CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM Collection of surfing artifacts and memorabilia, plus exhibits about surfing legends. Rare surfing collectibles in museum gift shop. Daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $3; seniors/military $1; kids 12 and under free. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.721.6876. Map S22

CORONADO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART Galleries of historical memorabilia reveal a rich past. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Suggested donation $2–$4. 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.7242. Map L10

MARITIME MUSEUM Visit the 1863 barque Star of India (world’s oldest active ship), the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, the 1904 steam yacht Medea, a Soviet-era submarine and the HMS Surprise, the Royal Navy frigate featured in the film Master and Commander. Daily 9 a.m.–8 p.m. $14; seniors/military $11; kids 6-17 $8; children 5 and under free. The schooner Californian also offers half-day sailing trips ($31-42). 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.234.9153. Map P14

MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM Regularly changing exhibits celebrate folk art. Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $4–7. 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0003 Map O17; Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Second Sat. of every month 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $2-3. 155 W. Grand Ave., Escondido, 760.735.3355. Free first Thurs. of every month, and second Sat. 4-8 p.m. Map B3

MISSION SAN DIEGO DE ALCALÁ The first of 21 missions stretching north along the California coast, this one was established by Junípero Serra in 1769 on Presidio Hill and moved to this site in 1774. Daily mass in the chapel and tools and artifacts on display. Vis. ctr. open daily 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Adults $3; kids/seniors $2. 10818 San Diego Mission Road, Mission Valley, 619.281.8449. Map I12

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO Post-1950s art spanning many genres and media in thought-provoking exhibits. Both locations open Thurs.–Tues. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., third Thurs. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Closed Weds. $5-10 admission valid for 7 days; <25 free; free third Thurs. 5-7 p.m. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, Map W19; 1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541. Map Q15 www.mcasd.org

MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC Vintage instruments, interactive audio and visual exhibits offer dynamic look into the history of American popular music. Tues.–Sun., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5–7, kids 5 and under free. 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, 760.438.5996. Map U23

MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS Collection includes contemporary photography, social documentary and photojournalism. Film screenings, too. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $4–6, children under 12 free. Film prices vary. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.7559. Map O17

NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Downtown’s newest museum, designed just for kids, encourages visitors to touch and interact with exhibits. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Thurs. till 6 p.m.; closed Wed.); Sun. noon-4 p.m. $10; seniors $5; children under 1 free. Free monthly on second Sun. 200 W. Island Ave., downtown, 619.233.8792. Map Q16

OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART Showcasing regional and international artists in five exhibits annually, ranging from landscape painting to studio furniture, neon sculpture, art quilts and architectural glass. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. $5–8 (students/military free). 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. Map S22

REUBEN H. FLEET SCIENCE CENTER Interactive science galleries invite visitors to explore the wonders of astronomy and physics. Giant-screen films run in the IMAX Dome Theater. Mon.-Thu. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Wed. till 7 p.m., Fri. till 8 p.m., Sat. till 7 p.m., Sun. till 6 p.m. $8.75-14.50; kids 3 and under free. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.1233. Map O17 www.rhfleet.org

SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM Hot-air balloons, jets and historic aircraft from around the world. Daily 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $6-15 (separate admission for The Science of Aliens), active military/kids 3 and under free. 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.8291. Map P17 www.sandiegoairandspace.org

SAN DIEGO AIRCRAFT CARRIER MUSEUM The world’s largest floating naval-aviation museum has restored airplanes on the flight deck and interactive exhibits inside. Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $10–18, military/kids 5 and under free. 910 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.544.9600. Map Q14

SAN DIEGO HALL OF CHAMPIONS Three levels and 68,000 square feet of sports exhibits and interactive displays form the largest multi-sports museum in the U.S. Daily 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $4–8; kids 6 and under free. 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.2544. Map O17

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART Diverse collection includes Italian Renaissance and Spanish Baroque works, 19th–20th century American and European paintings and sculptures and a vast Asian collection. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. $4.50–12; kids 5 and under free. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. Map O17

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN Go on a journey of the human experience highlighting our physical and cultural development through permanent and changing exhibits. Daily 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $5–10, children 3 and under free. 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001. Map O17

SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Dinosaur displays, interactive displays and giant-screen films, plus photography exhibitions. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10–16; children 2 and under free. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.3821. Map O17 www.sdnhm.org

TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART Home to the Putnam Collection of European Old Masters, Russian icons, American pieces and more. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sun. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free. 1500 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.5548. Map O17

WILLIAM HEATH DAVIS HOUSE The oldest wooden house in San Diego. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; $4–5. Walking tours of the Gaslamp Saturdays at 11 a.m.; $8–10. Audio tours available. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp, 619.233.4692. Map Q16