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Discover San Diego's

Arts & Culture Scene

Creativity Around Every Corner

Photo By Eric Scire
Celebrate the Arts

Known as the Smithsonian of the West, Balboa Park hosts an incredible concentration of arts and culture offerings including 17 museums and performing arts venues. San Diego is also home to two Tony® Award-winning theaters, historic sites, public art, music venues, dance performances, film festivals, galleries, missions and much more to explore.

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San Diego's Rich and Diverse Culture

From Balboa Park to Chicano Park to Oceanside, San Diego is home to three state-designated cultural districts that embody the very best of the region.

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Favorite Spots to Take Pictures in San Diego

Landmarks, City Scapes and Animals Make Great Subjects

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Balboa Park, The Cultural Heart of San Diego

Just minutes from downtown, explore the history, legacy, and future of this ever changing, always amazing cultural park.

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Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks

Apr 7, 2024

A San Diego sportfishing tradition, The Port Of San Diego’s Day At The Docks is the West Coast’s largest public celebration of sportfishing. Signaling the official start of Southern California’s spring saltwater fishing season, Day At The Docks takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2024 against the colorful and dynamic backdrop of world renown sportfishing fleet on San Diego Bay.

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Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

May 9 - May 12, 2024

The spirit, sounds and flavors of southwest Louisiana come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco, this 4-day, family-friendly cultural celebration takes place on picture-perfect San Diego Bay, featuring 100+ live musical acts & performances on 7 stages, wooden dance floors, shade, green grass and plenty of fun for the kids.

Come for the music, stay for the food. Gator By The Bay’s mouthwatering French Quarter Food Court is what foodie dreams are made of. Check off every box on your bayou-inspired culinary bucket list and chow down on authentic Cajun, Creole and Southern culinary delights, including gumbo, jambalaya, beignets and 10,000 pounds of crawfish brought directly from Louisiana. Gator By The Bay is Mardi Gras in May

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Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival

May 10 - May 12, 2024

A highly-anticipated 7+ stage, 80+ bands, 3-day music, culinary and arts festival will descend upon the stunning waterfront of downtown San Diego all along the Embarcadero. The festival offers diverse attractions including yacht parties, water sports, art installations, after-parties, a craft beer village and plenty of local flavors. Wonderfront festival’s re-entry policy encourages festival-goers to customize their weekend experience and truly integrates the city into the fabric of the festival.

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Lecture: A Field Guide to Pseudoscience

May 16, 2024

Is there archaeological evidence that giant, human-like creatures once walked the Earth? Did the Lost Tribes of Israel visit New Mexico, etching the Ten Commandments into a boulder? Did Native Americans encounter visitors from other planets, painting images of space-suited aliens on canyon walls in Utah? Have archaeologists discovered the far western outpost of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, not in Egypt but in California?

This Zoom lecture with Dr. Ken Feder will reveal the truth underlying these and many other ancient mysteries. Spoiler alert: The answer to each of them is a resolute “no!” Nevertheless, the stories behind these and other wild claims about the ancient past are fascinating and occasionally a little hilarious. As a bonus, we will tell you how you can personally visit these places and see them for yourselves.

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What's Hot

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San Diego's Rich and Diverse Culture

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Favorite Spots to Take Pictures in San Diego

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Balboa Park, The Cultural Heart of San Diego

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What's On

View More Events

Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks

Apr 7, 2024
Discover

Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

May 9 - May 12, 2024
Discover

Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival

May 10 - May 12, 2024
Discover

Lecture: A Field Guide to Pseudoscience

May 16, 2024
Discover

Deals just for you

Activity

75-minute Naval History Bay Tour Only $24***

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Valid: Jan 11 - ongoing

Join us at the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a high-speed 75-minute narrated Naval History Tour! The US Naval Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift Boat Listed In National Register Of Historic Places is...

Galleries & Museums

Show Your Badge & Save at SDCHM

San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum
Valid: Jun 30, 2023 - ongoing

Explore the story of San Diego's historical Asian Pacific Historical Thematic District. Learn about the history of Downtown through the years as San Diego's Chinatown of yesteryear. Show your...

Activity

$18 Historic Bay Cruise with General Admission*

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Valid: Jan 11 - ongoing

Purchase general admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and add a 45-minute narrated Historic Bay Cruise for only $18 more! MOST DAYS. SCHEDULE MAY VARY Daily tours at 11:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m.,...

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