Michael Field, director of experience design at The Nat. Do you remember your first visit to The Nat? The thrill of walking through the exhibitions and feeling immersed in San Diego’s natural history? It’s one thing to put specimens on display, but entirely another to display them in an interesting and memorable way. 

RSVP now

Member Meetup: Layla Aerne Hains, Botany Collections Manager.
March 19, 2021, 9 AM

Meet Layla Aerne Hains, botany collections manager. Layla organizes and cares for our herbarium, while also managing fieldwork, plant surveys, and biological monitoring. Join us for a casual 30-minute Zoom conversation with Layla, and hear what it’s like to manage a collection of nearly 275,000 plant specimens. Budding botanists are encouraged to ask questions. 

RSVP now


The Nat @ Home

Activities you can do at home

Stay busy—and learn something along the way. These family-friendly activities can be done at home or throughout your neighborhood. More.

Lesson plans and guides

Looking for educational activities for kids? The Nat has lesson plans, online activities, and more for teachers and parents. While many were designed to be used during a museum visit, they contain good background information that is easily accessible for parents offering lessons from home. More.


Science Never Stops

Help Scientists Observe Raptors Around Batiquitos Lagoon

Frog Calls: What Are They Really Saying?

Four Ways Climate Change is Affecting Local Wildlife

Ten Great Hikes for Winter

Endangered Bumblebees: Not Defined as ‘Wildlife’ Under California State Law

This is Winter in Southern California

Three Ways to Help Monarchs this Fall and Winter

What is Community Science Today?

Becoming a Herpetologist

Scientists Discover Giant Flying Bird from Antarctica

Our Mission

To interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment.

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Museum Hours

  • Temporarily Closed
  • 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday - Sunday 
    Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
    Hours subject to change.

Museum Guide

To prepare for a visit to the Museum, download or print a copy of our guide. (PDF)

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Connect with Us

San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101

619.232.3821
877.946.7797 (Toll Free) 

619.232.0248 (Fax) 

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 121390
San Diego, CA 92112-1390