The Museum is located at
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park,
San Diego, CA 92101.
Walk, bike, bus, trolley, or drive. There are countless ways to get here.
Best access to the Museum is via Park Boulevard or the historic Cabrillo Bridge.
Directions
From the North
- Interstate 5 South
- Exit on Sassafras Street, which is the airport exit.
- Turn left onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight.
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the South
- Interstate 5 North
- Exit on Sixth Avenue.
- Turn right onto Sixth Avenue.
- Turn right onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the East
- Interstate 8 West
- Exit onto State Highway 163 South.
- Exit onto University Avenue. Make no turns and you will be on Sixth Avenue.
- Turn left onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight.
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the West
- Follow North Harbor Drive until it becomes Laurel Street as you cross Interstate 5.
- Follow Laurel Street across Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
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
PARKING
The Museum is located in the heart of historic Balboa Park, on the Plaza de Panama. Parking options are available throughout the park. The closest parking lot is in the Alcazar lot, located South and West of the Museum and just a short walk away. The Organ Pavilion parking lot has abundant parking located a 10-minute walk from the Museum. Additional parking may be found in the Inspiration Point, Palisades, Federal, Balboa, Natural History, and Zoo parking lots.Trams run daily from parking areas at Inspiration Point, on Pan American Plaza, and behind the Hall of Champions, stopping at the Plaza de Panama in front of the Museum. Make sure to visit the Traffic Alerts page for up-to-date information before your visit. View directions, view a Balboa Park map, or call 619.232.7931 for additional information.
VALET PARKING
Valet parking is available for a small fee in front of The Prado Restaurant at the House of Hospitality.
Hours of service are Saturday from 10:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.
BALBOA PARK TRAM
Departing from Tram Central, next to the large parking lots near Inspiration Point (East of Park Boulevard at Presidents Way), free Balboa Park Trams operate daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (extended hours in the summer). Leaving every 10 to 12 minutes, they follow a loop route, taking passengers to a drop-off station in the Plaza de Panama directly in front of the Museum.
CHARTER BUS
Looking to travel with a large group? Consider booking a charter bus for all your exclusive tour bus travel needs.
