San Diego has many museums, galleries, and amusement parks as well as a world famous zoo. Museums and galleries are entertaining venues that add culture, class, and character to an event, amusement parks add a bit of fun to any event, and the zoo provides a wild setting.
Belmont Park
858-488-1549
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego
Belmont Park is an amusement park located on San Diego’s Mission Bay beach. The park offers party packages and is available for group events. The park has three restaurants and three bars as well as beachfront venues and entertainment options.
Junípero Serra Museum
619-297-3258
2727 Presidio Drive, San Diego
The Junípero Serra Museum is located in Presidio Park on the site of California’s first mission established in 1769. The 1929 museum is available for weddings and events with up to 150 people.
Kid Ventures
858-207-6088
5066 Santa Fe St, San Diego
Kid Ventures is an indoor play center for kids and their parents located in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego. The facility offers birthday party packages with shared or exclusive use of the space.
Mingei International Museum
619-239-0003 x 113
1439 El Prado, San Diego
Mingei International Museum is a museum featuring folk arts and crafts from around the world. The museum can accommodate private parties and events with up to 500 people. The Warren Theater Gallery accommodates receptions with up to 175 people or seated meals with up to 135 people. The Cornell Rotunda Gallery and the Founders’ Gallery each accommodate seated meals with up to 70 people.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Downtown
858 454 3541
1100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Downtown location features contemporary art in a historic setting, formerly the Santa Fe Depot baggage building. The museum’s 5,000 square feet FIGI Family Concourse at the Jacobs Building accommodates up to 500 people. The Copley Building’s Berglund Room and Woods Family Terrace accommodate up to 200 people.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
858-454-3541
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla location features modern art and the museum store. The Museum’s Axline Court accommodates events with up to 500 people. The Sherwood Auditorium accommodates up to 492 people.
Museum of Photographic Arts
619-238-7559
1649 El Prado, San Diego
Museum of Photographic Arts is located in Balboa Park in the Casa de Balboa building. The museum’s 2,400 square feet David C. Copley Atrium accommodates receptions with up to 200 people or seated meals with up to 140 people. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater accommodates up to 226 people.
Noel-Baza Fine Art
619-876-4160
2165 India St, San Diego
Noel-Baza Fine Art is located in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter near the Convention Center. The 1,400 square feet Gallery is available to rent for events. 600-800 square feet of exhibition space is available to rent for short term art exhibitions.
San Diego Air and Space Museum
619.234.8291 x 117
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego
San Diego Air and Space Museum, located in the historic Ford building, features rare and historic aircraft. The museum is available for weddings, receptions, parties, dances, and other events. The museum can accommodate receptions with up to 1,500 people or seated meals with up to 600 people.
San Diego Automotive Museum
619-398-0308
2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego
The San Diego Automotive Museum features a collection of cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia located in Balboa Park. The museum’s 22,680 square feet Car Park is available for events with up to 500 people. The 17,000 square feet Exhibit Floor accommodates up to 250 people. The 2,353 square feet Hall of Fame accommodates up to 150 people.
The San Diego Firehouse Museum
619-232-3473
1572 Columbia Street, San Diego
The San Diego Firehouse Museum is located in Downtown San Diego’s Little Italy. The museum includes firehouse memorabilia dating back to the 1800’s and a gift shop. The museum is available to rent for private parties and events.
San Diego Hall of Champions
619-699-2309
2131 Pan American Plz, San Diego
San Diego Hall of Champions is a 70,000 square feet, three level museum dedicated to sports. The street level Center Court accommodates up to 500 people and includes a 2,622 square feet dance floor and a 1,508 square feet media center. The 4,684 square feet Traveling Exhibit Gallery accommodates up to 350 people. The 2,548 square feet Walter Zable Banquet Room and 960 square feet Terrace seat up to 180 people together and have an attached prep kitchen. The Sports Theater seats 150 people and features a 279 square feet stage, a 128 square feet dressing room, and a 560 square feet foyer. The 960 square feet Boardroom seats 40 people.
San Diego History Center
619-232-6203
1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego
San Diego History Center is located in Balboa Park. The History Center contains 2.5 images and 45 million documents relating to San Diego’s past. The History Center is available for standing events with up to 200 people or seated events with up to 150 people. The Thornton Theatre accommodates up to 80 people. The Education Center seats 35 people. The Hans and Margaret Doe Conference Room seats 15 people.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
619-696-0199
1649 El Prado, San Diego
San Diego Model Railroad Museum features miniature reproductions of historic California railroads. The museum has a party room available to rent for birthdays and other events with up to 70 guests.
San Diego Museum of Man
619-239-2001
1350 El Prado, San Diego
The San Diego Museum of Man is located in Balboa Park. The museum has four spaces available for events: the 100 year old St Francis Chapel, the California Building’s Grand Rotunda, Evernham Hall, and Irving J. Gill Auditorium.
San Diego Natural History Museum
619-232-3821
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego
San Diego Natural History Museum is located in Balboa Park. The museum’s 5,000 square feet Grand Atrium accommodates events with up to 500 people or seated meals with up to 275 people. The Fossils Mysteries Gallery accommodates receptions with up to 300 people or seated meals with up to 50 people. The 3,800 square feet Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Theater seats 300 people. The 2,600 square feet El Mirador Rooftop Terrace accommodates receptions with up to 200 people or seated meals with up to 120 people. The Meeting Rooms and Classrooms accommodate up to 150 people for receptions or 75 people for seated events. The 1,500 square feet J. W. Sefton Boardroom seats up to 34 people and has a 600 square feet terrace. The Third and Fourth Floor Galleries are also available for events.
San Diego Zoo
619-685-3259
2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, San Diego
The San Diego Zoo has several venues available for events. The Zoofari Party Area accommodates seated meals with up to 500 guests. Treetops is a plantation style venue with a private patio and a waterfall. Albert’s Restaurant is a jungle setting tree house restaurant with a waterfall and a private patio. Sabertooth Grill is a large terrace with views of Elephant Odyssey. Sydney’s Grill is an outdoor space with lit trees and colorful umbrellas. Treehouse features multiple levels of decks in a forested canyon. The Flamingo Cafe is a large rectangular room with Caribbean and Art Deco décor. Rondavel is an octagonal room with large windows featuring views of an Asian garden with a koi pond. Discovery Outpost is a group picnic area with large umbrellas.
Seaworld San Diego
619-226-3901
500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego
Seaworld San Diego features marine life exhibits and animal interactions and shows. Seaworld has several venues available for events. Wild Arctic and Journey to Atlantis each accommodate up to 1,500 people. The glass enclosed Nautilus Pavilion and Shipwreck Rapids each accommodate up to 1,200 people. Garden Plaza accommodates up to 800 people. Mission Bay Theater accommodates up to 700 people. Penguin Encounter accommodates up to 600 people. Coco Loco Arcade and Games accommodates up to 500 people. Dine with Shamu and Shamu Close Up each accommodate up to 300 people. World of the Sea Aquarium and California Tide Pools accommodates up to 250 people. Rocky Point Preserve, Shark Encounter, and Turtle Reef each accommodate up to 200 people.
Ultrazone San Diego
619-221-0100
3146 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego
Ultrazone San Diego fetures a dark foggy atmosphere that provides the perfect setting for laser tag games. The venue is available to rent for private parties and events. Birthday party packages are also available.
USS Midway Museum
619-544-9600
910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego
USS Midway Museum features over 60 exhibits with 25 restored aircraft on the historic aircraft carrier. The Midway is available for private parties and events with up to 3,500 guests. Facilities include a four acre flight deck, two 17,000 square feet hanger bays, and below deck spaces.