Yes! Children of all ages will find The San Diego Museum of Art to be a fun and fascinating place to explore. Plus, youth ages 17 and under always receive free general admission. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (age 18 years or older) at all times. We request one adult chaperone for every ten children under the age of 15.

We encourage our visitors to share their experiences and photos with friends. Non-flash photography of objects in the Museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions (where noted) is permitted for private use only. Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner. Flash photography, the use of tripods, monopods, extension sticks (also known as selfie sticks), and the use of movie or video recording are prohibited.

Please be advised of gallery areas designated with “No Photography Allowed” signs as well as the labels of selected works of art with the ‘“No Photography Allowed’” symbol. If you’re not sure if photography is permitted, please ask a Museum Attendant.

Video filming and special photography projects, including wedding photography, are not permitted at the Museum unless preapproved by the Museum’s Marketing Department. Contact 619.232.7931 or info@sdmart.org to inquire.

For press photography, please contact 62ABOVE at sdma@62above.com

All parts of the Museum are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or mobility equipment. The access ramp entrance is located at the east end of the front of the Museum.

We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Wednesdays.

Service animals that are trained to do work or perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with disabilities are welcome at SDMA. For more information about service animals please visit the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) informational webpage on service animals.

Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted within the Museum.

You may contact us at 619.232.7931 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or you may contact us via e-mail at info@sdmart.org.

General admission covers our permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. We also offer a variety things including free our mobile app and virtual programming.

The Museum Store stocks San Diego’s most comprehensive selection of art books. Browse the exquisite jewelry, beautiful gifts, uncommon home décor, creative toys, and more to find the unexpected. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or a piece of the Museum to call your own, The Museum Store has something for everyone. Proceeds from every sale benefit the Museum’s educational and exhibition programs.

Membership starts at $75 and offers many benefits. Visit our Membership page for more information.

We are located in the heart of Balboa Park with many options for parking at no cost. See the Balboa Park parking lots map for parking options.

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) provides easy access from downtown and Mission Valley.

• Maps and Routes
• Review the times for Route 120, Route 7, and Route 215, the main bus routes that serve Balboa Park

Stop for a few minutes or spend the day—there’s always something new to view or experience.

There is no formal dress code, but we suggest casual sportswear and comfortable walking shoes. Special events held at the Museum may suggest more formal attire. Shirts and shoes required in the Museum.

No food or drinks are allowed in the Museum gallery spaces.

Panama 66, the Museum’s restaurant, is located in our May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden and features craft beer and fresh casual fare sourced locally for the whole family. No outside food is allowed in the Court and Garden.

No outside food is allowed in the Court and Garden.

We offer virtual tours led by docents on a variety of topics throughout each month. Visit the schedule here. We also offer a free mobile app that has 200 insider stories about our works of art, 15+ hours of video content, several augmented reality experiences, and much more. Ask at the Visitor Relations desk for availability.

The Museum also offers free guided tours inside the Museum with paid admission. Knowledgeable Museum docents provide as many as two public tours each day. Each tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes. Sign up for guided tours the day of your visit at the Visitor Relations desk or Docent desk, both located near the Museum entrance. Same-day registration is required. Space is limited.

We have wide range of artworks from all time periods and all around the globe. Visit our Collection Highlights webpage to look at staff picks and vote for your favorite, then come in to see them in person.

We are pleased to offer discounts to seniors, full-time college students, and military personnel. All children 17 and under are free. Visit the Hours and Admissions for a full list of prices, discounts, and offers.

The use of cell phones for phone calls is limited to the lobby areas of the Museum. While in the galleries please silence cell phones and use headphones when accessing the SDMA app and/or phone.

We ask that our visitors refrain from running in the Museum, touching the works of art, or speaking in a loud manner. Courtesy to fellow visitors and protection of the works of art is the goal.

Twelve inches is a comfortable “buffer” zone when viewing works of art.

The San Diego Museum of Art’s permanent collection is all-encompassing, with objects from across the globe, and ranging in date from 5000 BC to the present. Perhaps best known for its Spanish old master paintings, the Museum holds a broad collection of European, American, Latin American, and Asian art.  We also regularly have special exhibitions on view.  See what’s on view here.

We welcome visiting scholars throughout the year. Please contact curatorial@sdmart.org to request research access to the collection.

Rights and reproductions requests are handled by Bridgeman Art Images. View the Museum’s full rights and reproduction policy document. For more information, please contact rightsandrepro@sdmart.org

The staff of The San Diego Museum of Art do not provide appraisals of works of art for insurance or sales purposes. Please consult the following for referrals to appropriate resources. The inclusion of organizations and individuals on this list is not an endorsement by The San Diego Museum of Art but is offered as a courtesy to those seeking information.

National Institute of Appraisers
73450 Country Club Dr. #181
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (800) 676-2148
www.appraiseroffineart.com

American Society of Appraisers
P.O. Box 17265
Washington, D.C. 20041
Phone: (800) 272-8258
www.appraisers.org            

Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 889-5404, ext.11
www.appraisersassoc.org
Auction Houses

Bonhams
7601 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: (323) 850-7500
www.Bonhams.com

Christie’s
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 636-2000
www.christies.com

Sotheby’s
1334 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (541) 312-5682
www.sothebys.com

The Museum of Art does not sell works of art.

We offer a wide selection of lectures, programs, and social events throughout the year. Visit our Calendar page for details on upcoming events, or to sort by event type. The Museum is also available as a venue for private events.

We offer many virtual educational programs and opportunities for school tours throughout the year, as well as educational resources for teachers and educators. We serve children, adults, educators, and families in the San Diego area through educational and interpretive programs and performances in the Museum’s galleries, classrooms, and auditorium, and through outreach programs in the community.

The Museum is proud to support the non-profit community within San Diego County, and we will donate guest passes for most fundraisers, benefit events, and galas. To view our guidelines and submit a request for a donation, click here.

Due to current restrictions, we are not currently offering group discounts.

We can accommodate groups of all sizes. Please visit our Admissions webpage for more information.

Admission tickets may be purchased at the door or online.

All exhibition information is available in English and Spanish. Other languages can be accommodated with advance notice. Contact info@sdmart.org to make arrangements.

For your comfort and the safety of the art on view, please leave larger items at home. Coat check is available to stow food, drink, backpacks, and oversized items, including bags exceeding 16x16x8 inches and umbrellas, as these items are not allowed inside the Museum. Additional items may be checked at our discretion. Please note, backpacks and backpack-style child carriers must be worn on the front of the body, carried by hand like a briefcase, or left at coat check. Strollers are allowed in all gallery spaces. Thank you for keeping our works of art safe.

Lost or found items may be turned in or claimed through our Security Department. To speak with a representative, call 619.232.7931.

General Museum Admission
The Museum will issue refunds on a case-by-case basis for general Museum admission.

Special Exhibition Admission
The Museum will issue a refund on a case-by-case basis for Special Exhibition admission. Depending on the exhibition, all or part of your ticket price may not be refundable.

Summer Camps:

• You must cancel at least two weeks prior to the first day of your child’s camp/studio to receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations less than two weeks prior to the first day of your child’s camp/studio will be refunded at 50% of the fee paid.
• After the first day of your child’s camp/studio, no refunds will be issued for any reason

Workshops:

• Cancellations must be made at least 72 hours prior to class time to receive a full refund.
• After the 72-hour mark, no refunds will be given.
• Unless otherwise stated the above policy is in effect for all workshops.

No Refunds are given for:

• Art Alive
• Bus Trips
• Culture & Cocktails/Sculpture & Cocktails
• And other special events where listed

Circle and Gallery Collective Events
If you are attending one of these member-specific events, please let us know if you are unable to attend leading up to the event. These events often have very limited capacities, which means there are often waitlists. Help your fellow members by freeing up a space for them.

Refunds for Canceled Events

The Museum will contact ticket holders in the case of a canceled event and will issue refunds.

Refunds for Rescheduled Events

The Museum will contact ticket holders with a new date and time for rescheduled events. If a ticket holder cannot attend the rescheduled event, a refund will be issued.

Use of Tickets

The Museum reserves the right to require photo identification of any person picking up or using tickets/passes at the Museum.

The Museum prohibits the resale of tickets. Unlawful sale or attempted sale subjects tickets to revocation without refund. Persons who purchase ticket(s) to the Museum and/or to Museum events other than through the Museum’s ticket office or website should note that the Museum accepts no responsibility for the validity or such tickets. Tickets obtained from unauthorized sources may be invalid, lost, stolen, or counterfeit and if so are void.

Sketching in the galleries is welcomed. Visitors may use pencil, colored pencils, or crayons on sketchpads, notebooks, or drawing boards up to 15 x 17 in. Please take care not to prop materials against walls or display cases, nor spread out on the floor, and maintain a safe distance from the artworks. Ink, chalk, paint, pastels, and easels are prohibited. To arrange sketching visits for groups of ten or more please contact  info@sdmart.org.