





Children's Museums
San Diego Automotive Museum
📍 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101🕐 Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4:30 PM |
About San Diego Automotive Museum
Showcase of vintage cars & motorcycles. Small destination featuring rotating displays of classic cars, trucks & motorcycles. The museum features over 75 vehicles and motorcycles in its collection, including notable pieces like Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car and a Lamborghini Countach that receives significant visitor attention. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,072 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Automotive Museum
- Best For
- All ages
- Collection Size
- 17,000 sq ft with over 75 vehicles and motorcycles
- Location
- Balboa Park, San Diego
- Admission
- Single day tickets or annual memberships available
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features over 75 vehicles and motorcycles in its collection, including notable pieces like Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car and a Lamborghini Countach that receives significant visitor attention
- Single-day tickets purchased online remain valid for seven days from purchase, providing flexibility for visitors to explore at their own pace
- The museum operates a rotating exhibit model where a majority of cars are swapped out every few months with different themes, such as featuring all Ferraris, keeping the collection fresh for repeat visitors
- The museum can be comfortably explored in about one hour, making it an ideal complement to visits to nearby attractions in Balboa Park including the San Diego Air & Space Museum
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan for 1-2 hours of visiting time. The museum is smaller than typical automotive museums, so you can comfortably view the entire collection in about an hour, making it ideal for a focused visit or as part of a larger Balboa Park exploration.
- Check the museum calendar before visiting to see which rotating exhibit is currently featured. The collection changes every few months with different themes (such as Ferraris), so timing your visit to catch a specific themed collection can significantly enhance your experience.
- Purchase tickets online in advance for faster entry. Tickets are valid for seven days from purchase, giving you scheduling flexibility, and online purchase helps you skip ticket lines.
- This museum is best suited for car and motorcycle enthusiasts rather than general audiences. If you're not passionate about automotive history, vintage cars, and motorcycles, you may want to manage expectations about the collection size and scope.
- If visiting with a group or organization, schedule your visit at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability and potentially access group rates or special arrangements.
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