We encourage visitors to use the FREE BALBOA PARK TRAM. See their detailed maps.The tram parking lot is located on the east side of the intersection of Park Boulevard and President's Way. Ride the tram to the stop near the San Diego Museum of Art and House of Hospitality. The Museum is a short walk down the Prado, east toward the large fountain. The tram runs every eight minutes and travels in a loop through the Park. See Tram Stops on Balboa Park Map (3.7MB PDF*) |
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Parking and Directions
We are located in Balboa Park, near the intersection of Park Boulevard and Village Place. See Google™ map link, just south of the San Diego Zoo. See Balboa Park Map for available parking, tram and museum locations with the park.
For public transit, see below.
Parking
Park in the Inspiration Point parking lot (on the east side of Park Blvd., between Presidents Way and the Balboa Park Activity Center) for easy access to the heart of Balboa Park via the free tram. There are also numerous smaller lots throughout the Park, including the lot next to the Museum's east side, the south Carousel Lot on Village Place and Park Blvd. and the north Carousel Lot. See Balboa Park map (3.7MB PDF*) with parking lots and tram stops.
Valet parking is offered in front of the House of Hospitality (and The Prado restaurant) in the Plaza de Panama. Hours of service are: Tuesday through Thursday from 5 PM through 10 PM; Friday from 5 PM through midnight; Saturday from 10 AM through Midnight; Sunday from 10 AM. through 10 PM. There is no valet parking on Mondays.
Public Transit
For more details, see the Metropolitan Transit System's website, use their Online Trip Planner (OTIS) or phone 619.233.3004 (see additional numbers). Print out a detailed downtown bus and trolley map (PDF*) created by the Metropolitan Transit System.
By Bus
The Museum is on the #7 bus line, which runs very frequently between downtown San Diego (along Broadway for most of the downtown portion of the route) and east San Diego and La Mesa (along University for most of eastern portion).
From downtown: Take any outbound #7 bus. The bus will travel north on Park Blvd. The nearest stop to the museum is at the pedestrian overpass which crosses over Park Blvd. An earlier stop at the Rose Garden is also close.
From East San Diego and farther east: Take any inbound (Downtown) #7 bus. The bus will travel west on University Avenue and turn south onto Park Blvd. The nearest stop to the museum is the one immediately after the Zoo, at the pedestrian overpass that crosses over Park Blvd.
By Trolley
Take any trolley into downtown San Diego. Get off at the City College stop (12th Ave. and C St.) Transfer to the outbound #7 bus just around the corner at 11th and C.
By Train
 Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers 11 trains daily from Los Angeles to San Diego. When making train reservations, you can also reserve bus transportation from the Santa Fe station to the Museum. Group of 20+ receive a 20% discount and seniors 62+ receive a 15% discount. For reservations call 800.872.7245 (groups call 800.872.1477).
Other Options
Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego makes nine stops at some of San Diego's prime tourist spots, including Old Town, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Coronado, and Balboa Park—in front of the Zoo, a short walk from the Museum.
Directions
To reach the Museum by car
Due to the large number of visitors expected during this exhibition, if you are arriving by car, allow 20 to 30 minutes for parking.
From Downtown San Diego
Go east on Broadway Street. Turn left (north) on Park Boulevard. You will pass under a pedestrian overpass, which is adjacent to the Museum. Turn left at the first traffic light beyond the overpass (Village Place) and left again into the Museum's parking lot. See Google™ map.
From the south or the north, via Interstate 5
Exit at Pershing Drive. Stay left. At the traffic light (Florida Drive), turn left. Follow Florida Drive, passing the traffic signal at the Naval Hospital. The next street is Zoo Place. Turn left onto Zoo Place and go up the hill to the traffic light. Turn left onto Park Blvd. At the next traffic light turn right onto Village Place. Turn left into the lot directly behind the Museum. See Google™ map.
From the north, via Interstate 805 or Interstate 15
Take 163 south, keeping to the left as you cross under Interstate 8 (Do not take University or Washington—follow signs for Downtown). After about 2 miles, take exit marked Park Blvd. (Be careful of several lane changes). Turn left onto Park Blvd. You will pass under a pedestrian overpass, which is adjacent to the Museum. Turn left at the first traffic light beyond the overpass (Village Place) and left again into the Museum's parking lot. See Google™ map.
From the east or west, via Interstate 8
Exit onto 163 South, then keep to the left (Do not take University or Washington—follow signs for Downtown). After about 2 miles, take exit marked Park Blvd. (Be careful of several lane changes). Turn left onto Park Blvd. You will pass under a pedestrian overpass, which is adjacent to the Museum. Turn left at the first traffic light beyond the overpass (Village Place) and left again into the Museum's parking lot. See Google™ map.
From the east, via Highway 94
Travel west directly into downtown San Diego. Turn right on 11th, right on A, left on Park Blvd. You will pass under a pedestrian overpass, which is adjacent to the Museum. Turn left at the first traffic light beyond the overpass (Village Place) and left again into the Museum's parking lot. See Google™ map.
From the San Diego International Airport
Head east toward North Harbor Drive. Turn left at West Grape Street. Turn right to merge onto I-5 South. Take exit 16 to merge onto CA-163 North toward Escondido. Take exit 1C to merge onto Richmond Street toward Zoo-Museums.
Turn right at Upas Street.
Turn right at Park Blvd. Turn right a Village Place. See Google™ map.
For public transit, see above.
*If unable to open the PDF documents, download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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